Separating TRUTH from FICTION.

What the Bible Really Says!

Who is JESUS?

Learning to Live like HIM.

Did CALVARY Matter?

Where would we be if He was as motivated as we are?

What does Worship Mean?

Love without limits.

How Do WE Treat Others?

For God so loved the world that He gave.. what do we do?

Aug 15, 2006

Pimpin' Jesus?


NOTE: If you are easily offended or do not like having your toes stepped on, stop reading now.


I was noticing recently the change in our youth. Their words and their actions did not bring the thoughts to my mind I would have expected from Christians, let alone Apostolics. I am troubled but I want to preface what I am saying by letting the reader know I am not racist, hateful, self righteous, or otherwise meaning to judge. However, someone has to step up and change things before it is too late. I may not be the person you want to hear from, but it has to be said.

I have heard preaching, talked with people, and even read articles proclaiming the way to reach our youth today. Some of it makes sense, some things might work, but some leaves me shaking my head in disbelief. A few years back, everyone was running around with the WWJD stickers, bracelets, and shirts. I can assure you, Jesus wouldn't be doing some of the things I have heard.

I'll make it simple. Our kids are going to hell believing what they are doing is ok.

I am sure you have heard the comments. 'Yo dog, wassup? Dat gurl be fly! Pimpin' ain't ez. Aight! Fo' shizzle.' These are comments I heard from Apostolic Youth in the past couple of years. I realize it sounds like I am picking. 'Don't be a hata, yo!' It has gotten worse. We banned comments like these from our chatrooms a couple years back, and were told we just didn't understand the youth.

It was a new thing. Loud rock music, christian punk, emo christianity, smoke and lights, but it was the way to reach the youth, on their level.

Just recently, walking into the church doors, someone flashed me the crossed peace sign, or whatever they call it. I see photos of our youth thinking they are pimpin.' Many of them, who as young children were raise in Sunday School, and some even got the holy ghost really young, are now wanting 'bling' and thinking it is cool to act and look like a pimp. Bright shiny suits, unshaven scruff on their chins, makeup on girls, (You know I am right!) cell phones, hooking up with each other from really young ages in the back of the church, or ok maybe they go outside in the dark after church to tell their flavor of the month how hot she looked tonight.

Do I sound angry? I am. Maybe I am not angry enough. A young man in my church recently called my house to talk to my son, and tried to get him to 'hook up' with a new girl, because ' she thinks you are so cool, and hot, you should go out with her.' This may not mean much to you reading this, but my son is 14 the girl is 12, they ain't going nowhere alone, or in a group. I have been told I am too hard, but I don't care. The bible says train up a child in the way he should go, and he will not depart from it. The thing is this young man who called my son, is the same age. He also has a girfriend who is 12, and I have been told there are photos of them 'getting busy.' I don't want to see them, I do not even want to know. But someone took those photos. Unless a miracle happens, what's next? Oh, they were just kissing, holding hands. Yeah? Maybe this time.

But back to this pimpin fingers thing. Can someone please explain to me how that is of God? How does acting like someone who sells other people for sex for a price to be determined by him, cool, let alone Godly?

Yeah, ok I hear the rage in your voice. 'My son isn't like that! Really? My daughter would never...' Are you sure?

We send them off to band camps, church camps, youth conventions, where they meet up with their friends, and many times unchaperoned they go off alone. Can you be sure what is happening? 'Train up a child.' I talked to someone recently, a minister, and last youth convention, two of their girls came home with a sexually transmitted disease. Oh I know not all youth are like that. But the life we let them lead at home, is the life they will lead when they are away from us.

Imagine if you will!

It's Sunday night service, the pastor comes sauntering out of the study long pimp robe on, gold flashing from his chest, smiles and you can see the diamond implant in his teeth, and hear a wooshhing sound as he places his dusty old bible covered in cobwebs down on the pew, and says 'Yo, my peeps, wats up playas 'n hos? Come down to this here altar deal, and shake it for Jesus! We gunna make some noise in dis house! MMmmmmmMMM! Sister Susie ya lookin fineeee tonite! Come ova hea n gimme sum of dat!' And he crosses his arms across his chest flashes the double peace sign, and smiles while we run to the altar with our money and fill up a bucket for him.

Sound ridiculous? Would you laugh? Cry? Run? Die of a heart attack?



But it is happening! Oh maybe not in fine robes, bling, or language, but we have begun to pimp out Jesus.

NOTE: Dictionary Reference

pimp: One who finds customers for a prostitute; a procurer. intr.v. pimped , pimp·ing , pimps
To serve as a procurer of prostitutes.

I know you are thinking what am I talking about.

It used to be people came hungry to the altar for God. Saints labored with them, prayed, fasted, desired God for people to be saved. There were standards of holiness. We didn't bicker about what was God and what was man. We followed what we were taught. We led others to Christ by the example we showed everyone. Were we popular? No! We still believed in truth. And we lived it.

When they new convert came to Christ we mentored them. Gave them bible studies, took them out to dinner, slowly made sure they were making it ok. Now, we get them in, get them speaking in tongues, slam em down in the tank, and send them on their way. 'They got the holy ghost, been baptized, we done our part.' Really? I have seen it time and again, where they do speak in tongues, and get baptized but then we never see them again? WHY?

Because we are pimpin' Jesus to them. We make it easy as possible for them to get what they want, and then we send them on their way. 'Oh, if they only had a deeper consecration with God.' Get off your pew and go after them. If you can honestly be excited that you are going to heaven, when someone you know is going to hell, and you don't feel the need to witness, comfort, or lead, you do not have the same Jesus I do.

Jesus doesn't want to just bring them to Him. He wants us to keep them for Him. The Holy Ghost is supposed to lead, but the bible does say by the foolishness of preaching we are saved.

If the young people in your church are not bringing their friends to church, something is not right. And it is not just the young people. If they act like the world, talk like the world, they are part of the world. That is hard. But it is simple, and it is scriptural.

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. John 15:19 (Jesus's words, not mine.)

It is not just the youth though. I belong to a forum that shall remain nameless, but it is for the ministry. Someone brought up the question on whether or not it was ok to drink real wine for communion. There were many comments for and against, but the tone of the comments changed, and then the topic changed. It then became whether or not it was ok for someone to have wine with their dinner when they were with business associates, after all that is what is accepted. Again more comments. Then someone said he didn't see anything wrong with the wine, in fact he thinks the bible is not against drinking, as long as it isn't gluttony. He commented that when he comes home from his job, he has a beer or two before dinner. He doesn't get drunk, so he believes it is ok to drink. I found myself wondering and shocked. This is supposed to be a forum for minsters, apostolic ministers, and they are discussing whether or not it was ok for this man to drink beer.




Pimpin' Jesus! "Oh, it won't hurt if we allow our kids to listen to that music at home. One movie won't hurt. Well I know they are young, but they are just kissing. TV isn't wrong. He is just a teenager, let him be that way til he grows up." Will he though?

Sex is supposed to be for the marriage bed, not to satisfy a desire. Serving God is supposed to be for a committment, not for a moment. We are pimpin' Jesus. Get them tithes and offerings in here, we have a church building to build. We are helping support a missions work. Doing something we cannot seem to do here. Pimpin' Jesus. Selling him out to the highest bidder. We apologize if we hurt someones feelings in church while we strive to empty out their wallet. It seems lately we come to church to be seen, to be cool, to show off our new 'threads.' We have forgotten, even though we sing the songs. "Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down..."

Pride cometh before destruction. What's next?

Pimpin Jesus? Jesus has been turned into a prostitue for us to be able to build bigger churches, and have a 'greater impact' in our world. Really?

It has to change before we hear a trumpet and look up and notice everyone else is gone. Even the church down the street, who we thought didn't have the truth.

Pimpin' Jesus.

Aug 12, 2006

Just Another Sunday Night

My heart is both perplexed and to be frank, depressed, as I write this article the Lord placed on my heart. We never know the real effect of our actions. Sometimes they are a blessing, and other times a curse.

It began as any other Sunday night service. A few people were in the altars as we made our way to the oew that over the years had become 'our spot.' A few waved, shook hands, and one or two was down at the front praying prior to the evening service. Most however, were in the back rooms talking and laughing discussing the days events. There were of course the stragglers who always made it to church just a little bit after the first song. They never could seem to make it quite on time.

I was surprised and a bit encouraged to see one older lady come and sit a couple rows ahead of me. She hadn't been in church for quite some time. Her hair was different than it used to be, trimmed a bit I guess, and not that I would judge her, but I noticed the glint of gold on her ears. I could sense a sadness about her as we sang the 'new' songs off the overhead projector. I wasn't sure if she was in pain, or just reminiscing about days gone by. There was a time when this sister had been a faithful member of the church. But I better go back a bit further.

Although her husband never seemed to quite understand the workings of a Pentecostal service, they were always there in their usual place, smiling, singing along, and always, even in the local supermarket taking time for anyone else who needed a friend. She worked at the supermarket and always had a kind word for everyone, taking extra time with those who seemed lonely to bring a smile to their face before they left her checkout. Sister C also made a point every chance she got to invite people to church on a regular basis.

Years passed and her family didn't find the time to be in church so much. Her husband had come down with a disease that made it impossible for him to walk, and in time, he had to have his legs amputated. Sister C did her best to make it to church when she could, but taking care of her husband took its toll. After a little while, she no longer came back, and in time most of us forgot about her.

I had moved away for a while, and when I came back Sister C came one Sunday night and her eyes brightened when she saw me. She always used to make it a point to tell me how much I was appreciated, and how she had enjoyed my preaching and singing. Sometimes, in the past she had requested special songs for me to sing, because they were her favorite but she felt she didn't have a good enough voice to do some singing herself. Occasionally she sang a special, but when she quit coming to church, the new 'leaders' felt she must not have a good enough love for God. So, when she finally did come back, there was a nice to see you, but no offer of anything more. She did understand. And she came to church faithfully. She was always requesting prayer for her children, and most people didn't even know she was sick herself.

It was good to see her there though on that Sunday night. She smiled as she saw me, and talked to my wife, and my parents when we walked shook each others hands, but I felt she believed she was no longer useful. She had taken a job caring for an elderly man to make ends meet, but her sickness was getting the best of her.

I felt God tell me to go up to her and talk to her about the four lepers who saved Israel. I told her how God had used them when the Israelites were starving to go into the city and take the spoils. Israelites had been overrun by the enemy and everything they had was taken, they were to the place they were selling dung for fuel, and eating whatever they could find. People were dying.

Lepers were not allowed to be a part of everyone else. They were required to stay without the camp. They too were starving, but one day they decided what would it hurt to go into the city. The worst that could happen ws the enemy would kill them, but they were dying anyhow due to leporsy and starvation, so they figured what could it hurt.

They began to head toward the city and when they got there, they found the place deserted. God had magnified the sound of their footsteps to the point that the enemy thought a great army was coming. Four leperous starving men became an army used of the Lord to save His people. I honestly believed that Sister C, even though she was considered 'unusable' had the abilities to change the lives of many. But, we will never know.

I heard the church phone ring, and someone came up and ushered Sister C to a back room to talk on the phone. I do not know the extent of the call. She came in crying, took her purse, and went to the back of the church. We continued on with taking up the offering, singing a song or two, talking about coming events, and someone got up and spoke for a little while. I do not remember a move of God in that service. Frankly, that has become the norm. It doesn't seem important to most if God moves or not. I remember Sister C standing close to the office door, waiting patiently, although obviously distraught. She waited for quite sometime while most stood around talking and laughing, making plans to go out to eat. Somewhere, in the sanctuary, the pastor stood their talking with some friends as Sister C walked slowly out the door. It was just another Sunday night, as usual.

I got a call early Wednesday morning from my mom and Sister C had passed away. Something in that phone call had disturbed her greatly. She had waited to talk to the pastor, but he doesn't hold all the blame. Even I had seen her standing there, and in the hustle of service being over, I had failed to take time as well to see if I could help.

Sister C committed suicide on her kitchen floor sometime late Tuesday night. We will never know why. She had been to church the Sunday night before, but it was just another Sunday night, a Sunday night on the way to hell.

About a year ago a lady who had been coming to church for a long time just quit coming. I had seen her in the pastor's office, and she seemed overwhelmed with something, but it was the ladt time I saw her. I know she is still around. Her kids and husband still come to church. I called to talk to her a couple times, and was told by her husband that she has gone off over to the deep end, and no longer believes in the Holy Ghost, or Jesus name. Personally I find this hard to believe. She used to take the photos for the baptistries.

I remember her taking pictures of people in the altar pouring their hearts out to God. In fact, I remember one time opening my eyes and finding her camera in my face after a real strong move of God. It was annoying, but she was still a soul, and whatever her issues were I was pretty much surprised that she hasn't come back. Why does it seem everyone counts her as a lost cause? She was there, usually early for church. Many times in the altar. Did church for her become just church, just another Sunday night, a Sunday night on the way to hell?


A few weeks ago I came to church and noticed a couple of our regulars, husband and wife, sitting on seperate sides of the church. She seemed disturbed, and he seemed completely out of sorts. People were friendly, I guess you could say, but most leaned toward her, and left him to sit by himself. I could see he was trying to worship, and so I went and prayed with him unknowing what the situation was. Of course, early Monday morning, someone was sure to give me a call and let me know that they had seperated. She had thrown him out after an arguement, and I heard all the gossip about how bad of a person he was, and how she said this and that.

Now, I do not know the real story. I don't care to. However, the idea that so many people have taken sides, and commented on what they think is going on, infuriates me. Since that Sunday night, I have not seen her visit the church. He has come twice with one of their children, but the other child and the wife are nowhere to be found. Is this the beginning of another Sunday Night on the way to HELL?

It seems to me a pattern is emerging. We come to church. We sing our songs. We take an offering. We listen to someone preach. We go home or out to the local burger place.

JUST ANOTHER SUNDAY NIGHT! On The Way To Hell

Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. Joel 3:13-14


I am sick of it. I am tired of 'normal services.' It is time that the people of God became the PEOPLE OF GOD.


I hope your services have not become routine. I hope you don't leave feeling it was just another Sunday night. I was told I shouldn't make waves. I shouldn't complain. I should 'be a team player.' I don't want to be on a team allowing people to go to hell. I was told, if I did write this article it would get back to people, and people would be upset. It would 'reflect badly on the church.' Please understand, I am not making judgements on the people I have mentioned, but the Bible says "buy the truth and sell it not." That is pretty clear. I am not upset with people who go thru trials or tests. I am not upset with backsliders.

I am upset with people who worry about their image. I am upset with the idea that the church has to be politically correct. I am upset that souls are not worth more than the image of the church. If this offends you as you read it quit reading, because I have just started.

I honestly believe there needs to be a revolution in the movement. It is time there were more Elijah's and less Abercrombie & Fitch. It is time there were more altars and less Lexus and BMWs parked in the parking lot.

I don't understand. There was a time when most were almost ashamed to admit they were apostolic or pentecostal for fear of rejection. You were considered wierd if you believed in the holy ghost and tongues, and most kept it in the closet. Our women were ridiculed for wearing skirts and dresses with their long hair streaming down their backs, our men were laughed at for being clean shaven and wearing ties.

But, we have 'grown.' We are now the ones with the expensive homes, the nice cars, the designer clothes. I heard someone recently comment on paying $150 for a purse. WHY?

I will tell you why.

It is ok now for our men to be scruffy, and to wear a stylish shirt with a jacket minus the tie. (And I know the tie doesn't save you.) Our women, many of them look fashionable but are afraid to worship for fear of splitting a seam, or perhaps when they sit down, if they don't sit perfect the skirt will be above their knee. (This is not about standards, hang on.) I have seen pastors, and worship leaders "calm down" a service, so they could go on with the service. Have they forgotten the move of God? Our services have become overly choreographed to the point, that you can come late to church, and no exactly what part of the service will be going on. We are after all most aware of the clock.

When God does move, and we 'need those sometimes' but we make sure it doesn't last any longer than necessary so we can be sure and meet and greet after the service before the local Applebees closes. Style has replaced passion. Protocol has replaced worship. Socializing has replaced hunger. And souls, well who witnesses anymore? Real Pentecost has been replaced with Pride!

So, whose fault is it when we have just another Sunday night? Mine? Yours? The Pastors? The worship leader? The muscians? The sound man?

YES!

The bible says they that hunger and thirst after righteousness "shall be filled." "They shall speak with tongues, heal the sick, etc." We are proud in our piety. It isn't dignified for the pastor to run the aisles. Politically correctness has replaced preaching the truth. Am I just trying to cause trouble? NO. However, I am tired of my church just going thru the motions. I am tired of just another Sunday night.

Sad to say, I cannot remember the last time in my own church, when I felt convicted. Am I perfect. Not by a long shot. We are quick to judge each other, and to notice when someone doesn't seem to be what they 'used to be.' But do we try to extend a hand of friendship, encourage, or uplift?

This is personal for me, because I was told from a relative that they will not go back to the church I attend, because they are not welcome there. I don't want to know more.

I am hurt that they feel that way, because when it gets that way and people are not welcome to come, no matter how bad their sin, and we go thru the motions of just another Sunday night, for someone it is just another Sunday night, a Sunday night on the way to HELL!

You never know, the person on the way to Hell, could be you. Is it worth it pastor? Saint? Musician? Sunday school teacher? Sound man? Just another Sunday Night.

Jun 27, 2006

It's Time To Get Hungry!


Editors Note: It has been a while since we updated our articles and website. We are currently undergoing many exciting changes, and so we hope you will check out our website, and be a part of this ongoing ministry! We will endeavor to keep more current with the new changes. GBU.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

For a little while now I have wondered whether or not we have lost our zeal and our faith in the ability of Christ to move. Our services have become almost denominational. We have our programs, our philisophical diatribe, a little music, and of course our many offerings. What we seem to have lost is our real hunger for God. It is confusing, and sometimes I find myself being angered by the lack of desire, but when I do what I can to pray, and be available if needed, and still no change, well it gets easy to be discouraged, or even full of doubt.

I understand it is the last days, and many will fall away. I also understand the 'preachers with itching ears thing.' I think I even know a few of them. But I think we blame who we have become on the scriptures say it will happen rather than being willing to do something to change.

It is depressing to see people come in, get the holy ghost, be baptized, and never come back. Some would say, they just didn't have the hunger for God. Others would say, it is just a sign of the times, but the bible says 'they that hunger, shall be filled.'

Have we become so complacent in our worship, so busy with our lives, so afraid of controversy that we fail to realize that we are slowing dying. A body can only go so long without food, and without hunger the body will not realize the slow deterioration until its too late.

There are instances where we are unable to find food. In a spiritual sense, if our minsters are not clued in with what is needed, then we will not find what we need. If we base what we do on the programs that have worked for others rather than seeking God, and finding fresh food for our own people, then we are slowly killing them. Even a baby will get sick of nothing but milk when it begins to grow, and yet the same repeated message comes across the pulpit over and over. Stale!

Now, I understand there can be a need to reaffirm the message of our faith. Water baptism, the holy ghost, the love of God, needs to be taught. But, if the message didn't come from prayer, and study, it is microwaved bread. It is not good, tough to chew, and though there may be a bit of food value left, it isn't easy to choke down.

It irritates me though, that instead of fresh bread, and fresh water, and especially a fresh anointing, we are expected to exist on what is the topic of the day. We have the fire, we have the bread, why isn't the bread fresh and hot? We are hungry pastor! Feed us!

Imagine it like this. We are sitting there at a banquet table filled with all kinds of glorius treats, but instead our host comes up to us, and says, I am sorry but you will only be able to eat this moldy, stale, bread. And when someone makes a grab for the meat, he apologizes and takes it away!

GET REAL PASTOR!

Try feeding your wife stale bread and dirty water, when there is cake and fresh milk available. I am sure you will wake up to realize, either she doesn't want you around anymore, or that she has died of hunger!

Eventually though, we succumb to eating the stale bread because it is all we are given. Our hunger for greater things dies.

This is the state of the Apostolic church. Content with less, when we could have so much more. Some of it is the pastors faults. Some of it is the saints who sit there on their pew and are willing to accept less than the best. I have seen souls die spiritually and in actuality because their needs were not being met. Psychology, charisma, and an act of 'worship' is not enough to sustain those in need. Still we persist. I have begun to believe that some do not even realize what they are doing. (He wist not the spirit had departed.) I know this is talking about Samson, but I believe it is relevant to today.

Sadly, I have found myself wondering if I was wrong, if perhaps I was backslid myself. I am not. I want to see God move like He used to. He deserves all of our praise. But, I wondered, does anyone else feel like I do? Am I alone in this hunger?

Thankfully I am not!

A friend sent me the top photo from her church camp. There is still hunger, and there is still a cause. Are we going to feed them? Or let them die like so many of us already have. Is there not a cause??? Little kids hungry for God! So many of us toss them aside, tell them to 'shush!' and act like they do not matter. But they are hungry, and they believe God can. I do not see how we can sit on our pews of complacency, or how we can go on with the program when some child is hungry for God. We need to throw our plan, and our agenda out the window, before it is too late.

See, it is not just them that would be lost. It is us! They want a move of God. They don't feel embarrassed by what we believe, and they want to share it with others. Look at the hunger in her face, look at the desire. Do you still have that?

If we keep silent the rocks will cry out! Already there is talk of the holy ghost falling in other churches, and yet we have one or two a year? Believe me I am not against the holy ghost falling where ever it has to, but do we really want to be the ones on the outside looking in?

In many churches the all night prayer meetings are gone. I cannot remember the last time my pastor called a fast for some need that wasn't financial. We no longer linger in the altar, and our 'musicians' can't seem to know what the spirit is leading to draw more people to the altar. Loud music is confused with praise, and one of two shouts and we think we have had a move of God.


Just last week I was in revival, and the services were better than I can remember in quite a while. A comment was made from the pulpit, ' We need services like this, sometimes.' SOMETIMES?

If you aren't hungry you will not get fed. But I know for myself, when I am hungry for barbequed ribs, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob; cream of wheat, doesn't cut it! When I am hungry for some reason, I seem to cook better. I don't make my kids eat leftovers, I make em something fresh.

And that is the answer! When the pulpit gets hungry, the pews will no longer accept stale bread and stale water. When the pastor displays his hunger, the saints will follow.

It is time to get hungry!