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

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

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!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

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????

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

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

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

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!!!

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

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!!!!!

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!!!!