Monthly Archive: February 2016

Friends Don’t Let Friends Behave Badly

Author: February 28, 2016

https://static.pexels.com/photos/5362/restaurant-hands-people-coffee.jpgProverbs 27:5-6  Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed.  Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Dear Friends,  Peace, love, grace and the joy of Christ be upon you.  I want to ask you all to please pray for my dear brother, pastor, friend and mentor, Tom Shuford.  Tom has been in and out of the hospital lately.  Both Tom and those of us who love him so dearly could really use your prayers as this is very hard on all of us.  The above passage is very, very deep and as I have been sitting and praying for Tom, I realize how much it relates to he and I.  You see, Tom has always rebuked me, but it has always been non-judgmental and out of love.  And, only when I truly needed it.  I am so grateful for that.  You see, my old group of so-called friends rarely did that.  The ones who truly loved me did and my family did, but people that I associated with that were criminals never did, nor did my frienemies.  You know, the ones pretend to love you, but really hate you and want to see you fail.  Those types encouraged my poor choices.  Most used me for their own personal gain and discarded me when I had no more value to them.  Not a single one has ever written me or showed any love; Nor am I complaining.  You know the old adage: “With friends like that, who needs enemies?”  Only the ones who truly love me have been here for me.  Chief among them is Jesus.  He has never left or forsaken me.   (more…)

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Man Up!

Author: February 21, 2016

https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-and-white-people-bar-men-4417/1st Corinthians 13:11  “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”

Dear Friends,  May God’s strength, power and light flow within you and guide you.  Amen!  It is always my intention to deliver the message to everyone.  And though I hope there is something to be gained by all in this one, I had a particular group in mind while writing this.  No offense ladies, but I am speaking directly to the men in this one.  Though, I do hope all the ladies learn from this as well.

Let us start by asking ourselves, “What makes a man?”  My earthly father always told me that men are built, not born.  You see, anyone can be born a male, but not every male becomes a man.  A man must be forged and wrought.  A man cannot be measured by physical strength or by his job or wealth.  In fact, I would be willing to wager that some of the wealthiest males on this planet are not truly men.  A man cannot be measured by how many women he slept with or how far he’s traveled; Nor can he be measured by his intelligence or worldly achievements.   (more…)

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Got Flavor?

Author: February 16, 2016

https://static.pexels.com/photos/6401/food-kitchen-cooking-spices.jpgMatthew 5:13-16  “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters,  May God’s spices, herbs and seasoning be ever upon you.  Amen!  I want to talk to you about flavor.  I want to talk to you about being savory, delectable and of good taste.  Right now, I can imagine you saying, “What’s this guy saying?  Has he lost his mind?  Does he think I am a chicken dinner?”  Let me be clear, I am not calling you chicken – I assure you.  But, in a manner of speaking, all Christians are a dish meant to be served to the starving unsaved souls around them.  That means we need to be zesty and tangy, but not too tart; spicy and warm, but not too hot; inviting and friendly, but not too sweet.  We need to be flavorful, my brothers and sisters, but not overbearing.  How many of you remember the story of Goldie-Locks and the Three Bears?  We need to be like that last bit of porridge – “Just right!”  Mmmm Hmmm!  Yes, sir!  You see, salvation is free.  Thus, we must not act like salesmen.  Are you with me, folks?  How many of you like fried chicken?  I like the home cooked kind, but every now and again I used to buy K.F.C. [Kentucky Fried Chicken].  Of course, my own chicken is much better. LOL!  But, I do on occasion enjoy the flavor of the colonel’s secret blend of herbs and spices.  The Bible is God’s own blend of herbs and spices – 66 to be exact.  And, unlike the colonel’s recipe, it’s no secret at all.  God wants you to have it.  He wants you to feast on it until it is coming out of your pores.  He wants you to be bathed in it and most importantly, He wants you to feed it to others.  (more…)

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What Is Liberty?

Author: February 6, 2016

https://www.pexels.com/photo/sunset-man-person-silhouette-6945/II Peter 2:19-21  “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.”
Dearly Beloved,  May the power and glory of the Lord forever surround you and flow through you.
I want to talk to you about liberty, or freedom, if you will.  When I was stuck in the mire of sin, I was under the illusion that I was free.  I had “worldly freedom”.  That there is not freedom at all.  It’s a lie, a trap, a pitfall and snare set for us by the devil.  I am imprisoned with all manner of men who believe they are free even in here.  It was once said that to experience true freedom, one will inevitably commit criminal acts.  You see, there are many in this world who look at law and order as nothing more than a restraint, a chain, if you will.  They crave anarchy.  Even in the deepest depths of my sin, there were lines and boundaries that I would not ever cross.  But, some folks have no boundaries and they think that makes them free.  Nonsense! (more…)

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