Jamal Bryant.."I divorced because of MY infidelity..."

I must say that even a BROKE CLOCK is right at least twice per day...Well, I don't want to call Jamal Bryant a "broke clock" simply because I don't agree with him on many important issues as it pertains to social justice and doctrine, HOWEVER I believe that we should give HONOR to whom honor is due. 

Let me be one to say that this is a time and a subject to give honor to...DR. BRYANT!

While browsing Facebook I came across part of an interview with Jamal Bryant by a social media team called Hardley Initiated. After the first 5 seconds of the clip I was hooked because I have never heard Jamal speak regarding his part in the failure of his first marriage and ultimate embarrassment in Baltimore.

10 Out Of 10 Stars!

I would like to give Jamal 10 out of 10 Stars, not only for his openness regarding this issue,  but also for his accuracy in dealing with a subject that has been illusive for many if not most married men in the modern era, youth and individuals, Christian or not.

Although financial instability remains the leading cause of divorce within both the church and in secular society, lack of emotional connection between couples within marriage is a very close second.

Certainly the devil has made it a point to exploit sexual weakness in both men and women at an especially alarming rate against those of us in Christian leadership and within Christian circles.

The Need For Emotional Connection 

Even though some think they are, most individuals are not sex addicts. They are just people who simply enjoy or like to have sex. That is healthy. Too many however are actually addicted to the non-sexual intimacy or what is often summed up as "communication" within relationships. I would venture to say that all of us, need and even crave emotional attachment and connection at some level. Sometimes the need for emotional connection can be so overwhelming until it becomes an addiction, which facilitates a whole range of behaviors. This sort of need is pervasive especially as emotional connection and communication are the foundation for any substantive relationship as physical ability, health, excitement and even emotional attachment in any relationship often ebbs and flows.

If one has not reached a certain level of spiritual and even emotional stability, overcoming the "flight syndrome" of relationships, when the relationship is in a valley, can become difficult. Interestingly, if this is not dealt with, the person desiring connection will run away from even that connection or struggle in each valley when they feel their connection and stability has waned. This type of response to the mellow drama of committed relationships can take quite some time to overcome, and in many cases if not addressed, will never be overcome. 

Romans 12:2 ~ And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Like anything else, proper and correct behavior and response to adversity demands a spiritual transformation, a renewal of the mind, has to be practiced. There is no such thing as unintentional success. All success is intentional, even the success of marriage, relationships and commitment. 

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"Home-Wrecker" Laws & The Power Of The Innocent Spouse

A question that I have raised in the Jones v Pollard case, is
exactly who is the victim?

Certainly there is a cleric predator, sex addict, preacher, and a manipulated and manipulative woman that have stood up both claiming that they have been treated unjustly. While, from all available evidence, it is clear that the accuser, Ms. Pollard was treated unjustly during her younger and adolescent years, and clearly used as a sex object, by an adult, male pedophile and pervert. What is unclear is the level of abuse that she actually suffered over or during her adult years and just how much she may have contributed toward her condition over that time. Both of them, the abuser and the abused, claim to have been treated unfairly and wrong by one another if noone else. 

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Broken Daughters

Jeremiah 8:20-22 ~ 20-The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. 21-For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me. 22-Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?

Jeremiah 9:1 ~ Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!

Just when you've thought you've seen it all, a new show called "Preacher's Exes" is getting ready to air "possibly" with the intent of looking at the lives of some of the daughters of Zion who have been hurt and shamed by their so called Ex preacher husbands. I offer no criticism of these ladies. I only offer my prayers and sincere hopes for their restoration and the restoration of others in the same or similar condition. 

“As the preacher’s wife, I felt isolated even in the marriage because no one seemed to care about my pain as the wife who was suffering silently. I did approach my leaders with my issues, but nothing was done. Everyone seemed to care more about us ministering than my home falling apart. This was very difficult for me because I was depressed, misunderstood, and even questioning the God I served and if he really loved me,” ~ Cheron K Griffin II (preacher's ex wife).

Jeremiah 9:17-20 ~ 17-Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for cunningwomen, that they may come: 18-And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters. 19-For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How are we spoiled! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because our dwellings have cast us out. 20-Yet hear the word of the LORD, O ye women, and let your ear receive the word of his mouth, and teach your daughters wailing, and every one her neighbour lamentation

I am not worried about how this makes the "church" look. I see the modern church and it AIN'T pretty. My prayers are for the hurting and those tempted in the same or similar situations. If you are a hurting daughter, I would love to hear from you and pray for you. There is still victory in Jesus name!

Blessed!

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Christian Marriage...I Had To Address Some Issues

Also See: "Marriage & Forgiveness. What That Means For The "Other Woman" (or Man)"
Arguably, the foundation of any society and community is the family. Though modern families come in all kinds of sizes, shapes and component parts, traditionally, the most fundamental element of the family is the marriage between a husband and a wife. In fact, in Western society, the whole social system is built on this type of union.

This is often called the nuclear family, which includes about 2 to 3 children and a pet thrown in to spare. Until recent times this type of union (between a man and a woman) was a standard part of the American culture and a solid part of the American church. However there are all sorts of arrangements marital, non-marital, cross-generational and even cross gender core units that now comprise the basis of "family".

There are many factors that have led to the changing face of the family. To name a few, it can't go without noting that there is a  rapidly growing diversity of social moral values within the American population,  changing demographics, partially promoted by culturally accepted relativism, and an increased post modernistic approach to previously formed social structures.  In addition there are financial pressures, high incarceration rates  in some demographic groups, and increased substance abuse issues which in many cases are a reflection of the lack of self-worth and value. All of this has led to the traditionally oriented nuclear family becoming simply one type among many types of family structures within society.

Marriages. How Stable Is The Foundation?

To our shame, these are the facts of our marital condition:

• According to Religious Tolerance.Org current research shows that the overall divorce rate peaked around 1980 and appears to have declined modestly since then. Divorce rates per 1,000 marriages were 22.6 in 1980, 20.9 in 1990, and 18.8 in 2000. (1)
• A recent study by the Barna Research Group throws extreme doubt on these estimates. Barna released the results of their poll about divorce on 1999-DEC-21. 1 They had interviewed 3,854 adults from the 48 contiguous states. The margin of error is ±2 percentage points. The survey found: 11% of the adult population is currently divorced.  25% of adults have had at least one divorce during their lifetime.  Divorce rates among conservative Christians were significantly higher than for other faith groups, and much higher than Atheists and Agnostics (nonbelievers) experience (2)
• Estimates of the incidence of marital infidelity in the United States range from 20% to 50%. (3)
• One estimate rated the percentage of all Americans who would have an extramarital affair during their lives as high as 70%! (4)
• Nearly half of all U.S. marriages are remarriages for at least one of the spouses (5)
• In a 2001 report, the CDC stated that 1/5 (20%) of first marriages end within five years; 1/3 (33%)within ten years. Second marriages fare even worse. The CDC found "a strong probability that second marriages will end in separation or divorce: 23% after five years and 39% after ten years.”
• Researcher Donald Hughes states that 90% of divorce among Christians occur AFTER they have been saved. (6)

When you click "read more" stop the video until you get to it. I don't want to mess up your concentration. You'll see.

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Larry D. Trotter: "I Was At Death's Door"

1/18/2013: For those seeking information on the "Baby Bathtub Scandal", Bishop Trotter's response can be found HERE. We will have NO ARTICLE regarding the issue.  The Dunamis Word DOES NOT ascribe to the terrible internet GOSSIP currently circulating regarding the situation in general, however we can make no sense of why a grown man would be bathing with a child under any circumstance. 

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

This article is not filled with bold faced assertions and character assassination is not the object. The object is to examine the conflict between the understanding and application of holiness in the life of many 21st Century leaders.

An Interview With The Bishop

Leadership, is one of the greatest jobs a person can have. Whether it's leading a crew of employees in secular employment or leading a team to competition and victory. The greatest and most exhaustive type of leadership is spiritual leadership. It's often thankless and strenuous. Many desire the accolades that leadership sometimes brings but few want the responsibility or criticisms that comes along with it.

Recently I come across a leader that has a long history within the church and decided to take a listen and hear for myself what he had to say. I can't tell you enough how surprised I was to hear some of what I heard and also how relived I was to hear some things especially if his accounting was true. So far as the content and even my assertions, one can judge for themselves and feel free to express your opinions if you would like.

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