Inmates and Intimates (Does That Bother You? IV)

Isn't it funny how one or two letters can make such a huge difference? Abortion, Capital Punishment, Taxes, the economy... how about education!? Religiously not everyone is on the same page. Nowhere is everyone on the same page completely, or at least not in the same book. Some have books, others have blood given covenants. So morally can't we find that common ground? Men and women argue everyday about what needs to happen, rather that make it happen. Did you watch the GOP Presidential debates last week? Did you observe or think about President Obama's hitting the campaign trail, to try and bid for his second term? You say you support the death penalty, one group of friends labels you as a diehard conservative. You say you somewhat support it, and they call you a hypocrite. If you do not support it, you are a yuppie scum liberal, and if you are uncertain, do not totally support it, then again you are a hypocrite!

The imperfect Christian passed a fellow cyclist on the road side and thought about Jesus' parable of the "Good" Samaritan. The imperfect one turned and went back to check on him, and you know, he didn't ask the imperfect one what had taken him so long! Amazing huh? In my grandparents generation, and generations before, society "learned" to be patient. Patience was a discipline, that served us well. Then along came my mothers generation, and we learned to pressure patience, and wanted an answer, or delivery in just a few minutes. Well good people, we now live in the iGeneration, and no longer the Microwave, or Last of the Good-ones Society! So cheer on your favorite liar, and blame anyone you can except for self, in what's wrong with our society today. Abortion, Capital Punishment, the economy, and taxes would not be an issue, nor would education if we followed two rules...
Not my two rules, but Jesus':
1. "Love God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind,"
2. "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Luke 10:25-37 

And behold, a certain lawyer (an expert in the law) stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
He (Jesus) said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”
So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”
And He (Jesus) said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live (eternally).”
But he (the expert in the law), wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal (most likely a donkey), brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii (enough loot to foot the bill in most cases, he was not worried about having to come back and give more, he had my man covered!), gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend (any extra expense the man costs), when I come again, I will repay (reimburse) you.’
So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”
And he (the expert in the law) said, “He who showed mercy on him.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” 

Prevention is better than cure! If we loved one another and taught love instead of hate, we would not have to worry about prisons, and rest homes! Here's a nicety little scenario for ya:

Place the elderly in prisons. They will get a shower a day video surveillance in case of problems, three meals a day, access to a library, computer, TV, gym ... Put criminals in nursing homes. They have cold meals lights off at 8pm, one bath a week, live in a smaller room and pay 4,000 a month !!!!! It's Pretty damn sad that we treat prisoners better than the elderly!!!!

Where are the real Christians!? All that say lord, lord, are not saved, but those that know the Lord, are. Some politicians say that they are Christians. Some people you meet everyday say they are Christians, but when they are after something for themselves, they will show you the devil. So again my Christian brothers and sisters, have you treated one another and nonbelievers as well as yourself? Where are you Christians?

Signing off, the imperfect Christian.

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

Sikh with it...

http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/army-gets-1st-sikh-737345.html

The Link above is from the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Coming from the Associated Press, it's a story that covers a soldier (singular) being granted the permission to wear his turban, and his beard, based on his faith walk. Is he receiving special privileges, or is this his Constitutional Right as an American soldier?

Is it OK to sue an organization, or a group for singling a person out, when that person has asked to be singled out and received special privileges?

Is there somewhere in the US Army dress code, or in any manual, or law anywhere that states that a turban is or is not basic attire for a soldier? If so, is there also an exception for ball caps, or substitutes other than berets for the US Army?

The above picture is what a non-uniformed, unwilling to adhere to the Geneva Conventions guide lines terrorist "could" look like. They could also go under the alias of soldier, but not technically or factually be called anything above a coward if they serve the Taliban. 

She's not old enough to sign a document yet, but she is old enough to know love, and understand what that uniform represents when her daddy and other men like him wears it! I think an adult willing to sign a contract to wear, and serve in one of these uniforms should understand how it is to be worn, what it represents as well.

Who Really Cares!?

I almost had to be excused for the title on this one. A Marine once said in front of me as a youngster "Who shives a get," to another Marine. You know the military has a code for everything. I didn't think that would be appropriate for a family show, so I cleaned it up for the kiddies.

It's 9-11 a day that most of the world will not soon forget, and a day that some will not think twice about until something of a greater magnitude happens to remind them. 9-11 reminds me of 12-7, it reminds me of people falling hundreds of feet to escape something that they felt they could not bear. It reminds me of pain and grief. It reminds me of some that went through crisis conversion, only to fall away from God once the smoke cleared. However, as crucial as it may be, it also reminds me of a nation that is stronger than any fear. A nation resilient enough to bounce back, and a nation that has overcome more than one tragedy, and does not lie down, but gets up dust off and just keeps getting better. We grow, in size, strength, love, and spirit! We have a president that is bi-racial y'all. Honestly how many would have believed it possible in our life time? I saw American Indians laughing with Asian Indians, White, Black, Latino, humans all gathered together in one place. Muslim, Hindu, Atheist, and Christian, even this imperfect one all gathered in one place to help assure that the world would not view us as a self righteous nation with a self righteous leader. Which brings me to this: if we can overcome the racial hate, religious barriers, and status quos then can't we overcome the arrogance? Not confidence, but arrogance. Racial tensions, and hatred have not gone away, they have just succumb to the greater power of love. Which leads me to believe that the cause of the attacks on our nation was due to arrogance, and ignorance.

I will follow up on the ignorance and arrogance in the next blog, as for tonight, I must meditate, and leave everyone w/ this thought when is it cool to call someone out in public, and when should we pull someone aside as not to offend or unnerve? When should we make a bold stand and when should we just be still? Think on it, pray on it, and make a difference. Love, peace and hair grease, or is it love, grease, and hair piece? At any rate grab your thinking caps and meet me at the forum. Peace, Blessings, and Joy... that real PB&J

Danger Keep Away!

Have you ever watched City of Joy with Patrick Swayze? It was a movie about a doctor (Swayze) visiting Calcutta, India. He went on vacation for a spiritual enlightenment, and wound up in the poorest sector of Calcutta, and becoming a hero of sorts. He was an advisor, defender of the people, and a doctor to a lepers colony. It was a very sad, but an aw inspiring movie that everyone should see!

Those that were not leper's condemned those with leprosy. They would not allow those stricken with leprosy to go outside of their own sector more or less. Treated them like they were not human, and were just down right disgusting in some of their actions toward the poor, and disadvantaged people. Until you've been treated like a leper you usually do not think much about it. I have never had any diseases, or disfiguring that made people not want to be near me. However, some people see skin color as a deformity, and some see deformation as a horrible thing.

As a child I was afraid of people with handicaps. I was afraid until I learned that they needed to be loved just like me, and wanted to give their love just as much as they wanted to be loved. I grew out of my fear with knowledge. But with increasing knowledge also comes increasing sorrow. (Ecclesiastes 1:18) I learned that not everyone cared for other people only themselves and what they believe in. Now I am not going to get on my political soap box, because I am not a politician, but an imperfect Christian that is an American Citizen. My ethnicity like all branches back to some ancient Hebrews, my detour takes place on every continent, until it stops right here in the good ol' US of A. Nothing presents my feeling like the lepers feel more than when I have someone tell me above all other things that they are not prejudice. Not a "Hey man that's a nice jacket," or "Hey that's an awesome haircut," just "Now I don't have a prejudice bone in my body! You know that, how you been doin'?" I have bit my tongue nearly in two attempting to prevent asking how many times they have said that to a person that was not connected to African descendants.

Every time someone speaks about our President not being a US Citizen like they were the doctor that delivered him, it gives me that same feeling. When they say that he's not a Christian, like they are God Almighty themselves it gives me that feeling. I didn't get worked up over John McCain saying, "That one." But I got that same nasty feeling, when others tried to make a huge race war out of his comment. We could talk abortion, genocide, right vs. wrong all day long, and it still does not remedy the problem that we have. Bridging the communications gap peacefully and rationally would be nice, rather than barking out you're not like me, you're going to hell! I do not hate Muslims, Buddhists, or Jehovah's Witnesses, in fact I am going to invite a non-Christian to have lunch with me in the very near future. Wow, wonder how it will pan out when we eat lunch together and realize that we both need nourishment, that we are both human, and we can sit together peacefully, and not worry about our differences, but find the common ground that allows us to be civil!? I'm praying that our nation comes to that conclusion also. When we can celebrate the day that we allow our President to speak to our children and not have the school officials treat him like the strong arms of India treat the lepers!

I have seen the schools allow DSS officials to interrogate grade school children with no questions asked. Take a frightened child into a room alone with one (DSS Worker) adult, no aide (legal or otherwise), neither parent present, no family member present, not even a guardian ad litem, and not make one phone call. They will however, send a personal message home for the parents to sign, or call every home concerning our President speaking with our children. I have not yet to this day that I am aware of witnessed that before. It is also a first that a President has taken time out of an overloaded agenda to address every child in the country with a positive non partisan, no political gain involved, "National" message to my knowledge as well. So what did the schools message say to me? It said in my interpretation: "Parents we don't want to be held responsible for what your child hears from the President, we prefer to make it appear that we are giving you a choice to speak up before the event takes place in hopes that you will keep us from law suits by sending petitions of disapproval against our President. However, with no warning and not caring about a law suit we will allow an individual to request that a DSS worker intervene, and tell you how to discipline, feed, and raise your child. Tell you what they can, and will not learn because we are not above the law, we are the law! We have thrown out all moral and rational dealings because what we say stands, this is not the NBA, NFL or any other league, group or democracy there will be no review, you will just have to get over it. Thank you." What they do not tell you is that they will do this until enough people stand together and override their ignorance. So why are you still sitting here reading this? Go make plans to be at the next Town Hall meeting, and boycott whomever, has no sense. As Mix-A-Lot used to say, "If you help get the fool hired, help get him fired." If you sat and did nothing, now it is time to take a PEACEFUL stand! Be heard, and be seen, don't be in the herd and make a scene!

"It's not because he's Black, African American, what term should I use here? It's because he supports Pro-Choice!"

Again the imperfect Christian does not support abortion, especially partial birth abortion. I also do not support the belief that legalized abortion is the only or leading cause of death, I believe ignorance is.

You Can't Unring A Bell...

The imperfect one has said, "What the heck!?" more than once in his life. "You've gotta be kidding me!?" with just the right portion of sarcasm has left his mouth before as well. The imperfect Christian used to quote the lyrics of Luther Campbell and the 2Live Crew! I can't go back and change that. However, what I can do is show people a genuine change from here on out. My good friend, and brother gone on once said, "Does a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?" Out of the same mouth proceeds blessings and curses, and my imperfect brothers and sisters that should not be! My good friend was James the first Pastor to the Hebrew church. James 3:10&11.

There was a group called Depeche Mode, and They sang a song called People are People. The lyrics if I recollect properly went as such: People are people so why can't it be, that you and I can get along so peacefully. Then another portion of that song said: I can't understand what makes a man hate another man (help me understand). I don't want to understand what drives people to hate people.

A young girl has crooked teeth, wishing she had braces or at times just dealing with the insecurity she hears people comment about her teeth. She here's lots of things that might lead her to promiscuity to make her feel wanted. Baby girl you are a star, you are still beautiful to me! You are still beautiful to God! So, fellas does your girl have jacked up Magdelena Hagdelena teeth, and if so, so be it! Is she still fine to you? Is she a little over weight? Does she have the green eyes you long for, or brown? What did you say to her about them, cause you can't unring that bell!!!

Have you said something that you can't take back? Well good people, our God is a redeeming God, not a condemning one. He is a reconciler, and if you have breath in your body there is still time.

I had two young people ride up next to me on 16th St in Denver, CO. They were raving about how they missed the all important International Christian Retail Show/Christian Book Association Show! I said you just missed the show, but there is time for you to find the purpose of the show. The young lady said is there a booth for atheist? I said there is a booth for everyone, yes even you. Her male counterpart said, "Does God still want me even if I am too late." I replied with, do you have breath in your body, you do well then it's not too late. Yes He still loves you, and wants you. They just kind of looked at each other and rode up the street as the light changed and wished me a goodnight, and I in return wished them one.

I can't unring the bell, I can't change the misunderstanding, I can't erase that I said somethings in the wrong way, but what I can do, is make certain that from here on out, that I try, that I make it my endeavor to show you that I love you, and so does God. If my writing offends, I pray that someone would be bold enough to question me out of love, not out of being right to make me wrong, but to bring me to the truth that will glorify God!

Fat chews a long way, but that lean morsel melts, and savors to sheer satisfaction. I pray that your meditation is savoury!!!

I Can't Breathe!

I have heard two people within the last month say, "I can't breathe!" I said it back in January when I had pneumonia. It's like drowning, you want to get to the surface, but the surface seems so far above you. You want to get to the surface, but there is a tremendous weight that is holding you down. Your chest feels heavy, your extremities are weak, you just feel like giving up! The struggle is too great, so what do you do?

Yes we all need our "own" time from time to time. No one likes to be smothered. There are times when I am grateful to have a good looking woman trail me, or have my kids on my heels, and at others, I just need to chill. Let that Ox have a few days off, give him some meadow to roam in as long as he's roaming alone. He can't have calves if you don't make him mad enough to go through the fence, or if you don't open the gate and push him out, give him some room. And again on the other hand, sometimes he needs to be shadowed, makes him feel important. Mama is the same way fellas! When the yoke is on it should be light, not tight! Then the burden will be easy when you work together in the Lord!

Ready for the soap opera? How many husbands put their wives out of their home, and leave them hanging? For those women, I have a little Madea anx built up in me! If you helped turn that house into a home, then you should be entitled to your share. If you deserve to be put out, then he should at least give you ample time, and help you even if you are totally wrong! To each their own, but somethings just do not make sense! People should be more civil.

I have had more friends divorce this year, or speak of divorce, than I have heard of through my entire years as an adult! Why all of a sudden this surge in die-vision? Well it's not all of a sudden, it's just that I am noticing it now, and more people viewed me as good imperfect Christian husband. My wife is saying wow, if you only knew! Well the lack of vision, the lack of appointment, and focus as one have all gone away! If you are married you cannot look at your future, and future agendas with just your eyes, and one set of eyes in mind! You cannot look through the one set of physical eyes, but instead you must look through the spiritual set that is now a trifocaled univision! WHAT? Yes a trifocaled univision...Three sets acting as one! Each spouse must look at the greater vision that God has given them. That vision must connect with your partners vision, to ultimately bring forth the ultimate vision, and that is how to please God as a UNION! You see this Union is not just between you and spouse! You put two pieces of toast together and hold one piece up, what does the other piece do? It falls to the floor or the plate. If you put some adhesive (smooth jelly, or some spicy mustard depending on the sandwich LOL) on them what happens!? They stay together. You are one slice, and he is home slice! God is the adhesive in case some of my imperfect Brothers and Sisters are slower than I am. This is why the Word says to be "equally yoked." You can't go one way, and have your partner going another. When we do this good people we drag or get dragged! So what is your vision?

And it shall come to pass in the last days, God declares, that I will pour out of My Spirit upon all mankind, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy [telling forth the divine counsels] and your young men shall see visions (divinely granted appearances), and your old men shall dream [divinely suggested] dreams.
Yes, and on My menservants also and on My maidservants in those days I will pour out of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy [telling forth the divine counsels and]predicting future events pertaining especially to God's kingdom]. (Acts 2:16-18 Amplified Version)

God declares that He will pour our His Spirit first of all, so whom is it that we should be waiting for? Our spouse? No, no! You first lady of the house are a prophetess! You young man of the house shall be a visionary, and you aged and experienced shall dream, and see the next generation do greater things, you are the pathfinders, and the trailblazers, the pioneers! Wow, that almost sounded like an ad for a used car lot! At any rate, I ask as the imperfect Christian, why is it that you imperfect brothers and sisters are not moving? You are not moving for fear of failing! You have heard it a million times...you only fail, when you fail to try! But we (conviction poured on the imperfect one first) are afraid of what someone might say, we are afraid of the spouse being displeased, we are afraid of what society will do with us! If you have to separate then do so! How many people have or could do this:

Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. (1Corinthians 7:10 & 11 NKJV) OK is this the chauvinist God again, or does this apply to men as well? Well in ancient customs the man had to put his wife away, and the woman was not to leave. But again I use an old cliche` "Absence or Distance makes the heart grow fonder..."

Can we seek the civility in Christ and be reconciled to one another just as He reconciled us to God the Father? He redeemed us, but for what? So, we could slap Him in the face and say thanks but no thanks! I don't know what weight you are dealing with, I don't know what sea it is that you are drowning in, but I know the Lifeguard that can save you.

Oh and try some PB&J for that toast up there! Peace, Blessings, and Joy my imperfect brothers and sisters!

Communication Gap...

Wow, how we often misunderstand one another! Gracie is looking at me in this picture saying,"Whatchu talkin' bout Willis!?"

I sent an email to a fine Christian woman (let's call her "Christi") in a company (let's call it "The Building") that uses the same distribution company as ours. I saw the UPC number on one of my orders and reconginized it as being one that belonged to The Building. Therefore, I made contact with Christi. I sent an email that said:

I recognized this as being your product and since I cannot key it I am sending it to you for confirmation. If this is indeed your product here is his information, DJ Darby's 123 South Main St., Good City, NC 27somethin,' somethin,' or another... He needs 3 copies of The Good Life CD. I used todays date as a purchase order number.

She wrote back and said, "Yes this is our product just have him send it back to the Distributor.."

Wow! Well I wrote back explaining again that this was not a return, but rather a purchase and that Mr. Darby desired to have their product consolidated in shipping with our product. When I send notes of that nature that is usually a given, especially when we did the same thing just a week ago. LOL So, it doesn't take much to confuse others at times. That's why we need to slow down, focus, and help others to relate. How do we do that. Who liberally gives us wisdom? Don't know, well here's what James said in chapter 1 vs 5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives it generously (liberally, freely) to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (NIV)

Some frown on anything but the KJV where I live, and I say not to offend, but rather to bless, what was there before the KJV (1611) and did all the folks before that time period go to hell? Remember good reader it's your imperfect Christian brother speaking...
That verse applies to mankind, which includes women for my chauvinist brothers that are not as imperfect as me! LOL

Another miscommunication.

I told my boys to do a few things for me, and they did, but not exactly what I had asked for. My communications transferred in a different way, so how then should I communicate to them? In such a way that says I am your father, who at one time was also 13, 15, and 16, and I am now in a loving lenient way am saying that when I call you home, or say come home before dark that, that means for the rest of the night, not for a few minutes then away we go again. That means that even though school is out, that you still have to call me, and let me know before you leave my house, your Grandmothers house, or your Great-grandmothers house or any premises that you occupy that I have last heard about.

Friends here things the wrong way at times also. Husbands hear what they hear, wives hear what they hear. A fella compliments the smile of a pretty woman, and she says oh that devil is up to no good! When really that fella just thought she had a pretty smile.

Communication is key, and we all need to be understood whether we always agree or not...I've said my piece and counted to three! LOL Peace, Blessings, and Joy...in Christ The Real PB&J

How You Say Thank You

Why does God put such a competitive spirit in some of us? I love sports, and competition! I don't usually turn down a good home cooked meal, a Holy Ghost moved church service, or a friendly game of whatever between whomever!

I was invited to a basketball game last fall by a dear family friend, and I just couldn't say no. Great energy, and free admission, heck yeah, I'm in! Well our friends daughter played a great game, and we had a blast watching! Makes me want to get back out there myself sometimes, but other than that, a really good time. Well after the game and the congratulatories this young ladies mother said, "Tell him thank you for coming!"


It is always a blessing to get an invitation from people you care about, and even better to know that you received the invitation because they cared for you in the first place. So, after the basketball season was over, I received yet another invitation. This time it was to go hang out and just have a good time. Then this year an invitation to go on a picnic, where we started with a beautiful sunny day, and wound up with winter in May! Our dogs didn't exactly get along so things heated up for them, but as for the up right two legged gang we built a massive fire, and the smoke was horrible! 6,000 plus feet above sea level, and went from mid 70's to mid 50's in what felt like just a few clouds and even less minutes!

You've seen the commercials:

6,684 above sea level on a beautiful scenic mountain top:
Fleece pull over: $10 (great gift from an even better friend and on sale at Old Navy 9 years ago!)
Couple of pounds of hamburger meat: $5
Pack of hotdogs: $3
Ingridients to make smores: $3
Friends that will share all this with you while sporting snotty noses and smiles on their faces: Priceless!


I was invited to watch the baseball games, and was the biggest mouth in the stands! Yet she kept asking me to come back! Really... to have someone think enough of you to ask you to come to something that means something to them, well that is a top notch honor in my book!

Today the same young lady and her mother asked my family to join them on another trip. Today we went to the water park. What a blast! It started out super hot, and the water freezing! I let my hair down and hit it! The water was so cold it made my curls stand! Kids running everywhere and adults chasing them. What a great sight. I ran into more old friends, and made new ones. It was a fabulous day!

There was a scare, but it was just a scare, and we managed it with care, and things were fine. The young lady that had been inviting me to her games dove off of the spring board, and did a back flop. Everyone anywhere near heard the smack. She came up slow, and said, "I can't breathe help me." But she never paniced! Tough as nails and twice as pretty! I jumped in and grabbed her, rolled her onto my hip, put my hand under her under arm, and used a side stroke to get her back to shore. She stood up, and had a ginormous red splotch on her entire back! We were blessed that she seemed to only have a slight scare from the pain, and from getting the wind knocked out of her. She rested a bit, and we made our way home a several minutes later. We will now make an attempt to church together in the morning, so I had better shut down.

To conclude I can only say that the invitations are how you say thank you.

When you, and I brother/sister imperfect Christian, but being perfected in and by Christ daily, mature, and pray and invite Him (Christ) into our hearts, and we get that warm fuzzy feelin' inside that's Jesus saying, "thanks for the invitation here's an eternal one in return, and oh yeah you're welcome!"

How Do You Eat That Stuff?

Some people like Italian, some enjoy Mexican, some Asian, and some Soul food. I myself, enjoy them all. Sushi, brussel sprouts, beets, and a few other items have to be prepared in such a way that no one could pass them up, or find me starving before I can partake in them. But the groups listed above I am all about! My fav however, would have to be the Soul food. I can eat Ribs, Greens of any style, and yes Gospel Fowl! I love myself some chicken y'all!


I would have to say though that my favorite time to eat, and my favorite meal would be one that is prepared in a different way. Soul food from Soul people that get their soul from the Ultimate Soul Saving Man.


I have a friend that is brilliant, and just happens to be one of the strongest people I know, tell me that it was pity party time! This friend also asked me to do something that I am totally incapable of doing, and that request was that I not respond and attempt to be uplifting. Actually think the wording was, "No need to respond," well to me and my limited vocabulary, and hillbillese, it said, "Don't bother!" OK time with the Holy One allows us to heal, but if you are going to have a party, don't tell a party animal like myself about it and not invite me! As Kirk Franklin would say, "Ain't no party like a Holy Ghost party, cause a Holy Ghost party don't stop!" Well the pity party just found me with a kickin' in the door attitude, but the great thing was that Jesus didn't have to kick it in. He was already there, and there is was Upper Room Event taking place in my friends heart, yes right now even! It is fantastic! Oh I have not been to see my friend yet, nor have I spoken with this friend, but I know Jesus is there, His Word has told me so.


When this friend made the request that I not send a letter of encouragement with words that would be uplifting, I obliged. What I did instead was feed off of this friends strength. The strength that says do not worry about me, in time God will fix it. A friend that knows that they do not have to stand alone when they have friends that love them surrounding them, and a friend that is very in touch with the Great Physician that heals all both temporal, and eternal. Yes it sounds contradictary but even in moments of self pity, the strength of a saint can been seen by another child of the King.


So, satan and all of his little emps and demons say how can you eat that stuff? It's bitter, it's vile, and I have tried to put my hands all over it! Your friend has lost focus, and when you eat this, so will you! Well mr. booger man (as my Granny used to call him) I did not eat what it was that you or your demons were serving, but instead I ate from a meal that has been prepared not by human hands, nor can the meal be tainted, although you (satan) made a valid attempt.

Jesus allows me to feed on the norishing words that are spoken, and unspoken. You see my friend didn't realize that with increasing knowledge comes increasing sorrow. (Ecclesiates 1:18) The more we are fed the good, the more we see that others are still looking for the bad! We see how much we indulged into it ourselves, and we no that there are some now that need to go on a spiritual diet. Fed more, more knowledge, more aware of good and evil, Adam and Eve experience! So, put down that jelly roll for breakfast, and pick up some Holy Ghost oats! Put down that Bologna sandwich, and pick up some Holy Ghost Swiss (Holy cheese) and Gospel fowl deli cut sandwich with the leafy greens! You see where I am going. Don't eat it because it has the look, or the temporal fix you need, eat what is nourishing, and will help you for the long haul. One day we will no longer thirst, nor will we be hungered and God shall wipe away every tear! (Revelations 7:16 & 17) Peace, Blessings, and Joy... real PB&J from your imperfect brother eat up!

Quick But Not In A Hurry

I read The Gospel Greats Weekly Newsletter today and Ms. Shelia's article was a blessing to me. It's called "Shelia Shares." Her article this week was titled: Slow Down
You may read the full article on the newsletter or if interested in the weekly newsletter sub, you may sign up at: www.gospelgreats.com

She made mention of her uncle that visited the rest home daily, to visit her now late father. She said there was a gentleman there that could never gather himself quickly enough to say what he would really like to say to her uncle. So, finally coming to realize that the gentleman in the rest home desired to converse with him, he (Ms. Shelia's uncle) slowed his pace, and took time to have a wonderfully blessed conversation!

You know we all need to slow down a bit. Coach Wooden (whom I will quote for a lifetime) said, "Be quick, but don't hurry." Sound advice from the coach that holds the record for college basketball Division 1 titles, he was the coach at UCLA, and won a mere 10 NCAA Men's Basketball Championships. Quickness is a gift, but a only a fool rushes in!

Bill Walton spoke of Coach Wooden and said that Coach Wooden had told him to shave before a practice, and Bill refused. Bill asked well if I don't practice how will I know what plays to run? Coach Wooden told him that he wouldn't have to worry about the game, because if he refused to practice then Coach Wooden would refuse to let him play. Bill's response was a tad hasty, and he found himself back in the locker room shaving before practice, so he could earn his spot back.

29 "He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. Proverbs 14:29 (KJV)

How many can admit to being that "imperfect Christian" that has to pray over road rage? That has to pray for overcoming a short fuse that sees you being short with your wife, or with your children? I like how the New Living Translation breaks down Proverbs 14:29:
"People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness."

How many times do you see someone get upset, or lose it just before they realize how huge their mistake was/is? Pray for those that are not convicted to see it, or even care. Until next time imperfect saints...

Imperfectly Thinking Out Loud About Differences...

Unfortunate as it is misunderstandings happen daily. The need to be correct destroys a ton of relationships! You say something, and someone else disagrees, then when you disagree in return, you are the bad guy! State the facts, and agree to disagree. Healthy discussions are great! War is never good! War presents fatalities. Whilst intelligent conversation edifies!
The Ecclesiast Solomon wrote there is a time and a purpose for every season under the sun. A time to love and a time to hate. (Ecclesiates 3) It was written that Abraham Lincoln hated slavery so much that he risked his political career, and ultimatey his life to abolish slavery. But in the same instance I believe that he grew to overcome hate, by loving the man that he said was inferior to his own race.
I pray that we would embrace the differences of culture. That the world and every nation in it, could see and understand that different is not always bad. Different doesn't mean that we have to change our faith, just that we have to understand that not everyone's faith, doctrine, or belief will be the same as our own. I don't hate you because you believe differently. I hate the fact that some hate others because they do. I hate the fact that rather than communicating in love, we belittle or make an attempt to belittle others and their ways of thinking.
Paul wrote to the church at Corinth and said, "But by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Corinthians 15:10) I know people that believe in almost anything, some that believe in nothing at all, and some that do not know what to believe. Some Republican, some Democrat, and some that don't vote at all. How do I love them? Hopefully like I am supposed to..."and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." (Romans 13:9b)
If we acknowledged God, and loved Him with all of our heart, soul, and strength, and we loved our neighbors as much as we loved ourselves, we would not have to worry about trying to follow 10 commandments. Rather we would see that Jesus made the most complex issues so simple. Turned 10 into two. No mention of Polytheism, idolatry, swearing, braking of the Sabbath, murder, adultery, theft, bearing false witness, or coveting in John's qouting our Savior in his writing...Why? because if we placed God first and foremost, and loved Him above all else, with our entire being, and we loved each other just as Christ loved us, then we would not have any need or worry about what wrong anyone would try to bestow upon us!
If you disagree then that's cool, I agree to disagree. But to jump on a bandwagon just because your friend (including me) said that it was good, is not my thing. Try it for yourself, and if it doesn't work at least you can say that you tried. Make sure you make some effort however, because my endeavor is not to help send you on an impossible quest. But rather to simplify your journey. Peace to all in whatever language you speak...

The Primere of A Life In The Day of the Imperfect Christian

Woke up groggy, after sleeping off a nasty headache. I was just thankful to wake up and realize that I was blessed with another day. You know you go to sleep thinking what side of Heaven will I wake up on? Then you say, "OK I am squinting because of the morning sun, eyes that are deteriorating with each minute, and because you are groggy from sleeping way too many hours, OK definitely not the top side of Heaven!"

So, how does the imperfect Christian start off his day? This one started by thinking please tell me that this is a bad dream that will be over soon, that it's really only 5 a.m. and that I can sleep for just a little while longer! I have never had an easy time with getting out of a warm bed. Even as a kid at Christmas I fought with getting out of a warm bed, but on the other hand I also fought with getting into a cold bed the night before! OK get up Preach you need to get a move on! Find your clothes, take a shower, if you have time grab a bite before you run...wait I forgot to pray! Did I mention that this is a day in the life of an "imperfect Christian?" The perfect Christian already has that covered and is giving me the blues for not doing so. Well I the "imperfect" Christian will pray now, not only for myself, but for my brother with the not imperfect Christian attitude also. I am not hating, I am praying y'all. I am praying for my family, my friends, my county, my state, my nation, and remembering my President. Ooops! Did I say that I was praying for the President that was labeled a non-Christian when he first ran for office? As a matter of fact I did!

The imperfect Christian prays for his President to heal, and to have the Holy Spirit convict his heart on issues that are not pleasing to the Lord. My brother the Extremist Perfect Christian (EPC) prays the Revelations 12:10 prayer for him. What is the Revalations 12:10 prayer? I am glad that you asked. It is the prayer of the Imperfect Christian that thinks he's/she's perfect (The EPC). I apologize y'all, being imperfect I am prone to typos and forgetting to use the he/she at times. I pray that no one thinks that I am a chauvinist, if they do it's OK, really it's fine, because God knows the truth.

Revelations 12:10 says, "Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down." (NKJV)

Based on that pericope the EPC says, "My will be done, until Thy Kingdom comes." The EPC says, "Lord, brother so and so is wrong and I know that I am right, and YOU need to strike him down Lord!"

How did I come up with that conclusion? The Lord blessed me with a cousin that is also a minister. He (my cousin) said how can the accuser go before God day and night falsely accusing the brethren? Doesn't the Word of God say that there is no room for flesh or blood, nor evil-corruption in the Kingdom? (1 Corinthians 15:50) So, how then did the accuser-satan go before Him night and day? The answer: Through our vain prayers! Well imperfect but forgiven brothers and sisters, want you join a brotha that struggles with perfect grammar, perfect prayers, and all things perfect, and pray with me today?

Lord, the prayer that asks for nothing is sacred and holy, that prayer is made in thanksgiving, wanting for nothing. You are the Good Shepherd, and giver of all good things, and today I simply say, "Thank You." In the matchless, and wonderful name of Christ Jesus I pray. So be it.