Seasons

Seasons 

Fall brings change. In the Appalachian Mountains the foliage brightens the slopes and ridges with a collage of autumnal coloring that paint a magnificent picture. Those leaves will fall, some people’s countenance fall. The warmth of Summer is fading, and the transitional phase of cool soothes Fall fans. 

Are you going through a season? Then keep going! Yea though I walk through the Valley... (Psalms 23). Be ready in season and out of season (2 Tim 4:2). 

Seasons are expected, change is expected, but are you expectant? Are you ready? Ready for God to move you through another season. Ready to be a blessing to someone special? Ready to be blessed by something or someone special? If not, don’t let that blessing “fall” from your reach, get ready, be expectant and prepare! If you prepare you are often ready for, what is to many, but not you, the unexpected.  Ask the basic, the simple, and what should be the obvious questions. How is God going to or wanting to use you? 

How are you going to take care of that new car without having a clean garage? How are you going to bless the love of your life if there is no room in your home or heart. Prepare a place at the table right now! Start saving the funds, right now, to bring them in the right way! This is your season, and you need to be ready! Why are you still sitting here? Pray on the way... get moving, the birth of your blessing is waiting on you. 

Blessings, 

The Imperfect One 

The Fight of Your Life

To The Judges Score Card 

Fighters are usually trained to fight a certain way, teams train and prepare strategic game plans for certain opponents. Perhaps the technique for this fight doesn't apply to the next fight, or this strategy doesn't apply to the next game? What the imperfect Christian has always trained for, as a player and as a coach is this; never put the fight, game, or match in the oppositions hands, nor the judge's hands(control your own destiny and follow the Righteous Judge). It is not likely that a fighter will go the distance in every fight, especially if that fighter fights long enough. It's not likely that as a baseball player that you won't play on a team where the game ends on a called, "third strike." It’s bound to happen. It's not likely that as a basketball, football, futbol (soccer), hockey, or other team sport where fouls are called that they (all the games), are all going to end based on the athletes putting up the necessary points unassisted, and win every game without one of them being decided by an officials call. 

There’s also the opponent that you don’t know, you’ve never faced them before, and you have no film on them. In every case you (yourself), have to be prepared for anything, and rely on your sports IQ, and God given ability. Yes, especially in the game of life. 

The Word says that we as Christians have to be ready in season and out (2 Timothy 4:2). 

The imperfect Christian tries to be prepared on every occasion, but unfortunately, he is not always. The imperfect Christian knows what it’s like to be unprepared too, it’s no bueno, not good at all. He also knows that the only regrets that he’s had in life are: 

Haste (which leads to lack of preparation), 

Procrastination (waiting too long for something, but that something is not on God), and 

Arrogance (enough said). 

Life is too short to wake up with regrets (Ephesians 4:26). Being over confident and feeling as though you don’t need God (remember an angel named Lucifer Revelations 12:9), or not having confidence enough in Him to order your steps and take care of you (Psalm 37:23), or waiting on someone else, or yourself when God has told you over and over to get-ta-getting,’ these are no win situations (Psalm 118:8). 

Yes, love the people who treat you right, but also love the ones who need it most. The enemy who knows no love (Matthew 5:44). You may be the one soul to change their lives for the better (Acts 17:6). Forgive the ones who don't love you, because you are called to be the light of their world, when “The Light” of the world is in you (I John 4:4).

Believe everything happens for a reason (Ecclesiastes 3). If you are a child of the Most High believe that all things work for your good, you are called according to His purpose not your own (Romans 8:28).

A brother prayed for the imperfect one and said, “If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Take a few minutes to think before you act when you're mad. Forgive quickly. God never said life would be easy . He just promised it would be worth it.” 

Sometimes God answers prayers by not answering them, sometimes God answers prayers by exceeding what you could ever ask for in an abundance (Ephesians 3:20). Don’t give up on God, #even_if it seems the world has given up on you. Your sister, brother, perhaps your father or mother, your closest friend, your only lover, but God said He’d never leave you nor forsake you! Stay strong, stay focused, don’t let the enemy still your joy, whether it be through material things, people, or self don’t let anything steal your Joy! The struggle is usually one that is within. Don’t take it personal if someone else is trying to bring you down, take it personal if you let them! 

Peace, blessings, and Joy… that real PB&J 

In His matchless name I wish you all Heaven, 

The imperfect Christian

Behind These City Walls

Photo Courtesy of GoTravvy

This photo is not for resale, or copying, and is a non-profit production 

Behind These City Walls

Where Citizens Have NO Citizenship 

People and social media, what to do? Some people vent on their Facebook (FB), Twitter, Instagram (IG), Snapchat (SC), and the list goes on. While others boast on their social media. Some people play the victim on social media, while others pretend to be  celebrities on their social media. Some people even feel so bold that they feel their social media makes them second to God, or feel that their social media makes them a god because they don't have to believe in anything but their status (social worth), on their social media.

Please note that the imperfect Christian is pointing all fingers at self and already faced this conviction. Perfect Christian folk get bent out of shape over two things: being excluded when a lie is circulating, and being included when the truth comes around. Delete me, unfollow me, or hang on because the conviction gets thicker than a mouthful of Jif peanut butter with every truth here after.

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 Feel Her...

When you feel her... and she's away your heart feels heavy. It's like she's got a rope anchored in the top of your heart, and her weight is pulling it into your stomach, as you pray her back home. You get nervous, you wonder how she is doing, you just miss having her near. Then you realize you can't always be there, you can't physically protect her from everything. You can't have her in your physical presence at all times. You also know that she's not always going to be there. A lump rises in your throat, it's difficult to swallow. You fight back tears. Then you take a deep breath, and think of how she'd be saddened to see you sad. Therefore, you suck it up, and you pray, "Lord keep her safe, thank You for placing her in my life, thank You for watching her when I can't, and even as I can. Thank You for allowing her to be loved, and among people that love her, even when she's away from me. Thank You for allowing her to be loving. Thank You, God for my daughter. Amen."

Ponytails, seashells, and pretty smells...

God bless every daddy that has a baby girl... Amen. 

Hurting?

 

Have you ever hurt badly enough that you didn't know how to react? You can't cry, you can't scream, you can't even find the motion to put your head in your hands. That's a very painful experience. Some people can at least go lay down, and cry themselves to sleep. However, in this moment you can't. You can't reflect back on how beautifully the sun had shone earlier in the day, you only know that the brightness has given way to the dark, and you can only manage to stare at the skyline directly in front of you, and see the stars in the midnight sky. You are staring at them because they are where you feel that you are in that moment, that in comparison, everything seems as distant as the Milkyway to you. The psalmist said "joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5), but you're still trying to get through this night. The imperfect one looks to Qigong (a Chinese breathing technique) and says; breathe (Ezekiel 37:9), be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10), then understand as your exhaustion causes you to succumb to its unrelenting grip, that you didn't go without coverage as you passed out and didn't have a chance to pray. God is not your insurance company. There is no lapse with Him. He is not the Federal Government, He will not penalize you if you can't cover yourself. No, what He does is what no one else will... He intervenes for you (Romans 8:26). Now that's not to say He will do for you, what He expects to do through you (James 1:22), but He will cover you when no one else will. He, like no other can, will do so into eternity. 

Until the blessing of a new dawn... 

Until the return of Christ Jesus...

I wish you and all, Heaven... 

A Few Good Men

A Few Good Men?

"You want the truth? You can't handle the truth!" 

An infamous line made more than famous by Jack Nicholson in the movie "A Few Good Men."

Well here's a simple truth about the imperfect Christian that he can handle, and wishes he didn't have to. He needs to be more industrious in his bid to serve the Lord. 

The picture above is what the imperfect Christian's BDU's should look like. BDU meaning; "basic dress uniform." His reasoning for saying this is because the imperfect Christian was once a diligent student of the Word, a soldier in the Army of the Lord. He's working hard to get back in the spiritual shape that justifies his status as such a (life long) student. 

We all go through ups and downs, and have to find a turning point. The imperfect one is no different, he had to find his turning point in more than one occasion. The imperfect Christian once wrote Skip Heitzig (pastor at The Calvary Church in Albuquerque) and told him that his heroes "were," Magic Johnson, Dr. J (Julius Irving), Ozzie Smith, and a running back from USC (The University of Southern California, as well as former Bill and Niner), that his fans called Juice, that now resides in the DOC (Department of Corrections), and is called an OPUS # by officers and other DPS (Department of Public Safety) officials. 

The imperfect one told Pastor Skip that his new heroes were the pastors like Dr. Billy Graham, and himself. The imperfect Christian told Pastor Skip that he listened to and learned from the Greg Laurie's, the Tony Evans,' Charles Stanley's, and Jeremy Troxler's of the ministry world. 

The imperfect Christian explained that he was in a church every time the doors were open. He was tuned into WMIT every time he listened to his car radio. He was in the Word whenever he had a break. 

Pastor Heitzig to a break from a very hectic schedule and replied by sending the imperfect Christian a signed book on his Revelation series. Talk about a game changer! 

So how does the imperfect Christian help change the game even more? He encourages himself and others to be selfless and listen to the outpouring of a needy heart, then respond in a Christ-like, loving way. You never know what life you might impact in a very positive way. 

Will you join the cause as Christ looks for a few good men? I'm praying that you will. 

Until next time... until the blessing of a new dawn... until the return of Christ Jesus... I wish you and all Heaven!!!