The Things You See...

On the first part of today's ride, the imperfect Christian witnessed a sleeping young passenger, and bright lights. Then the imperfect one witnessed the oddest couple of the day, and being a less than perfect Christian, almost took a picture just so no one could call him the "imperfect liar!" The couple consisted of a man that was approximately 5'5" and a leggy gal around 6'3"! Better looking than Popeye, and Olive Oil, but not by a landslide vote from the two judges, one of them being the imperfect Christian, the other being his son. Then we witnessed a colorful Themla and Louise, cause as the Wayan's Brothers would say it, "They were colored, and happy, and you know it!" Or something to that affect. Then the top site other than the picture at the top of the blog, was Buddy the English Bulldog! Buddy waited for his buddy to climb out of the truck so he could show him who the boss really was! When his owner climbed out of the drivers seat, Buddy jumped in it and took his turn at the wheel (literally) the dog went alpha on the steering wheel! If you don't understand the whole alpha thing, the ask someone else besides the imperfect one to explain. I have said enough already. The imperfect Christian hopes this is not how NASCAR's Humpy got his nickname... The imperfect one really wishes that he could think of a clever Biblical verse, or pericope to place here, but he can't! He is road weary, and the only thing he can think of is praising God and counting his blessings. So to conclude, the imperfect one thanks God for ordering his steps today (Psalm 37:23), dropping his son off safely, perfect views (the one above especially. It is beautiful atop Clinch Mtn), and returning home safely after the drop off, in His perfect time. So until the next time...

Peace, Blessings, and Joy... that real PB&J!

Do You Have A Choice?

The imperfect Christian asked himself in the last blog, just how prepared he was. Preparation is a daily thing, therefore, the imperfect one tries to keep the necessities nearby. So what did he pack? The imperfect Christian has his helmet, yes including the ones in the picture above, because one never knows when the opportunity to ride and share may present itself. The imperfect shoes, are clean and ready to go (pedal, or settle) peacefully. But peacefully doesn't always mean quietly. The imperfect Christian had a co-worker tell him not too long ago (not in the exact same words, but humor the imperfect one for just a second please), that "We The People" needed to speak out, and vote to make a change. The imperfect one believes this friend is right, and the imperfect one believes in voting for sure, he just don't fully believe in the officials that are running for office. As one Mr. Prince Rogers Nelson would say: It's a two party system, the illusion of choice.

Dr. King boycotted in Alabama, marched in Washington, and was slain in Memphis. How many of us are willing to be heard in a non-violent, lower decibel? How many are willing to give up their lives so others may have a voice. How many of us are willing to accept that if we do not have anything worth dying for, then we do not have anything worth living for? Really, would you put yourself in harms way just so future generations could vote? Is that worth dying for? The imperfect one says, "Yes!" What if Dr. King had not made a stand. What if late President JFK had remained silent, and had not asked what he country could do for his country? Would a good Christian nation be just that? A nation still segregated and filled with hate, and barriers? Would we still be a "good" nation that allowed slavery, rather than a great nation? The imperfect one hears daily about how this nation is in the worst debt that its ever be in, and still people are willing to risk life and limb just to be a part of it. What happens next? Who will we blame next? If a Republican takes office next will a Four Trillion Dollar Deficit be alright? Will we take back America rather than take her forward? Will we continue to mistreat the elderly to death, and kill unborn babies? Instead of using African descendants for slaves, will we raise up an American Hitler, one that just wants to do away with all African, and Jewish descendants? Will we put in place a leader to rid the world of its problem, one that will seek and destroy anyone in its path that is not like us (them)? We as people get so blinded by the fight that we forget who the enemy is. It's a shame.

We as a family (with an imperfect Christian dad leading the way), went to view the new Captain America movie. It is the story of Steve Rogers, a young ruddy lad, that would do anything to serve his country. Steve had horrible genes, and illnesses in his bloodline that would shame an unhealthy kid from a third world nation. Steve wanted so desperately to serve his country, that he was willing to die on the spot to do so. He fell on what he believed to be a live grenade to save his company, and was willing to go through whatever it took, to finally get on board. If the imperfect Christian, and more like him, could have a heart like Dr. King, or a heart like the fictional character (Steve Rogers) inspired by true life characters, that were willing to serve their country, to serve God with, then our nation would be a much stronger one for sure. So how do we develop this heart? How do we go through this change, or desire to be on fire for God? Are you prepared?

Titus 3:5
Regeneration... renewing... It is not by our own doing according to Paul in his letter to Titus, so how true was Calvins theory? How untrue is it. Some people use, "The Common Sense" excuse, when it comes to their faith, or to doctrine, and do so to dodge the Spirit. They do so to dodge studying the Word. You here people say all the time, "Well I believe..." You know really it doesn't matter what you believe if it doesn't line up with the truth, which happens to be Gods' Word. Do you honestly believe that most people that sin, or do bad things, don't believe that what they were doing is acceptable or satisfactory to self so much so that they just excluded God? So let's look at the Word and see if we have any say at all, or if the choice really isn't ours, even in the least way. Gods' Word through His servant Joshua said, "And if it seem evil to you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.(JOSHUA 24:15)

Now some of your law biding perfect Christians are going to argue with you regardless. Your Calvinist brothers are going to be displeased with me for sure, and it's fine by me to agree to disagree. We have the same Savior, just believe differently on how He calls us.

Where does the renewing come from. If we have no say, or no part, then why are we here? How does the renewing take place if we have no say? Why do we have a need to change if we have no say? You can't grow if you have no say. You are just a puppet, and I do not see anywhere, in any portion of scripture that says we are puppets. A mother feeds her child when the child can't feed itself, but that child has a choice in what it eats as it matures into an adult. So how do you feel the change, and embrace the Spirit, and why is it now that people run from it. Don't pay tithes, don't sing praises. Where is the link, where is the connection? So is free will a joke? How do you feel about free will? The imperfect one feels that based on scripture, we have a choice this day as Christians and non-believers to a choice. Choose this day... whom you will serve. Jesus never begged, and he never forced anyone to go one way or the other. Let the imperfect one say again that just as Joshua instructed the Israelites he instructs us today, with Gods' Holy guidance, to choose "this" day whom we (YOU) would serve. That is a free will. So what choice will be made? Joshua said: But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord! Make a bold stand, and be prepared to preach the Gospel in and out of season. Be armed and ready...

How Prepared Are We?

Things amaze the imperfect Christian on a daily basis. People divorce over the least of things, they cheat their own flesh and blood out of a penny. They will ditch a lifelong friend over a complete stranger. Amazing right? Those stories make a biography, a tragic-comedy that is in the making, and on going. It is a book inspired by another book. Success and failure, abandonment, and complete involvement. But the question remains. Are you ready?

Have you been tried by fire(1Peter 1:7; Revelations 3:18), and come through the flood (Genesis 6)? If so did you pack? He has prepared a place for you, and said if it was not so, He would not have told us so. Therefore, if you have new residence, a new dwelling, a new domicile, my question is are you packed and ready?

What did you pack, if anything? Why did you pack it? If you haven't are you planning to? If not why? What exactly are you doing to prepare? Are you prepared for the next step in this life, and the life to come. Jesus said, that He had prepared a way for us(John 14:3). But I believe there is a place of preparation here on earth for us as well. (2 Corinthian 8:11) Are you ready? Are you prepared? Read Paul's writings and let the imperfect one know what you get. That way you can help the imperfect Christian get ready too.

Peace, Blessings, and Joy... that real PB&J

Change WE Need!

In the last blog, the imperfect Christian covered the cliche`: If the shoe fits, wear it. The imperfect one encouraged a change also. Wear it and the stench that goes with it, or wear it until it hurts your toes badly enough to hurt and effect your heart. If the conviction hits its target, then the heart will encourage that change. Even satan was transformed, right? But how so? He was one of the Kingdoms brightest angels, was transformed from the angel of light, lead of musick, went through a dark transformation, and became the father of lies and the angel of darkness! Pastor Baker would say about change in baptism, "He went in a dry devil, and came out a wet one!" So what transformation is taking place in your life? A you still crawling caterpillar? Don't get the imperfect one wrong, a caterpillar is at least inching his/her way to bigger and better things, but don't you want to soar to new heights, and fly above and beyond? The imperfect Christian does! The Transformer is Christ... the butterfly is me!!!

for the record, this is not an Obama add, but how much do you want to bet that some are only going to see the sign as a campaign poster, and not a blog concerning spiritual change. Again, the sign (picture) is not the message, the change of heart is what the change is about. The imperfect Christian is not a prophet, but is willing to put the imperfect neck on the line and say that at least 1 out of every 3 people that see the pic will comment on the pic, and not the blog, or the impact of the change that Christ represents in their own lives. Any takers on a friendly I told you so wager? ;)

Romans 12:2 What about the change?

Until then...

Peace, Blessings, and Joy... that real PB&J!!!

If The Shoe Fits...

Most of you have heard the old cliche, "If the shoe fits..." right? Well if you haven't it goes a little something like this:
If the shoe fits... wear it!

So what are the alternatives? The imperfect Christian came up with a few alternatives:
You could expose yourself to harmful environment and go barefoot.
You could continue to wear the shoe and continue to wear the stench that goes along with it.
Or you can get a new pair of shoes!

Sometimes we grow out of them, and at other times they just need replacing.
So today is a perfect day that HE has made for us to rejoice and be glad in. Today is a perfect day for the imperfect one (and you too), to change shoes, attitude, and spirit.

What Websters says about "Change" (Transforming)
Definitions:
1. To change the form of; to change in shape or appearance; to metamorphose; as, a caterpillar is ultimately transformed into a butterfly.
2. To change into another substance; to transmute; as, the alchemists sought to transform lead into gold.
3. To change in nature, disposition, heart, character, or the like; to convert.
4. To change, as an algebraic expression or geometrical figure, into another from without altering its value.
5. To be changed in form; to be metamorphosed.

What the Word says about "Change" (Transformation)
Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (KJV)

The imperfect Christian has this struggle daily, and the change is ongoing. I pray to see His good, acceptable, and perfect will in my imperfect life. To God be the glory in my greatests accomplishments and hardest falls. To God be the glory.

Until the next one! Peace, Blessings, and Joy... that real PB&J!

What Is Church To You Part 2

Here's part 2 with a little spiritual algebra at the end from your pal the imperfect Christian...

What Is Church To You Part 2

A couple of the imperfect Christians life long friends commented on the blog titled "What Is Church To You." One did so via the comment section on the blog, and the other via a PM (Private Message) on Facebook. Here are some of the Q&A's that the imperfect Christian received. They are very good answers, and I encourage any reader, to comment in the comments section, below. Or send me your info, and I can PM you if you want to keep it on the down low.

1. If you could be a part of a church family, what would be the most attractive part of church for you?
A) "The Church. Not a club or being w/ the cool people. Just having church not judging others but worship however, the Spirit moves."

B) "The friendship, the support, the ability to give back, learning more about faith."

2. What is the least attractive things about church from your experience?
A) "Having a "right" way of doing things and judgmental people serving their own purpose."

B) "The politics. The cliques that eventually form.
Shunning outsiders because they don't match the rest of the congregation in some way."


3. What do look for personally from your church?
A) "Worship and teaching of the Word. People who gather not just physically but in spirit. Support-supporting each other in daily life, forgiving each other when needed and real love. Living like a real family except as the family of Christ w/ everybody trying to stay together w/ Christ as its #1 focus."

B) "Someone like Preach leading it! (I wish!) The more open a church is, the better I like it. Jesus didn't need a huge building and fancy clothes to get his message across. He recruited a bunch of fisherman on the shore (how do you think that smelled?). The focus has to be on the message, not on the church itself. And the message is for everybody."


4. If you could do one thing to help your church, what would it be?
A) "To fully be the active part of the body of Christ with the gifts God gave me to use for His glory."

B) "Make them meet outside in a tent once a month."

5. What is church to you?
A) "Worship, singing, dancing, being with the people that are wanting more and more of God and letting that one goal lead us through learning and becoming more of what He is moving us toward to fulfill our life's purpose."

B) "A place of love, faith and learning. I know that some claim to be rock-solid in faith, and that is wonderful. I just don't work that way. God has thrown me curve balls many times, and my faith has be refined, examined, tempered and strengthened each time. A church should support those changes in life."

The difference in the apologies, were that one friend started the letter with apologizing for taking so long to comment, and the other closing with almost the exact same words!

The imperfect one learned many years ago that God gave him one mouth, two ears, and two eyes for a reason. So the Spiritual Algebra is formulated as such:

2 Eyes Open + 2 Ears Open - 1 Mouth Shut = Friends 4 A Reason!

Until the next time... Peace, Blessings, and Joy... that real PB&J!

What Is USDA Approved?

The imperfect Christian uses a different acronym for "USDA."  USDA to the imperfect Christian means that "U Show Divine Approval." In other words, when you study and worship God, you manifest the Spirit within you.

Study to show yourself approved unto God,a workman that need not to be ashamed,rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15 KJV

The time has come for the novice to be removed, so that the redeemed preacher may once again rise from the core and be made present in his entire being, from the inside out! On that note one hour til the meeting begins! Diligently seek Him, study Him, and become USDA certified!

Peace, Blessings & Joy... that real PB&J!

Ever Tried Loap?

The imperfect Christian has a friend named Jeremiah. Jeremiah saw his imperfect friend go to wash his hands and said this: Thus shall Babylon "sink" to rinse some more (I mean rise no more), because of the disaster that I am bringing upon her, and they shall become exhausted... Jeremiah 51:64 KJV

Well here is the picture of a delirious, imperfect Christian going to the sink to rinse some more. If you use loap when you wash your hands, they stay better moisturized. The downfall is you semi-waterproof your hands with pre-conditioning them with loap. Already being tired, this does exhaust you even further... Oh and so we do not wash beyond imperfect tonight, the imperfect Christian is about to turn in. The lotion has been moved so it no longer makes loap, and the bathroom is once again imperfect Christian proofed.

Peace, Blessings, and Joy... That real PB&J

Piggy Back Anyone?

 

Encouragement is hard to find for some people. Why? Because most of those people have never been encouraged. The imperfect Christian was talking to one of the executives at Crossroads Music, (which also happens to be a fine pianist, better producer , and even better person) when this executive asked the imperfect Christian if he'd had a chance to watch the 2011 Tour de France. The imperfect reply was along the lines of, "Yes sir, and loved it." The imperfect one appreciates the encouragement to stay in better physical shape. Kert, and the very gifted musical talent/executive do just that. Be encouraged! The imperfect Christians' immediate supervisor tells him that he has faith in him, and encourages him to keep focused and make it happen. Encouragement is a blessing, and the imperfect one is grateful. The Lord sent an angel of a friend by to encourage the imperfect Christian as a minister. Then the imperfect Christians wife rented "Soul Surfer," and encouraged him via a movie. Soul Surfer is a great flick by the way, and the imperfect one highly recommends it. This is not the imperfect surfer blog, but the imperfect Christian digs the surf for sure! To conclude, the illustration in this pic above is my version of Footprints in the Sand. The RAV4 is Christ, and Kert represents the lost soul that Christ carried along the way. Kert has hauled the imperfect Christian around plenty this year, and the RAV has hauled them both around plenty. So I pray that you are motivated to encourage others, to be encouraged yourself (I Thessalonians 5:11), and know that when there was only one set of tracks on the road or in the sand, that God had given you that piggy back. 

Peace, Blessings, and Joy... that real PB&J

What's Todays Top News?

Top news internationally...
BBC News - US helicopter 'shot down' by Taliban in Afghanistan

MSN...BC another reporting of the fatal crash in Afghanistan.
31 US troops killed as helicopter goes down - Afghanistan

The LA Times included the Afghan fatalities in the title of their article...
http://mobile.latimes.com/p.p?m=b&a=rp&id=662170&postId=662170&postUserId=7&sessionToken=&catId=5217&curAbsIndex=0&resultsUrl=DID%3D1%26DFCL%3D1000%26DSB%3Drank%2523desc%26DBFQ%3DuserId%253A7%26DL.w%3D%26DL.d%3D10%26DQ%3DsectionId%253A5217%26DPS%3D0%26DPL%3D3

CNN again with the crash...
http://m.cnn.com/primary/_iut8tY-iJj1VQ3gj8

This link (below) was actually the top headline on the VZW! Way to go WI! Lol!
Security upped after violence at Wisconsin State Fair | Reuters

ESPN's top story involved Tiger Woods faltering in the most recent round at the "Who Cares" Tournament, however, the imperfect Christian couldn't pass up a story involving Sir Charles and Eldridge Woods 2.
ESPN Charles Barkley irked by Tiger Woods

Then in the Big Apple money rules...
http://mobile.nytimes.com/article?a=825352&f=19

Fox like the NY Times reports on the US credit rating.
FOX News - Top Stories - U.S. Credit Rating GetsDemoted From AAA

Yahoo has the most interesting headline yet... I fought hard not to put the Pee Wee Herman visits the Cowboys Training Camp article up!
http://m.yahoo.com/w/web/video?u=url%5B%5D%3D26200966%26lg%3Dtodaymodule&b=

The grand finale... drumroll please... The ETrade Baby is lounging w/ the Wassup Guys.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=sQjuThvzi-Y

The moral of this story is: Most people in todays society will not take responsibility for anything and blame government, and anyone else they can for everything!

Well good people the imperfect Christian says; if the ETrade Baby hasn't given up on the Wassup Gang, then the imperfect Christian won't give up on self. Head down, motor turning, getcha game on!