How Do You Treat Them? 
(Photo by GoTravvy)

The imperfect one was listening to Jesse DuPlantis one day, and he hit his heart with God's love in a big, big way. The Pentecostal and evangelical DuPlantis spoke about how we as Christians mistreat one another, but especially pastors and it really taught the imperfect one as much as it touched him. It's bad enough to face discrimination, but most of us (including imperfect one from times in his past, but hopefully not in his future), also sport the title of hypocrite, and not just discriminator. We talk about discrimination when race is involved, then quickly forget that discrimination is not limited to just race. We have gender discrimination in the church, and we have denominational discrimination, but it's not limited to just those two, there is a wide variety of discrimination to choose from. Some folks are nasty to the Jehovah's Witnesses. The imperfect Christian's house is a whole lot of Heaven help him, and in need of a lot of attention, and the Jehovah'sWitnesses still leave literature on his door when he is gone, anyway. When they catch the imperfect one at home, however, let a brotha just tell you the imperfect one invites them back for coffee or tea with David B (a 120 lb Rottweiler), and they usually send a new squad out, or they stay gone for a long while. When they do the imperfect one leaves them literature inviting them back for coffee or tea. They must feel like Dave B has thumbs, can open doors, and has a hankering for making snacks out of strangers, because the note (along with their last literature) is still stuck in the imperfect door where they left their last pamphlet. The imperfect ones offer still stands, they are welcome at his home and/or church so long as it's a peaceful conversation, and both sides get to share in their faith with the appropriate time on the latter.

Back to Evangelist DuPlantis. He said that he had a dream about thousands of people walking and some got tired and fell, and those that were more physically able trampled the lesser able. They trampled them into a bloody heap, blood covered their feet ankle deep. Jesse said that Jesus stopped them, then he said Jesus asked him as He wiped his feet off with a bowl full of His tears, "You see these people you're trampling? They're all pastors, and they're all my children, and you don't walk on my children!" Lesson learned! So what then is the imperfect one to do, Lord? He said to the imperfect heart, "Read John 13:34."

Some Christians don't care for Pastor Joel Osteen's ministry because he emphasizes about our best days being ahead of us, and he doesn't preach daily about the hell behind us, and the demons around us. Well with that said sometimes one has to read or listen with a bit of inference. If you know that there's a God, and that He is loving, just, and almighty, then you have to know that there is an evil one that is none of that, and doesn't want you to know to look forward to Jesus for heaven's rewards. Oh, and why not enjoy the earthly blessings along the way?

Benny Hinn is another... How many of you, like the imperfect one has said, "If he can miraculously heal those people in stadiums, and in mega facilities, then how come he can't go to a hospital and heal all those precious NICU patients, or heal all those with pediatric cancer to those elderly dealing with cancer or dementia? How bout this, read Acts 5:38 & 39, then go help the cause of those you desire to see helped. Get involved in more than being just a critic, stop talkin' and get in the game playa! The imperfect one had to preach at self on this one before too, and he moved on it, and is still moving. You can call him out, but be careful he'll put you on blast and ask you to participate with him, or send a donation to the cause.

Lastly, how about the non-Baptist and non-Pentecostals picking on the Baptist, and Pentecostals? "That preacher is just too loud, why is he screaming at me?" Then the inverted version of that with the calmer denominations... "That one is not excitable!" "That church is dead!" The list goes on and on... So let the imperfect one ask you a question now. When's the last time you talked with Jesus, then patiently listened for Him, and not been quick to run with the Gossip Times? Satan has enough paper boys, he doesn't need you too. He's even on social media now, don't believe it, peep your Facebook. News flash, the Jew's that are Messianic are not our enemies, and neither are the Jehovah's Witnesses. Pastor Osteen, Benny Hinn, those loud pastors in your community, and those quiet, laid back, relaxed pastors, yeah... not your enemy either. The imperfect Christian isn't your enemy either, but what he knows is this, the word of God says, "When a man's ways please the LORD, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." (Proverbs 16:7) He may not make them to love you, be they'll leave you be when God says that they have to. Trust in the Lord, and not the latest bashing trend, and it'll be alright. Until next time, or until heaven... Peace, blessings, and joy... that real PB&J

When You Really Matter...

One tends to think of themselves when someone mentions time. To be selfish, and say, "When will he/she make time for me!?" You want alone time, and can't seem to get it. They want to go party, and you just ain't wit' it... That's the theme song for an "opposites attract" couple-especially those with children.

Or for those of you on the dating scene... I'm going out with the guys this weekend, or it's girls night out... Yeah but what about ME!? They always make time for others, but never you. Yeah those words and actions are more likely than not, mood killers and ofttimes relationship destroyers.

The imperfect one has a Baby Girl that always asks for time, and you know... she's worth every second of it. There is a time however, when the demand is too great to fill. You can't raise a child to believe that anyone (no, not even daddy) can drop everything, every time, and attend to every request. It is foolish to raise, teach, make anyone to feel or believe that. How many times have you ever heard a mother from the hood say, "What's wrong with you!? Can't you see grown folks talkin'!?" The mothers in the hood will tell their spouses that, let alone their kids, get outta line she dares you!

Then there is the classic non-hood approach, where you ignore them until they tug your pants leg, use a louder voice, and force you to say, "You're being ignored for a reason."

There are those times when there are interruptions that do not get turned away, however. Therefore, in those occasions (children or peers) you have to be the bigger person, and just walk away. For sanity's sake, and for demonstration of what worth is all about, you just have to SHOW all parties involved that your time and effort are of worth.

The world would be more impressed by a demonstration of our faith than by a description of it! ~ via Zig Ziglar Daily Devo

How many people do you see post about faith in a social network, then turn around and brag about things that not only God has deemed inappropriate, but you as a parent would? Come on you know where this is going...

"I love the Lord, Jesus is so good to me!" in one post, then the next post is a picture of a nude, or might as well be nude woman on his/her page. Yes his/hers... Not to mention what the captions might say. Then there are those of us (Christians) that really show our hypocritical sides and paint a prettier (nastier, more evil) picture with words alone. But we are still Christians right? Imperfect or not we say that we believe... but what do we believe, and for how long?

I have witnessed lots of things via the bigger social networks, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. A young lady that I have had the privilege of coaching, and getting to know over the years posted on her wall for all to see, "Hopefully one day your life will be as cool as you make it appear on Facebook."

The imperfect one will play like the BASF of bloggers and be innovative with her quote... Hopefully one day your life will be as true, complete, and honorable as you ATTEMPT to make it in your stories, and on Facebook.

Do you really love that man/woman, do you really love yourself? Do you? Stop lying to yourself, and know that you can't lie to the One that always makes time for you, never lies to you, never makes excuses, and never breaks any promises. The imperfect one doesn't make promises anymore, and he also knows that there is only One that is capable of upholding such a standard and His name is Jesus.

Lord I don't want to be wrong. I don't want to think or hurt, or think of being hurt, but I know that only You can be that One...

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

Healing An Extreme Relationship

You ever do something really bad, then think... "What the heck was I thinking, or better yet, why wasn't I thinking!" Well the imperfect Christian has been right there with you. Friends, careers, family (home and church), are all based on relationships.

So why is it that relationships hold no value at all anymore?

Family value...
Adam loved Eve so much, that he sinned against God. He listened to his wife, rather than God, and we all see where that got him right? God not only introduced Adam to Eve, He gave her to him. From his own being: flesh of his flesh, bone of his bone, God blessed him, and Adam lost his mind, and more or less said, "Ok Lord, I have it from here." This wasn't the old, "My homeboy just hooked me up, dawg I owe you big!" introduction, this was ordained by God almighty. So why is it we do not value "our" relationships that way?

Career value...
We work for/with others, and/or others work for or with us. But we will treat people in our own companies like our enemies. Saul had David, and could have used his talent to make himself look (better than) good. Instead he tried to have David killed, and was the one that ended up losing it all.

Value of Friendship...
Friends are a dime a dozen right? If someone treats you well, oh well, so what, there is a world filled with people just itching to be your friend right? Why be committed to being kind to anyone that is not paying bills in your honor, or feeding every lustful desire you have?

The imperfect Christian believes a few kids need a bit more home training. Don't misinterpret now, the imperfect Christian did not say that children need abuse, but bless the Lord o' my poor soul, some kids just need a good wearing out before they get too old and hard headed to care, and end up incarcerated, or worse... dead! Don't spare the rod, spare the rubber, and if you need some new rubber, and wear a size 11 or 12 the imperfect Christian has probably got a shoe that you can wear and put to somebodies backside! Now again don't get the imperfect one wrong. Some kids have great parents. You know who you are. You are the parent that doesn't give in, the parent that can't be bribed. You are the parent that does not have the main goal of making your child(ren) your best friend, and allows your child(ren) to get by with murder. Some kids have all the upbringing in the world, and still end up rotten to the core. They are the kids that are like the "I'm good I've been water baptized bunch, so now I have a ticket to sin." Again don't misinterpret, not saying that water baptism is bad, what the imperfect one is saying, is that he learned from his Grandmama that some people go in a dry devil, and come out a wet one. (Via Pastor Baker Baptism 101)... People only lookout for #1, and don't care about anything, or anybody else.

So what do you value? What do relationships at home, at church, at work, or in public mean to you? Love thy enemy, and love thy neighbor as thyself? Or as a whole are we becoming the society that embraces the love of hate over everything? And again America, and all it's wonderful Christians wonder why the world hates us so. Hmm... nation full of hypocrites, Jesus would call us all lying, thieving vipers, and start turning tables over right now if He were still in flesh on this planet. It is a sad, sad thing! Yes, the imperfect one sees those three fingers pointing back at him (thanks Brotha Bamm Bamm for point that out, no pun intended), and only one at the accused. However, if the shoe fits... walk it out baby, walk it out!

You know the deal...

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