The Ebony Puritan Forum

THE NEED FOR CHRIST-CENTERED PREACHING

2010-08-12T10:24:00.004-04:00

Over the span of this year, I have been doing a hard study and examination of Christ-Centered preaching, and--even more--if my preaching is meeting the objectives that it promotes.

This examination began when I started to listen to the online teachings of my old Seminary Professor, Dr. Warren Gage, and observing how he showed in every passage the Personhood and work of Christ, and how it is at the center of all of Scripture. On top of this, I have recently been in regular contact with Pastor Ken Jones, who is the new Pastor at Glendale Missionary Baptist Church in Miami as well as one of the hosts of the Whitehorse Inn Radio Program. And Pastor Jones has not only been an amazing help in showing me how to develop sermons under this idea, but he also recommended that I read a VERY powerful book on the subject called "Him we Proclaim" by Dennis E. Johnson, which has been an invaluable tool.

And, through the lens of all of these resources, I have come to accept the reality that--not only is Christ-Centered Preaching the best way to interpret Scripture and develop effective sermons--it's the ONLY way!!!!

If we look at passages like Luke 24:13-27 and John 5:39, 46, we would see clearly that Holy Scripture leaves no doubt that we are to interpret it through the lens of Christ. And, this doesn't mean just sticking a reference to Him at the end of a "law-filled" sermon, nor does it mean to use Him as an example by how we can live our lives better. But what Christ-Centered preaching teaches is that we view every passage as a contribution to unpacking the Personhood and work of Christ.

For example if we were to look at Genesis 22, which is the story of Abraham and his offering of Isaac, we would notice--for instance--that when Isaac asked his father, in v. 7 , "where is the lamb for the burnt offering", Abraham tells him in v. 8, "God would provide a Lamb for the burnt offering". However, in v. 13, after Isaac is spared by the Angel of the LORD, Abraham looks over and sees a ram caught in the thickets to which he sacrifices in lieu of Isaac. Now, while the most popular interpretation of this passage has been that "God will always have a ram in the bush" or that the ram represents Christ and how he will eventually die for us, there is actually something deeper located in this text.

Notice what Abraham told Isaac is not what exactly happened. Abraham told Isaac that God would provide a lamb, but instead he sacrificed a ram. Two different types of animals! So, was Abraham wrong? The answer is NO, because God does provide a lamb for the sacrifice. So, we are left asking the question, "Where is the lamb who would be sacrificed in lieu of Isaac"? And, we find this answer in the words of John the Baptist, "Behold, THE LAMB OF GOD who takes away the sins of the world" (John 1:29).

So, Jesus is ultimately the lamb, who will be sacrificed for--not only Isaac--but for all whom God has chosen. Like the burnt offering, He would give His entire body to die, so that believers would be broken from the pangs of sin and death and--more importantly--God's anger towards these things would be satisfied. Thus, while the ram is a symbol of what Christ would do, it is ultimately an incomplete sacrifice and, honestly, not the focus of this passage. But rather, the Lamb is the true focus of the passage because it is His sacrifice that will ultimately take away the sins of the world.

As I continue my study on Christ-Centered preaching, I will post some of my thoughts on this blog, and I pray that it will be a blessing to you as it is becoming to me.

THANK YOU, DEBRA-ANNE!!!!!!!

2009-09-28T09:29:00.005-04:00

Today is the six month-a-versary for my darling wife, Debra-Anne and myself and, to be honest, it is hard to believe that this day is already here. Oh, how I wish I could freeze that day when I saw my beautiful wife walk down that aisle and she gave me the opportunity to be her companion, lover, and friend.

And, it is at this time that I would like to thank her for ten things that I have been blessed with, experienced, learned, or are learning in this short period of Holy matrimony.

1. Thank you, Debra-Anne for making me love Christ more: In the six months that I have been with you, I cannot tell how you have made the ministry God has blessed us with better. Your encouraging words, your willingness to do whatever it takes to be successful, and your inquisitiveness is so encouraging, and has done wonders in my own personal relationship with the LORD as well. Quite simply, I love you more because you have helped me love Christ more.

2. Thank you, Debra-Anne for your submissiveness: You were a woman who had a lot when we met, and you have made sacrifices in our relationship that still amazes me to this day. Thank you for loving me for who I am and not what you want me to be.

3. Thank you, Debra-Anne for your care of others: If you remember, this was the trait that led me to marry you in the first place. And being with you on a regular basis, I have seen this trait more widely, which makes my love for you grow more widely.

4. Thank you, Debra-Anne for your caring spirit: From watching your interaction with the kids at church to hearing the direction you give your Mary Kay consultants, you take such a nurturing approach towards everything. If I had to highlight the trait, in which I believe you show Christ the most, it is this--making supreme sacrifices with the goal to make others better.

5. Than you, Debra-Anne for your patience: Quite simply, you have the patience of a moving tortoise--it can be long to see you get to your breaking point, but you will make sure you cover all ground before you get there. What was once a trait that drove me nuts, is one that I am learning more and more to respect everyday, especially in regards to my own life.

6. Thank you, Debra-Anne for loving my faults: I always knew I was a sinner, but in six months I have learned that marriage can show just how bad you truly are. But still--within the scope of all of this--you are still with me. Thank you for loving me just as much in my imperfections as you do in the things that please you about me.

7. Thank you, Debra-Anne for exposing me to the world: In the short time we have been together, we have had the privilege of seeing so much together. From our honeymoon in Belize and Mexico to the Mary Kay Seminar event in Dallas, these are things I wouldn't have seen (nor had as much fun in participating in) in my lifetime, if I hadn't been with you. Thank you for exposing me to new things and new people.

8. Thank you, Debra-Anne for my new family: The joy that I feel in having Ms. Scarlett as a mother-in-law, having Uncle "Horace Winston" and Aunt Hyacinth as an aunt and uncle, as well as Beth, Eric, Andrea, Uncle Larry, Aunt Lyl and the rest of the crew cannot be properly expressed. Quite simply, I am ecstatic that you have been willing to share them with me, so I can grow to love them as much as you do.

9. Thank you, Debra-Anne for your work ethic: In short, you are a WARRIOR! How you put in time at Palm Beach State, then do Mary Kay and make sure that I am taken care of, on a daily basis, is amazing. After seeing this on a daily basis, the very least I can do is take care of the laundry on my day off!!!!! :-)

10. Thank you, Debra-Anne for making me write this blog: Quite simply, if you were not who you are, I could not have written what I have. These things--as well as a litany of others--makes it easy to express my love and thanks towards you. Thank you for being my wife and allowing me to be your husband!!!!

Happy six-month-a-versary, My precious Tulip !!!!!!!

JOHN MACARTHUR ON TBN

2009-09-01T10:40:00.006-04:00

No, I did not make a mistake in the title. Yes, John MacArthur was on TBN about a year ago and, if you know anything about MacArthur and his comments in the past about TBN and their "preachers", instantly the two coming together brings thoughts of hell freezing over.

And, much like in his Larry King appearances, MacArthur holds no punches and it was very refreshing to hear a pure Gospel message proclaimed on this network for once. However, on the flipside, this video also sent chills down my spine. Not in what MacArthur says, but from the standpoint of the audience--both in the studio and who faithfully watch TBN regularly. For instance, I sat there wondering how many viewers of this program--who had been going to church for years--were hearing the true Gospel for the first time? I wondered how many people were unaware of the fact that this could be the only time they hear the true Gospel of Jesus Christ? And, finally, I wondered how many people--who are truly not saved but under the impression they are--would go away, not moved at all by the words of the Gospel, and would return to their churches and continue under their false profession, only to find out on the last day they have been duped and will spend an eternity in hell.

Truly, I was very happy to see MacArthur on TBN and blessed by how God used Him. And my prayer is that God will use the seed of this program (and those like Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron's) to draw His elect out of darkness into the marvelous light of His Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

To see the videos click on below:

MacArthur on TBN 1

Macarthur on TBN 2

MacArthur on TBN 3

THANK YOU FATHER!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-08-04T11:59:00.003-04:00

Without question, this summer has been one of the most fruitful in my ministry career. Not only have I had the opportunity to enjoy the fellowship of so many godly people, but my pastor has given me the opportunity to lead the Wednesday Night Bible Study, in which I am teaching on the Doctrines of Grace and how they line up with the Sixteen Articles of the Primitive Baptist Church.

It has always been my desire to see the Church of Jesus Christ return back to the Reformed roots, especially the predominately African-American Church. And--let me tell you--through this teaching on Wednesday Night, God has been doing an awesome thing!!!!

Our congregation is responding in ways that I never imagined. They are telling their friends what they are learning, many members--who at one time were not coming to the Bible Study--are attending again, many members are desiring to further their Theological education, and--most encouraging of all--many members are enjoying a renewed passion for God and the work of salvation that Christ has done on their behalf.

It is at this time, that I would like to give a public praise to God the Father for being so wonderful in revealing His truth to His people. Truly, we serve a God who is so gracious and merciful and is truly much better to us than we are to ourselves. So, Thank You LORD for your kindness--a kindness that is so amazing and so rich in Your precious love!!!!

CALVIN AT 500

2009-07-10T11:22:00.003-04:00

Today officially marks the 500th year of John Calvin's birth. And if you are a passionate believer in Reformed Theology like me, you have celebrated this day beforehand and will continue long after this day ends.

Truly, Calvin was one of the most influential men in the history of Christianity. His teachings on Soteriology, commonly called the Five Points of Calvinism, has been beloved by Reformed Christians for centuries and is at the root of our Theology. Also, his writings in the Institutes of the Christian Religion is one of the best Systematic treatise on Scripture ever produced.

And even though, when it comes to Calvin, there is no "gray area" (people either love him or hate him), no one can deny the impact that Calvin has had or will have on Christianity for years to come.

So, speaking for all Christians who love the unadulterated truth of God's Word, I want to say HAPPY POSTHUMOUS BIRTHDAY, JOHN CALVIN!!!!!

NOT REFORMED, BUT BIBLICAL????

2009-07-09T11:48:00.003-04:00

In my last post, I mentioned a conversation that I had with a fellow Minister in Chicago yesterday. And, within an hour and a half of conversation, we discussed several topics (one being the basis of the article below). But perhaps the most interesting part of our conversation dealt with the need--if any--of Reformed Theology in the church today.

In one of his comments, he mentioned, "that a church does not need to be Reformed, but it can be Biblical". Now, being a Reformed believer and knowing wholeheartedly that Reformed Theology is Biblical Theology, one has to wonder how such a claim can be made?

For instance, if Reformed Theology teaches that God elects men to salvation before the foundation of the world, and Scripture teaches the same (Ephesians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13), and any other system teaches the opposite--that would make that system unbiblical right? If Reformed Theology teaches that Christ's death was for a particular people, and the Scriptures support that claim (Matthew 1:21; John 10:11) , then wouldn't another system of belief be unbiblical? Finally (because I can go on forever with this), if Reformed Theology teaches that God is Sovereign and the Scriptures do as well (Isaiah 46:10; Daniel 4:32), then wouldn't anything else be unbiblical?

Now obviously, I may come off as biased here, but I truly believe that Reformed Theology is THE theology of the Bible, and I have the Scriptures and church history to prove it. So, for someone to believe that there are alternate truths out there that can conflict with the theology and still be right, is erroneous, or--dare I say--unbiblical!!!!!!!

NOT RESPECTING TRADITION

2009-07-09T10:38:00.003-04:00

Just yesterday, I had a discussion with a fellow Minister in Chicago about my future endeavors in ministry. And--if you know anything about me--you know that when it comes to this topic, I can be extremely direct in some areas--especially when it comes to issues that I find as real problems in the church today. And generally, when I bring up these particular issues (especially when it deals with the state of the black church), they are either met with a hearty "Amen" or with a strong "Anathema".

So naturally, I was not surprised when we discussed issues that I had with the black church today, that it didn't go over very well with him. For example, I mentioned that one of the things that bother me about today's black church today was the "enslavement of traditions" over and beyond the primary foci of the church as a whole. And when I explained to him what I meant, he accused me of not respecting the traditions of the church and said that it would be difficult for me to find a future pastorate with this mindset.

Now, I must admit that when I became Reformed back in 2001, there were some of beliefs within the scope of the black church that I laughed at and ridiculed then that I do not criticize (at least not as much) now. Some of these things include the doctrinal depth of the songs, the devotion service, the anniversaries for every department in the church, and the heavily accepted Charismatic teachings that are so widely accepted amongst our people. However, while I have either softened my stance or see these things from a different angle, I have to honestly admit that my feelings overall have not changed. In short, what I told my fellow Minister yesterday is the same way I felt back then and will feel throughout the duration of my ministry career.

As a black church, we must realize that we must line up EVERYTHING we do against the written Word of God. In short, the Bible must be our guide in all matters of worship. Just because we desire a worship that is more emotional, more social driven, and highlights our cultural identity, does not mean we have the freedom to disregard God's Word in bringing it about. We are not immune to doing things the way God wants just because we have been a people of struggle. So, while I will be the first the state that I see nothing inherently wrong with wearing white on first Sundays, having three of four types of choirs, wearing a robe in the pulpit while preaching, and lining the hymns in worship, if these things become the staple principles for a church in lieu of the solid teaching of God's Word, the right administration of the sacraments, and the practice of self-discipline--the church is in error! No questions asked!!!!!!

So, if Scripture tells us we must teach God's Word with seriousness and careful instruction, then our focus should not be on trying to get the crowd up by "hooping" or"singing" during our messages. If the Bible tells us that one of the qualifications for an Elder is to be"the husband of one wife", we should not go on crusades to ordain women as pastors. In short, we don't get an "out" in our worship practice based on our historical plights or traditions.

And, from a personal standpoint, if these beliefs prevent me from receiving a pastorate in a black church, I am willing to accept the consequences. Because to quote Martin Luther: "My conscience is captive to the Word of God, and to violate conscience is neither right nor safe"!!!!!!

THE REAL VICTIMS

2009-07-07T09:11:00.002-04:00

Being a HUGE football fan, naturally over the past few days I have been following very closely the Steve McNair murder investigation. And while it is a tragedy when any person is shot and killed--especially at such a young age like 36--the one thing that I think is not being focused on is the grieving family is left to deal with the complex questions.

To put it bluntly, while the media is focusing on the humanitarian that Steve McNair was, we shouldn't overlook the fact that the man was killed in the surroundings of an adulteress relationship. In short, McNair thought more about himself and his wants instead of being faithful to his family--especially the four children he left behind.

Now it is not my desire to throw stones at McNair in this post (although you might think otherwise), but it does speak volumes when a man is being praised for helping inner-city youth and starting foundations but no one is thinking about a wife who has to tell her children that daddy is not only dead, but has to tell them how he died!!

How does Mechelle McNair tell her children that daddy was having an affair and was killed by his mistress? Equally, how does she properly grieve in finding out this news at the same time as hearing that her husband of 12 years is dead? And finally, how will this situation affect the psyche of his children towards their father as they grow up to become active members of society?

In short, we must come to the reality that tragedies like this do not stop with the people that were directly involved. But rather, this is a incident that could have lasting effects 20, 30, and maybe 50 years from now with the people who are left behind. In short, the real victims of this tragedy are those who become engulfed in the poison that an incident like this can bring.

So while we pray for the families that are involved in this tragedy, let us also pray for the LORD to specifically heal their hearts from the betrayal and hatred that generally come from these ordeals. Unfortunately, nothing can change what happened but what can be prevented is the spread of the pain and suffering that these families now feel towards their loved ones and those on the other side of the fence.

PICS FROM THE WEDDING

2009-04-29T12:32:00.011-04:00

Hello Everyone!

It has been a while since I posted (I have been trying to get adjusted both to work and as a newly married man). However, I would like to tell you that the Ebony Puritan Forum is back and possibly stronger than ever.

And to kick off my return, I would like to share with you some of the pics from the wedding. The LORD was pleased to bless me on March 28th in taking the hand of Debra-Anne Lettman as my wife. She is an amazing woman, and I look forward to loving and cherishing her and having her love and support for the rest of our days.

I would like to thank my wife's cousin Andrea and sister Roni for supplying these pics.

So with that said, Enjoy!!!!

The Bridal Party

I am watching Debra dance with her Uncle Larry

Deb and I doing our "surprise" dance

Deb and I cutting the wedding cake

Deb and I sharing a passionate kiss

More to come soon..............................

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HELL, WE'RE JUST HAVING SOME FUN!!!

2009-03-10T13:39:00.003-04:00

Today, I was sent an e-mail of a Church Anniversary service where the people had to dress in a certain color due to their generation. For instance, those born before 1946 are called "Builders" and those, in this congregation who fell under that genre, wore black. Those born from 1946-64 are called "Boomers" and they wore brown, from 1965-83 the people are called "Busters" and they wore gray, and from 1984 until now they are called "Bridges" and they wore red. And the idea this church was promoting was that they minister to all four generations of people.

And while this ministering to various generations should be honored and there is nothing inherently wrong with having the different generations dress in certain colors for such events, what disturbed me about this clip is that the pastor had the people get up and dance to certain songs of their generation like "they did when they first heard the song". So you have people slow dancing in the church and doing modern dances within the worship service. And this leaves me to ask the obvious question: What has happened to the reverence in our worship services?

Would we see this kind of behavior in the days of Moses? How about with Christ? How about the Apostles? Would we see it in the days of Luther, Calvin, Edwards, Spurgeon, or even as recent as 20 years ago? To quote Lance Lewis, the church is not being separated from the world, we are mimicking it and they are laughing at us.

And on top of all this, the Pastor kept saying, "You are not going to hell because of this. We are just having fun". And from a Christian perspective, this is true because our salvation is in Christ. So, a Christian need not be afraid of getting eternally condemned because they dance to "My Girl" in the worship service. But does this statement give us the right to act any way we want when we come into the presence of God? For instance, would we wear sneakers and jeans to a meeting with President Obama because we were certain he wouldn't throw us into federal prison for such? Equally, if we have a high ranking position on our job, does that mean we can blast music and "cut a fool" because there is no fear of being fired? I think not! We give reverence where reverence is due. And if we can put on our best and show respect towards Obama or our bosses, how much more should we show reverence to the very One who gave us life and gave His life for our redemption?

And in a postscript to this Pastor's statement, what about the unbelievers who went to this service and came away with the idea that the church is no more than a big club? What about those people who were desiring to see something that service that would distinguish the church from the world, but saw the same sinful mindsets and ideas that they are always around? And, even worse, what about those who came in as skeptics and felt like their criticisms were justified? In other words, while the statement holds true for believers, it doesn't hold true for the sinner because they are still locked in their sins and this could've been the last opportunity they had to hear the Good News about Christ.

Now, don't get me wrong, I am not taking an R.A. Torrey approach and saying Christians should not dance or go to movies. However, when we come together as a Body to worship the LORD, this is not the time to listen and dance to The Temptations or Kanye West. It is a time to humbly honor and praise the LORD of Heaven and Earth through His Son, Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

And that is what the church is commanded to do. To exalt the excellence of Christ and to distance themselves from the world. And until or unless we do this, church services like this will slowly swallow the church's objectives into chaos.

To see the video of this service, click here

A QUOTE FROM JOHN DONNE

2009-02-05T13:35:00.002-05:00

I'm ashamed to admit it, but I am reading through for the first time, The Supremacy of God in Preaching by John Piper. And in the book, there is an excellent quote by Jacobean poet and preacher John Donne, relating the preacher's heart to the people he preaches to. If you are a minister of the Gospel, does these words reflect your heart:

"What sea could furnish my eyes with tears enough to pour out, if I should think, that of all this congregation, which looks me in the face now, I should not meet one at the Resurrection, at that right hand of God".

I'M STILL ALIVE!!!!!

2009-02-03T14:20:00.002-05:00

As some of you know, I am getting married to my amazing fiancee on March 28th. And, due to this, I have not had the time to post on The Ebony Puritan Forum like I want to (in fact, this is my first post of the year--Happy New Year everyone :-) !!!!!

But, as the wedding comes closer and more fires are put out, I will definitely take time to post at least 2 times a week. In short, The Ebony Puritan Forum is NOT DEAD!!!!

So, for all those who enjoy the post on this site, I am truly sorry for my absence and I hope you check frequently on the site for more of my thoughts on the impact of Reformed Theology throughout the African-American Church as well as the world!!!!

THE EBONYPURITAN FORUM'S 100TH POST

2008-12-18T11:08:00.002-05:00

It has been over 14 months in waiting, but guess what: THE EBONYPURITAN FORUM HAS REACHED THE CENTURY MARK IN POSTS!!!!!

To all the readers, both casual and devoted, thank you for all your support and comments. And I intend on continuing to give you my thoughts as it pertains to Reformed Theology and the African-American society as a whole!!!!

YOUNG, RESTLESS, AND REFORMED

2008-12-11T12:30:00.003-05:00

If there is one thing that blesses my heart outside of seeing my own African-American brothers and sisters come to a knowledge and love of the Reformed faith, it is seeing this same knowledge and love through young people.

I have many friends who are either young adults themselves or older adults with young children, who passionately expresses their joy in the Reformed faith in various ways. And the diversity is amazing in and of itself: On one hand, I know young people who express their Reformed beliefs in listening to LeCrae and Paul Washer and others who express their beliefs in singing hymns and listening to Lloyd-Jones.

But in both cases, they have one major objective: to exalt Christ, promote God's Sovereignty, and uphold the glorious Doctrines of Grace. And while this "youth movement" has caused many older Reformers to become uneasy, I personally believe some good can come from this. Because the LeCraes, the Flames, the Washers are allowing youngsters to enjoy their Reformed beliefs in many nontraditional ways. And let us not forget that there was a time when the Luthers, Calvins, and Spurgeons were once scorned and seen as "over the top" in their society.

So, instead of criticizing this movement, let us build upon it. Because truly, there are a lot of things these young Reformers can learn from older Reformers and there are many things that the older Reformers can learn from younger Reformers as well.

THE HERESY JUST KEEPS ON COMING!!!!

2008-11-17T14:28:00.002-05:00

I have to admit that have never been a fan of John Hagee. From his weird interpretation of Revelation to his heretical belief that the Jewish people do not have to accept Christ in order to go to Heaven, he has done a lot to repulse me.

And with his latest book, In Defense of Israel, Hagee goes right over the edge making the argument that Jesus never claimed to be the Messiah, and that the Jews could not be blamed for not accepting him as such. Truly, we must start praying for the health of the Body of Christ, especially for those who follow false teachers such as Hagee.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0CyolAOeWQ

THE JONESTOWN MASSACRE: 30 YEARS LATER

2008-11-13T14:38:00.005-05:00

If you have been following the news lately, you probably know that this week marks the 30th Anniversary of one of the most tragic events in American History--The Jonestown Massacre.

It was in Jonestown, Guyana where a man named James (Jim) Warren Jones, who was the "pastor" of a "church" called The People's Temple, had over 900 of his followers drink cyanide-laced Flavor-Aid in a successful mass suicide. The Jonestown Massacre is recorded as being the 2nd greatest civil loss of American life at one time in a non-natural disaster next to 9/11.

Ever since I started following this tragedy about 6 years ago, I have been amazed at both the wickedness of humanity (in fact, this tragedy is what really opened my eyes to the truth of Total Depravity) and also how an obsession with "secondary things" can leave one wide open for any type of destruction.

And what I mean by "secondary things" is this: How many self-professed Christians do you know who follow false teachers because they preach a Jesus who wants you healthy, wealthy, and prosperous instead of one who wants us delivered from our sins? How many people have blindly joined churches because it met their physical needs (like food, clothing, or employment), but they fail in meeting their spiritual need of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? How many people are following pastors who promote ideas like no makeup or pant wearing for women or that there members shouldn't go to movies because they are "sinful" just because the "pastor says so"?

Brothers and Sisters, it is these types of things that caused Jim Jones to grab mind control over 900 people to the point of death, and the sad reality is that--with today's brand of what passes for Christianity--it is very possible this could happen again (God forbid!). This is why we, as the Body of Christ, must learn the discipline of discernment and also learn that nothing is more precious than the gift of Jesus Christ. Because a gracious God, who gave His one and only Son for sinners like you and I, will--without question--take care of the needs of those who are in His flock!!!!

Sadly, the followers of Jim Jones did not understand this. So let us learn from their tragedy and not build upon it.

TRUTH UNDER FIRE!!!

2008-11-12T12:49:00.003-05:00

Last week at the Miami Pastor's Conference, I had the chance to meet and hear Dr. Voddie Baucham for the first time, and let me tell you it was a real treat. Dr. Baucham is a man who is on fire for the truth of God, and is not ashamed to stand for it even in "politically correct" arenas. As a point of illustration, click on the clip below and see how he addresses Sarah Palin and the woman's role in the home in a CNN interview.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f14z3cnNzzo

WOW AGAIN!!!!!

2008-11-08T20:25:00.003-05:00

Once again, the Miami Pastor's Conference did not disappoint. This year's theme, "What is God saying to and through the Churches" was informative and convicting. Everyone of the Speakers were absolutely amazing and God really moved in this conference.

As usual, there was great fellowship within the participants. It was a real joy to reacquaint with Pastors Ken Jones, Robert Benson, and Anthony Carter. Also, it was a treat to meet and hear Dr. Voddie Baucham this year (and let me tell you, if you haven't heard him preach you are missing a REAL blessing from the LORD). Also, it was nice to see again many other participants from last year like Frank and Irwin, and meet for the first time brothers like Steve Love, James from Southern Baptist Seminary, and Andy Johnson from 9Marks ministry.

Throughout the year, I will give some insights and thoughts about the conference (don't worry Tony and Frank, I WILL keep this promise), so that you can get a snapshot on how God blessed this amazing event.

WE'VE FINALLY GOT A PIECE OF THE PIE!!!!!

2008-11-04T23:46:00.005-05:00

Even though I have been very harsh on Barack Obama throughout this election period, I have to admit there is a sense of joy in my heart to see an African-American finally make it to the Presidency of the United States.

When I think just 50 years ago, blacks had to eat in back sections in restaurants, could not drink out of the same water fountains nor use the same restrooms as whites. How 53 years ago, a woman by the name of Rosa Parks was arrested just because she refused to give up her seat on a city bus because she was tired. How 45 years ago, four children: Denise McNair, Cynthia Wesley, Addie Mae Collins, and Carole Robertson were killed by a bomb in their church when they went to the basement to pray. And how 40 years ago, a man named Martin Luther King was assassinated because he wanted to see a nation of equality and harmony, truly seeing this day is a special and landmark moment in African-American history.

And while I have to say this post does not mean that I am turning Democrat (God forbid!) or that I have become a fan of Obama and his beliefs (again, God forbid!), I cannot lose sight in what this day means to my community. Truly, it feels good to be a part of history and it is my prayer that the decision that God has Sovereignly placed before us will bring Him glory in the highest. As the Scriptures say, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God". So while many will be ecstatic about this event and many will be disgusted with it, there is one thing we should keep in mind: This work is of the LORD's doing, and we should submit to it, praise His wisdom in bringing it about, and realize He has not given up His rule on His heavenly throne. And that, brothers and sisters, is the real joy in this event--no matter what side of the fence you stand.

PERSONAL POLITICS

2008-10-30T12:09:00.003-04:00

We are only 5 days away from the most historic election since the one which put our first President, George Washington, in office.

And the more I am observing the voting landscape, the more I am seeing people releasing a passion for who they support like never before. All one has to do is look at YouTube and watch the "NObama Girl" video or listen to actor Matt Damon say that the possibility of Sarah Palin being our next president is the equivalent to "a bad Disney Movie", and one will see clearly that this election has taken on a real personal appeal with a lot of people.

But, unfortunately, there are some who have taken this passion to new heights--heights that are uncalled for and ridiculous. To give you an example of what I am talking about, last night I had the privilege of talking with one of my church's most active and faithful members, and she revealed to me that she had been called a "sellout", have had friendships bruised severely, and have even had people step up violently in her face, due to the fact that she is standing by John McCain (which, to my knowledge, is only the third person I met in our congregation who is Anti-Obama). And while she was saying this, you could see her trying not to get so emotional because she made the proper decision not to go along with the crowd and make a decision based on her morals.

So, instead of being praised for not violating her conscience and being independent in her thinking, many people (including those who call themselves Christians) are criticizing her for allegedly "standing against progress".

Now in lieu of all this, one has to ask why? Why do we feel the need to damage relationships and verbally (or physically) hurt people because they choose to look beyond their skin color, economic status, or any other intangible and vote for the man whom they think would bring the most honor to the LORD? Since when has the right to think freely become Politically Incorrect?

Now, if you are a regular reader of my blog, you know it is no secret that I am as "NObama" as it gets. However, NEVER would I verbally or physically attack someone just because they did not see my political point of view. And I believe that people need to separate their political views from their personal relationships. The truth is, there will be many African-Americans who do not support Obama (I'm one of them) and there will be many Caucasians who will not stand by McCain (Matt Damon). And these free choices should not cause damage to relationships that have evolved over the duration of time.

So, in conclusion, realize the fact that whatever candidate you stand by is your choice! And the act of getting in people's faces, calling them names, or breaking off friendships because someone doesn't agree with you is over extreme and repulsive. And to those who are doing such acts, they need to be ashamed of themselves and beg the LORD to have mercy on their souls.

MY TRIP TO CANADA

2008-10-22T12:49:00.013-04:00

As some of you know, my fiance and I (as well as her mother and aunt) took a trip to Ottawa, ON Canada a couple of weeks back for a wedding and, let me tell you, I had a blast up there!!!

Here are some of the pics from the trip:

The Happy Couple: Eric and Elizabeth (Beth) Dotson

My precious Debra and I

The Beautiful Ladies!!!!!!

The Fellas putting together favors!!!

You don't see this in South Florida

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO "THE HOLY BIBLE"?

2008-10-20T08:57:00.005-04:00

Last night, I was leading a prayer service in my jail ministry, and I noticed that several of the inmates were carrying around versions of the Bible entitled, "The Story of God". Apparently, this version of the Bible is produced by the TNIV, and after some research, I have found out that they have produced other Bibles with these types of titles.

Now, I don't have time to complain in full about the dangerous errors of the TNIV or the lack of care or discernment from those who give these Bibles to the inmates (I can't tell you the amount of inmates that have come to my class over the years with New World Translations), but I do want to raise a very interesting question: What happened to calling the Holy Bible "The Holy Bible"? Today, we have Bibles called "The Message", "The Book", and "The Story". And with such controversy arising over whether we should put "In God we Trust" on our money any longer, one has to ask a more disturbing question: Has the word "Holy Bible" become offensive to today's society?

Have we gotten to a point where it is now politically incorrect to, not only call the Bible "Holy", but to call it the "Bible"? If the producers of these Bibles are expressing this as fact by renaming the Bible to fit the mindset of this generation, let me remind them of the words of our Savior: "If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels" (Mark 8:38).

Brothers and Sisters, the Holy Bible is called "The Holy Bible" because it is the infallible, inerrant authority for all mankind in regards of faith and practice. As the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith states:

"The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience" (Chapter 1: "Of the Holy Scriptures")

It was a book written by Almighty God, and when one reads, studies, and/or discusses it, it should be handled in that proper reverence. In short, to dumb down the holiness or authority of the Bible in order to make it appealing to unbelievers is nothing less than a slap in the face of God and a major act of cosmic treason. May God have mercy and grant repentance to those who, not only produce these types of Bibles, but also those preachers who use and endorse them as well as those individuals who buy them with little regard to the authority of Scripture.

INTERNATIONAL INTRIGUE

2008-10-15T15:45:00.003-04:00

Last week I had the privilege of going to Ottawa, ON Canada to be a part of my fiance's cousin's wedding. And while there were a lot of things there that really brought back vivid memories of my growing up in Rochester, NY, there was one thing that shocked me more than anything I experienced: the absolute obsession that the Canadian people have over the McCain-Obama Presidential battle.

Although Canada had their own elections this past Tuesday, and have no initial stake in the outcome of our election, somehow everyone was enamored over what was happening in the States. For instance, I went to a Barber Shop and the guys in there were giving their views on how McCain would be a continuation of George Bush presidency and how Obama would be the ideal fit because he better understands how to handle the American economy. In addition to this, my fiance's aunt--who lives in Jamaica no less--was very critical of Palin and extremely pro-Obama (again, a person with no initial stake in the election).

Truly, this election is becoming larger than the United States, and one could make the argument that the outcome will be much bigger than American History, but the results may go down as one of the most important events in World History. And, in my opinion, this is exciting. So, as we prepare to vote on November 4th, we should keep in the forefront of our minds that our vote holds a lot more weight than just picking our 44th President. But, when it's all said and done, it could be the difference in how we are respected or ridiculed through the eyes of the world.

SARAH FAILIN'

2008-09-30T21:33:00.009-04:00

To be honest, I have always been weary about John McCain's choice for VP. Personally, I don't think a hockey mom who has a 5 month old baby is capable of taking on such a prominent and important position. But after watching Sarah Palin's interview with Katie Couric, I have found another reason why I don't like his choice: She seems ignorant, not only to several issues, but also about her own running mate. I have never seen a person so ill-prepared for an interview in all my time following politics.

Add this to "Obama Mania" that is sweeping through our black communities, and this promises to be a really interesting election to say the least. Click above and see what I am talking about.

UPDATE: Apparently, Sarah Palin has a history of this: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=NrzXLYA_e6E

LLOYD-JONES ON THE SHAME OF THE GOSPEL

2008-09-25T13:18:00.003-04:00

Perhaps there is no Theologian loved more in the Reformed circles than Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. And, in addition, there is possibly no better person to receive more profound quotes from than Lloyd-Jones. Here is one I find very direct and accurate:

“If you have never felt shame in proclaiming the gospel, it’s probably because you don’t understand the gospel.”

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!!!

2008-09-10T15:22:00.003-04:00

Once again, we are closing in on the Miami Pastor's Conference, which will be held November 6-8 at Glendale Baptist Church in Miami, FL.

This year's theme is "What Is Christ Saying To and Through His Church"? The speakers will include the regulars: Host Pastor Rickey Armstrong, Pastor Ken Jones, Pastor Anthony Carter, Pastor Redditt Andrews and Pastor Michael Leach. And this year's Conference will feature guest speakers and teachers: Dr. Robert Cameron, Dr. Voddie Baucham, and Pastor Michael Campbell.

Registration is now underway, so please click here for more information and I'll see you in Miami!!!

THE BIRDS, BEES AND BEYOND

2008-09-08T10:25:00.003-04:00

Planned Parenthood has a new promotional web site entitled, "Take Care Down There". This site contains vignettes which, not only promotes "safe sex", but also oral sex, group sex, and homosexual situations. After watching these clips, you tell me if you would use this site to teach your children about the "birds and the bees" ? (Click on the tabs on the right side of the screen to see each vignette).

AN UPWARD SHIFT?

2008-09-05T10:00:00.003-04:00

I have never made no secret about this fact: I love my Alma Mater, KNOX Theological Seminary. It is--as one of my friends put it--a "diamond in the rough" as far as good, biblically sound seminaries go.
And I have been blessed to be able to audit a class this semester on Thursday nights entitled Evangelism and Church Health, which basically deals with how to present the Gospel (in all of its components) in your sermon preparation and delivery.

And while the class is really stimulating and convicting, the real excitement that I experienced at KNOX last night was meeting several black students at the school. In fact, in this class alone, there are five. When I graduated from KNOX last year, I noticed that a lot more blacks were attending the seminary than when I first started. For example, in the Worship class that I took in Fall of 2006, the blacks out numbered all other races in the class--something absolutely unprecedented at KNOX at the time.

I was privileged to talk with some of these students and I saw in many of them a passion to take what they are learning and use it to reform the black church to where it needs to be. These students are not only hearing about the Doctrines of Grace (some for the very first time), but also why they need to be preached within our culture. I am excited to see God put fires in the bellies of these wonderful brothers and sisters, and it makes me believe that God is truly bringing light out of darkness.

And while other ministries, in their actions, will discourage us in thinking that African-American Theology is still heading downward we, as African-Americans who adhere to Reformed Theology, need to praise God for the remnant He has placed in Seminaries like KNOX, Westminster, RTS, Greenville, Southern Baptist, and others. Equally, we need to not only pray for our churches, but also these men and women for their studies, their callings, and their encouragement as they will (more than likely) face persecution for standing on the Word of Truth.

THIS DEFINITELY ISN'T MONOPOLY

2008-08-27T13:14:00.002-04:00

Throughout the years, I have learned not to be so amazed by the silliness I find in most Christian Bookstores. But what I saw yesterday has to take the cake!!

I would like to introduce "Your Best Life Now" the Board game--yes, you read right--the BOARD GAME! Apparently, making spiritual water was not productive enough, so now the gaming industry has to be infected by this jargon that disguises itself as modern Evangelicalism.

Truly, Osteen has hit a new low in approving this product, and one has to wonder what is next: "Woman Thou Art Loosed" the video game? Oh, how I would need a Psychiatrist in the fear of seeing a virtual TD Jakes!

But nevertheless, products like this only show us how goofy the marketing of this false Christianity truly is. And sadly, the acceptance of such stuff as this only magnifies the cry for sound Theology in the church, and also prayer for all Christians for the need for Biblical discernment.

MICHELLE WINS THE NIGHT!!!

2008-08-26T07:55:00.004-04:00

If you have been following my blog, you know that I have been very hard on Barack Obama's beliefs as well as African-American's gullibility in following him because of the color of his skin.

But I like to think of myself as a man of fairness (though some would disagree), and I have to admit that Michelle Obama was very impressive to me at last night's DNC. Now when I say this, I am not talking about her speech alone. While I did like the approach she took by playing the "Simple girl from the Southside" card, I was more impressed with her strength, passion, confidence, and--more than anything else--her full devotion to her husband and for what she believes he can bring to this country as President. Quite simply, all these qualities (along with the speech) is giving a human side to this Presidential Campaign. And while many have criticized the night as "wasted", we must understand that people will not vote for a candidate that neglects to put their family's positives in the spotlight (see Kennedy, Reagan, and Clinton for examples of this). And up to this point, I must admit that Obama is destroying McCain in this area. So while we wait to hear Obama's stance on issues affecting our country, we must embrace the fact that his campaign is trying to show that he is a family man and that his election will bring more than just our first black President, but also a relatable person that is reflected in his family's makeup.

In conclusion, while my stance on Obama and his beliefs have not budged from the get-go, I do applaud Michelle Obama's time in the spotlight. She showed that she is very much her own lady, and at the same time loyal and supportive of her husband and his mission. And for that alone you have to applaud her, whether you are Democrat, Republican, Independent, or affiliated with any other party.

NEVER WOULD HAVE MADE IT WITHOUT ____?

2008-08-21T12:40:00.003-04:00

It is one of the most popular songs in the country right now, loved by both Christians and Non-Christians alike. It has brought many to tears and has encouraged many to continue to stay strong during difficult times. It has made its writer--Marvin Sapp--an overnight hit! It's the song Never Would Have Made it.

And while I must admit that it is a very beautiful song, When you stop and listen to the lyrics, one would find something very interesting about them. See if you can pick up what I'm saying:

Never would have made it,

Never could have made it, without you

I would have lost it all, but now I see how you were there for me

And I can say: Never would have made it,

Never could have made it, Without you

I would have lost it all, but I now how I see how you were there for me

And I can say I'm stronger, I'm wiser, I'm better, much better,

When I look back over all you brought me thru.

I can see that you were the one that I held on to.

Do you see it? There is no mention of the LORD Jesus, God the Father, or the Holy Spirit in the lyrics. Now you might be saying to yourself: Gee Jarvis! Aren't you being over picky? The LORD is definitely implied in the song. But what many people don't realize is that Marvin Sapp wrote this song as a tribute to his father after his death. So we cannot assume that this song was written to honor the LORD.

Now, it is not my intention to rip Marvin Sapp in this post. As mentioned before, I truly love this song and it has encouraged me in the LORD many times. However, it is a song that has a "insert your inspiration here" ideaology. In short, whoever you idolize can be the "you" or "he" in this song. And it is this type of music that is being passed off as "gospel" today, when in actuality there is no mention of the Gospel, nor Christ in its makeup.

Sadly, some of today's Christian artist--in an attempt to draw unbelievers to Christ-- are recording songs that are leaving out the most important element to their mission: Christ.

Brothers and Sisters, we must remember that the way sinners are saved is through the preaching of Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). And this must be done in our singing, preaching, counsel, and every other aspect of worship.

God has not sanctioned any other means for a person to be saved. So while I applaud Mr. Sapp for writing such a beautiful song, I would also encourage him to be more direct in the object of his message and to proudly put the cross in his future projects. Because it is the cross of Christ--as Fanny Crosby states-- that is the "precious fountain" that washes away the sins of both men and women.

IS THIS THE REAL MEANING OF THIS PASSAGE?

2008-08-13T13:37:00.007-04:00

This past Sunday (as I do every Sunday Afternoon), I tuned to NRB in order to watch Dr. Tony Evans. In this particular show, Dr. Evans was preaching from John 11 explaining how to handle your situation when God "delays" your healing. And, in watching this, I initially wondered (as I often have when I hear messages like this) does God really show up late? If God has designed how the earth (and everything else for that matter) is to operate determining what will happen at the time it happens, then how is it possible for Him to delay at anything? When God does not act when we desire, is it that He is somehow "late" in answering our wants or is the situation exposing a sin of impatience within us? In short, when we say God is "late", are we trying to put God in our time frame when we are supposed to be subjective to His?

But after thinking this, I realized that there was a bigger problem in the delivery of this message. And that problem was: Is God "delaying your blessing" the true meaning of this story? Is the Lazarus account designed to encourage us while we wait for God to give us our "breakthrough", or is the story's message MUCH bigger than that?

It often surprises me how sermons will go off of the deep end when we don't take into account the primary purpose of Scripture. We must remember that, in the story of Lazarus, God the Father and God the Son had a bigger purpose in mind in raising Lazarus than most sermons (like the one mentioned above) would indicate. The primary message in this passage is that Christ is the true resurrection and, by believing in Him, we too will be resurrected (like Lazarus) on the last day to enjoy eternal life with Him.

But when we take a passage with such a powerful message and dumb it down to say that "You can expect great things if God is somehow late in delivering your breakthrough", we miss the true essence of what Christ is showing us through this event. This is why I believe that we need to start seeing stories like Lazarus for what they are: REAL stories with a Christo-centric theme and not some fable where God is trying to teach us some moral lesson or principle for our lives. The events of Scripture are not to be confused with Romeo and Juliet or Dr. Seus. Neither is its purpose to tell us how to live our "Best Life Now" or to give us the "8 steps to create the life we want". But it is to show our LORD and Savior and what He has done to accomplish our salvation (John 5:39-40). And when we prepare and preach our messages with this in mind, then we will truly see the breakthroughs we are hoping God will give the people we minister to.

SPIRIT-FILLED WORSHIP

2008-08-04T14:27:00.005-04:00

In today's modern church, a link has developed between emotionalism and the "move of the Holy Spirit". And by deduction, many in the Body of Christ would say that if a service does not provide some form of emotion (and by emotion, I mean things like speaking in tongues, "hooping" preaching, or worked-up crowds) that the Holy Spirit was somehow absent in its makeup.

However, Daniel Hyde challenges this belief in his Modern Reformation article, "In Search of the Spirit". Using the Heidelberg Catechism and other Reformed sources, Hyde shows how the Holy Spirit actually moves within the components of a true Biblical worship service--that is, through the Preached Word, the Sacraments, and Baptism.

To read the article, click here

CLIMATE CHANGES AND BLACK SOCIETY

2008-07-29T16:21:00.003-04:00

I just read an interesting article from The Business and Media Institute stating that climate changes tend to hurt blacks more economically, socially, and health wise than any other race. Please click the link below and tell me what you think!!!

http://www.businessandmedia.org/articles/2008/20080729130950.aspx

A QUOTE FROM PASTOR ANTHONY CARTER

2008-07-22T18:02:00.005-04:00

As I mentioned in my previous post, I am reading Anthony Carter's new book, Experiencing the Truth, and I was awed by a statement he made regarding how we should worship God:

When we come into worship, we should come expecting to meet with God, but this meeting with God should cause us to see ourselves more clearly. We should get a right and real understanding of our unworthiness and God's eternal, incalculable value. If we ever grasped the reality that God has called us to meet with Him in worship, it would change not only how we approach worship, but what we do in worship. (pg. 90).

INDICTING JUSTIFICATIONS

2008-07-18T14:34:00.009-04:00

I am currently reading the new book by Anthony Carter, Ken Jones, and Michael Leach entitled, "Experiencing the Truth: Bringing the Reformation to the African-American Church". And if you haven't read this book yet--believe me--it is a real page turner!

One of the sections I've found very interesting is Anthony Carter's chapter on Biblical Preaching. In this section, Anthony Carter compares the modern teaching of justification with the Reformers teaching of Sola Fide. And after reading this quote, you will see how far we have strayed from the faith once for all delivered to the saints:

"The egregious error of much of popular, modern, preaching is that justification by faith has been replaced by eternally-damning notions of justification by wealth (God's pleasure is measured in one's money), justification by positive thinking (God's favor is on all, we just have to think positively about ourselves and God), justification by self-esteem (God's favor will be upon me if I would just see that I am worthy of it), and justification by death (God's favor is upon all who are funeralized in the church). All of these are popular impostors of the God-honoring, Christ-exalting, eternally-securing, and church-of-Christ building justification by faith alone in Christ alone".

BLACK IN AMERICA

2008-07-15T14:42:00.003-04:00

Starting next Wednesday Night, there is an interesting series that CNN is airing entitled, "Black in America". It will be hosted by Soledad O'Brien, and it will deal with issues ranging in Women and the Family to common stereotypes that blacks encounter in other cultures as well as their own.

Now, with a show like this, there is a tendency of being both too ignorant and too proud when discussing issues within the black culture. However, I feel this series may be a little different, especially in light of the Barack Obama nomination. There is no question that Obama's running for president has brought the black community back into the limelight, and it is my hope that the information in this series will be more accurate and yet more convicting than previous "Black America" programs.

To see a preview of the series, click on the "Black in America" tab above.

CHRISTIANITY OR CULTURE????

2008-07-11T10:52:00.003-04:00

I just finished reading an excellent article by Eric Redmond entitled, How Can Any Christian African American Vote for Obama? Throwing the Race Card on an All Black Table. And for the most part, the article did open my eyes better to why many blacks will vote for Barack Obama this November.

Although being a serious Conservative Christian, I must state that the points Redmond makes in his article cannot be ignored. If I'm being honest, I must admit that it would be great to see a black president in my lifetime. Also, I have to admit that it would be nice to have someone in a high position who is experiencing the "black struggle", and can pass laws and sign bills that would give blacks more equal footing in this nation. These points, among others I cannot deny.

However, I also have to ask (again as serious conservative Christian) are these issues enough to cast a vote for a candidate that stands by immoral ideas? For example, as a black man, I would definitely vote for a candidate that I believe would have my best interest in regards to social, economic, and judicial issues. And like it or not, the candidate that would fit that bill the best would (more than likely) be one who shares my skin color. After all, who can relate to the joys and pains that I go through, as an African-American, but an African-American? But on the flip side, being a man who came close to becoming a victim to the byproduct of abortion, I cannot--in good conscience--vote for someone who stands by this idea, no matter what skin color he/she has.

So, while I can understand why the nomination of Obama is exciting for the African-American community, I feel in some sick sense that this upcoming election will expose a painful truth within our culture: that we value our Race over our God!

Now, I know this is a heavy statement that I have just made. But how else can it be construed? Ask yourself: Why are most African-Americans excited about this upcoming election? Why are Obama T-shirts selling like hotcakes in the black community? Why is it that blacks get heated when Obama is attacked in the media? and why do you see more blacks going to presidential rallies than you had ever seen before? Well, the answer is simple: Obama is the "Great Black Hope": The Champion of African-American advancement. And while I am definitely proud that we have advanced to this level in our struggle, in the end we must hold to the reality that we are commanded by Scripture to "do all things for the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31). And this command goes for all Christians--whether you're black, white, green, or orange.

So in short, we must ask ourselves, "Although we have advanced in our struggle, would God be proud if we voted using another barometer besides our Christian ethics"? I believe this is the question we must answer before we choose to vote for Obama, McCain, or any other candidate. And while God is Sovereign, and will ultimately do what He wills through our next president, this doesn't give people an "out" to vote for anyone they want. We must remember that we are commanded to hold up the banner of Godliness in whatever we do. Because before we are black, white, Asian, or Spanish, we are Christ's and Christ is God's!!!!!

COMFORT IN "CHANGE"

2008-07-01T11:52:00.006-04:00

As I have mentioned many times in this blog, on weekends I do jail ministry at the JV Conte Facility in Pompano Beach, FL, and if you are doing, have done, or even heard about jail ministry you will notice that the men or women ministered to have a lot of different talents that will bless your heart.

And this past Sunday night, this reality was shown by leaps and bounds. One inmate gave a beautiful Gospel presentation using the word "Change". If you haven't noticed, the word "hang" seperates the "C" and "E" in "change". And stating that the "C" stands for "Christians" and "E" stands for "Eternal Life" he showed this biblical truth:

In order for Christians to obtain Eternal Life, Jesus had to hang on the cross and die for our sins! Thus, by Christ's death all have experienced a "change" in disposition from the pangs of hell to the graces and blessings of God through Christ Jesus. May God bless all His children with this truth to our hearts!!!

SHE SAID "YES"!!!!

2008-06-29T01:55:00.003-04:00

I am happy to announce to the Reformed blog world that I, the Ebony Puritan, will be soon tying the knot! Yesterday, on my Birthday, I proposed to my precious Tulip Debra-Anne, and she accepted.

I have waited a long time for this day to come, and I praise our Sovereign God for how He orchestrated this situation and for the precious gem He has blessed me with.

Please pray for Debra and I as we embark on a union we pray will bring glory to our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.

AMAZING GRACE IS AN AMAZING BUY!!!!

2008-06-16T12:39:00.003-04:00

This past weekend, I had the "privilege" of listening to a sermon delivered by Bob Coy, Pastor of Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale, on the Calvinism-Arminianism debate. And if you know anything about Calvary Chapel's stance on the doctrine of salvation, you would not be surprised by the conclusions that Pastor Bob gave: That we do not know if God chose us or we chose Him because the Bible isn't clear in this area (FYI: One of the major attacks on Scripture that the Seeker Sensitive/Emerging Church promotes is that it is not clear in many areas).

And after listening to this sermon, I was moved to watch a DVD I have had for a number of years called, "Amazing Grace", produced by the Apologetics Group, which is designed to defend the truths of Calvinism. Without question, this DVD is the BEST resource I have seen in defending the Reformed Doctrines of Grace. The DVD traces the doctrine's beginnings, the historic Calvinism-Arminianism debate, defines what true Arminianism and Calvinism is, and gives an excellent apologetic against Arminian "proof verses". In fact, I will go on record and say that if one is not either bed rocked in their Reformed view of Salvation or doesn't become a Calvinist after watching this DVD, then there may not be any hope for you to see these truths for what they truly are (I'm being sarcastic here!!!).

So, if you want to learn more about the Doctrines of Grace or you want to be more solid in your understanding of them, then I would encourage you to get a copy of this DVD! It is definitely worth the money!!!!!

To purchase a copy, please click here

REFORMING ATLANTA

2008-06-11T12:51:00.004-04:00

If you are a follower of the Reformed African-American blog world, you know that our brother (and now I can proudly say, My Mentor) Pastor Anthony Carter has started a new church plant named East Point Church in Atlanta. This is an exciting venture that he is on, and it is my prayer that the LORD will use Pastor Carter and his congregation for His glory. So let us keep in prayer Pastor Carter's work, and pray that his labors will impact--not just his city--but the world for Christ!!!

CHRIST IN THE STORY OF JOSEPH

2008-06-10T12:37:00.007-04:00

This past Sunday Night in my jail ministry, I had the joy of teaching my group how to see Christ in the Old Testament. Jesus says, in John 5:39, "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me". So this tells us that Scripture's metanarritive (or its "big picture") all revolves around only one idea: Jesus Christ!

Now it is very easy to see Christ in the New Testament (NT) because of its clarity. But where some in the modern Evangelical Church gets tripped up, is that many cannot see Christ in the Old Testament (OT) unless some OT passage is referred to in the NT. However, Christ--in the context of this passage--is saying that He is just as broad in the OT as it is in the NT.

A prime example of this point is found in the story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50. In this post, I would like to take you to one passage in the story, Genesis 41. It is here that we see Pharaoh being stressed by two dreams he has had, and he is looking for someone to interpret the dreams for him. The cup bearer, who was once imprisoned, tells Pharaoh about a young man who interpreted one of his dreams while he was in prison. Now to set the tone for where I am going, two nuggets need to be established: One, Joseph was only sent to this prison due to a false accusation (i.e., Potipher's wife lied on him). And two, the prisons in Egypt during this time were underground (in fact, some Bibles like the New American Standard Update calls the prison a "dungeon"). In short, those who were imprisoned in Egypt were looked at as "buried under the ground", thus seen as dead. So Joseph's was put to "death" due to a false accusation.

So, taking the cup bearer's recommendation, Pharaoh summons Joseph from the prison. Thus, he's "called out of the place of death" and, in v. 14 we read, Joseph "shaved himself and was given new clothes". Now this statement is striking because, in Egypt, body hair of any kind is seen as filthy and dirty. So in order to be presented to Pharaoh, Joseph had to get his filthiness removed. And it was only then that he could come into the presence of Pharaoh.

So after this happens, Joseph is brought into the palace of Pharaoh and is told his dream. To which, Joseph interprets and gives a suggestion on how to handle the impending issue. To this, Pharaoh adopts his plan and makes Joseph second in command in all of Egypt. Again, we see some interesting points: In one day, Joseph goes from a prisoner to a royal official in the palace. And the way it happens is that Joseph was able--by the power of God--to solve a problem that would have caused impending death to a nation. So, while a lie was the means by which Joseph was "given over to death", in the overall Sovereign plan of God, He used it to bring Joseph to a place where he would use him to save lives.

Isn't this story an amazing picture of the work of Christ? Because of false accusations against Him, our LORD was put to death. However, in the Father's Sovereign plan, He used the death of Christ to save the lives of His Holy Nation, Spiritual Israel, from the impending death of sin. So Jesus took our sins upon Himself and--as 2 Corinthians 5:21 states--"became sin for us". Afterwards, He was raised from the dead, thus removing our sin and He gloriously stands in the presence of the Father as our Redeemer, Righteous Savior, and LORD.

And as a postscript, after Joseph came into power, he would later call all his family to come to Egypt and they were given the best of everything because of their relationship to Joseph. And equally, because of our relationship to Christ, we are given the rewards of heaven and share in His glory for all eternity.

So as we see, all Scripture does bear witness about our LORD. And throughout the year, I hope to share more Old Testament passages that will show marvelous pictures of His selfless work towards his people.

THE CROWD STANDARD

2008-06-03T14:05:00.007-04:00

A while back, I was watching a TV show called "Divine Restoration" in which this man and woman team goes around to selected North American Afro-American Churches, and restores portions of the church's building (it's kind of the "Trading Spaces" of Christian Television). And in every episode, the show interviews several people of the church they are restoring and--as you would guess--the Senior Pastor of the church is always one of the people.

In one of these episodes, they were interviewing a pastor and asked him two interesting questions. The first one was, "What is your preaching style"? To which the pastor says "I have what they call a "hooping" style. I like to 'hoop'". Now, while this answer can raise several issues in and of itself, the second question asked him--and the pastor's answer to this question--was very disturbing. The pastor was asked, "What happens if the congregation does not respond your preaching (i.e, in an emotional outburst) "? To which the pastor replied, "In that case, it's over and I might as well stop preaching and sit down and let someone else take over"! In short, this preacher saw the congregation's approval as the means to the success or failure of his preaching.

However, it is very interesting to me that the LORD Jesus never had this mentality when it came to His own preaching. In fact, if the crowds were the standard, Jesus Himself would be a failure because there were times that people walked away from his messages due to the hardness of their hearts (John 6:66). In addition, some messages were so rejected by the people they almost got Him killed (Luke 4:18-29; John 8:31-59). Equally, Paul told Timothy to "preach the Word in season and out of season"--that is, when the people want to hear it and when they don't want to hear it (2 Tim. 4:2b). So faithfulness to the message "as it has been taught"--as Paul states in Titus 1:9--is the true barometer and not public approval.

Now, in saying this, I am not stating that there should not be passion in preaching. It is just as wrong to be cold and dry in your preaching as it is to be commercialized. In fact, the Bible tells us that Jesus was passionate and authoritative in his preaching (refer to the Greek word for "preach" in Matt. 4:17 as an example). Equally, a preacher should not be "too educated" over his congregation (i.e., using words and/or phrases that the people don't know without explanation). However, the Afro-American church has to also realize that getting the people "emotionally stirred" is not a proper determiner either, because it is not the people we should strive to please in our preaching. We are to please God because it is He who will use our faithful preaching to save those whom He has chosen.

And thus, this is where the Reformed Faith shines in its truthfulness. Because true Reformed pastors understand that it is God's job to add to the church (Acts 2:47). Thus, they will stay "within the game plan"--that is, they won't submit to worldly ideas, philosophies, or unbiblical methods to attract a crowd. In short, they shape their preaching around the directives of the Word of God. So, may God shape all his Ministerial leaders to stay faithful to His Word and not be drawn by the cunning of tradition or methods that ultimately give a false sense of true Biblical growth.

FYI: For a further study on this topic, let me suggest you order a video series called, "Does the Truth Matter Anymore" hosted by John MacArthur. To order it, please click on the Cross TV link to the right.

FT. LAUDERDALE AND PROSPERITY PREACHING

2008-05-15T13:46:00.006-04:00

Unlike Dallas, Atlanta, or Los Angeles, Ft. Lauderdale is hardly known for their Prosperity and Seeker Sensitive preachers. But just because we are "under the radar" when it comes to these big cities, it doesn't mean that the town is not flooded with some of the most respected teachers in this arena. Take for instance the man to the left, "Rev". Daniel Stanley (D.S.) Mundell.

Up until 2004, Mundell had a very popular church in town called Solid Rock Family Worship Center (COGIC). Then all of a sudden, Mundell announced to his congregation during a service that he was shutting down the church. Flash forward four years later: After a period of time spreading his prosperity message around the country, Mundell has resurfaced in Hallendale Beach, FL (just outside of Miami) and has started a new church called Good Shepherd Ministries.

This past Sunday, the Sun-Sentinel, our local newspaper, did a special report on the workings of "Rev." Mundell. And from visiting his church on occasion back when I was in this health, wealth, and prosperity stuff, and knowing people who have been members of his "ministry" (my mom's best friend and my sibling's father included), I can speak with affirmation to a lot of the things exposed in this report.

Now many will say that the media is trying to attack Christianity by doing this report, but I would like to help many of my brothers and sisters understand that Mundell, and other teachers like him, are not representing Jesus. But rather, are wolves in sheep's clothing. Just because a man claims to be speaking in the name of Jesus, does not mean he has Christ's endorsement in what he says. And as long a people continue to use other means, such as experience or their personal preferences, to be the standard in their lives--and not Holy Scripture--men like Mundell will continue to be exposed but many will still be too blind to see the sunlight.

To read articles and watch videos on D.S. Mundell, click here

UPDATE (5/20/08): The Sun-Sentinel is reporting today that "Rev." Mundell has been removed as the pastor of Good Shepherd Ministries. Apparently, the backlash of the special report from the newspaper caused the church's vice-president to dismiss him immediately. To read the article, please click here

A QUOTE FROM CHARLES SPURGEON

2008-05-14T18:50:00.003-04:00

Anthony Carter uses the term "Dead Heroes" when referring to the men whom he admires in the Faith who has passed on. Well, without question, my favorite "Dead Hero" of all-time has got to be Charles Haddon Spurgeon. As many in Reformed circles know, he has an eloquence in his preaching that makes you want to shout "Hallelujah" with all your might. And this is proven once again from the following quote on true saving grace:

“A man who is really saved by grace does not need to be told that he is under solemn obligations to serve Christ. The new life within him tells him that. Instead of regarding it as a burden, he gladly surrenders himself–body, soul, and spirit–to the Lord who has redeemed him, reckoning this to be his reasonable service.”

A MAJOR STEP

2008-05-12T16:12:00.003-04:00

One of my first assignments, when I started working at my church, was to write a grant that would aid in the reforming of our church's worship services. The grant we applied to was the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship's Worship Renewal Grant, which paid up to $10,000 for projects that dealt with reforming worship in churches. Well, I am proud to say that my church was a recipient to one of these grants, and we will be implementing the project entitled, "Reformed Theology and the African-American Pastor". This project will equip our ministers in--not only the doctrines of the Reformed Faith--but also in how we should implement it within the African-American Worship experience. We hope that the LORD will bless this project, and that next year (LORD willing) more churches will be involved in our endeavors.

I ask that you please pray for this project's success, as we at OZPBC look to carry the truths of the Reformed Faith to our African-American communities.

BEING PREPARED AT ALL TIMES

2008-04-23T12:24:00.004-04:00

The Scriptures are not silent when it instructs believers to be sensitive to opportunites to share the Gospel with unbelievers . However, what about if someone were sticking a gun at you? This is what a lady in Dyersburg, TN did.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj3imy-FCPI

LORD, TEACH US HOW TO PRAY......AGAIN!!!!

2008-04-10T12:22:00.006-04:00

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I always believed that one of the most fundamental things about prayer was that it is designed to teach the believer to totally depend on God's power to move in situations. For instance, when Jesus gave the LORD's prayer, didn't He instruct us to ask God to bring His Kingdom to pass, His will to be done on earth, to give us our daily bread, to forgive us of our debts, to guide us away from temptation, and to deliver us from Satan? Obviously, if we could do all these things on our own, then why ask God to do them for us?

I bring this point up because I have noticed that lately that many people are praying prayers where they are telling God what they will do, instead of depending on Him to do what needs to be done. For instance, I was at a prayer meeting yesterday and I heard things mentioned like, "Satan, I bind you in Jesus name"! "I take authority over that situation"! and "Lord, I speak against (this or that)"!

Now, putting aside the simple truth that nowhere in Scripture is such power given to the Christian, I have to ask the question: Can statements that brag about some "power" we have in Christ be considered a true prayer in light of the Biblical record? The answer to that is, No!

Sadly, in this age of Christian anti-intellectualism, many Christians are not following the Biblical models of such things as prayer and worship. But rather, many are taking their understandings from traditions and/or other mislead people who are just as (or even more) lazier than some of them when it comes to researching Bible interpretation and commands. And until Christians start trusting in the sole sufficiency of Scripture, crazy misperceptions will not only stay in the church, but will make many people reject the authority of Scripture altogether (if it's not already happening)!!!!

A QUOTE FROM JOHN CALVIN

2008-04-01T14:36:00.002-04:00

Recently, I have been listening to past African-American Pastor Conference CDs, both as I exercise in the morning and drive to and from work each day, and I was strongly convicted by Rev. Anthony Carter's message, entitled "The Faith once Delivered", which he delivered at the 2001 African-American Pastor's Conference in Miami, FL.

In this message, Rev. Carter instructed us to get familiar with "the Classics", those writings that have been a true blessing throughout all of Christian history. So, in following this command, I have started to re-read The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin. And in doing so, I ran across a very powerful statement by Calvin in regards to comparing our human righteousness to that of God's:

For if in broad daylight we either look down upon the ground or survey whatever meets our view round about, we seem to ourselves endowed with the strongest and keenest sight; yet when we look up to the sun and gaze straight at it the power of sight which was particularly strong on Earth is at once blunted and confused by a great brillance, and thus we are compelled to admit that our keenness in looking upon things earthly is sheer dullness when it comes to the sun. So it happens in estimating our spiritual goodness. As long as we do not look beyond the earth, being quite content with our own righteousness, wisdom, and virtue, we flatter ourselves most sweetly, and fancy ourselves as demigods. Supoose we but once begin to raise our thoughts to God and to ponder His nature and how completely perfect are His righteousness, wisdom, and power--the straightedge to which we must be shaped. Then, what masquerading earleir as righteousness was pleasing in us will soon grow filthy in it consummate wickedness. What wonderfully impressed us under the name wisdom will stink in its very foolishness. What wore the face of power will prove itself the most miserable weakness. That is, what in us seems perfection itself corresponds ill to the purity of God. (Book I , Chapter I, Section I)

THEOSTRATOS

2008-03-26T17:04:00.003-04:00

My good friend Gus has started a new clothing line called "TheoStratos". The clothing line will consist of football jerseys that will have Christ-centered themes in its makeup. If you would like to order a jersey or check out how the jerseys will look. Please click here.

THE FAITHFUL MATE

2008-03-25T13:08:00.003-04:00

I just read a beautiful letter, written by my former Seminary Professor Dr. Warren A. Gage, concerning the unfaithfulness of a mate and the overwhelming love of their spouse. In reading this, one automatically thinks on the believer's relationship with Christ and how He is always loving to us, even when we are unfaithful to Him. Take a moment and read this letter and, as you do, ponder on the unbelievable devotion and love that Christ shows us as His Bride, despite our unworthiness of such a calling.

To My Beloved,

I will never understand what you saw in me. I can’t imagine why you would ever have wanted me. All I ever knew, from the time I was born, was that no one wanted me. My father forsook me at birth. Even my mother rejected me and left me. I was abandoned and uncared for. I don’t recall ever being attractive to anyone. No one ever noticed me much less told me that I was pretty.

Then you found me. Without any reason I ever understood, you loved me. But I didn’t trust your love. I couldn’t really believe your tender words. I had given away my love to many men before I even knew you. All of my lovers took me, used me, and rejected me. No one loved me in return. Men delight in the purity of their bride. You knew I had no purity left to give. But you proposed your love to me anyway.

There were moments when I thought perhaps I could love you in return. You gave me your name and titles. You shared your home with me. You gave me new clothes. You were generous to me with gems and golden jewels. I began to think of myself as lovely somehow. Maybe that’s why I began to catch the eye of strangers. The unaccustomed attention was flattering to me. I enjoyed it at first. But soon it became irresistible. So I returned the flirtatious glance. I was certain you would never know. I imagined you wouldn’t care anyway. Then one night I met a handsome stranger. Stolen waters are sweet indeed. They washed away my regret at my own unfaithfulness. Then another night captured my heart. Then another. I knew you knew. But the thrill of a stolen moment became a secret adventure that continued for many long years of dark nights.

Was it my guilt, for I had forgotten how to grieve, or was it my shame that caused me to turn on you, to despise you? I began to hate you as much as I suppose I hated myself. I struck out at you, and secretly wanted you to strike me in return. Your constant kindness caused me to despise you even more. I thought you were naïve. I imagined you were weak. Even though I hated myself, I lashed out at you. I rejected your promises. I had contempt for your patience. I screamed at you. Then I refused to speak to you. I hated you. I hit you and scratched you. I used every weapon I could find to injure you. You forgave me. I slapped you. You looked at me with sorrow. I hissed and spat at you. You said you loved me. I said I hated you. I raged against you. You were the stronger, but nonetheless I struck you and clawed at you and scratched you. You bled and blessed me.

I threw away your wedding ring. I trashed all the clothes you gave me. I wanted to be completely free from you. I wanted to be loose from my shame that your sorrow made worse. I ran away from you. Far away. Fast away. Running from you and running from myself. No stranger looked at me anymore. Angry. Alone. Broken. Shattered.

It was the remembrance of your love that led me home. Now as I look at you, I see peace in your eyes. Your kindness covers me like a coat in winter. Your joy teaches my heart to sing again. Now I am held close by arms that bear the furrows where once I scratched and clawed you. Now I kiss the scars my own fingers carved into your brow.

I still do not know what you see in me. I can’t imagine why you would still want me.

But one thing I know: I am my beloved’s. And you are mine.

Your love is stronger than death. You have loved me with an everlasting love. You will never leave me or forsake me. At last you have taught me how to love you.

Your Beloved

THE CREAM ALWAYS RISES TO THE TOP!!!

2008-03-25T11:20:00.003-04:00

Lately, I have had a lot of truths confirmed that were somewhat hidden to many around me. For instance, before the guy I used to work with came right out and said he was not a Christian, I was very vocal over the fact that he truly was not saved months before his declaration.

And likewise, when it came to Oprah Winfrey, for years I have always been vocal over the fact that Christians should not be so "star struck" when it comes to her due to her rejection of the Christian faith. And, by way of my good friend and fellow minister Darrin, I now have the smoking gun.

In the video clip, Oprah outright denies that Jesus is the only way to God, while embracing various books that promote a multiple choice way of salvation. It is my prayer that God will use this video to help others see that Oprah Winfrey should not be praised due to her charity work or the fact that she is a successful black woman, and thus someone for black society to look up to for inspiration (a point, by the way, that I find extremely repulsive). Also, I hope this will help others become more discerning in who they stand by and what they support when it comes to advancing the Christian banner to believe in the LORD Jesus for salvation (Acts 2:38).

WHO IS "THEY"???

2008-03-19T15:07:00.002-04:00

The picture on my left is the official logo of Barack Obama's church's affiliation. Given the ideas that his church promotes, I have to wonder how his pastor would define the "they" in the logo. And, probably more importantly, how would Obama define it???

BARACK AND HIS BLASPHEMOUS CHURCH

2008-03-19T13:40:00.006-04:00

If you haven't been living under a rock over the last couple of weeks, you have to be somewhat informed about the controversy centering around Barack Obama and his church Trinity United Church of Christ (TUCC) in Chicago, IL. Over the past couple of days, I've been hearing things like "It's a cult" and "Barack doesn't agree with all the teachings of the church"(which I find very interesting, especially in light of him running for the presidency. One would wonder if Obama would be as resistant to these claims if he were not running!!!)

Well, today I went to the church's web site and found some interesting things about its makeup. Personally, I find it hard that Obama could not know what this church promotes. His pastor is not shy in declaring what he believes, and the following proves it. This is taken from part of the church's doxology:

We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian... Our roots in the Black religious experience and tradition are deep, lasting and permanent. We are an African people, and remain "true to our native land," the mother continent, the cradle of civilization. God has superintended our pilgrimage through the days of slavery, the days of segregation, and the long night of racism. It is God who gives us the strength and courage to continuously address injustice as a people, and as a congregation. We constantly affirm our trust in God through cultural expression of a Black worship service and ministries which address the Black Community.

In addition to this statement, TUCC has five women ministers on staff, has one male minister that specializes in the area of Social Justice, support other religious leaders such as Louis Farrakhan, and sells a book by author Iyanla Vanzant, who is part of the New Thought

cult.

However, the saddest part about all this is that most of the blacks, that I know who support Obama, will not be affected by the aforementioned things or any other unbiblical ideas that come from this church, even those who claim to be self-professed Christians. This is because some of them fit right into the mindset that this church expresses. Already, I have gotten into debates with some who say that they find no problem with Obama's pastor's messages saying, "You can't blame him! He grew up in the times of segregation, and he is just preaching against the things he has experienced all his life. If you grew up during that time you would understand". In short, they cheer Obama's pastor in his sin because they themselves have yet to overcome the slavery in their own minds.

And while, in no way am I trying to cheapen segregation, racism, and social justice in this article, I also am not a believer that these subjects should be the main focus of God's church. Christ and His work on the cross should be! And this goes for Obama's church and any other church that promotes racial unity and/or has strayed in the area of true Biblical orthodoxy. So, in conclusion, we as Christians (whether you're white, black, red, green, etc.) need to wake up and realize that our loyalty should be with Christ. We should support the candidate that will uphold the banner for our LORD and Savior, and not the one who shares our skin color.

SEMPER REFORMANDA

2008-03-18T15:15:00.003-04:00

If there is one man that I respect very highly in Christianity today, it is Dr. John MacArthur. In writing sermons and preparing papers and/or bible lessons, it has become a customary thing for me to check his views, on the Scripture or topic that I am writing about, to get a clear and historical view on the point(s) discussed.

And while I can honestly say that I do not agree with him in everything (in particular, with his Dispensational views and some of his views of the role of women in society), I do love his teaching style and his Bible exegesis.

And, just today, I found another reason to respect Dr. MacArthur. And that reason is that he is a man that is humble enough to admit his faults when shown in error. On his web site "Grace to You", he has an article in which he retracts his former stance on the Eternal Sonship of Christ. Previously, MacArthur believed that Christ's role of Son happened at His incarnation. However, after much re-examining of Scripture, MacArthur has correctly came to the conclusion that Christ and God the Father has had a Father-Son relationship from all eternity.

In a time where the battle for doctrinal purity can cause some to be blind to their denominational preferences and ideas, I find it refreshing that Dr. MacArthur can re-examine his beliefs and come public in an area where he was in error and say "I was wrong"! I believe this situation should be a wake up call in our Reformed circles to both continue the fight for truth and to obey Luther's edict to "semper reformanda", or "Forever Faithfully Reform".

To read the article, click here

WAS HE EVER A CHRISTIAN????

2008-03-13T11:58:00.006-04:00

In a previous post called EE Error, I mentioned a guy I used to work with who, after being rightfully dismissed from Coral Ridge Ministries, claimed that he had "deconverted" from the Christian faith. Well, as I was flipping through YouTube yesterday, I ran across a post of his in which he tries to convince his skeptics (like myself) that he was truly saved at one time.

Listen to what he says (and doesn't say) in this clip, and you tell me if he truly was a Christian. I do want to state that he uses abrasive language at some spots, but I think this video tells a lot about him and his current frame of mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwZ_5ZV3qBU&NR=1

Note: I do want to state that I am not placing this on my blog to attack this brother. I do pray that he will come to true repentance and receive the LORD Jesus. However, in the same sense, empirical evidence does not equate to a true salvation experience. Which, in watching this video, is clearly what this brother is trying to sell people on.

UPDATE: I was hoping, by removing his profile, that he had changed his disposition. However he only changed his profile name. I have placed the new link to the video above.

PARENTING FROM THE PEWS

2008-03-03T14:14:00.003-05:00

Have you struggled in training your children how to properly reverence God within the worship service at your church? Well, here is an excellent article from a former Seminary brother of mine, named Jay Fontanini, in how to do so.

THE SEASON'S NEWEST SCAM!!!

2008-02-21T07:02:00.003-05:00

This is why I try to sleep until 8AM.

This morning I woke up at 6:30, only to see on my TV this "preacher" named Peter Popoff trying to push his "Miracle Manna" scam to those who desire to have financial of physical joy. The Scripture he uses, Ezekiel 4:9, is his "proof" that this stuff will bring blessing to God's people. Unfortunately, when viewed in context, this Ezekiel passage is right in the middle of God's judgement on Israel. In fact, the bread described in this passage is one that is defiled, being cooked on cow dung to describe the type of bread that God's people will eat during their time of judgement.

So, in a nutshell, this "manna" is hardly a resource that will bring blessing to God's people--especially in light of the Scripture used. In fact, it is the season's newest scam!!!!!

To hear more about this "Miracle Manna", click here

DR. COLLINS D. WEEBER ENTERS HEAVEN

2008-02-18T17:29:00.002-05:00

I am writing this post to deliver the news that Dr. Collins D. Weeber, the former Dean of Students and head of the Doctroal program of KNOX Seminary, has gone to be with the LORD. Dr. Weeber was a wonderful friend and as well as a great man of God, and he will be sorely missed by myself, as well as the KNOX Seminary family. His Memorial service will be Monday February 25th at 7:00 PM at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church.

Please continue to pray for his wife Shirley (who is also very ill) as well as his children, grandchildren, and extended family.

I love you Dr. Weeb!!!!

"DEATH STORY"

2008-02-14T13:40:00.002-05:00

As I stated in a previous post, Lecrae's album "After the Music Stops" is an amazing album. Here is one of the songs on the album entitled, "Death Story". This (along with "It's your World") is my favorite track on the album.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7FiN5KUHSEY

INTRODUCING DR. JAMES CHESTER

2008-02-14T11:55:00.004-05:00

I would like to introduce the Reformed blog world to my beloved Pastor: Dr. James H. Chester.

Dr. Chester has been pastoring Orthodox Zion Primitive Baptist Church (OZPBC) in West Palm Beach, FL for over 20 years and is a devout adherer to the doctrines of the Reformed faith.

Dr. Chester received his Masters and Doctorate from KNOX Seminary, and is a very active member of the East Florida Primitive Baptist Association, serving most recently as its Treasurer. Dr. Chester has a unique gift of delivering the truths of God's Word in a way that captivates even the youngest listener of the congregation. And all the time while being authoritative and convicting through the power of the Holy Spirit.

I have known Dr. Chester since my time at KNOX Seminary (I was getting my Masters while he was getting his Doctorate), and I can tell you that when you speak to him, you will find that he is not only a very educated man, but one who is very approachable and passionate about the calling that God has given him. Without question, Dr. Chester has a passion to see the African-American Church return back to its Reformed roots, and I am personally thrilled to not only have him as a boss, but also as a very good friend.

Thank You Dr. Chester for being a man who is not afraid to declare the truth of Christ despite the opposition it may bring, both in the world and in the church.

If you want to read more about Dr. Chester or our church, click the link to Orthodox Zion Primitive Baptist Church on the right.

A QUOTE FROM BILLY GRAHAM

2008-01-30T15:04:00.000-05:00

If there is one person who has embodied Christianity, over the past century, it has been Billy Graham. Whether you are Reformed or not, there always seemed to be a high respect for him and the work he has done in the area of salvation.

And while, in recent times, his beliefs about the "wideness of God's mercy" has cause some to drift away from him (myself included), he gave--in my opinion--one of the greatest quotes I have ever heard. Despite how you feel about Rev. Graham, you have to marvel at the comfort that his statement gives:

"There are days that I feel saved, and there are days that I feel lost. Thank God my salvation doesn't depend on anyone of those days".

"QUEEN" OPRAH AND A NEW AGE CHRIST

2008-01-29T15:16:00.000-05:00

I have never been a fan of Oprah Winfrey, and I realize this statement may cause some to want to revoke my "black pass". However, I just received an article that could cause a shift in many people's thinking of her.

It appears that Oprah has teamed up with a New Age leader by the name of Marianne Williamson, and has started a year-long teaching on her XM Satellite show called "A Course in Miracles". This teaching is designed to get an individual to have a New Age worldview in comparison to the Biblical Worldview that God commands that we all have.

Listen to some of the lessons that this course will teach:

Lesson 29 (which happens to be today's lesson) teaches that God is in everything and that love is all around. God can even be in coat hangers, wood, and waste baskets if one believes it.

Lesson 61 teaches that you are the light of the world instead of Jesus (John 8:12)

and Lesson 70 teaches that salvation comes--not from Christ--but from the individual.

In short, Oprah Winfrey is behind a teaching that is heresy at its essence, and we should pray for God to put a halt on this wicked system that--if not redeemed from--will draw many (Oprah and Marrianne included) into eternal destruction.

And for your reading pleasure (or displeasure), here are some information links:

http://www.oprah.com/xm/mwilliamson/mwilliamson_acim.jhtml (This is the "Oprah and Friends" web site with today's teaching)

http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/007/smith-oprah.htm (Here is an interesting article by Warren Smith that gives deeper insights into this New Age idea)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_course_in_miracles (Here is the Wikipedia article of the book)

EE ERROR

2008-01-28T14:41:00.000-05:00

As a graduate of KNOX Theological Seminary, I have become very familiar with the Evangelism Explosion (EE) idea. Personally, I feel that it is a well thought out, non-confusing way to teach Christians to share their faith with unbelievers. I received a whole lot out of EE, and I praise God for the fact that many of my Brothers and Sisters in Christ can trace their Christian roots back to the outlines presented in this program.

However, I have also noticed throughout the years that many supporters of this program have erroneously taken the two diagnostic questions, (1) Have you come to the place in your spiritual life where you know for certain that if you were to die today you would go to heaven or is that something you would say you're still working on? and (2) Suppose you were to die today and stand before God and He were to say you, "Why should I let you into My heaven ?" what would you say ?, as some sort of way of proving one is saved.

And while I believe these questions can do a lot to determine whether someone is unsaved, I feel in many respects that it lacks in proving the antithesis of this statement. To make my point clearer, just yesterday I was sent an e-mail from a guy I previously worked with at Coral Ridge Ministries, Inc. (CRM) stating that he has now renounced his Christianity and has taken an agnostic outlook. Now putting aside the fact that Scripture is ridiculously clear that one cannot disconnect themselves from a true saving faith (Eph. 1:13-14; John 6:44, 65), and that if one does "fall from the faith" it is only proof that they were never a part of it in the first place (1 John 2:19), this guy--being totally unregenerate at the time-- was able to give the proper answers to these two questions in a job interview for a position at the ministry. Thus, he was considered to be a Christian despite the fact that he was notoriously known to have violent outbursts and constantly exhibited an attitude and behavior that many professing unbelievers would be ashamed to show in public. But because he heard things about Christ from childhood, and that CRM's interview process examined his "Christianity" solely from the basis of the two questions above, he was able to deceive a whole ministry into thinking he had a true relationship with the LORD.

When I examine Scripture and see how it defines a true Christian, it is funny that I see nothing about a declaration of allegiance alone being the determining factor (see John 7:21-23; James 2:18 and 1 John). In short, there is always an emphasis on the outward workings of a man or woman who professes faith, and I believe that we as Christians should not be gullible to the reality that, because of familiarity, many unbelievers could give just as solid statements of faith as believers and yet can be eternally damned. In my jail ministry, I always tell the guys to not take the EE outline as your evangelism tool as it is. But rather, use it to craft a witnessing instrument that fits your style of delivery and gets to the crux of a person's true salvific position. In short, we need not only to be workmen in interpreting Scripture, but we should also be workmen in our evangelism.

So, in the final analysis, I am deeply praying that God will be pleased to grant this young man a true salvation in Christ, and I hope that CRM (and other ministries that use the EE outline or any one like it in that manner) will do a better job in constructing interview questions that gets to the cornerstone of one's true eternal status, as well as being a careful watcher of one's actions, since this is usually the mirror of one's belief.

ROE VS. WADE: 35 YEARS LATER!

2008-01-22T10:05:00.000-05:00

Today marks the 35th Anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision, which legalized abortion here in the United States. Since this tragic ruling, it is estimated that an abortion happens every 24 seconds in our country. In addition, this ruling has been the backbone for groups and movements, like N.O. W. and Planned Parenthood, to get legal approval and federal funding in exercising rallies and abortion banks in an effort to raise support for the murder of innocent babies.

Thus, we have seen a murder spree occur, in our time, that can only be paralleled to the child murders that occurred under Pharaoh (Exodus 1:22) and King Herod (Matthew 2:16). And many children, that possibly could have been our leaders of tomorrow, have had their opportunity taken away based on a ruling founded solely in selfishness and deceit. Quite simply, the legalized murder of our children is proof that the heart of man can truly be "wicked and deceitful above all things" (Jeremiah 17:9). And we, as Christians, need not be passive when it comes to the manslaughter of the next generation.

This is why I would like to encourage you to make your voice known today that we, as Christians, will not stand for this blatant disregard of God's Word. Whether you choose to take sometime and pray for the parents who are considering abortion, talk with your own kids, family members, friends, and co-workers, or will attend an anti-abortion church rally tonight (I will be attending one at Glendale Baptist Church in Miami), do not let this day go by without encouraging others (as well as ourselves) in the evils that this decision has brought--not only to our country--but to our world as well.

FYI: Coral Ridge Ministries will be airing on GodTube tonight a documentary called "Why Me", which will deal with the struggles and deceptions that the evils of abortion can bring. It airs at 7:00 and 10:00 PM. If you would like to see a trailer for the movie, click here.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE "GOSPEL" IN OUR MUSIC?

2008-01-20T14:19:00.000-05:00

Below are excerpts from two different songs:

Song 1: "Alas! and did my Saviour bleed, And did my Sovereign die! Would he devote that sacred head For such a worm as I! Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned upon the tree! Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree"! (Isaac Watts)

Song 2: "I love me better than that! I’m going to get my life back! I’m gonna take it back! You see I’ve made up in my mind: I want my joy back, I want my peace back, I want my strength back, All my sisters help me sing: I want my joy back, I want my peace back, I want my strength back, I want my mind back, My self-esteem back, I want my keys back". (Shirley Murdoch)

Now here are two questions for you:

Number One, Which song is considered the Gospel song? Both!

And, Number Two, Which song is truly the Gospel song? Number 1!

Notice the difference in the two questions. While one song clearly gives a doctrinally sound Gospel message, the other (in today's church) would be considered "Gospel" because it fits today's popular "freedom theology" message.

Sadly, in the church today, the true Gospel in our music has become out of style like Zoot Suits. Music, in times past, that glorified Christ, proclaimed the message of the Cross, and was not shy about expressing our true sinful status apart from Christ has been replaced with a liberation feel that focuses more on our felt needs and downplays our true fallen condition. And, unfortunately, many sinners continue to listen in their homes, blast in their cars, and sing these "Gospel" songs with no desire or prompting to repent and trust Christ for salvation.

In addition, many churches, nowadays, have gotten away from more doctrinal focused music--like the Hymns of the faith--and has replaced them with songs that have little doctrinal focus or spews heretical teaching altogether. For example, here are some lyrics of certain popular songs sung in most churches today:

(1) SHAKE! SHAKE! SHAKE! SHAKE THE DEVIL OFF!
SHAKE! SHAKE! SHAKE! SHAKE THE DEVIL OFF!
SHAKE! SHAKE! SHAKE! SHAKE THE DEVIL OFF!
IN THE NAME OF JESUS, SHAKE THE DEVIL OFF!

(2) Wash me over again, wash me over again;
In Your precious blood, wash me over again.

(3) Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!
Healer, Healer, Healer! Healer, Healer, Healer! Healer, Healer, Healer! Healer, Healer, Healer!

In sharp contrast, here are some songs that were popular, during the time when my Mother was a child and going to church, only 50-60 years ago:

(1) Jesus, keep me near the cross; There a precious fountain, Free to all—a healing stream—Flows from Calvary's mountain.

(2) Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but thou art mighty; Hold me with thy pow'rful hand; Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more.

(3) Amazing grace—how sweet the sound—That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found—Was blind, but now I see.

Look at the difference between the two ideas! I believe this is proof positive that the decline of solid theology is not only affecting our pulpits, but also our worship as well. And, if we are not careful, 30 years down the road the watery doctrinal songs of most of today's "Gospel" artist--like "Hold My Mule", "I made a Step", and "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" will be the norm and songs like "Amazing Grace", "Precious LORD, Take my hand", and "A Mighty Fortress is our God" will cease to exist in the minds and hearts of people.

Already, I am seeing this trend happen in my jail ministry. The younger guys always ask me to play the latest Kirk Franklin or Trin-i-tee 5:7 song in the Sunday Worship service because these are the songs that define the outlook of today's Christianity. However, when I tell them that the songs they are requesting do not fit the structure of the Christ-centered worship experience I desire for the service, they either look at me funny or will debate me on my reply. And I am afraid that this will be the mentality of the next generation if we continue to neglect the wonderful gift of true Gospel music that God has given us from the pens of Fanny Crosby, Isaac Watts, Civila Martin, Horatio Spafford, Thomas Dorsey, and others.

So, as Reformed people who desire to see our doctrine engulfed in every area of our worship, let us take a trip back to the old path. Let us add and emphasize the doctrines of the faith more in our worship music. Because, the reality is, the lasting effects of Reformed Theology beyond our generation may depend on it. If we want the next generation to "keep the flame going", we must show them first how to light the embers correctly.

A QUOTE FROM C.S. LEWIS

2008-01-18T12:41:00.000-05:00

Just like anyone else, I have many quotes that I love to meditate on and share with family and friends. Throughout this year, I will be sharing some of the quotes that I have treasured throughout the years, and I want to start with the following quote by Clive Staples (C.S.) Lewis, the Author of "The Chronicles of Narnia" series:

"You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you. It is easy to believe a rope to be strong and sound as long as you are merely using it to cord a box. But suppose that you had to hang by that rope over a precipice. Wouldn't you then first discover how much you really trusted it? ... Only a real risk tests the reality of a belief."

COME DOWN, LORD!

2008-01-17T12:53:00.000-05:00

Just recently, I have started doing a weekly devotional with my beautiful girlfriend, Debra, entitled "Come Down, LORD". The book is based on Isaiah 63:15-64:12, in which the prophet is pleading for the LORD to revive His people again into His good graces after they had disobeyed Him in their sins.

This book, written by Roger Ellsworth and published by Banner of Truth Publications, is an excellent read if one is trying to revive or refresh their relationship with the LORD Jesus. And being in a culture where most revivals are meetings that usually make one more tired and spiritually famished when they are completed, this book brings one back to the real essence of the true method of revival outlined in the Word of God.

The book (which is only 56 pages in length) covers the following topics:

1. We Miss You (Isa. 63:15-16)
2. We Need You (Isa. 63:17-64:2)
3. We Wait for You (Isa. 64:3-4)
4. We Will Meet You (Isa. 64:5)
5. We Have Wronged You (Isa. 64: 5-7)
6. We Belong to You (Isa. 64:8-12)
7. We Beseech You (Isa. 64:9)

And listen to some of the quotes that I have observed from reading just two chapters from this book:

"When we begin to smile complacently upon our sin, He (God) stops smiling on us and turns His face away". (pg. 9)

"The people of God have often heard the world tauntingly say: 'Where is thy God?'. But it is a sad thing when the people of God have to ask themselves that question". (pg. 11)

"When we who are God's people drift into sin, God for a while gives us opportunities to repent. If these opportunities are scorned, He just lets us go by giving us over to our sins. The first form His chastisement takes is removing from us the desire to turn back to Him". (pg. 17)

"God may never stop loving us when we get into sin, but He does withhold the expressions of His love and thus makes us think He will never love us again. We may argue and convince ourselves that God does still love us, and such reasoning is well and good, but it will never replace the actual manifestations of God's love. How much better it is not to have to convince ourselves that God loves us, but to have ready at hand abundant manifestations of His love". (pg. 12)

"There is only one thing that can melt the mountain, boil the water, and consume the brush of the sinner's heart and that is the fire of God! The power of God is our need! I am convinced that the church cannot truly evangelize until she gets on her knees and seeks the convincing, converting power of God!" (pg. 20)

During the coming weeks that Debra and I discuss this book, I will place some of the most powerful quotes from this book on this blog. But, if you want to read this book in its entirety, please pick it up at your local Christian bookstore. It is truly worth the money!!!!

Update: I was just informed by Debra that "Come Down, LORD" is possibly out of print. However, you can purchase the book from Amazon or any other similar site.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR. KING!!!

2008-01-15T13:30:00.001-05:00

Although we are celebrating Dr. King's birthday onMonday, this day (January 15th) is actually the day he was born 79 years ago. Truly, everyone in America--if not the world-- has been impacted by Dr. King in some way. I remember, back in 2005, I had a chance to go to Atlanta for the "All-American City" contest and it was a surreal and humbling experience to walk through his childhood home as well as see his actual clothing, Bible, Grammy (which I didn't know he had), as well as the horse buggy that carried his casket in 1968. In addition, it was a real blessing to purchase and hear for the first time his "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" as well as the full "I've been to the Mountain Top" speech, which still gives me goosebumps when I think of the prohetic aspect of the message.

But perhaps the one thing that Dr. King said that will always stick with me is his quote that the most segregated time during the week is 11 AM on Sundays. And in a day and age where there are some (myself included) who are trying to push for racial harmony in the church, I often wonder how far has the modern church advanced in dispelling Dr. King's assessment. Being an African-American Reformer as well as having a jail ministry, I often wonder how much I am striving to get the message of the Reformation to everyone in my ministry, let alone just my brothers of race. I often wonder, during my time in Seminary, did I strive enough to promote racial harmony to my brothers and sisters of different races. I often wonder if I am stressing to the congregations, that I preach to, how much they need attack racial divisions in their daily walks with Christ.

And while I yearn to see the day that Reformed theology will dominate the Black Church, I feel that if this feat does not bring us in closer fellowship with our brothers and sisters of other races, then we have won a battle for godliness at the expense of the overall war!

Let me know what you think about this!!!

MY! MY! MY!

2008-01-12T23:56:00.000-05:00

Anthony Carter has a recent article on his blog Non Nobis Domine about a "church" that just opened up down the street from his own in Atlanta, GA. The name of this "church" is called the Paramount Church, and if you have never seen a real Seeker Sensitive/Emergent church here is your chance.

WARNING: This could be quite painful to the believer who is concerned about and cherishes Biblical Truth!

CHARISMATIC TALK

2008-01-07T14:08:00.000-05:00

One of the things that I find interesting in the Body of Christ is the unique beliefs that come from our Charismatic brothers and sisters. Now, don't get me wrong, I am not saying that I hate these people or that everyone who is Charismatic are unbelievers, but I find their interpretations of God and the way that He handles His people quite entertaining.

For instance, I was in the Barber Shop this past Saturday, and I heard two ladies discussing "the anointing" of a pastor and his congregation. The ladies were saying since a pastor is given "the anointing" from God that it should trickle down upon the congregation and bless the entire church in the same measure. In other words, since the pastor is head and gets blessed by God, then everyone around him should expect the same level of blessing.

Now forget the fact that there are some people in the congregation who are unbelievers and are automatically disqualified from receiving any spiritual blessings from God (John14:13-15), and there are others in the congregation who are disobedient and thus strain their relationship with God. According to these ladies, none of this matters as long as the pastor is following the ways of God. So, in short, the pastor becomes the cannon of the spiritual health of his congregation. But, despite this interesting deduction of the ways of God, in reality it is not automatic that the congregation will be equally as blessed as a pastor that is obedient to God. This can be seen in the examples given above, as well as Biblical examples such as Jesus and His disciples (i.e, Judas Iscariot) and Annanias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11).

In conclusion, while I do believe that God can bless a ministry that has a faithful pastor and the congregation can be reapers of it, to say that the measure is equal with everyone is just plain untrue! And to believe and teach this error can be license to give people a channel to live however they want because ultimately their fate lies within the hands of their pastor. And to have your fate in the hands of anyone but Christ will, at the end, put you on a ground of sinking sand.

A FUNNY ON "THE GOLDEN GIRLS"

2007-12-29T19:06:00.000-05:00

It has been a few weeks and I hope that everyone had a great Christmas, and are making plans to attend their Watch night Service to set in motion their devotion and obedience to the LORD for 2008!

I wanted to share a funny that I saw on the TV show "The Golden Girls" a couple of weeks back. Now, you might be saying to yourself, "The Golden Girls, Jarvis? You're posting on your blog a quote from The Golden Girls"? Well, after hearing this interaction, I believe that you will get a chuckle out of what was said.

The situation was set up as such: The oldest character of the four ladies, Sophia (played by Estelle Getty) was choking on something and passed out while another character, Rose (played by Betty White) was applying the Heimlich maneuver on her. Sophia had a "experience" of going to heaven and when she got there, she was initially approached by an angel. This was the interaction between the two:

Sophia: Dorothy (Sophia's daughter)! Where am I?

Angel: Sophia? Welcome to heaven!

Sophia: I'm in heaven?

Angel: That's right!

Sophia: Heaven, Heaven? I went straight to heaven? No stops? No purgatory?

Angel (perplexed by Sophia's statement): Purgatory? Oh ho ho ho you Catholics (laughing)! Look, why don' you make yourself comfortable. I have to prepare for our next arrival, and actually, I'm rather excited! It's a televangelist!!!

Sophia: Why is that exciting?

Angel: We've never had one here before!!

This was cute! Anyhow, Have a Great New year!!!!!

WHEN WILL THE MADNESS STOP??

2007-12-11T12:33:00.000-05:00

The other day, while I was doing my morning walk, I was listening to a message by Anthony Carter in which he was stating that the Church has this problem with wanting to be like the world when it comes to faddish things.

Well, on the heels of the VitaminWater, Fiji, and Dasani water crazes, there are companies springing up trying to "Christianize" the water business. For example, a company right here in Florida is now promoting an item called SpiritualWater, which they classify as Holy drinking water that encourages you to "stay focused, believe in yourself and believe in God" (notice what is last on this list!!!). Another company in Chicago is promoting water called Liquid OM, which claims to have "good energy" that can be transferred to the drinker well before they drink the water itself. And finally, there is a company in California promoting Holy Drinking Water--which is blessed in the production warehouse by an Anglican and Roman Catholic priest. The purchase of this water is to remind people to "be kind to others" when you purchase and drink it.

Now, I don't think it takes a person with the IQ of a Neurophysiologist determine my feelings for such resources as these, but I do wonder why (1) Christians feel the need to promote such propaganda?, and (2) the Christianity promoted in these items fall far short of authenticity? For instance, true Christianity would promote that goodness comes from God and God alone (Luke 18:19), and that naturally "there is no one that does good" (Psalm 14:3). In addition, Scripture states that all of man's righteousness is like "filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6), and that it takes God to work in us (or in Greek, energize us) to both "will and do for His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13). In short, a bottle of natural water can never make a man holy because natural means can never solve a spiritual problem. There is only one water that can cleanse the heart of men and make them righteous in the sight of God--the fountain of blood that flowed from the LORD Jesus on Calvary's mountain for sin. If one has not drank from this fountain, there is no other water that will make them acceptable in God's eyes.

So while there will be some Christians (and sadly, non-Christians) buying this water thinking that it will give them some burst of power, much like Spinach does Popeye, my faith will be rooted and will rest in the perfect, finished work of the LORD Jesus on my behalf. It is he who is my solid rock, and truly all other ground is sinking sand.

To read the article on this topic, click here

WHEN LOYALTY BACKFIRES

2007-12-10T12:09:00.000-05:00

As I was getting ready for church yesterday, I was watching ESPN's Outside the Lines (OTL) broadcast and I saw a segment that dealt with Michael Vick and his dogfighting case. The story stated that one of the major reasons why Vick was involved in this matter is due to his loyalty with those he knew before he became an All-Pro quarterback in the NFL.

OTL focused on the issue of certain athletes not wanting (or being able) to sever unhealthy acquaintances with individuals in their past due to the fact that they would "lose their credibility" in the circles they grew up in. OTL went on to state that Vick's inability to develop new healthy relationships with others in lieu of the ones he had growing up played a major factor in him being unable to mature and make proper decisions which ultimately led to (quite possibly) the end of his NFL career (today he received a 23 month prison sentence).

As I was watching this broadcast, immediately my mind went to the state of the African-American Church and the not often talked about loyalty that exist within it. I often wonder how many of my brothers and sisters are following the likes of TD Jakes, Creflo Dollar, Juanita Bynum, Frederick Price, and other heretics, not due to their theology but because of the color of their skin.

I remember a few years back, I was attending a Presbyterian Church with a white pastor (whom I love with all my heart even to this day) and one of the first questions that I would hear from another black brother or sister--when asking me about the church I attend--would be "Is it a 'white church'"? And when I said "I do have a white pastor", immediately the conversation either stopped, I was looked at funny, or I was given some unneeded advice like "Try to get some 'neck bones' in your Worship". In addition, I also have a friend whose pastor has tried to discourage him from attending KNOX Seminary, stating that it is a "White Pulpit".

It was Martin Luther King who once said, "The most segregated time of week is 11AM on Sundays", and I truly believe this segregation has called many of our African-American brothers and sisters to get into errors and cults that will ultimately cost them their souls. The reality is that most people who attend church feels some sense of comfort in fellowshipping with people of their own race. And sadly, this way of thinking for our people has caused some to embrace the teachings through the teacher! In other words, since Jakes, Dollar, and Bynum has my skin color, their Biblical "interpretations" must be trustworthy and since Luther, Calvin, and Sproul does not, they must be erroneous in their explanation of God's Word.

And unfortunately, much like in the case of Michael Vick, some of our brothers and sisters are unable to break free from the old patterns of thinking and acting, thus negating development in the theology and relationships they need to overcome racism, anger, bitterness, and malice against others. And while I want to state at this point in no way am I expressing this is a "black only" problem (Because I have been on other sides and seen this same issue. Equally, I have heard of cases where blacks were treated terrible in some white congregations), my passion is to see my African-American brothers and sisters become saved and adherers to the Reformed faith. And it grieves me that some try to place some unwarranted "pressure" upon we African-Americans who embrace Reformed theology--calling us Uncle Toms and White people lovers--just because we agree Scripturally with John Piper and reject Edddie Long!!

And it also breaks my heart to see family members and friends become "theologically malnourished" due to the fact that they want to be loyal to those in their race. And, in essence, this loyalty becomes a catalyst for a defeated life, false conversion, and--in some cases--eternal damnation.

We, as a people, need to learn that we are not to follow teachers based on racial circumstances, but rather, by their divine understanding of the Word of God. I personally have been blessed to grow from both black instructors--like St. Augustine, Tertullian, Lemuel Haynes, Anthony Carter, Robert Benson, Ken Jones, Rickey Armstrong, Michael Leach, and Sherrard Burns (to name a few) as well as white instructors--John Calvin, John Knox, John Flavel, John Bunyan, Charles Spurgeon, A.W. Pink, R.C. Sproul, Robert Reymond, and Warren Gage (once again, to name a few). And I follow these people because I agree with their Biblical instruction, not because I feel a sense of "black loyalty" or I get pleasure being some kind of a "sellout".

In conclusion, it is my prayer that this trend will stop among our black culture and we can learn to follow people of God not because of the color of their skin, but by the content of their message. What matters when it comes to instruction in Scripture is whether or not it matches what the Holy Spirit intended when he dictated it through men. And if we use this criteria, we can--as my Pastor always says--be ever careful to give God praise, honor, and glory!

SBC BECOMING MORE CALVINISTIC

2007-12-07T10:29:00.000-05:00

I am always encouraged when I hear about the growth of Reformed Theology in many Christian cirlces, no matter what the primary race or region of the church or denomination.

With that said, I was overjoyed to hear that Lifeway Research has recently completed a study in which they report that 34 % of current Southen Baptist Seminarians, who go into ministry or pastoral offices after graduation, are holding to the teachings of Calvinism.

Equally, the survey reports the following statistics as well:

****Souther Baptist Seminary graduates who identify themselves as Calvinist conduct personal evangelism at a slightly higher rate than their peers who are not Calvinist.

****That although these Calvinist baptized fewer people each year, their number of baptisms are virtually identical each year with non-Calvinist churches.

Ed Stetzer, director of LifeWay Research, states that if the numbers increase in this way, Calvinism will continue to be a major influence in the denomination.

This is an encouraging number to see within the SBC, and it is my prayer that the number of African-Americans will rise--who are in the SBC, PCA, and other Reformed-based Seminaries--so that we can witness similar effects in regards to Reformed teaching and the Black Church.

To read the article, click here

CROSS TV IS GOOD TV

2007-12-03T14:00:00.000-05:00

I have been blessed to be a Reformed Christian for close to 7 years now, and I have had a lot of resources that has aided my growth in the faith. But, without question, the resource that has blessed me the most is Word Pictures that is produced by Cross TV, a Reformed Christian production company located in Boca Raton, FL. Their mission is to tackle "the most vital, life-changing, soul-shaking biblical subjects in a compelling video format". Equally, their goal is to produce a series on every doctrine within Holy Scripture. At this present time, they have produced over 40 series ranging from a dramatization of "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" to "A Workman Approved by God" ( a series that deals with proper Biblical exegesis and interpretation). In my jail ministry on Saturday Mornings, I usually work thorough a series with the guys, and they have been expressly blessed by the content in the videos. The guys find it challenging, yet straight forward in its delivery.

And in a time where channels like TBN and The Word Network do so much to hurt Christianity, it is refreshing to know that God has provided a means to get His true message across to the masses.

So, if you wanted to know how to harmonize God's Sovereignty with Man's responsibility, how to defend the Deity of Jesus Christ, or know how to avoid the error of "Collapsing Contexts" in your Bible interpretation, then check out Word Pictures from Cross TV! You'll be blessed that you did!!!!

To find out more about Cross TV, you can check out the following sources:

Tune in to the TCT Channel (DirecTV channel 377) @ 7:30 AM Monday-Friday

Go to their web site at http://www.crosstv.com/, and check out their inventory of programs that you can order.

Click here to hear Word Pictures founder and host Mark Kielar give a teaching on the problem with the "Prosperity Gospel" from the series "The Good Steward".

SOLUTIONS OR SALVATION?

2007-11-28T18:38:00.000-05:00

Being a die hard football fan, I was saddened to hear about the murder of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor. Just listening to the media reports about how his house was broken into 8 days ago, and how someone left a knife on his pillow is as sickening to know that before he was shot, his phone and alarm lines were cut delaying any chance he had to call for help after he was wounded.

In light of this, I just read an article by Jason Whitlock, of FOXsports.com, in which he claims that Taylor's death is related to the actions of what he calls the "Black KKK". Whitlock states that a need for Taylor to keep his negative past associations, as well as the rising growth of black on black crime was the catalyst for his death. Equally, Whitlock states that blacks should be ashamed in attacking white media outlets that has focused on Taylor's prior run-ins with the law during this time, and start focusing on the often overlooked problems that cause blacks to kill each other.

If you know of Jason Whitlock, you know he is not shy about voicing his opinions. And while he does make some very disturbing comments, it is the comment he doesn't make that is the most disturbing: namely, that sin is at the root of this issue. Unfortunately, our society focuses more on external solutions to conquer internal problems. Like it or not, racial unity events, forums, and "Million Man marches" have no power in solving spiritual issues--only being born again through the LORD Jesus will do this. The lack of a regenerated heart and reverence for God's law is the basis of any sin (see WSC Question # 14). And if there truly will be a change one day, we must realize that a person must change from the inside by God's grace and not outwardly in his own power.

So, in conclusion, it is not ultimately the rap music, drugs, and past associations that was the ultimate undoing of Sean Taylor. But rather, it was the fact that man's heart is in the clutches of sin and needs to be rescued by the LORD Jesus' life, death, and ressurection. Unless this occurs, all the opinions and suggestions that are being offered in how to overcome this tragedy are obsolete.

To read Jason Whitlock's article, click here

MIAMI PASTOR'S CONFERENCE BLOG IS UP!!!

2007-11-27T16:07:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a real good Thanksgiving holiday, and I pray that the LORD was uplifted as we reflected on some of the many things He is doing in our lives.

I promised in an earlier post that I would be giving detailed comments about every session that happened at the Miami Pastor's Conference this past November 8-10. Well, I am proud to say that I have created a new blog that will cover just this subject. So, if you couldn't attend and wanted to know about this Conference or did attend and wanted to give your input on what blessed you, please click on the link below and enjoy!!!!

http://miamipastors.blogspot.com/

CHARISMATIC SCANDAL

2007-11-20T10:44:00.000-05:00

There is a serious sex scandal brewing in Atlanta concerning "Archbishop" Earl Paulk, founder of Chapel Hill Harvester Church, a large Charismatic megachurch in the area. Apparently, Paulk has been exposed in sleeping with his brother's wife 34 years ago and fathering a child with her. Until a recent DNA test, this child, whose name is D.E. Paulk, was always known as Earl Paulk's nephew. D.E. is now the Senior Pastor of the Church. Apparently, this is not the first time a sex scandal has hit this church. Paulk (as well as his brother Don) has been accused of having sex and/or molesting at least four other women over the past 25 years. A couple of these cases were never filed or were settled out of court.

The actions of the "Archbishop" and the longevity of his discretions makes me wonder how a man like this could be in the pulpit so long. While all these incidents were taking place, he was preaching to a congregation that went as high as 10,000 on any given Sunday. We, as believers need to take heed to the accountability of our pastors and make sure that they are truly "watching their lives and doctrine closely" (1 Tim. 4:16). We should not blindly follow a teacher who seems to speak for God, nor should we tolerate constant discretions without consequences. It is my prayer that Paulk will repent of his transgressions, but it is more of my prayer that God will not allow Paulk to guide His people while living in deliberate sin.

If you would like to read the article on this scandal, click here

Also, here is a Wikipedia bio on Paulk, here

AMAZING OPPORTUNITY PART 2

2007-11-19T13:34:00.001-05:00

Last night, I was given another opportunity to preach at Glendale Baptist Church. My text was Psalm 23, and the title was "A Sheep's Testimony". As usual, the congregation at Glendale was extremely warm, supportive, and encouraging to me before, during, and after the service. Once again, I would like to express my thanks to Pastor Armstrong, Sister Armstrong, and the entire Glendale family for being the loving people you are. I love you all and will continue to keep you in my prayers.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!

2007-11-15T14:55:00.000-05:00

Yes Everyone! Today is my Birthday: My Spiritual Birthday!

Eight years ago today, The LORD was gracious to draw me to Himself and allow me to become a member of His divine family. I wish I could say that these eight years were easy. Like many people who come to Christ, I started off on a shaky foundation built on TD Jakes, Creflo Dollar, Myles Munroe, and Eddie Long. In 2000, I was licensed as a minister and started preaching things that now makes my stomach turn. Then in 2001, the LORD directed me to the Reformed Faith through various circumstances, and then it was off to Seminary in 2002. It was here that I became rooted in the Reformation by various teachings and materials, but I also went through a small period of struggle being a Reformed African-American.

But despite the struggles, there have been great periods as well. Number one, that the LORD continues to grow me in Christ, Two I am a Reformed Christian (which is a true Biblical Christian), Three, that I have had the privilege of going through Seminary, Four, the LORD has given me a wonderful jail ministry Five, He has allowed me to build relationships with other Christians in many places throughout the years, and Six, That he has me working in a great full-time ministry where I can share my faith with the youth of our day.

So truly, the LORD does make everything work for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). And I thank God for all the valleys and joys I have faced, and by His grace, I pray that I will grow more in Him as I live to seek His face.

PULLING NO PUNCHES

2007-11-15T14:29:00.000-05:00

If you have never heard of Rev. Paul Washer, you might want to check him out. Rev. Washer is the founder and director of HeartCry Missionary Society in Muscle Shoals, AL. He is known not for holding back his passions when presenting the truths of Christ (especially towards the American Christian). Due to this, there are many mixed opinions about him in the Body of Christ, but I personally thank God for him. The Apostle Paul tells us to "preach the Word in season and out of season"(2 Timothy 4:2), and, in some venues, the "out of season" rules in the majority. But Rev. Washer shows us that no matter where we are or who we preach to, God's truth is God's truth! And, ultimately, we preach--not what the people want to hear--but rather, what God wants to hear! Below are some clips of Paul Washer.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=uuabITeO4l8&feature=related

This is his most popular message. The message was so strong and condemning, that he was asked not to preach at this particular church ever again.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=nplD7JhJMOU&feature=related

This is an interview that he gave with Kirk Cameron on the Heresy Broadcast Network (TBN).

A TURN IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

2007-11-13T11:43:00.000-05:00

Apparently, Pastor Bill Hybels has seen the error of his ways (I think). I was forwarded an article that states that, after some deeper research, Willow Creek Church is abandoning their philosophy of church growth because it is not producing the results it advertises. Hybels says in the article that his "seeker sensitive" approach to winning the lost is not producing true disciples of Christ, but rather, it is just getting people into the church and inflating attendance.

In fact, Greg Hawkins--Executive Pastor of Willow Creek--goes as far as indirectly stating that their methods were not biblically sound from the get-go when he explains how they will remedy their mistake saying,

"Our dream is that we fundamentally change the way we do church. That we take out a clean sheet of paper and we rethink all of our old assumptions. Replace it with new insights. Insights that are informed by research and rooted in Scripture. Our dream is really to discover what God is doing and how he’s asking us to transform this planet.

Hawkins statement is very disturbing from many angles. And the saddest part is that many pastors--who should've known better--implemented these ideas among their congregations with no concern with how carnal the effect. I hope this admission makes everyone realize that it is God who truly builds His church(Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 3:6-7) and not fancy methods or ideas.

In conclusion, I read nothing in the article that told me detailed approaches that Willow Creek will take to "rewrite their wrongs" so I look forward to seeing what will happen with this "awakening" they have experienced.

If you would like to read the article, please click here

WOW!!!!

2007-11-12T12:20:00.000-05:00

If I could sum up in one word the way I felt after attending the 2007 Miami Pastor's Conference, the above title would say it all. I mentioned in my first ever post that I was syked to attend this event and, after it ended on Saturday afternoon, I was immediately craving November 6-8, 2008 (the dates for next year's conference). As usual, Pastor Armstrong and the Glendale Baptist Church family, was extremely gracious to all the participants in all their labors--from directing us to our hotels to the wonderful meals they provided for us (I still have those collard greens from Thursday night on my mind).

Another thing that I loved about the conference was the personal interaction that I had with my African-American Reformed heroes. I was literally starstruck in meeting and talking with Rev. Ken Jones, Thabiti Anyabwile, and Sherrard Burns. I was also re-introduced to Anthony Carter and met (for the first time) such wonderful men like Dr. Hensworth Jonas, Louis Love, Robert Benson, Lance Lewis, Reddit Andrews, Michael Horton, and Michael Leach.
I owe these men so much for empowering me to finish Seminary, and it was an amazing honor to tell them this in person. It was also really cool to meet other participants such as Quincy Jones from Ft. Worth (TX), Kelvin Tarver from Sacramento (CA), and Allen Bynoe from Atlanta (GA).

As far as the preaching goes, I wish I could explain each sermon and workshop in the conference, but time would not permit (however, I will make comments about each one separately during the next few weeks on this blog). But here are some of the sermons and workshops that I will treasure from this event:

African-Americans making the case for Reformed Theology: Coming from Acts 17, Anthony Carter encouraged us, as African-Americans, to find common ground with other races within the same theological perspective. He demonstrated this in many points, one being by showing that our faith entails the same historical figures (such as Augustine, Wycliffe, Luther, Calvin, etc.) as our white brothers ans sisters. And thus, we should use this as a way to build harmony that will ultimately break the racial separation that has plagued the church for centuries. Another convicting point that Rev. Carter brought up was the necessity of writing. He correctly stated that, as African-Americans, we have very little material that comes from our Reformed perspective. Thus, it is our job--not just to support each other's work--but to leave a legacy for the next Reformed African-American generation that will give them the means to tie their experience with their faith. Lastly, this workshop also had the funniest moment of the conference in which Pastor Hensworth Jonas stated that he wanted to know more about the "hoop" in traditional black preaching.

The Gospel and the Fall of Man: Michael Leach set the church on fire with this message on Thursday Night. He beautifully showed how God has been so gracious with His giving of the Gospel by focusing on the condition of Adam and Eve (and thus, ourselves) after they fell in the Garden. This sermon brought my appreciation of God's goodness to a whole new level.

Limited Atonement/Particular Redemption: This was a workshop held Friday afternoon by Rev. Sherrard Burns. Using John 10, Rev. Burns showed how the Scripture truly teaches that Christ died for a particular people and not the world as a whole. He addressed "proof texts" from the opposing side (such as 2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16), and encouraged us to praise the God of Heaven and Earth for being loving enough to choose us as His peculiar people.

The Comfort of the Gospel: I have heard Anthony Carter preach before, but this was--without question--one of my favorite sermons from him, if not of all-time. Coming from Isaiah 40:1-5, Rev. Carter stated that, on Sunday, we as preachers need to understand that the people we minister to have been in a battle with Satan all week long. And a lot of times, they come in discouraged, beat up, and weary from the affairs that being in Christ produces. It is here that we need to inform them that while the battles may be hard, the war is over due to the person and work of Christ. So, we must encourage our people in this fact to give them renewed strength in their walk with the LORD Jesus.

As the next few weeks come along, I will give more info about this life-changing Conference. And I would like to encourage you now to set aside November 6-8, 2008 for next year's Pastor's Conference at Glendale Baptist Church. I promise you it will revolutionize your life and doctrine.

FORT LAUDERDALE IN CRISIS

2007-11-06T10:29:00.000-05:00

Coral Ridge Ministries has an interesting feature dealing with Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle's battle against the homosexual cause in the city. After watching this clip, I can't fathom how a true Christian can say that we should not fight sin in the political realm. Even though we are not of this world, doesn't mean that we should let anything (and everything) happen around us. But don't just take my word for it, watch the feature for yourself right here

RENDER UNTO CAESAR THE THINGS THAT ARE CAESAR'S

2007-11-01T12:24:00.000-04:00

The hits just keep on comin' for Juanita Bynum. Apparently, she may lose her Atlanta home due to unpaid property taxes. Now before I go any further in this article, I am not writing this to make fun of her situation. But one has to wonder how someone who has a worldwide following that would quadruple the population of most small countries, can divorce her husband, leave a megachurch she had with him, and is in the process of starting up another church that will most certainly draw in thousands, cannot (or maybe will not) pay back taxes on her property? Equally, why would Bynum want to solicit funds from her followers to build a new church where she can "intercede on their behalf"(which is something I thought only Christ does--see Romans 8:34), when her top priority should be to pay the government the money she has neglected to give them for well over a year?

I have always had issues with people like her who are led more by voices that verses, and this is why. Knowing a little about her history, this situation is just one we can chalk up to the vast amount of blunders this woman is known for making in her life.

Now in no way am I stating that I personally have it all together. But to consistently act in carnal ways, when you are passing yourself off as a "prophet" of God is ridiculous. But, unfortunately, the sad part is that she probably won't learn anything from this. More than likely, when she finally comments on this issue, she will possibly try to spin some story about she received a "word" from God that will be some ploy to make her look like an innocent lamb in all of this. However, the Bible makes it clear that in addition to giving to God, we are to give to "Caesar what is Caesar's" (Mark 12:17). So Bynum cannot legitimately come up with some "word from God" that will override this clear statement in Scripture. And, let's be real, Juanita Bynum is hardly hurting for money even in the midst of a divorce, so there is no reason for her to allow her situation to get to this level. I pray that those who are devoted to her will finally see that this modern flurry of "prophets", "prophetesses", and "prosperity teachers" can only lead them in carnality--which will only make them like the preachers they follow.

If you would like to read the article, click here

Hear Juanita's $200,000 need here

HAPPY REFORMATION DAY!!!

2007-10-31T16:18:00.000-04:00

I just want to express to everyone a Happy Reformation Day. Today, 490 years ago, a German monk named Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the door of the Church of Wittenberg. Thus, this act started what became known as "The Protestant Reformation", a movement that was geared to bring the church back to the Biblical truths of Scripture and out of the erroneous doctrines that were galvanizing the church at the time.

Being Reformed, I thank God for His sovereign move in the formation of this event, and the impact that it has had even in the church today. Truly, this movement has impacted every evangelical church in some way--even those who do not hold to the doctrines that were recovered during this period. And while it both saddens and excites me that there is much work to do in reforming the church, I do praise God that He is loving to make His truth available to anyone much less everyone. So for those of you who are being blessed from the sound, biblical instruction that was recovered from this movement, it is my prayer that you will cherish this day as the time where God, in His absolute grace and mercy, revived His people to proclaim the truth of His Word and His Son to all the world for His glory.

Listen to White Horse Inn's Celebration of Reformation Day here

To read Luther's 95 theses click here

JUANITA BYNUM'S "DEFINITION" OF SANCTIFICATION

2007-10-30T16:31:00.000-04:00

The Westminster Shorter Catechism defines sanctification as being "the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness".

Well, Juanita Bynum has an interesting "definition" of her own. Take a listen

10 DAYS AND COUNTING.....................

2007-10-29T12:12:00.000-04:00

Yes, we are 10 days away from the 3rd annual Miami Pastor's Conference, and--as the picture indicates--there is promised to be fireworks galore. Attendence is about five times what it was last year, and this year's theme, "What is the Gospel", promises to be enriching and challenging for all who come.

If you have not registered as of yet, time is running out! Please click here for all the information you need to do so.

And, while at the conference, come by the KNOX Seminary booth and pass along your greetings to me!!!!!!!

BERNADETTE TODD: A TRUE INSPIRATION

2007-10-29T11:17:00.001-04:00

Every Christian has a testimony on how God led them from periods of despair to having faith in the LORD Jesus. And last night, I was blessed to hear one of the most powerful expressions of this truth.

If you have never heard the testimony of Bernadette Todd, a woman crippled with Muscular Dystrophy from childhood, you are missing out on one of the most emotional, riveting, and inspiring stories that you will ever hear. In hearing about Bernadette's life, there was hardly a dry eye in the church. She told of how doctors informed her parents that she would not live past the age of 8, how other people ridiculed and embarassed her, how her parents went through many struggles--both emotionally and financially, and how she endured periods of confusion and anger towards God and his Sovereign plan for her life-- all due to her condition.

But by the grace of Christ, and followed by a deep love and determination from both her parents and her husband Jeff (shown with her in the picture above), Bernadette was able to overcome all these hurts and became a champion in showing the power and mercy of Almighty God. For a woman who wasn't supposed to live past 8 (and was satisfied just to reach 30), to currently be the age of 40, shows the awesome grace and love of our LORD.

And while her battles on earth still continue--especially as her body continues to get weaker day by day--the joy that she now relishes is in knowing that she has ultimate victory because of her faith in the LORD Jesus. Truly Bernadetts's story puts to life the words of Andrae Crouch who wrote:

I've had many tears and sorrows,

I've had questions for tomorrow,

There've been times I didn't know right from wrong:

But in every situation God gave blessed consolation

That my trials come to only make me strong.

Through it all, through it all,

I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God

Through it all, through it all,

I've learned to depend upon His Word.

If you would like to learn more about Bernadette Todd, please click on the links below:

http://www.bernadettetodd.com/ (Personal Website)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HMRwvw6LCcA (YouTube video of Bernadette in Bolivia)

http://www.floridabaptistwitness.com/5853.article (Article about Bernadette on Florida Baptist Witness)

REFORMED THEOLOGY AND HIP-HOP: A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

2007-10-24T15:21:00.000-04:00

I have to admit, I am not a big hip-hop music fan. I do enjoy listening to old 80's style rap, but the style of rap nowadays really does not resignate with me.

However, my friend Gus is a HUGE fan, and some time ago he introduced me to this Christian rapper named LeCrae. And I must admit, after listening to his album, I was very impressed! And what makes Lecrae interesting is that he is not your average Christian rapper. But rather, he is a REFORMED Christian rapper. LeCrae definitely destroys the myth that all Reformed people are stuffy, hymn singing Christians. I applaud the fact that God is using people like LeCrae in getting out the Reformed message in various outlets that have been traditionally "off limits" in the Reformed community.

So, if you are a Reformed believer, but feel empty because you don't have any music to listen to, I would encourage you to check out LeCrae's newest album "After the Music Stops", you won't be sorry.

To read more about LeCrae check out the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lecrae

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=22864243

JAY-Z, NAS, KANYE, AND THE OCCULT

2007-10-22T22:38:00.000-04:00

Is some of today's hottest Hip-Hop artist tied with the Freemason Occult? Click on the link below and judge for yourself?

(FYI: Listen to the lyrics as you watch the video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX-xVN0xERk

VEILING "REFORMED"

2007-10-22T11:03:00.000-04:00

There is truly a joy in knowing that more African-Americans are heading towards the Reformed faith day by day. For example, I was talking with Pastor Armstrong at Glendale Baptist Church in Miami the other day, and he told me of the rapid increase (compared to last year) of attendees for the upcoming Miami Pastor's Conference in November. Equally, there is a joy in knowing that our people are not only getting properly instructed in these truths, but also that there is an excitement of the things that they are learning.

This last situation is currently happening at my church, and last week I had the privilege of discussing this rapid excitement with a friend and fellow minister who serves with me. In asking him why does he think that the Reformed faith is having such a positive effect on the congregation, he replied in an interesting manner saying, "Well first of all, we have never used the term 'Reformed' to express the type of teaching in the church".

And the reason this reply was interesting to me is because I am finding more and more people teaching the Reformed faith who are purposely leaving out the terms "Reformed" or "Calvinism" in the presentation of their instruction . Now this begs an interesting question: Should Reformed African-American pastors and teachers avoid using these terms and focus more on the theology promoted?

I believe there are good reasons on both sides. For instance, I have ran into some African-American Christians who don't even know what the term "Reformed" means, even though some can give you proper explanation of the doctrines. But to ask them if they know these truths as "Reformed" would generate a puzzled look on their faces. Equally, given the false info that is out there about Reformed theology and Calvinism, many have steered away from using these terms because they don't want to people to be drawn away by pre-conceived opinions. But on the flipside, many say that it is important to use this term in order to explain its differences from other theologies and beliefs (such as Pentecostalism, Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Hebrew Israelite, etc.). Equally, many (myself included) has used the term to give the people being taught a thorough understanding of God's Word and the history of the doctrines it promotes. For example, I not only find it important to teach people about the Trinity, Christology, justification, sanctification, adoption, etc., but to also show them how the early church developed and defined these terms (in regards to what was accepted as Orthodox and what was heresy), and how the Reformers later recovered these truths in attempt to establish the church back to its apostolic doctrinal roots. In short, I use the term "Reformed" to emphasize the biblical and historical accuracy of the doctrines I believe and teach.

But whatever your take on this issue, we can take joy in one thing: The truths within this theology are truly revolutionalizing the African-American Community. For instance, in my jail ministry, men are becoming more loving and embracive to the LORD Jesus Christ when the Spirit of God makes known to them God's Sovereignty over their salvation, and Christ's shed blood on behalf of their sins. And, in the final analysis, this is what really matters and is pleasing to our LORD.

A SPIRITUAL TRAGEDY

2007-10-19T11:19:00.000-04:00

Rev. Anthony Carter's blog "Non Nobis Domine" has an interesting entry called "Faith and Foreclosures", in which Rev. Carter makes a observation that the increasing foreclosure rates in the Atlanta-area (at last researched is 49% higher than a year ago) could be linked to the wide amount of mega churches and popular preachers that are in the city. Now Rev. Carter does not definitely state that the two are linked, but, in reading the article, it does make you wonder whether the impacts of the Dollars, Longs, and Bynums (to name a few) and the prosperity messages they promote to their congregations has any connection, given that Atlanta has the most megachurches per capita in the nation.

Equally, after reading this article, I wonder what are the foreclosure numbers here in South Florida and in other places (such as Dallas and Houston, TX) that also house very popular megachurches. If Rev. Carter has discovered a truth here, then this is a spiritual tragedy at its essence. It's bad enough to preach this false gospel and swindel people out of the little money they have promising them material "blessings" from God. But to cause children to be out on the street, men and women to live in their cars, and cause the homeless rate to skyrocket--all in the name of Jesus--is distasteful in the highest degree.

If you want to read Rev. Carter's blog entry, click on the blog name above and tell me what you think!!!

AN EXCELLENT READ

2007-10-18T13:44:00.000-04:00

If you haven't read Thabiti Anyabwile's "The Faithful Preacher" as of yet, I would highly recommend that you pick it up at your local Christian bookstore!!!
My friend Steven gave me this book for a graduation gift from Seminary, and once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. The book chronicles 3 African-American preachers: Lemuel Haynes, Francis Grimke, and Daniel Payne. After giving a thorough biography of each man, Anyabwile blesses us with an actual sermon delivered by each one. If you are a preacher, you will find that each man charges you to be an educated, faithful proclaimer of the LORD Jesus. If you are a layperson, it will encourage you to examine whether the preaching that is coming out of the pulpit in your church is Christ-focused. So, again, if you're looking for a book that is challenging--yet inspiring--don't hesitate in getting this absolute masterpiece.

SIN RANKING

2007-10-17T16:00:00.001-04:00

I just finished reading an article by Jemele Hill in which she makes the claim that Isiah Thomas' actions toward Anucha Browne Sanders were worse than Don Imus'. Now we are all familiar with Don Imus' "nappy headed 'h' word" remark towards the Rutgers women's basketball team by now. But is this truly better than Isiah Thomas saying that it is OK for black men to call black women the "b" word, and not for white men to do it? The Bible says to let our words edify each other (Ephesians 4:29), and while it is clear that neither man did such in their incidents, is it possible to judge one situation over the other? Equally, in comparing the situations, where is this "line" that determines Isiah's actions were worse than Imus'?

Now don't get me wrong, I am not defending Isiah Thomas at all! However, I could never understand the "I'm a more righteous sinner than you" mentality, especilaly among unbelievers. So my criticism lies more with someone ranking their incidents more than the incidents itself? Below is the link to the article, please read it and let me know what you think!

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=hill/070921

ALL MY DEVOTION WAS EMOTION

2007-10-16T15:54:00.000-04:00

Once again Blair Wingo hits it on the head! Every Christian should hear this poem!!!!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-qSi7VKBpU

OSTEEN ON 60 MINUTES

2007-10-16T08:46:00.000-04:00

I finally had an opportunity to watch the Joel Osteen feature on 60 Minutes. And although many parts of his interview were distrubing, the part of this feature that really grieved me was when Osteen was at a book signing and was greeted by a husband and wife, who were Jewish and Roman Catholic respectively. The man stated how much they enjoyed watching him every week, and surprisingly Osteen was touched by this statement.
Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that it is a crime for Jews and Catholics to watch what would be perceived as "Christian" preaching. However, this situation does show the lack of Christ-centered preaching that is within Osteen's messages. It never bothered Osteen that the Jewish man was denying the deity of Christ, and the Catholic was living a life of "works righteousness", instead of trusting in Christ alone for salvation. And despite the fact that Osteen passes himself off as Orthodox, thus--by default--adhering to beliefs that both the man and his wife reject, Osteen seemed not to be focused on the couple's radical doctrinal differences--especially among themselves. Because, in the Osteen theology, the most important thing is that the person taps into their "God-given" potential to produce a "victorious" life.
But the question we must ask is: Is is possible to be victorious without Christ? Well, Paul states very plainly in 1 Corinthians 15:57:

"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST"

So, Mr. Osteen, real victorious living comes through being in the LORD Jesus and not in responding to "Easy Listening" preaching (as Dr. Michael Horton called his preaching in the segment). Truth be told: While there was a lot of emotion from his followers, as well as Osteen himself, the lack of Christ's atoning work in his messages makes them weak when it comes to acheiving a true victorious life. So, in summation, I would have to agree with Dr. Horton and state that the Osteen message is a dangerous one indeed. And sadly, his popularity reveals the gullibility of many in the body of Christ that refuse to be "Good Bereans" when it comes to the messages that they listen to.

BLAIR WINGO LAYS IT DOWN

2007-10-12T11:55:00.000-04:00

I just finished watching a GodTube video of a young woman by the name of Blair Wingo. She was giving a poem called "Allow me to re-introduce the Christ". If you haven't seen it already, I would advise you to click the link below and watch it. I haven't seen a young person who lays down the Gospel like she does!!!

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ac7b677e7241a531b617