Who Is Speaking To American Morals & Values?

Mt. 5:14-16 ~ 14- Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15-Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16-Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

According to a recent Gallup Survey on American views of moral acceptability, it seems that the only issues most Americans are morally incensed about centers around the death penalty and medical testing on animals. Otherwise Americans are more accepting than ever of certain social values than ever before. 

It seems that Americans are not only more accepting of constructs such as homosexual marriage, divorce, and even adultery, but Americans are also more favorable of Dr. assisted suicide, human cloning, gambling and even embryonic research. 

With that said and seeing that the trend towards liberalism is at an all time high, the question is who is informing the values of America?   

Is the church informing social values? If so, then why is America seemingly more liberal in its values construct than ever? 

Is the church a light of the community and world any longer? Or is this simply an inevitable trend in morality that cannot be avoided? 

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Radiance Says, NAACP = National Association For The ABORTION Of Colored People

I have wondered for years why the Black community seems to be readily accepting of abortion. Statistics say that Black women abort their fetuses to the tune of nearly 1,450 per day since abortion was legalized in 1973.

Although Blacks (men and women) account for approximately 13.2% of the total United States population, they yet account for over 20% of all abortions (11 million out of the estimated 50 million abortions) performed since 1973. 

These are ASTOUNDING numbers!

I contend that historically there may be 2 startling reasons that abortion is such an accepting act among Blacks. I propose that the first may be that Dr. Martin Luther King, the champion of modern civil rights himself, received the Margaret Sanger Award In Human Rights, issued by Planned Parenthood in 1966. At that time, Planned Parenthood lauded Dr. King for lending his voice to "worldwide voluntary family planning" and for:

Coretta King Receives
Sangar Hunmanitarian Award
for Dr. Martin L. King Jr.

"unique qualities of understanding, compassion and bravery, and for his wise and unwavering leadership in securing for all people their basic human right to knowledge, dignity and opportunity that are a fount and principle of Margaret Sanger's life, this award is presented" ~ HERE

The very association of Dr. King to Margaret "EUGENICS NEGRO PROJECT" Sanger is sickening. Here we have a woman that did all she could to limit the growth and development of the Black community in particularly through targeted abortions and other methods, associated with a champion of justice, liberty and equality for the same group of persons that Sanger, through Planned Parenthood, targeted...YUCK!!!! 

Nevertheless, it may be that this "association" is the backdrop of the historical acceptance of abortion among Blacks.

IN ADDITION

Another reason for the acceptance of abortion among Blacks may be the historic endorsement of a woman's "right to choose" by the NAACP. Recently, the Radiance Foundation referenced and severely criticized the NAACP for its position of "right to choose" by displaying an NAACP 1967 Resolution endorsing "family planning, and a subsequent 2004 Resolution of the NAACP endorsing the 2004 March For Life, in which abortion supporters from around the world marched on Washington DC to demonstrate their support of abortion. 

"Board Chair Julian Bond said, "This is an issue of equal rights, and we are pleased to join those insisting on a woman's right to control her own body." ~ Feb. 2004 NAACP Press Release

In their 2004 endorsement of the pro-abortion movement, the NAACP traced their endorsement of a woman's right to choose (aka: abortion) to the 1920's, and its founder W.E.B. Dubois, in essence equating the abortion issue to an issue of "equal access" as opposed to a moral issue or an issue damaging to the Black community and Black women in particularly. even when exposed the NAACP stood by its rhetoric claiming:

“On the issue of abortion, NAACP has not supported abortion but rather supports a woman’s right to choose. NAACP’s decision not to support abortion has been influenced at least in part by the strong religious values and beliefs held by many of those in its leadership, including leading members of the clergy from across the United States.”

This statement was no more than an equivocation on the issue using semantics to cover up the real truth that the NAACP endorses abortion in the guise of a 'woman's right to choose".

Needless to say, the linking of the NAACP to this issue, by web posts and acronym associations from the Radiance Foundation such as:

National Association For The ABORTION of Colored People

National Association For The Advancement of CERTAIN People

National Association For The AGITATION of Colored People

National Association For The ANIMOSITY of CONSERVATIVE People

NOT ACTUALLY ADVANCING Colored People~ (THE BEST ONE IN MY OPINION)

were also not welcomed by the NAACP and they wanted vengeance! 

1st Amendments Rights & FREEDOM OF SPEECH UPHELD!

In response to the Radiance Foundation's linking of the NAACP to the message of abortion and shedding light on the issue, the NAACP sued the Radiance Foundation, claiming that Radiance had acted improperly by linking their organization to abortion advocacy. This was in effort to clearly deny the Radiance Foundation's 1st Amendment rights to expose the issue and educate the public that the NAACP was indeed a proponent of abortion under the guise of a "woman's right to choose". It seems that the NAACP simply wanted Radiance, and anyone else,  to basically shut-up...

RADIANCE FOUNDATION WEB SITE

In an UNANIMOUS May 2015 decision against the NAACP, the Radiance Foundation's rights of freedom of speech were upheld by the court. One can hear the Court Arguments on the issue HERE

KUDOS to the Radiance Foundation for taking a stand for the right of Freedom of speech and against the dearth of abortion which is killing Black America. The Radiance Foundation's victory and timeline can be found HERE

Final Word: INTOLERANCE!!!

Fascism is a governmental polity or system that is authoritarian, and intolerant of alternate views or practices. A fascist can be said to be a person who endorses fascism or one who gives fascism legs. Since they fought opposing views so vehemently, and since they continue to suggest that those who don't agree with their positions are "not really Black" or do not represent the views of Blacks across America, can we ask the question, "Is the NAACP a fascist organization?"

For a group to so vehemently fight against the views and opinions of individuals who "dare" go against what that group wants the public to believe about them, is amazing to me.

Election 2016

Fast Forward to 2016...We have a 2 term Black President that has not only endorsed abortion under the same motif as the NAACP, but one who has promoted and proliferated homosexual rights further than any standing President in American history. We have a pending election and the Democrats are by far endorsing and encouraging either an avowed Socialist (Bernie Sanders) or a Democratic liberal (aka: progressive) Hillary Clinton, who HAS RECEIVED THE ENDORSEMENT OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD, and who some actually believe endorses values that "represent" Black America...(even though they "pretend' to be mad at her husband for signing a crime bill while in office that they were all aware of before he signed it)

In other words their definition of "America" is not one where there is freedom to voice opinion and freedom to expose truth and discuss things and call people into question and accountability, but their vision is one of subjugation to their agenda whatever their agenda may be. Notice, their agenda is always without or apart from God or objective morality, yet it always includes the acceptance of the church and church leaders

It is based on how they (whomever they are) "feel" about matters and issues, and when there is conflict, all they do is redefine terms to fit the need and then, if all else fails, they threaten their way to the abject silence of all detractors.

Thomas, known as "doubting Thomas" within the Gospels, told his fellow disciples that he would not believe that Jesus had been resurrected unless he saw him and examined his scars for himself. he was not going to believe if he had not personally examined the person of a risen Jesus. According to the gospel of John, nearly 7 to 8 days later, Jesus appeared in the room where the disciples had gathered themselves and challenged John, to examine his scars, to touch his hands, feet and his side, so that he could be convinced that Jesus had actually risen from the dead. (Lk. 24:36-43, Jn. 20: 24-29) 

TRUTH invites examination! The only ones saying "shut-up" and "leave me alone" and don't examine this issue, are individuals who are either demon possessed, like the demoniac(s) at Gadara, or someone who simply doesn't want to be exposed or examined in light of what is really true.

The complete liberal agenda is full of proponents that would trash all rights to preserve their evil deeds...Well, as a drunk once told me...

JESUS is the LIGHT and HIS TRUTH shines ALL OVER THE WORLD!

To that, I say a hearty AMEN!

Blessed!

Dr. MLKJr's Response To The Sanger Humanitarian Award: (Click to enlarge)                  

 

 

  

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The Restoration Of Marriage & Right Relationships Pt. 2 ~ Building The Family

2: IF YOU DON'T HAVE A HOBBY, FIND ONE. A PERSONAL INTEREST, OR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY OUTSIDE OF THE CHURCH, CHURCH ACTIVITY, 

OR 4 WALL VISION.

In his book, "What I know For Sure, My story of growing up in America" author Tavis Smiley described scenarios that are all too familiar to many Black families, especially individuals in the early days of the Black church in America. He described a time when there was a church service and or a church function nearly every day of the week. He described at time when life in the Black community, was synonymous with church. There were only 2 conditions and possibly three of the average Black family and individual; going to church, coming home from church or going or coming home from work, getting ready to go to church.

In those days there was a different study, rehearsal, preparation or practice for something all the time and every day. If one wasn't in a study, then one was in prayer. You mother, father and the whole family was engaged in something. Church was certainly a lively place, and a place full of activity, but it was also one that made a generation of folk commit to themselves, that once they were free from being required to attend church, that they weren't looking back. Some of them grew, left home, left the church and made true on their promises. Some never came back, although many of them continue to send their children to church even if they stay home.

A Little Different, But A Little The Same

Although the church has changed in its core makeup and type of activities that it offers, many of its practices have not changed at all. One could spend weeks if not months simply traveling back and forth to church everyday, somewhere, someplace if one followed all of the outlined and regimented services that they are "required" to attend. As a District Supt, within the organization that I am a part of, if I were to attend all of the services asked of me, and give all the offering that I am asked to give ever year, not only would I be physically worn out, but I would have no time to pastor a church, yet alone be a husband to my wife or a father to my children, and on top of that I would be broke nearly all year round.

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The Restoration Of Marriage & Right Relationships Pt. 1 ~ Family First

Gen. 1:28~ And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

In my new book "Ministering Effectively" (soon at a book store or available online near you) I was led of the Lord to dedicate an entire chapter to the believer's relationship to family and family values. I believe that faithful observance of duties pertaining to the family is the foundation of a powerful and successful life and effective service to the Lord. Many individuals speak about family, but many less make family and duties to family a priority, know how to serve family, or define the needs of family.

Within the context of church and church service and just plain old living, there is always a reason to leave family or to relegate family to a second class status in the pecking order of daily activities. Secular work takes individuals away from their families in the name of producing an income to survive. Certainly we are commanded by God to work to sustain our household, and this is a valid and unavoidable result in many cases, however even in that, I believe that we must approach service to our families and community in a balanced manner. Not only naturally or monetarily, but also physically and emotionally. In other words, life can't be all work and or ministry and no or very little family physical and emotional connection. The proportion of the ingredients placed within the family setting and environment determine the outcome regardless of the material or monetary ability.

To expand upon this, on Facebook I placed my 5 top suggestions and encouragements on what it takes to make and keep a strong family for those engaged in public ministry. Although I am certainly no expert by any definition of the word on family relationships, there are some things that I have learned over the last 31 years of marriage and experienced as I have sought to strengthen families entrusted to my pastoral guidance that I believe may benefit those in similar situations. 

I hope that this mini-series helps in whatever family setting and situation that you are in and hopefully the contents of these posts can be the basis or foundation for ongoing conversation and discovery of the boundaries of your marriage. Finally, I hope that you will be built up in your faith as you discover the strength found within the bond and unity of a strong, godly and Christ centered marriage and family unit

Here we go:  

1- REMEMBER THAT FAMILY IS MINISTRY. ALWAYS KEEP FAMILY FIRST.

Needless to say, marriage and the family is under attack. With the expansion of the definition of marriage to include homosexual relationships, it is certain that the institution of marriage itself will continue to face redefinition from the secular or worldly point of view. Although marriage is not the only institution by which family is defined in modern times, marriage is yet at the pinnacle of the definition of family, and issues and values that flow from the family effect all of society.   

As Christians we should be aware that marriage and family are the first institutions of God. As such, it is revealing that no matter if one is a pastor, or a doorkeeper within the context of the church, family IS ministry. That's right, nobody in the church, and no situation that you encounter rises above the needs of family because family IS ministry. It is not, serve family then do ministry; it IS serve family and all other things is an extension of that. hypothetically speaking, neither "Sister LuLu" nor "Brother Joe" comes before Wife or Husband, and neither "Sister LuLu's" or "Brother Joe's" children, no matter how fatherless they may be (if that is the case), come before your own children.

Isn't It Ungodly To Place My Family FIRST? 

Too often, people in the church attempt to make care for their children a litmus test for the level of love of the leader or other individuals in the church. This is manipulation and I will explain why. First, individuals within the context of the church have no right to ask either your spouse or your children to suffer in effort for you to prove your "love" for them or other members. This sort of demand is indecent, out of order and is contrary to the biblical command for one to "provide" (Gk: pronoeo ~ to apply forethought in looking out for a person's best interest) for their household.(1 Tim. 5:8)  No matter how large or small the church, the lion-share of your time, effort and attention should be on, for, and given to your family. 

One popular minister boasted that his itinerary took him from multiple churches throughout the week and multiple states throughout the course of a month. At the height of his ministry, he was so enamored with "proving his love" for the people that he would minister in 3 states every Sunday and multiple services transported by a private jet. This particular minister went on to lose his family and his ministry due to infidelity and unfaithfulness within his marriage to the point of fathering a child by a youth associated with the church. 

Was My Marital Failure God's Fault?

What can we say? Some blame God for making the call and solidifying it with apparent success of material wealth. In his book "The Remnant, Restoring The Call To Personal Integrity" [Charisma House 2008] author, Larry Stockstill, poses that nearly 20% of the nations over 388,000 churches have leaders who are living a "double life" (Preface pg. 13). That comes out to over 75,000 spiritual leaders who are in trouble as we speak. I would venture to say that most of them consider that God is somehow at fault because their circumstances are at times overwhelming and they can't disappoint those under their leadership or ministry by failing to be there for them. At some point many of these same individuals believe that it is allowable for them to stop and "pick the roses" and serve themselves even in light of the fact that God has commanded them to and protect tend to the garden.    

God is not to blame when there is a character flaw of deficiency. Many times issues arise when we fail or refuse to honor, cherish, and value what God honors. The fact is that if a person truly wants a successful marriage and healthy and blessed family, some trips cannot be taken. Some visits to certain member's, friends or associates homes cannot be made and some events MUST be missed if family is to be served and honored as God has required. 

I don't know how many married people I have counseled over the years that feel that their spouse is the reason for the "hindrance" of their ministry, work, or service. I have spoken to some pastors who felt like their wife was the cause or reason that their ministry could not expand of grow. Some feel that if their children were only "better" or "better acting" that their personal plight would be much better and that they would have more success in ministry. These are highly selfish and in many cases blatantly inaccurate attitudes and sympathies. In fact, if a spouse is deficient, it is up to the other spouse to help relieve the deficiency. Kids are to be trained and reared by their parents, so if they are ungodly, let's examine how much time that the parents have placed in to their success. 

A Right Perspective:  

God records the following about the help given that was meet for Adam:

Gen. 2:18 ~ And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

After creating his wife Adam was not only happy about her and her design, but he was ready to leave all and establish a life with her:

Gen 2: 23-25 ~ 23-And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24- Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. 25-And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

Further, God said this about our children:

Ps. 127:3 ~ Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.

The help that was "meet" for Adam according to God was not a church, a group of people, a stage or even a paycheck. The help that was "meet" or "fit" for Adam was his wife. Similarly, Psalms 127, though only 5 verses, is full of praise towards the family, children in particularly, and the blessings they bring to one's future, one's home and one's community.

Conclusion:

Looking back to the beginning and to God's intent provides us a glimpse into God's heart and character. Examining what he intended for the family is a priority if we want to get the greatest and best success from our marriages and families in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

In the book of Joshua, God charged the people:

Joshua 1:8 ~ This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

"Good success" is not the acquisition of land, houses, property or simply material possessions. Good success is being able to maintain integrity, character and godly priorities along the way. The "good success" of God was to be able to freely worship and serve God by honoring and obeying his commands so that our joy would be full.  

Make first things first in life and ministry and God will honor that. Anything to the contrary is not honorable and will not be honored nor favored by God!

Blessed!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Part 2 is coming up just prior to New Years Day. 

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Fatherhood...Why Is The Importance Questioned?

One thing is for sure, the dynamic of the family is in transition of change. What used to be a "nuclear" family, in tact with a mother (female), a father (male), 2.5 kids and a dog, has now expanded by definition and turned into almost anything that people wish it to be.

Aside from single parent families, which have always existed within the Black community due to many social pressures including the deliberate and planned breakdown of the Black family by societal pressures, laws and means, there are now lesbian families headed by 2 women, gay male or homosexual families, headed by 2 men, and crosses between the two, led by what used to be called "gender-benders" who vacillate between male and female characteristics and personas. 

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Illinois Approves Gay Marriage By False Parallel Of Race

Job 12:25 ~ They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.

Rep. Mary Flowers (D) 

"I really did not appreciate race being injected into this conversation. When I was discriminated against, it was not because of who I love, but because of the color of my skin.”...“Homosexuality has nothing to do with race,” ~ Rep. Mary Flowers (D) Chicago

The Illinois Legislature, making news for all the wrong reasons, decided in a 61-54 vote late Tuesday night to affirm gay marriage in spite of strong and vocal support against the measure by both Republican, Democrat and politically Independent citizens of the state. 

In what was building as a fight since a late last year's rejection of the measure, in what has become known as "President Obama's State", House Speaker Mike Madigan (D) along with other supporters were able to convince legislators to approve the measure by means of what he deemed as the "art of persuasion"  That "persuasion" included doing what gay marriage advocacy adherents do best, create a totally FALSE argument to promote their agenda and shame into submission all those who disagree. 

Such tactics were clearly seen as more and more representatives were convinced to relate the struggle for homosexual marriage to the struggle for civil rights. To highlight the utter confusion as it pertains to this issue, in my own back yard, Representative, Jehan Gordon-Booth (D) in The Peoria Journal Star News Opinion article entitled "Equality Under The Law Is The American Way" stated:

Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D)

"My thinking on this matter has been deeply influenced by the heroes of the civil rights movement. Congressman John Lewis of Georgia is the former chairman of the Student nonviolent Coordinating Committee. a Freedom Rider who had his skull fractured on the march across Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge, and a man of strong faith who graduated from the American Baptist Theological Seminary. He supports marriage equality."..."Obama wrestled very publicly with his views on the issue, ultimately realizing that his Christian faith is fully compatible with his endorsement of equal marriage rights." ~ Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D)11/5/2013 Peoria Journal Star

To which I simply say, what does any of that have to do with the price of tea in China? This sort of sentiment is not uncommon among politicians and Mrs. Gordon-Booth is certainly not the progenitor of such thinking, but it must be noted that there has never been a more inept, invalid and totally false correlation and relationship to facts and the struggle for human rights than the correlation of the fight for sexual preference to the fight of basic human dignity.

Utter Presidential Liberality & Confusion

First, President Barack Obama espouses ultra liberal Christian views and values. He doesn't believe in the inspiration or infallibility of the scriptures and believes some scriptures are valid while others are not based on his own guidance. Therefore to base one's decision on how he has come to reconcile "faith" with homosexuality is very shaky ground upon which to build  especially considering such a very important issue.

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Homosexuality & Moral Harm

Everyone Has Rights!

Let me first say that violating the basic rights of any human being should not be upheld. Every person, qualified for a job should be able to work. Every sick person, should have adequate health care. In most instances, no one should be discriminated against in housing and basic access to the essentials services of life and living. (Just in case you want to know why I say "in most instances" well, that's because I believe that child molesters shouldn't live next to schools and parks where children play etc...I think solid moral arguments can be used to justify those sorts of things)  However, what is in question here, is not simply a matter of rights, it is a matter of normalizing, endorsing and even favoring certain types of "politically acceptable" behaviors that have moral implications.

The problem is this: When certain types of what could be considered immoral behavior are accepted as normal or moral, one must review the basis upon which other forms of behavior are excluded or considered to be immoral.

Politics & Morality

Have you ever herd someone say, "You can't legislate morality"? The fact is that someone's morality is being legislated every day in the courts. What can't be established through the courts and legislative system is objective morality itself. Court and legislative standards are subject to change because they are products of men dealing in specific times and eras.  

The political and legislative arena is the primary venue in which proponents of the homosexual agenda have created a space for the acceptance of homosexual practices. Many of their leaders are deeply politically connected. However, what they know is that political intervention only goes so far. A society must be retrained and re-educated if the desire is to normalize things that have questionable moral implications. Therefore, the rise of the homo-agenda in efforts such as GLSEN's  ALLY Week, and the ominous and deceptive "It Gets Better" campaign, go a step further, catering to the youth and playing on the emotions of individuals seeking to condemn opponents of homosexuality by associating them with bias and discrimination and thus illiciting an overtly emotional response.

Family Re-Engineering

Some years ago, instead of announcing layoffs, many major corporations said that they were going through a  "corporate re-engineering". This was the "new socially sensitive" way to say that they were laying off good employees while at the same time placing a greater burden on the remaining employees who would be retained for the same amount of money. In the meantime the corporations would also keep the savings in salaries and benefits as a result of the layoffs using it to pad the bottom line of the balance sheet. In fact some CEO's were hired with the express mission of cutting the corporate workforce and causing the company to "operate more efficiently". Although some companies benefited as a result, all it really was, was an attempt to increase company stock prices and dividends for its shareholders at the expense and cost of everyone else. 

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