......Filthy Rags

It's  the 4th Quarter, the ball is on the one (1) yard line with :02 seconds on the clock. You call a time out to go over the play that you have went over time and time again in practice. Your opposition knows you are going to get the ball so they send in extra defense of lineman to stuff the holes; to make sure that you have no way of getting in. Aware of the strategy of your opponent your team decides to fake the ball to you and have you go out for a quick pass. Focused on stuffing the holes in the line, the defense overlooks you in the end zone all alone. Your quarterback doesn't though; he tosses you the ball, all the fans stand to their feet, the players on each side line watch in silence, the ball comes right to you and just like that you drop the pass. Game Over! The other team rejoices. You sink to your knees in disbelief, the crowd and your teammates gasp as the clock reflects 00:00 on the scoreboard for all to see. Teammates come to your side to give you a hand, but you decline, you just want to sit there. Everyone has vacated the field and return to the locker rooms, but you're still there, trying to figure out how can I drop the ball after  practicing that very same throw, that very same route hundreds of times. Often times in life we miss the mark. Even after knowing all that Jesus did for us, we drop the ball. The most simplest thing, the thing we know we shouldn't do, the very thing He delivered us from, we find ourselves right back in the miry clay. We hate the sin, but deep in our soul we have become infatuated with the sensation or gratification that we get out of the wrong that we've convince ourselves is right. How do we break free. Do we continue in sin because we know that we are forgiven? Do we wait to do that which God has called us away from and shortly thereafter say "I'm sorry Lord" when subconsciously we actually love the mud, the dirt, the miry clay? Certainly not! As a matter of fact, "He became sin who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God In Christ Jesus" (II Corinthians 5:21). On top of that, "I have been crucified with Christ, its no longer I that live but its Christ that lives in me; the life that I now live in the body I live by faith through the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). We shouldn't go back to what God has already declared us free from. :For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life" (Romans 6:23).  My sin no longer has dominion over me. #believerinChrist

The Effects of Music

Imagine if you will that your mattress was your brain and the frame of the bed was your skull...sounds weird? Well remember, we're imagining; so your brain is the mattress and the bed frame is your skull. Now lets bring music into the equation; the music will be the bed spread, sheets and the pillow case. Oh, I forgot the pillow....let's make the pillow your memory. Now lets run through it quickly: your brain is the mattress, the frame is your skull, the pillow is your memory while the comforter, sheets and pillow cases represent music. From the start we all understand that we do not need sheets, pillow cases or comforter to go to sleep. We have been conditioned over the years that we can not get a good night rest with out them. The truth of the matter is we actually can, but to be quite honest its hard to imagine sleeping peacefully without them. Now back to the topic of discussion...music impacts or influences our mind. Music is like that comforter, sheet and pillow case. It has a way of surronding itself around us and brining us comfort. Music is like a canvass with the picture already painted. Its intensity speaks without speaking, its colors scream without yelling. Like this painting on the canvass, so is music when it gets into our mind. Music ministers to our spirit and after we wrap ourselves in it we become one with the rhythm, the lyrics wrap themselves around our mind like a headband and it becomes injected into our memory like a sedative that relaxes every fiber of ones being. Music listeners become one with the music, so much so that they can hear the songs replaying in their minds while at work. What's interesting is the music that I once played through an electrical device is now silent...so how then am I hearing it replaying in my mind? True it is embedded in our memory, but I submit to you that its deeper than that. The music has gotten into our spirit. There is some truth to what Gloria Estevan said in her song titled, "The Rhythm is Going To Get You." Here's the interesting part you become what you say. What I mean by that is that eventually what you listen to (music specifically) 

will eventually be sung or uttered by you. It will become your words. Music has a way of invoking the image or intent of the writer into our minds. It no longer becomes the writers intent, it becomes our idea. We think about what we're thinking about. Once we cross that threshold we become more like what we have sung or uttered out of our own mouths. Music even has the potential to generate a false reality. I have seen several interviews of rap artist that state, they do not live what they rap. Frustrated over the false reality, it will then set in and ultimately the person or persons that is engulfed into the writers intent will try with all his or her might to bring the fictional portion into their reality. Music causes attitude shifts as well. For the Christian, the wrong music has the ability to block or hinder our prayer life. How so? When we try to worship or have prayer in our prayer closet, we're calling on the name of the Lord and back in the corner of our minds we here "All Eyes On Me" by Tupac. I am not bashing Tupac, but what I am saying is  music can be and will be used by satan to distract us when trying to pray or worship. I often say what you put in is what will come out and often at the wrong time. One day I prayed and asked God about secular music and if its ok for me to listen to. Now before I tell you what He revealed to me let me just say that this is the type of relationship I have with Jesus. I ask Him what He thinks. Not only is He my savior, He's the Lord of my life. I have learned over the years that if you ask God, He will speak. After asking God the question about secular music here's what He revealed to me, "If it does not glorify my name, don't listen to it." Music is powerful....think about it before you let the sound and lyrics of music minister to your soul!

Asking and Telling

The other day I was watching television and I noticed that our 12 year old was up passed her bedtime listening to music, reading and on the computer (all at the same time). I got up from where I was, went to her and reminded her of her bedtime. After giving her the reminder I was surprised at her response. "Daddy, I'm reading, not on the computer." Struggling to understand her response, I became upset and said, young lady, turn off the music, turn off the computer, put the book away and good night." She did as I asked and headed to her bedroom. Shortly thereafter she walked to the kitchen to get a drink of water. I asked her to come over. She wasn't exactly the happiest person; she sat by me and I asked, "Why are you upset?" She said, "Daddy I wasn't on the computer, I was actually reading, I like listening to music when I read, it makes it easier." I hugged my daughter, kissed her on the forehead and said, "If you had asked me if it was ok to stay up beyond your bedtime, I would have allowed you to. Instead you began to tell me what you were doing and what you would continue to do. If you had only asked, my response would have been different." We embraced again, she smiled and returned to her bedroom. Later that evening I was taking a shower and I got a revelation from my interaction with my daughter. I realized that in the relationship I have with Jesus, I do to Him what my daughter did to me. I began to realize my error in prayer and fasting as well as overall obedience to God. I thought about a scripture, "If you ask anything in my name, I will do it" (John 14:14). I realized that I never really asked God for things, instead I have been telling God what I am going to do. Have you ever done that? We often tell God what we're going to do, then ask Him to bless our plan. Sadly, we treat God as if He was a genie in a bottle that must grant us three wishes. When we do this we create a level of frustration ~ it becomes about our agenda and what we want, when we want and how we want it. Asking changes or shifts the atmosphere and places God on the throne of our hearts and places us in the position of servant. Our dependence should be in Him....He alone is God, and is ready and willing to help...for the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in lack! God is our source and everything else is but a resource....its not about telling God what we are going to do and demanding him to do something about it, but rather asking Him, stepping aside and watching Him do exceedingly, abudantly, far above what we ask or think!

.....trusting God is not like playing checkers

When I was a child I loved to play checkers. My most fierce competition was my brother Andrew. Those Saturday mornings were serious...best 2 out of 3...no, no best 3 out of 4! The competition was intense! I use to love to make the  first move...still don't know why I felt like that gave me the advantage...but nevertheless I had to...so its game time and we stare at the board often times staying in that decisive mode for 5 to 10 minutes! Playing checkers was all about me...oh and you better not try to voice your opinion or thoughts on what my next move should be..."I got this" is what I would proclaim to you. Checker players need their space and need to think independently in order to become successful. Outside influences, while in the game, are not helpful nor is it recommended if you want to be better, bigger and boisterous! So how do I tie God into all of this and how is hearing him and listening to him compare to a simple checker game? Well unlike checkers...pursuing God seeking His wisdom is not a one sided affair...His word says, "If any man lacks wisdom let him ask God who gives to men generously without finding fault and it will be given to you" (James 1:5). When walking with God we see as well that the way up is down and what I mean by that is, "Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and He will exalt you" ( James 4:10). Checkers requires only you: your intellect, your wisdom, your insight so to speak...when you interpret that you get: I, I, I, Me, Me, Me....which equates to a prideful outlook on things.  We know clearly that, "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). One thing that I noticed about checkers (and I hope you have too) is the fact that they do not speak neither do they have the capability to speak. While walking with God you soon discover that He speaks. Not only does He speak He will direct your path, when you trust in Him with all your heart (Proverbs 3:5). Over time I have learned how to hear Him when He speaks and follow His lead. I must admit that I struggled to understand how to follow His lead. After learning how to hear His voice, I would take it and run with it without actually praying  before I attempted to describe what I believed He meant when He spoke. It's not that its difficult its a matter of breaking away from being in control or better yet doing it my way. When I played checkers against my brother Andrew I didn't seek God's council (didn't need to) I made my own decisions and my own moves. Often times in life we pray earnestly and are certain we feel that God is leading us in a certain direction. In spite of the clarity we receive in the spirit, we move contrary to what was revealed. God may be leading you to leave your city or a particular job, etc. Without seeking Him more one may assume that "I have to leave tomorrow" when that may not be the case. Seek God when you hear Him, when you desire to know more. God is a speaking God and where He leads He guides and where He guides He provides. When God spoke to Abraham, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you" (Genesis 12:1). Abraham was "looking for a city whose builder and maker was God" (Hebrews 11:10). Trusting God is not like playing  checkers....but I encourage you to trust Him when you can't trace Him...know that your life is in His hands. Let Him take the wheel, it's a lot easier riding in the backseat.

Faith...Like a Mustard Seed

We all know that a lot is better than a little bit...but what about when it comes to our faith? Now it is important for us to increase our faith and that does happen as we continue to grow in grace and in our relationship with Christ Jesus. So what is faith? Webster and Dictionary.com has their meaning but I would rather refer to scripture or God's word. According to scripture "faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). I can remember when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I struggled with believing  things without seeing them first. I guess you can say I was sort of like Thomas. Who was Thomas you ask? Well he was one of the disciples that was not present when Jesus manifested himself to the other 10 disciples after His resurrection (Judas had hug himself after betraying Jesus). The other 10 told Thomas that they had seen the Lord...Thomas' response? "Unless I see Him...unless I see the nail prints and put my finger in them, unless I see his side where they pierced Him and put my hand there, I will not believe." What was Jesus' response? A week later the disciples were in the house and this time Thomas was with them and Jesus manifested again. Jesus told him to place his finger in the nail prints and told him to stretch out his hand and touch where they pierced him in His side. Thomas' response? "My Lord and My God." Jesus then said, "Thomas because you have seen me you believe, but blessed are those that believe and have not yet seen." Before faith settles there is doubt and speculation. Even if we are heralds' of  faith, there will be those that won't believe. One of the most amazing things I have ever heard about or read is what a father told Jesus after bringing his son to Him. The man desired for his son to be healed. Jesus asked if he believed, the man answered, "Lord I believe, but help my unbelief." (Mark 9:23-25). That was a profound statement. Nevertheless, I always wondered, what if I struggle with believing?

What if our faith is not great like those that actually saw Jesus or like those that may have had
 some amazing experience during our day and age? Well I found comfort in "faith like a mustard seed." Jesus put it like this, "He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you (Luke 17:6). Jesus also said, "Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them (Mark 11:23). The key is not having doubt. It's not easy at first, but as we grow in grace and in our relationship with Jesus it becomes apart of us....Lastly, I have a question for you...have you ever seen a mustard seed? It can fit in the center of your hand...it's very small. It doesn't take a lot but it does require for us  to eradicate doubt; for first we must believe that God exists and that He is a rewarded of those that diligently seek Him.

A.G. Wells

Side Effects: Hurting People, Hurt People at Georgia Regents University!

Side Effects: Hurting People, Hurt People at Georgia Regents University!

What if God Were in a Bottle?

What if God were in a bottle - and you could purchase Him for $1....inserting four quarters in a machine, take a sip and wipe your lip...would you want to finish it? Just place it in the fridge and call it a day...there is really nothing else to say ~ What if Jesus were in a bottle...would you seek him out? Would you partake of the beverage or just pour it out? What if the Holy Spirit was chilled and strategically placed next to the Budweiser? Would you choose the Spirit of Christ or the latter? I said that to say this...and no this is not something you add to your playlist...nowadays the things we choose often come with a price tag...good marketing and advertising is what makes us glad....and pushes us to make a decision quick and fast....without second guessing our decision even if it was bad....but there is a decision that you and I have to make that doesn't cost a thing...this one comes with no attachments or strings...our decision is sort of like a noun which touches on three things: *person, place and things* The person is "You" the place,  Heaven or Hell" and the thing is "Eternity"  - There is a message in the bottle and it reads: *Break the bottle and let God out...don't compartmentalize Him...receive His love, accept His only begotten Son, Jesus as your Lord & Savior.

#chooseChrist4yourLife