I know the feeling of being so afraid to seek out anything other then the views and opinions expressed by organizations like Focus on the Family,  or famous pastors like Chuck Swindol, Billy Grahm, or James Kennedy.  all of these sources take the position that homosexuality is nothing  but a sinful lifestyle choice.

  If you’re like me, or know someone you love who is like me,  who is gay and trying to come to terms with being a Christian at the same time, You soon find out there is no room for those like us within the ministries of these great organizations and famous Bible believing pastors.

 Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t count them out just because of their opinions on homosexuality, in fact I’ve been tremendously blessed by their teaching in so many other areas, their insight, and in depth look at the Truth of God’s word and the powerful Gospel it contains.

 But where does the one who is gay go to find hope for their weary soul? Where does one find real, honest, workable answers that mainstream Christianity ignores? A whole people group they fail to really minister too simply because those who preach the message don’t know any better?

 Well Let me direct you towards two of the best resources that I’ve foud to be amazing in my Journey. 

 The first was a huge relief to find, such a blessing and the start of my joy as a gay christian: www.gaychristian.net  Founded by Justin Lee.  Here you find not only great resources, but excellent answers to the most basic questions, that even gay people ask about being gay, and unsure of how to understand the biblical answers.   Whether is a fun and light hearted video by Justin, a testimony of someone else’s courageous journey, a radio show clip, or the overwhelming fellowship of a whole community of gay Christians,  It is a total safe haven for gay Christians to properly mature in Christ Jesus.  When I came across this site, it was like finding the ark of Noah, seeing a whole community of believers like me and knowing I was not alone, it was a “It really does exist!” moment. 

 The next place is one for more in depth study of God’s word regarding all area’s of our homosexuality. There were times in my journey where I felt like I was always outdone by the mainstream piles of information and propaganda on the wrongness of homosexuality.  Here at http://www.affirmingtheology.com/ You find such solid answers and biblical backing, that the bullied feeling you get when Christian leaders present their position, flees because you now have a stronger, more solid foundation then they do.  Here we find the issues of homosexuality brought to light in many contexts that are completely ignored by other sources, such as translation, original language usage, cultural meaning and impact, as well as contrasted with the entirety of the Bible and the gospel message.   A great resource for Biblically based answers.

 Now I’ve gone through a lot of research and information over the past couple of years, but I mainly mention these two sources simply because as a Christian, I find them to be the most biblically based, with confidence and integrity.  Nothing wishy washy, and trust me online there is plenty of that going around.

 Oh gay Christian, Do you feel like either your straight and are for God, or gay and against him?  Its not so! There really does exist a community of loving, God fearing, gay men and woman, who want nothing more then to faithfully serve the Lord, in righteousness. 

For us, its hard to taste the water of Christ when mainstream Christians crowd  the way and say we must change before we can drink,  brothers and sisters, come up stream where the crowd is less pressing, where the water is closer to the source, and drink freely of the living water of Christ.   It really does exist!

Of course, the last event was in 1958. We didn’t have some of the technology that we have today; such as GPS, cell phones, etc. So if we have a disturbance in the sun’s activity and the solar energy that our satellites produce off of; perhaps some of these modern technologies will be effected.

We also know that if the earth’s temperature changes by a mere 2 degrees, it will certainly effect the growing cycles in parts of the planet.

The other factor to consider is that nobody can predict an exact date of when any of this can take place. They are predicting anywhere from December 2012 to May 2013. As well as, predicting another similar event four years from the time of this event.

Some feel that major events can take place because of the solar storms that will take place. Granted these storms have taken place in our history, causing such places as Rome to see the Northern Lights clearly. But will it have such an effect to cause major electrical grids to go completely down? Will our government be completely off line? Will there be any emergency services available? No cell phone use or cable television.

During 1958 when there was a similar event, things were certainly much different. Going to the grocery store was different. We didn’t have the whole scanning system in place. Everything today is computerized. Medical devices located in our hospitals are computerized. Travel is computerized. Businesses are computerized. So the effect was not the same.

Some are claiming that if this happens millions will be without electricity. Sure we can all make it without our cells phones for awhile – but not electricity. What about water? Some are claiming that if we don’t have electric, well, we won’t have access to most water systems. You won’t be able to turn on your tap and have water flow from it.

Others are trying to prepare themselves by stock piling. Pastors are telling their congregants that they need to be prepared, “just in case”. I’ve visited some pastor homes and have seen they are, indeed, very well prepared. Even though most of their own congregants are ignoring their warnings.

Some say every American citizen should do their part and be prepared. That, just in case, something does happen, there would not be any chaos or mayhem. No panic in the streets when, and if, everything goes suddenly black.

Saving seeds, stocking up on dried goods, canned goods, water, medicines, first aide items, pet needs, kerosene, etc.

Exactly, how far are you willing to go?

Others are ringing the bell so loud and calling on Americans to “head for the hills” – find a secluded place off the grid – dig a well with a hand pump for water; grow your own crops, indoors, stash your books to stave off insanity when your without your cable tv; and stack up on those hand crank radios and lanterns that Kohl’s sells during the Christmas holidays.

In other words, folks, if you decide to believe something may happen, then you will decide to prepare for such an event. If you have children and pets, you may take it more seriously. During my childhood, my grandparents always stocked up on canned goods and dried goods. They lived during the Great Depression. They shared with us stories of the days when they grew Victory Gardens. They had no one to help them during those days – so they had to be prepared.

Nobody called them crazy  – they were never labeled as, “one of those people” meaning your, basically, labeled as being nuts.

I think there may be a great deal of “closet” preparers. Those who are preparing quietly – this way they will avoid such ridicule. Whether you do or whether you don’t – it’s not a bad thing, or a good thing. It’s just being prepared. Since when is that considered taboo?

We are always hearing from various agencies that we should have our “emergency packs” at the ready. This just takes it a few steps further. If our electric grid system, which we all know is very, very old, did suddenly come to a dead stop, could you survive on what you have in your house today? Could you make it without electric to operate your pump which delivers fresh water? Could you make it without electric to cook your food? Could you make it without your freezer and refridgerator? How long could you make it? Do you believe such grids can be repaired in a matter of days? I’ve heard it could take up to a year. Who has the answers?

Way back when, many moons ago, hand pumped water wells; root cellars; and wood burning stoves were a staple in our homes. These same items can certainly help any of us to survive this “sun” event should it reach the point of creating sun storms that effect our modern way of living. Even if it’s just temporary. Can you live without heat in the dead of winter?

You decide – do the research and see if you agree with what others are saying. Maybe you just have a funny, sinking feeling inside your gut that tells you, “maybe, just maybe, I’ll prepare just in case” – after all, if you purchase items you already eat and use, it certainly won’t go to waste, will it?

Food for thought my friends -

It was the first day of high school. Peter felt like a big kid now. He finally made it to high school. In one of his classes he saw a very attractive girl. He said to himself I have to get to know her she is hot. When the teacher called roll he found out her name was Abigail St. James.

After school he saw her at the light waiting for it to change. He hurried up and stood next to her. He said “hi

my name is Peter I saw you in History class”. Abby said ” hi my name is Abby I am new here. We moved here over the summer.” The light changed and they both started across the street. Steve said I live down here too. Do you mind if I walk with you.?” She shook here head no. So they talked as the walked. Abby said her father got a big promotion so the had to move here. Abby said she missed all her old friends. Steve told her to make some new friends everyone is very nice around here. Abby said it is not easy making new friends.

Abby said ” This is my corner, thanks for walking with me.”

Peter said “I enjoyed it usually I walk alone. It is nice having someone to walk with.” Then he asked her when she left for school in the mornings. Abby told him. Peter said “Do you think we could walk to school together too.”

Abby smile and said that she would like that.

Then Peter gave her a hug as the parted. Abby said “ow” and winced.

Peter said “What’s wrong? I didn’t hug you that hard.”

Abby said “My father punished me last night and my back is sore.”

Peter suddenly got real concerned and asked how her father punished her.

Abby said “He hits me across the back with a belt.”

Peter suddenly got mad and said “I will take care of him. No one deserves that kind of punishment.”

Abby Pleaded “Don’t Peter! please don’t go anywhere near him it will just make things worse. He doesn’t do it

very often. Please Peter promise me you will stay away. If you care for me at all Please promise.”

Peter didn’t like it but he promised.

They parted and went there own way.

When Peter got home he went to his Mother and said “Mom do you have some time to talk I am real confused and concerned about something that happened today.

His Mom said ” I don’t have anything to do for about an hour. Lets talk now.

They sat down at the kitchen table and Peter told her all about meeting Abby and all that happened on the way home. he said Mom I think I really like Abby and when she told me I wanted to go beat him up but she made me promise to stay away.”

His Mom said “son you wouldn’t be my son if you didn’t feel that way, but beating up on Mr. St James is not the answer. Abby is right that would only make things worse. Mr. St James has an illness the makes him lose control

and beat up on his family. Mr. St James needs help. The best think you can do is be Abby’s friend and listen to

her. I think she really needs someone to confide in. It looks like she wants you. See if you can get her to go to UMY

(United Methodist youth) with you. Introduce her to some of your friends and when she is ready she will go to

the authorities and do what needs to be done. In the mean time I will contact DPS (Department of protective

Services) and see if they can start an investigation.”

Peter said “I guess I can do that. It won’t be easy I really want to knock some sense into Mr. St James. I feel so

bad for Abby and her sister.”

So for the next few week Abby and Peter walked to school and back everyday together. They talked about

everything. Abby did go to UMY with Peter and she had a good time and said she would go again.

One day as they met Abby was all upset. Peter asked her what was wrong.

Abby said last night her father broke her little sisters arm because she reached in front of him. She said it was

bad enough when she got hurt but she couldn’t stand by and watch Sara get hurt too. She asked Peter to come

with here she wanted to talk to Pastor John and ask him for help, but she didn’t want to go alone.

Peter said “let’s go.”

They walked to the church and found Pastor John.

Peter said “Pastor, do you have time to talked to us. Please it is very important”

Pastor saw the looks on there faces and said “come into my office.”

They sat together in front of the pastors big desk holding hands and Abby told the whole story. When she got through she was crying. Steve tried to comfort her as much as he could. When Abby got through Pastor had a look of concern on his face. He said “It is time to call the Police. This has gone too far. You are not safe in your own home. I had a feeling something was going on when you were always wearing long sleeves. I am sorry, I never guessed it was this bad..” Then he said “how long have you known about it? Peter.”

Peter said “since the first day of school. I walked her home and tried to give her a friendly hug and she winced in

pain. I wanted to go beat up Mr. St. James but Abby made me promise to stay away. Then Mom convinced me there was a better way to handle the situation.”

Pastor said “you and you sister will have to get checked out in the hospital and pictures will be taken and you

will probably be taken away from your Mom for a while. By the way where was your Mom when all of this was going on.”

Abby said “She works nights. Dad had me so scared I was afraid to say anything. Then when he hurt Sara. I decided I had to do something I didn’t want Sara getting hurt.”

The secretary got on the intercom and said the police are here. Pastor said send them it.

The police and a DPS office walked into pastors office. They were told the whole story. the DPS office said

“come on Abby we will get Sara out of school and get you both checked out”

Abby said “can Peter come? I really need his support right now.

The DPS officer said “it is highly unusual but ok” It might make things easier on you and your sister.”

Pastor said “Peter I am going to call your Mother. Didn’t she just become a foster parent? Maybe she can take

Abby and Sara for a while.”

Both kids had a big smile on their face. “Do you think it will work?’ They both said.

The DPS office said “I don’t see why not. but it is not up to me.”

Then the DPS office left with the kids and the police went to arrest Mr. St James. When the DPS officer got

to the hospital with the 3 kids Mrs. St James was already there. Then the DPS officer asked Mrs. St James if she

was ever abused by her husband. Mr. St. James started crying and said yes she was too. So Mrs St. James was

examined along with the girls and all the pictures were taken and all the reports made.

Mrs. St John was sent to a safe house along with the girls. The DPS officer said that Peter and Abby could not

have any contact while the family was in the safe house except at school. The location of safehouse has to remain a secret because some abusers come after their family and threaten them again. Peter said he understood and went home and the St James’s went to a safe house. Mr. St. James was arrested and thrown in Jail and when the trial came up he was found guilty and sentenced to a long time in Jail. Mr St James was also told he could never go

near his wife and girls again.

A few months later Peter got a call from Abby. They were out of safe house and in an apartment on the other side of town. She gave Peter the address. She said she needed to see Peter bad, so Peter got on the cross-town bus and went straight over to their apartment. The door opened and Abby was in his arms before he could even knock. She said hug me as hard as you like it, doesn’t hurt anymore. She said it was hard they all went to therapy and learned not to blame themselves. All the blame went where it belonged on her fathers shoulders. Abby said her mother is still working nights so she takes care of Sara after school. Abby said why don’t you stay for dinner. Peter said

only if you let me buy Pizza, this is a celebration. Peter called his mom and she said it was all right and was real glad to hear the family is doing so well.

here are some facts and myths about domestic abuse.

Myth: Only women and children are abused

Fact: Men are abused too but it is harder to get people to believe a man is being abused because he is usually

bigger.

Myth: Domestic violence is not common.

Fact: One woman is battered every 15 seconds.

Fact: One out of every four women will suffer some kind of violence at the hands of husband or boyfriend.

Myth: Domestic violence happens only in low-come families.

Fact: Domestic violence happens in all kinds of families-rich and poor, urban, suburban and rural- in every part of the country and in every racial and age group.

Myth: A beating is really just a couple of slaps and isn’t harmful.

Fact: More then 30% of hospital emergency room admissions are battered women. Domestic violence is the

single greatest cause of injury to women in the United States.

Myth: Wife beating happens only once or twice in a marriage.

Fact: Most beatings happen over and over. The batterer hits more often and harder

Myth: Some women wanted to be beaten. They ask for it. They deserve it.

Fact: No one deserves to be beaten. Everyone has a right to live free of violence.

Fact: Domestic Violence is a crime. It is against the law for anyone to beat of hurt another person.

Fact: Domestic Violence leads to murder. Husbands or domestic partners murder 3/4 of all women who are

murdered.

Fact: Domestic Violence harms children even if the children are not the targets of violence. Children who

witness their mothers’ being beaten or abused are likely to develop serious emotional problems. Many of these

children have low self-esteem and problems with trusting other people.

Fact: mean who abuse their wives or partners are more likely to abuse the children in the home too. The presence

if spousal abuse is the single greatest risk factor in predicting child abuse.

Fact: Emotional and physical abuse lowers a woman’s self-esteem. Battered women are 4 to 5 times more likely

to require psychiatric than women who are not abused.

Fact: A minority of adult batterers were themselves abused as children. One study found that only 30% of

battered children would grow up to be batterers as adult.

Fact: Domestic Violence costs the U.S. economy and estimated $3 to $5 billion annually in job absenteeism.

and another $100 million annually in medical expenses.

If you are in an abusive relationship. Please call for help Most communities have shelters for abused women and children there all also many many people that want to help, but you have to make that first call. The abuse will not

stop until you make the first call. Hear are the national numbers for domestic violence don’t be afraid to call them, they want to help. 800-799-7233 or tty 800-787-3224.

1. Imitation is a thing produced as a copy of the real thing.
2. Imitation is defined as the action of copying somebody or something.
3. Imitation is taken as the act of copying a person’s speech or behaviour; an impersonation.

The definitions given are different but similar. From the first definition, the essence of reproducing the original in a substandard measure or size is for the sake of maximizing profits from sells of these fake products. If a genuine brand of product is sold at $250 per item, the fake products may be sold at 15% discount (-37.5 i.e. $212.5) of the stipulated prize of the original; by so doing consumers buy more of fake say 1000 against 200 and thus the original losses its values to the fake. Because people like cheap things, the imitation is rather promoted than the original in some cases. This case is easily handled by laws of the nations, but in some developing nations of the world, it’s still popular.

In other remark, the second and third definition from the Advance Learners Oxford Dictionary warns about imitating character or individuals. A lot of people do that to impress people while others do it make a living from it. In this case, two sets of people are involved; those who imitate for good and those who imitate evil. But I warn you beware of any of these people for they are neither hot nor cold. They are those sitting on the fence or even be regarded as chameleons that reflects any colour around them. If for instance I imitate Christ Jesus in my style of speech and gestures but do not subject myself to his will then I gain noting out from it. Please get me right here. One can become a follower of Christ Jesus and not an imitation of Jesus. Again, if I imitate those who hate the laws of the nation like the suicide bombers and terrorists whereas I was not trained for such by my parents or guidance then I gain hell at last which means noting. There is no law here because one is free to do what he or she likes.

Today, lots of people are in the business to deceive others with their charms and impersonate styles. The claim they are God or Jesus or even the devil just to achieve and satisfy their selfish and wicked desires. A typical example here is the church business. Religion for instance has become commercialised and bastardised. These traitors devour their victims before the sanctuary of God. This case is terrible in black nations like Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon and others. These business minded people in question go to the extent of advertising miracles, signs and wonders on the media. Some have their private media networks. They are not identified by their quoting Genesis to Revelation but I tell you, watch how pride most self ordained pastors are compare to the humility of Christ Jesus. Watch them on TVs preaching prosperity and not salvation, and then you can conclude this story. God takes care of these wolves at the judgment day.

The good news is, you can reach the acceptance stage. How much time it will take to get there depends on a number of factors, including how long your relationship lasted and how far it progressed. In the meantime, how can you cope with your heartbreak? Moving Forward You may have heard the saying, Time heals all wounds. When you first break up, those words might ring hollow. That’s because time is only part of the solution. To illustrate: A cut on your skin will heal in time, but it hurts now. You need to stop the bleeding and soothe the pain. You also need to keep it from becoming infected. The same is true with an emotional wound. Right now, it hurts. But there are steps you can take to lessen the pain and keep from becoming infected with bitterness. Time will do its part, but how can you do yours? Try the following. - Allow yourself to grieve. There’s nothing wrong with having a good cry. After all, the Bible says that there is “a time to weep” and even “a time to wail”. Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4) Shedding tears doesn’t mean you’re weak. In the midst of emotional anguish, even David – a courageous warrior – once admitted: “Every night my bed is damp from my weeping; my pillow is soaked with tears.” – Psalm 6:6; Today’s English Version. - Take care of your physical health. Physical exercise and proper nutrition will help replenish the energy lost from the emotional toll of a breakup. “Bodily training is beneficial,” the Bible says. – 1 Timothy 4:8. What areas pertaining to your health might you need to give attention to? - Keep busy. Don’t stop doing the things that interest you. And now, more than ever, don’t isolate yourself. (Proverbs 18:1) Associating with those who care about you will give you something positive on which to focus. What goals can you set with regard to keeping busy? - Pray to God about your feelings. This might be a challenge. After a breakup, some even feel betrayed by God.

They reason, ‘I prayed and prayed that I would find someone, and now look at what happened!’ (Psalm 10:1) Would it be right, though, to view God as merely a celestial matchmaker? Surely not; nor is he responsible when one party does not wish the relationship to continue. We do know this about Jehovah: “He cares for you.” Susan, mentioned earlier, made a list of scriptures and kept it handy so that she could read those texts when she felt she was losing control. Perhaps you can do the same with some of the scriptures cited in this article. (1 Peter 5:7) So pour out your feelings to him in prayer. The Bible states: “Let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that excels thought will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6, 7. What specific things could you pray to Jehovah about while you are striving to cope with the anguish of a break up? Looking Ahead After you’ve had time to heal, you might do well to take a close look at just what happened in your past relationship. When you’re ready to do that, you may find that writing out your responses to the following questions will help. - Were you given a reason for the breakup? If so, write the reason below, regardless of whether you feel it was valid. - What other reasons do you think might have been involved? - In hindsight, is there anything you could have done that would have changed the outcome? If so, what? - Has this experience revealed any ways in which you would like to grow spiritually or emotionally? - What, if anything, would you do differently in your next relationship Granted, the relationship you were involved in didn’t become what you had hoped. But remember this: In the middle of a storm, it’s easy to focus on the dark sky and the pouring rain. Eventually, though, the rain stops and the sky clear. The youths quoted earlier in this article found that they were, in time, able to move on. Be assured that the same can be true of you!

Personally as your everyday porno fan, admittedly indulging on average twice a week, which to most won’t be considered dangerous level, in order words I won’t be in the ‘chronic’ category. The thing though is, if you consider pornography as a drug and put it in this category then according to the addiction rule of thumb, if you can do without it then you’re not an addict. If you can do without that second drink or without a fix of heroin or coke for a while then you can safely say you’re a recreational user. With that established I set myself the goal of going ‘Cold Turkey’ on porn for 2 weeks. Simple task, right?

Not!! I didn’t last a week. It was an eye opener though, I saw things just the way it is. Just the amount of sexual imagery we are surrounded with everyday. Adverts, Newspaper, Food packaging and virtually everything, oh did i forget the internet. Research on the subject, reassured me that I wasn’t the only one trapped, pastors, clergy men, married men all indulged. Shocking facts:-

• 64% of Christian leaders confirm that they are struggling with sexual addiction or sexual compulsion including, but not limited to use of pornography, compulsive masturbation, or other secret sexual activity

• Almost 9 in 10 pastors reported counselling a layperson on sexual issues once a year or more

• 83% of daily programming on our media contains some sexual content. 

My beef with the porn industry is how much what happens in these videos and images affect the average mind. You’re not having sex well, unless you’re doing it like a pornstar. Can’t remember what movie I saw one time that mentioned something about ‘goofy sex’ which described the average human’s sexual activities; its funny, awkward and doesn’t take itself serious and this is what people I’ve spoken to in loving relationships love about it. The glossed over version given to us distorts this and presents it as the standard. “Most girls who enter the porn industry do one video and quit because the experience is so painful, horrifying, embarrassing, humiliating for them that they never do it again.”  Luke Ford, quoted by CBS News. Objectifying women instead of appreciating their beauty is now something that needs undoing in my head.

How long are we going let these Pimps whore us out !!!

Image via Wikipedia

If you think you are perfect and live a perfect life you live in a fantasy world. Not one person on this planet is perfect. Just because you make less mistakes than others doesn’t make you a better person or a better Christian, you may be wiser than others and therefore you should help others with your wisdom. But you are no better than anyone else on this planet.

Who is at fault for the degradation of the churches and Christians today? When did the faith start falling apart? Probably about the same time as respect, obedience, and the true love for family and life itself began falling apart in the early nineteen hundreds. About the time when self expression meant total disobedience and disrespect for the parents, family, values, and high morals. Women wanted the freedom to marry for love not security. Women wanted to enjoy sex without regard for the consequences of their acts. Many placed blame everywhere but where the blame really belonged, their own poor choices placed them in the position of having children they weren’t ready for. Their decisions to disregard their parent’s warnings and teachings about sexual promiscuity, sex before marriage and the importance of a good solid marriage.

Oh men were just as bad! They loved the wiles of women’s new found freedoms never once taking into consideration what kind of women these would turn out to be. All they could think about is the ability to have sex without having to pay someone anymore every time they had an itch to scratch. Men have changed too over the years, fat, lazy, non mannered, and either overly arrogant abusers or weak sniveling led by their unmentionables.

Why not? After all no one likes to see a parent sad, crying, complaining, hurting, in pain, etc. all through their childhood. They were the children that decided they weren’t going to end up like their parents no matter the cost. No one has yet to see the problems with what happened back then. If they did see the problems no one was willing to help make things right. Many of these young people went to drugs and sex for release or to forget the life they were leaving behind. No one could have envisioned the vast problems that would come out of all of that “expressing themselves” we have today. Those were children who grew up with parents who went through the great depression in the early nineteen hundreds and survived it. Many of them didn’t have an education because they had to work to help the family make ends meet. Many came from large families so only a select few in the family got the chance to go to school and college. Because of their own hardship they wanted the best for their “expressing themselves” children, which meant a good education and a chance to make something out of them that the parents felt themselves robbed of. And if anyone thinks there were no bitterness in the parents that went through the great depression you are very wrong.

Here we have parents that did whatever was necessary for the family as a whole unit, even if it meant they lost out on something themselves to selflessly give so others, usually younger could have the greater opportunity; who’s own children can only see others with better lives than they have deciding to not only disrespect, but to put an end to family units as we knew it then. If that wasn’t bad enough many of those “expressing themselves” children wouldn’t accept responsibility for their own poor choices in life, blaming others including unwanted, unborn children they conceived during one of their moments of poor choices.

Unfortunately many of these “expressing themselves” children took out their anger, frustrations, self disappointments, etc. on their own children for things that wasn’t their own fault. Mother’s blaming their sons for perceived sins of their fathers; father’s blaming their daughters for the mother’s desertions of the family to seek some other mans bed and leaving him to raise their child alone, and so forth.

If you think those children weren’t bitter from the mental, emotional and in many cases physical abuses they sustained at the hands of their own parent you are really living in your own fantasy world. And so began a new pattern for those that never realized that they had the power to end the cycle right there.

In the beginning the family units would attend church and church functions together, during the great depression the churches tried to help their congregations as much as possible but even they weren’t as prepared as they should have been, so many closed their doors permanently.

Over the many years since not only have those churches reopened their doors under new leadership but now we have so many offshoots of the parent churches because people became offended by the teachings or something within the church. Instead of working together to right the wrongs of the churches now we have partially filled churches teaching only bits and pieces of the Bible; and we have many versions of the same Bible!

Confusing? You better believe it! What’s even worse is the Headship of the parent churches isn’t even screening the applicants of many of the new churches so now we have churches full of abominations! Just last night I was informed that Gays and Lesbians can actually get married in any church and could actually get married in a local Catholic church (but cautioned me not to tell the Pope.) Where is the church leadership? This isn’t the first I’d heard this, and while not all of them will do it; but the fact is they will do it for what, money? So long as no one can prove it? God knows or are you out there preaching God’s word without believing what you are saying? I would call that hypocrisy wouldn’t you? How can we the believers be called upon to speak with conviction when even the leaders of the congregations won’t?

If there was any time for God’s true Christian people to speak up and speak out it’s now! We need to put an end to all of this madness before it truly is too late! I don’t care what denomination you are! “Let he who has ears let him hear.” God needs His arms, legs and voice to do His work and to ring through the world. It is time to stand together and be accountable. Come out of your comfort zones and strike down the demons of fear, greed and any number of other demons you have residing in your temple and let God’s light shine forth.

We as God’s people have had ample time to prove our positions through the various fields, such as pro life issues; prove a fetus can sense, feel and has enough cause to make a believable case irrefutable that a fetus is in fact a living being and from what stage as a fetus is this factual? Not to prove to me, I believe from time of conception but the non believers and those who would destroy life because they made mistakes need to see factual irrefutable proof. Remember non-believers believe in nothing that can’t be factually proven and will always wage war against us believers and push for everything against us and our beliefs to continue that war.

I think it’s funny that every time non-believers go out of their way to prove us wrong they only succeed in proving us right, even then with the proof they’d uncovered they refuse the facts making them look petty and combative. So why do people believe them? Simply because they scream louder in their indignation of the proof they can’t accept; Christian believers remain silent.

Now we are in another Recession where the churches need to provide for their congregation and community and again the churches are ill-prepared, so what’s going to happen when this Recession turns into another Depression similar to the one in the nineteen thirties or worse? You can’t say God didn’t warn us! How many Believers have: 1. their own gardens? 2. The knowledge and ability to can home grown products? 3. The materials and ability to create sheets, blankets and clothing? 4. The knowledge and materials to create crude shelters without the use of electricity, nails, etc. today? 5. The ability to create candles from raw wax to see by at night when there may be no electricity available? 6. Modified diesel generators to run various necessary machines like breathing machines for people having to use them or to operate a communications device to keep in contact with the outside world for information? I know the Mormon’s do but they aren’t known for helping anyone but their own believers. So where does that leave the rest of us? Just what have God’s people been doing with all this time for preparation?

If you think the times are hard now it’s not going to get any easier real soon here. We need to do the things God told us all to do and that is to be prepared, are we? Are any of us in a position to help others when push comes to shove? How many of us will be there to help others not just ourselves when that time does come? This is one of the biggest tests coming how many will pass it?

I can hear the questions and the scoffers as you all read this and question my term test. Yes it is a test! A test of preparedness, a test of faith, a test of walking the walk as well as talking the talk, a test of honesty and truth, a test of selfless giving, etc. In other words will doctors, nurses and pharmacies be willing to heal and help for little or no money to insure the health of others during this time? Will contractors and supply houses be willing to build temporary shelters for little or no money during this time? Will those with gardens share their food during this time? Will those with the knowledge to can foods be willing to work with the growers to can foods for others to use? If for some reason the schools should shut down will those with teaching credentials be willing to teach in a make shift facility to continue children’s educations for little to no money during this time? Morale will undoubtedly be low so all who can supply uplifting performances teach faith and so on must all do their parts as well. Many things may have to be done on a barter system or just in a giving spirit because it’s something needed. Survival as a community is the name of the test, how well do you think you will fair?

You don’t have to proclaim yourself or even be a Christian to do the right things, but it is something commonly known as Christian acts to do the right things. In this day and age it is pretty well inconceivable that there are those that do not know right from wrong, therefore those willing to do what is right stand a better chance of survival and is at least closer to the Christian belief than those willing to do wrong which can be evil. Christianity is hope where there is little or no hope. Christianity is where once we as individuals or as a group do all we can do standing in faith that the Higher Power, Creator, Jesus or God as many of us call Him, will pull us through the rest of the way.

God never intended His people to sit on their bums and complain about all that is wrong in their lives but to act, getting out there and helping your neighbors through their problems. The old saying of the Old Testament is true even to this day, “Give to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar,” meaning give to the government that which belongs to the government because God will take care of and take back anything belonging to Him! Complainers will remain in the wilderness until their faith is complete or they turn from God, which will you be?

Again I ask, with so many Christian’s in the United States of America, where are God’s arms, hands, legs, feet and voice? Why are Christian’s standing silent instead of proclaiming (singing) God’s love and grace through the rafters of the highest roof tops to be heard by all people everywhere?

Should religious leaders endorse political candidates or even encourage congregation members to vote for one candidate over another, this though might seem initially to be simple answer questions but over the years it is now apparent that it is not.

Firstly religious leaders should be moral guides to their congregation, community and perhaps society as a whole. This does not mean that congregation members necessarily agree with all their pastors opinions, views or perspective but as long as the preacher is at least on point most of the time then it is fair to say that the times when they deviate from point can be attributable to their being human.

Looking back to this issues that have occurred during the current US primary elections, with Pastor Jeremiah Wright, what I find very disappointing is that many Pastors in the US did not come out in support of one of their own. He may not have preached in a way people were used to and some of what he said could be easily misunderstood and others sounded delusional but there is nothing he said that I have not heard from some documentaries or other discussions on Television. That it became more important than the message the candidate (his congregation member) was trying to deliver was frankly puzzling. I expected people like Pastor John Hagee who has always been outspoken to come out in defense of this Pastor not because of the contents of his sermons but because they too could understand how what they say can be controversial and sometimes misunderstood.

Don’t get me wrong; I am not saying that I agree with some of the most controversial statements though in some ways I understand what they were really saying as opposed to what everyone else thinks they were really saying.

Had Pastor Hagee and others like him been fair enough to come out for Pastor Wright perhaps this recent debacle might have been avoided. It reminds me of the story of Queen Esther in the Bible (I will paraphrase) when her cousin sent her a message after the law was passed for the annihilation of the Jews in the Persian kingdom, that if she thinks she can hide in the king’s palace and not be harmed (she should think again), that if she does not help her people at their time of great need, salvation will come to the Jews from another quarter but she and her father’s household will perish because she did not step up to the plate at the time when she should have. She did as the story goes and many people were saved as a result.

I sometimes listen to many of these Christian messages on television (Including Pastor Hagee) and enjoy many of these sermons. I have heard many say things that frankly made me very, very uncomfortable. They do not do this often but sometimes it happens. The only preacher I can say I have never heard say anything contentious, only mostly things to build people up is Joel Osteen. To be fair to Pastor Hagee I originally listened to the sermon in question and honestly the accusations against him regarding the Jews is unfair. This is another sound byte hit job.

They have taken his words out of context and made it appear as if he was saying one thing while he was not at all.

Judging from what happened in the Rev Wright issue, I am sure some people even after listening to the whole sermon will have something to complain about, so there probably isn’t any reason to try defending him. Those who will understand will understand and those who will not just simply will not.

After making the above observations, I do believe countries should separate Religion from Politics even in countries that predominantly have one faith represented within it. This gives religious leaders neutrality; because in every faith there are usually the fundamentals and then there are those who are more moderate, the fundamentals almost always believe they are right and will do anything to achieve their goals while the moderates will want to look at the other side to see if there is a possibility for co-existence.

All in all with the events of the past few months in the US it is fair to argue that religious leaders should leave the politicians to their business and politicians should leave religious leaders to remain neutral, after all to the religious leader, their commander in-chief is God first and then the president. The really wise ones have stayed out of politics and it has served them very well, was it not Jesus Christ who said, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s,” I think it is time American religious leaders took closer heed to these wise sayings!