The Sin of Gomer

They say, "If you love, let it go..and if its real it'll come back to stay". We get so bent out of shape when we give ourselves in a relationship and the gifts aren't reciprocated. We love and aren't loved, trust but are betrayed, open our hearts and are shut out then resentment fills our hearts as distance grows between two "supposed lovers". Complaints cry out "Why didn't you...why won't you...?" Character is attacked, "You are so selfish..." Revenge is sought, "I hope you..." Nostalgia seeps in "I remember when..." We are often the harlot we look down our noses at. We'd never admit to it, of course. She (Gomer) had the affection and pursuit of a faithful man. We have that pursuit and affection at a cost too pricey to imagine and from One who remains faithful and yet we repeatedly seek fleeting pleasure. Meanwhile our Hosea (Jesus) sits back crying out "why won't you?...I remember when..." and we are the selfish ones deserving the karma of revenge. But instead He relentlessly chases us down, destroys our brothels, steals our hearts back and we attest to our unfaithfulness as our hearts yearn to never leave His side again. Evaluating real love in human relationships truly causes you to re-evaluate that of your First Love (between a Believer and their Savior).

In the Eye of THE BEHOLDER!

Since Reality TV and social networks have become the breeding grounds for selfish justification of the First Amendment, its no wonder the art of beauty has become as rare as a Da Vinci or a Donatello.

Women cursing at each other, hosting cat-like fights, tearing their sisters down in hopes to draw blood are the entertainment of our day. But their foolery only prove that money doesn't make one more classy than the other. As a matter of fact "A(n) (outwardly) beautiful woman who acts foolishly is like a gold ring in a pig's snout" (Prov. 11:22)

How would YOU define beauty? If someone walked up to you and classified you as Beautiful, what would they be referring to? Your outward appearance for the time being, or possibly your ability to consistently keep up with the latest fashions? Perhaps their comments would reflect your selfless deeds, or possibly your passion to serve others?

Of the aforementioned, in only one is beauty as lasting a quality as that which develops as slowly and reaps such refined products as a foreign object in the mouth of an oyster does a pearl. In the other, however, beauty is as shallow and fleeting as the grass which is here today and gone tomorrow. Fighting for this beauty can be as seducing and temporary as chasing an iridescent, hollow bubble.

Culture frowns upon the things that take time to form. Long gone are the days where grandma would start a roast in the wee hours of the morning, or clean and soak her collard greens for hours. But anyone with great appreciation for food would attest that the quality of the food, nutrients found within and flavor that dripped from each bite is unparallel to that of any conventional method could ever dream of producing. True beauty isn't much different, in fact, "be beautiful in your heart, because this kind of beauty will last and God considers it very special!" (1 Peter 3:3-4)

When Good people do Bad things...

We always hear about "why bad things happen to good people?" but rarely do we hear about what happens when 'good people' choose to do 'bad things'. So I thought I'd address THAT phenomenon.

Well let me first start by saying NO ONE IS GOOD! Not what you wanted to hear?

"No one is good, no- not one!" ~Romans 3:12

So since no one is considered 'good', technically we are people who crave what is bad for us anyways. Ok, now that that has been established we can move on to how people handle the natural things they want to do.

Two general responses normally arise when people make choices against their better judgement:

*Condemnation

and

*Conviction

If a person is driving along and realizes they passed up their designation, they can make one of two choices. They could pull over, stop, turn the car off and give up OR they could turn around and head in the correct direction of their designation. THAT is the difference between Condemning yourself for the choice made or accepting Conviction.

Condemnation is an element of our conscience and is spiritual in that the enemy uses it to torment us into a pit of destruction. We inevitably psych ourselves into believing the worse about ourselves until our thoughts render us incapable.

Conviction is an element of our conscience and for those who are Believers ("Good" because of Christ, not within ourselves), also a component of and benefit from our Helper (the Spirit of God who resides inside us. It too is spiritual in that He serves to lovingly bring up our mistake and reminds us of forgiveness that is readily available along with directions on how to avoid the same mistake and a desire to turn our behavior around.

Both condemnation and conviction is susceptible for the Believer, but Condemnation is NOT the end to which we should be drawn (Romans 8:1 "Now, there is therefore NO condemnation for THOSE who are IN Christ Jesus").

When you do bad things...which road do you tend to take?

I CAN't love you...

Is it possible for a person who is NOT a believer, to really love?

Of course we've heard "I love you" tossed around millions of times from all parties. And with the Hollywood culture that has infiltrated our society, the real acts of true love have been blurred. Saying "I love you" and seeing what love really looks like, however are vastly different. Acts of real love are a 'road less traveled' while the lingo is a dominant language.

But should this vast divide be more apparent? Is it? Why would Paul convey that believers and non-believer shouldn't be together in a relationship? Why would Jesus command 'us' to love our enemies? What does a non-believer mean when he/she says "I love you"? How can non-believing couples stay together for long periods of time and believers marriages end in divorce?

A person who has understood and accepted what Jesus has done for them tends to have a well from which to draw from. When a believer encounters hurt, disappointment, the object of disrespect and rejection, the obvious nature of the flesh arises. And from this nature comes the innate desire to curse, get revenge, and inflict hurt. But with that comes the faithful reminder of the Holy Spirit to do otherwise or refrain from such behaviors. Though a believer can ignore this friendly reminder, he/she has the ability to tap into the memory and irony of how he/she was once the offender and Jesus (their confessed Savior) forgave them securing them from the revenge of the offended (God). This power, if summoned, infuses them and once tapped into, diffuses the desires to retaliate.

THIS, is something the non-believer is NOT privy to. ACCESS DENIED! So when hard times fall, feelings and emotions might drive futile attempts to 'stay together' or 'work it out' and might even temporarily seem to work. But true love that was modeled in perfection, then accepted by imperfect people...will surely last and change lives! And THIS love ONLY runs through the veins of a believer in Jesus Christ.

Worship Welcome Mat

How do you invite the Lord in? Do you usher Him in with a farse, coonery version of worship or an authentic Christ-focused warm welcome? Before I unveil my position on worship, excuse me if I sound culturally biased and a bit racist of sorts but my belief still remains. Growing up in a baptist setting, my predisposition towards african-american/gospel music was established as a bass line in my soul. I'm guilty of tapping my foot and bobbing my head to the soulful sounds embedded in the gospel genre. The chasm arrives when an artist begins to spew out lyrics that divide my attention. Singing about your feelings, secular beliefs, misled "truths", hatred towards satan and blessings you're entitled to- to me- don't constitute as an "aroma" that invites One in. It certainly isn't edifying, nor adoring. I added the above video as a symbol of how Contemporary Christian music has served as a model of bringing the Psalms alive! Song after song is steeped in Spirit-inspired words that seem to be Old Testament verbage laced with melodic and harmonious tunes. What more could God be pleased with and feel adored and edified when His very Word is repeated back to Him massaging the essence of His character? I see Him sitting back in his Righteous Jealousy grinning as the worshipper is caught up in voicing (thus meditating on) His word in song. What an invitation for Him to embrace them in their emotions and evoke Him to move in their situations. My gospel artist- is it too much to ask that you take time and develop a genuine relationship with the Lord? Possibly get discipled, under the tutelage of a Bible teaching church and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into truth? Shoot...just open up the Psalms! I'm fed up with the "feel-good" music. I'm offended that we as a people are more caught up in what sounds good rather than what inclines the ear of God. I realize this doesn't apply to ALL of you...but our people need truth in their worship. They need to focus less on the moment of worship and more in Who desires to be worshipped. Until then...Selah!

A "Dime Piece" devalued!

This video confirms that women have truly become the "catfish" of humanism. Why do I say this? What God created to be a 'masterpiece' of sorts (appropriately named WO-man) has obviously depreciated in value in the eyes of both "A-dam" and "Eve" from the moment we rolled out of the Garden. Naturally created as a stunning centerpiece and pedestal upon which men would shine, clearly this video has summarized the common viewpoint of society as we know it in inferring that women are now (at best) the base of an unstable pyramid. The ignorant guy in this video (who though claims to NOT condone this behavior/treatment of women yet participates in this heresy himself) tries to articulate and sell a flawed system and through his cunning speech is almost convincing but only to the naiive female who lack self esteem. First off, to allow a man to "appreciate" your strengths by keeping you around while he meets his own selfish needs by way of your weaknesses via other women is strike #1. True appreciation comes in acceptance of weaknesses and admiration of flaws. Second, the reason a guy can even conceive of this plan let alone get away with it (as dim wit as one can be) is because women (stands to be noted again-who devalue themselves) allow it to occur. Strike #2. Men have no clue of how valuable a woman can be to his life. To abuse her girth rather than massage it is a huge caution in the end. Finally, no woman in her right mind should misunderstand all she has to offer. The powers secretly hidden within our nature are meant to be 'praised' and used for a greater good. In the right hands, they are caressed and adored. Once a woman unlocks this door of understanding and comprehends her true value, she will cringe at the sound of even being considered the title mentioned in this video. Sorry guy, your flow chart WILL crumble and shame on you for being on top of it and letting this "chic" take the brunt of your foolishness. And girl...shame on you for letting him. You deserve better and the sooner you realize that, the sooner you'll open up the possibilities for it to occur.

Living Word Women's Conference 2011

Calling all YOUNG ADULT LADIES of LWFC...please check out this video! The women are hoping YOU are present... Promo