Mary Mary, Overcoming Adultery & TV

In a June 2013 Ebony Magazine article we learned that Tina Campbell, one half of the dynamic music duo, Mary Mary, had been effected by marital infidelity when her husband Teddy chose to have an affair as Tina traveled ministering and making money through the music group. In the Ebony article Tina Said this:

“Once I became aware [of the affair], I initially wanted to kill my husband,”...“I was considering adjusting the will, the living trust and all that kind of stuff. I did physically try to stab him. Several times…I never got to the point of physical harm, not really, but my words…My words hurt.”

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6 Minute 30 Second Takedown...Kudos Colbert!

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,The Colbert Report on Facebook,Video Archive

As a comedian he does more in 6 minutes than many scholars reading Ehrman's garbage do in hours...Jesus is like that elephant...he is too big for blind men to perceive all parts of him and the # 1 authenticator of the gospels is NOT their complete unity, but they emphasize slightly different perspectives of the same event. That is NOT a discrepancy, nor are they contradictions as this persons continues to assert against the truth of what he knows. Great job Colbert!

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Happy Resurrection Sunday

One of our members took the liberty of placing a few snippets of our Resurrection Sunday message on Facebook. Well, here we are:

This part was concerning Pliny The Younger's account of what the Christians believed and how they lived according to their accounts, in a letter to Roman Emperor Trajan in AD 110. Makes us know that Pliny the Younger would have not thought that half of the modern church are Christians, because many of us neither live what we say we believe, nor do we hold to the testimony that was one delivered to the Saints...for 

shame: 

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What Really Makes The Church "Look Bad"?

Prov. 14:34 ~ Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

In light of our national conference call dealing with COGIC sexual abuse, clergy sexual misconduct, and victim's advocacy, I have taken it upon myself to examine an issue in a much more indepth manner than I have previously. Of a certainty, some think that dealing with the issues which were dealt with during the call should not have been placed on "public display" and should have been dealt with privately and through various church councils and processes. Although we have been there and done that  with no or very little results, I thought that I should address that issue and those sentiments from a more specific biblical view. 

The Problem:

In many Christian circles the thought exists that those who are aware of certain sins in the church should not talk about and or expose those things because the church may "look bad" or be seen in the wrong light by the world. Some say that we should "just pray" and that things will "work out". Some rationalize their lack of response or failure to address serious topics by saying that no business airs its dirty laundry before its customers or clients, so why should it be a practice of people of God to expose the dirty laundry of the church? Others even say that speaking evil or negative of the church or exposing what is going on is a sign of hatred for the church and not a sign of love, because after all, "love covers the multitude of sin and fault". 

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COGIC Sexual Abuse Victim's Advocacy National Conference Call

>>>NEW<<<

COGIC National Conference Call Victim's Advocacy Pt. 1

Conference Call Pt. 2

Conference Call Pt. 3

Conference Call Pt. 4
Conference Call Pt. 5

Supt. Harvey Burnett of the New Bethel COGIC and I Am My Brother's Keeper Christian Advocacy Council (IMBKCAC.org) and Pastor D. L. Foster of Report COGIC Abuse (Reportcogicabuse.com) will conduct our first national joint conference call designed to address the current state of clergy sexual abuse and victim's advocacy within the nation's largest Pentecostal denomination, the Church Of God In Christ. This live call is scheduled to take place Saturday April 5th, 2014 at 12:00PM CST.

The call is open to all, but especially to those COGIC members who are concerned regarding clergy sexual abuse, leadership abuse, and its relationship to the mission of the church and what the church is doing if anything to address the fallout of such abuses by ministering to the needs of them affected by such atrocities by way of victim's advocacy. 

There will be a commentary session for the general public that will be moderated and questions will be addressed and an action plan introduced. 

Please pass this on to a friend, we want to saturate the Kingdom of Christ with the seriousness of this issue and what must be done to help the hurting. 

Blessed!

Please see THIS STORY for additional information.  

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Stalked...Just Adding To The Testimony

Update: Unfortunately, on April 7th, the body of Teleka Patrick was discovered. Read the recap: HERE

"I’ve already had one come to my home and move to my city, thinking that God said that I’m supposed to be their husband." ~ Dr.Pastor Marvin Sapp, Pastor Lighthouse Full Life Center Church, Grand Rapids, MI. 

Have you seen Teleka Patrick?

That is the question that many, including Teleka's family, would like to know. Teleka disappeared Dec. 5th, 2013, after taking up residence in Kalamazoo, MI. to go to school and also attend Lighthouse Full Life Center Church, in Grand Rapids, MI. pastored by the # 1 selling gospel artist of all time, Dr. Marvin Sapp. 

Under any other circumstance, that would be good and the end of the story. However, in this case, there is more. 

It seems that Teleka came to the church with some "visions" or should we say "delusions" about what her ultimate relationship with Pastor Sapp would be. You see, according to sources, she thought that the 46 year old, widowed pastor, and father of 3, would be her "husband" and that God certainly had told her this.

"God please help me understand. ... But I am not giving up on you. I love you. I am in love with you. No. You do not deserve me." ~ Teleka Patrick tweet after The Root interview was released

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"Black", Democratic, & Statism

“I’ll have those niggers voting Democratic for the next 200 years.” — former President the Late Lyndon B. Johnson to two governors on Air Force One according Ronald Kessler’s Book, “Inside The White House“

In a recent interview with ESPN personality Stephen A Smith, Arsenio Hall brought up a controversy that stemmed from Jim Brown's statements suggesting that the late Trayvon Martin, who was killed by George Zimmerman who was also exonerated and released, should have been spoken up for and supported by all Blacks around the country and more specifically popular Blacks such as Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, who approached the subject critically and with cautious reserve.

In a portion of the clip, which can be found HERE, Mr. Smith deals with politics and how Blacks have often been duped into believing and supporting things that they should not, because of a failure to approach certain subject matter with a certain amount of critical thinking. According to Mr. Smith, one of those things is the allegiance of Black America to the Democratic Party itself.

He suggests the historical truth that former President Lyndon B. Johnson favored Civil Rights as a matter of politics and not a matter of moral ethics. While the Republican Party actually favored Civil Rights as a matter of moral ethics, even though the leading Republican candidate for office, Barry Goldwater, did not personally favor Civil Rights as a matter of politics. According to Mr. Smith, this difference was enough to allow the Democratic party the ability to take credit for championing racial freedoms and Civil Rights when in truth, those rights were actually the product of the Republican Party efforts. The above statements regarding Black allegiance to "party line politics" seemed to have been true to form, as the democrats have taken credit for Civil Rights even against a historical track record of being opposed to it.

Star Parker On "statism"

In her book, "Uncle Sam's Plantation: How Big Government Enslaves America's Poor And What We Can Do About It" [Thomas Nelson 2010], social and political activist Star Parker, refers to a book by author and theologian R C Sproul entitled"Welfare Reformed: A Compassionate Approach". In his book, Dr. Sproul refers to a political theory and concept called "statism" defining it as a "philosophy of government in which the state is not only the final ruling authority, but also the ultimate agency of redemption". Star goes on to say this of statism:

"Under statism, civil magistrates can question the integrity of religion and supplant its authority. Federal courts could reinterpret the First Amendment of the Constitution to place a wall of separation between the church and the State. Politicians and judges have sole power to dictate, mandate and regulate all public matters. Civil magistrates can put the federal government in charge of all matters of family, commerce, commerce, and society. Americans can forget about their problems. The government has it under control." ~ Pg. 76  

Understanding The Democratic Party

Although, I don't believe that our deliverance is coming from either political party that claims to represent the people, the fact is that the Democratic party has closely aligned itself with this philosophical approach of statism. The government, according to them, is the final authority in all matters and is, or at least should be, in philosophical control of all things. 

Unfortunately, after careful examination, the Democratic party does not stand for too many things that I or other religious "conservatives" stand for. Not only have they removed "God" from their platform, (as if God simply vanishes because they do not wish him to be there) but they promote abortion, homosexual marriage, (claiming that it is, in itself, a civil right), they balk at religious tolerance by confusing issues between religious freedom and freedom of worship, assuming that they are one in the same. In addition, it seems that the Democratic Party also wants to keep the poor, and Blacks in particularly, "hooked" and on the system, by championing very little that actually allows individuals to grow financially into a condition of independence and compete on par with Whites and other minorities within modern society.

So far as religion and religious freedoms are concerned, the recent court cases of Hobby Lobby is simply one example of Democratic Party vision for America, and Obamacare is a vision of statism. A vision which says that religious worship is simply an act and not a lifestyle and something that can be compromised away or at the very least subdued by the state.

Can WE break away from these philosophies? That remains to be seen. Certainly more and more individuals are awakening to the fact that "big government" does not solve as many problems as it creates, and it always overreaches and sometimes that overreach has irreversible consequences. 

If PASTORS who are called by God, (because all are not called by God) would begin to teach TRUTH again, and illuminate their congregations to truths such as these, we may have a chance at stemming the tide of helplessness through governmental control that has invaded our communities.

Teaching won't make us popular, but it must be done at all costs...as for me and my HOUSE...WE WILL!!!!

Blessed!

Additional Reading:

Huffington Post: The Democratic Party's Two-facedness On Race Relations

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COGIC "Blue Light" Report Special

For nearly the last 7 years I have chased the implementation of a solid and strong Victim's Advocacy policy within the Church Of God In Christ, of which I am a member. Consistently, I have been discouraged by the inaction, passivity and excuses that the corporate church has taken in approach towards the issue. 

Full Text Of This Proposal HERE

Bishop L. Wooten

Bishop B. Porter

I have personally placed a copy of my most recent victim's advocacy policy outline in the Presiding Bishop's hands when he was in Joliet, IL. in 2013. I have personally looked General Board Member Brandon Porter in the face asking him to remind the Presiding Bishop of my presence and proposal at the Holy Convocation in Nov. of 2013, even delivering a copy to him for his personal review and asking him to consider all of those who have been affected by the sexual sins of abuse encountered at the hands of perverted and godless individuals claiming to be fellow clergy and overseers of the souls of the people. To which Bishop Porter responded, "Now you tryin' to give ME a job to do." I have sent facebook messages directly to folk like Evangelist Shane Perry, who loves the sensation of crowd appeal at the expense of deeper truths, and General Board Member Lawrence Wooten, reminding him of the terrible injustices that our people are facing without any assistance from the powers that be within this church. 

Needless to say, Shane Perry, quickly deleted my messages (after which I deleted him as a contact) while my response from Wooten was to DE-FRIEND me on Facebook as soon as he was elected to the General Board...Thanks Bishop...I didn't vote for you anyway!

Even more, as I have documented on this blog, I have tracked down Al "Keepin' It Real" Sharpton, speaking to him and his assistants and various other top ranking COGIC officials on live open air radio (found HERE) only to experience REAL AVOIDANCE and obfuscation of truth as it pertains to how we are conducting ourselves towards victims of sexual abuse...

In Amazement I Gaze

With all of those unresponded to efforts, (and I do have our Presiding Bishop's cell phone on me as I speak but I WILL NOT become or be perceived as a stalker), I am utterly amazed to find that the 2014 COGIC theme is as follows:

"We Are Called To Minister To And Witness To A Deeply Distressed And Troubled World" 

Acts 26:15-18 

(Remember Me? I'm Still Saying...)

WHAT???

Are You Kidding Me???

Before I tackle that why I am amazed, please let me tackle this:

The 2014 COGIC 2 For One "Blue Light" Report Special  

It goes like this...With all the efforts that I said went unresponnded to, well, there was kind of a response...The response was to implement a background screening process for COGIC Clergy. The background screening process was to include a 100% "Zero Tolerance" Policy against sexual abuse and sexual harassment, that the Presiding Bishop was to implement along with the approval of the General Board and that was to filter down to both mean and women who desire to take up a microphone within this church. ...I said, well that's good news...not exactly victim's advocacy...but a good start....a way to self regulate...

2014 Background Check Suspension Memo...

Yes, you read that right...For 2014, and for all those elders, ministers, Saints and friends who failed to pay their 2013 reports, for ONE TIME and supposedly ONE TIME ONLY (Yea right!) the criminal background checks will be SUSPENDED...This means that anyone paying both the current and last year's report this year, will not have their credentials subject to background and criminal history screening....

In an episode from "Pedophiles and Crooks Gone Wild" COGIC has opened their door to any and every charlatan who has been exposed over the last year or so, all without any questions, comments and or concerns...JUST PAY IF YOU WANT TO PLAY!!!!

I know, as I have said before, whatever ministry I had in the rank and file, (just gotta follow my leader at all cost, no matter how ridiculous things may sound church) is over with...to which I say...You weren't having me or this ministry at your church anyway...So I haven't lost a thing!!!

But my heart is certainly burdened to know that SOMEBODY, evidently with little to NO spiritual insight and or concern for those hurting at low levels (and some at higher levels) in this church, either don't care about them that are hurt or are like Eli, devoid of any spiritual discernment, yet with title. 

IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE!

To allow potential crooks and pedophiles and even potential rapists to embrace our pulpits without accountability all because of the ability to "catch up" on money that they may owe, is without any resemblance of the Spirit of God. Has anyone considered that the reason that some of these folk are not paying their reports, is because they KNOW they can't pass a criminal background check?

Has ANYONE stopped to think, that perhaps those who try to avoid the criminal background check, may have a criminal history, and many of them may still and yet be engaged in criminal activity? Then there is this: 

Sexual Abuse Settlements Continue

Yes, though swept under the rug and tried to hide, COGIC continues to settle cases of sexual abuse with gag orders and special arrangements to make sure that those who have been victimized will not speak openly about their cases or the arrangements under which they were settled. Such settlements include those like the recent case of Donald Barrett, former Administrative Assistant in Illinois 3rd Jurisdiction,  who was accused of wanton sexual acts with at least 2 women, admitting in his own words to inappropriate activity and actions with the women. Although his former ministry and church settled openly for $300,000, (insurance policy limits) COGIC and Southern California 2nd (General Board Member McKinney) who were also parties to the lawsuit, after some time, settled in an undisclosed manner with a gag order on the claimants to not disclose anything. The door is open for Barrett to now come back, pay his money and proceed as if nothing had ever happened!

SHAMEFUL!  

Yes, the door is open to folk who either sleep with women (and in some cases men), and commit criminal acts to continue in their criminal enterprise. 

The door is open for those who have been exposed by molesting the vulnerable to come right in, pay your report, and continue in a position of authority all without question and or concern...

The door is open, for those fiscal charlatans who steal from the church, mishandle and misappropriate funds, and have been caught with their hands in the cookie jar, to simply CONTINUE their sins and unlawful enterprises, under the name Church Of God In Christ, Supt. Elder, Bishop, Evangelist,  and or Missionary all with the approval of inept and disassociated policy and exceptions approved at the highest levels within this church.

This is to our SHAME and to the utter disgust of those of us who know that this church deserves a much better standing and position in this world than what we are seeing and experiencing. 

COGIC, WE are deeply distressed and troubled by these actions and this lack of insight from those promoting policy! 

COGIC WE are troubled by this lack of concern for those who have been truly victimized and suffered at the hands of charlatans!

COGIC WE need to be ministered to if we think that promoting protections for clergy who have defiled themselves with the rudiments of this world and who make sport of manipulating the minds of the people, are anything that God is pleased with and that can be used by HIM in this last day!

Matthew 7:5 ~ Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Larry Stockstill was introduced to an auditorium of nearly 5,000 COGIC clergy at the 2013 Holy Convocation for a singular purpose. That purpose was to promote the message of his book, "The Remnant, Restoring The Call To Personal Integrity" and to reach COGIC clergy calling them to greater integrity and accountability. On pg. 15 of his book he says:

"The world looks upon the church's abuse of authority and the lack of accountability as the ultimate hypocrisy."

We know that nobody and no organization upon the Earth is perfect. We and they all suffer from some malady. However, those of us who know Christ and claim to be HIS, have an obligation to Jesus to protect the flock of God, care for souls above all other things and to live what we preach. We MUST do much better than what we have done. We have no excuse for this mess, what we have allowed and what we are promoting now!

To allow, the potential that the ungodly will sneak in or continue to abide by their ungodliness, and stand in our name and pulpits with some sort of credibility is without conscious. It is the highest impiety possible to open the door to the fold, placing wolves in the middle of the flock and then closing the door, saying that "this is good for the sheep!"

Those are not the actions of the caring or those commissioned to Christ. Those are the actions of men who love their own bellies and are full of the fat of their sins!

May the Lord have mercy upon HIS people and the Remnant of this church!

Blessed!

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Sexual Abuse & Rape...Very Real

Sexual abuse and rape are very real and life altering events that occur in the life of all too many men and women. According to I Am My Brother's Keeper Christian Advocacy Council 

* 1 In 7 men have been sexually molested 

* 25% Of women have experienced sexual abuse

* Less than 30% of sex crimes are reported

* 80 - 90% of sex offenders assault people they know 

These statistics are thought to be much worse because the majority of sex crimes go unreported. 

"As most children do I kept quiet because I didn't know if this was caused by something that I was doing. Plus I didn't want my mother to get upset with me because I knew that she really cared about this individual."

Tami Roman

Such was the case of former Basketball Wives star, Tami Roman. One could never tell that Ms. Roman, a self described "fighter", also the former wife of former NBA star Kenny Anderson (there are a lot of "formers" here), former runner up in a Ms. Black California Pageant and former "Real World" star, is also a former victim of rape and molestation that went unreported for years. 

As found in a 2012 article of Real Health Magazine, According to Ms. Roman, now 44, she was kidnapped at age 21, raped, and held captive for 4 days before her captors let her go. This was a sad followup to a childhood in which molestation took place at age 8 by her mother's then boyfriend, who was in the home and took advantage of her, when her mother would leave for work. 

At the height of "Basketball Wives", one of the noticeable things about Tami's personality on the show was her ability to bully and be brash. That began when she was much younger as a sort of defense mechanism:

"I became defiant and rude and acted out in school. My mother knew there was something wrong, but I just explained things by telling her I didn't like this man, I didn't disclose why." 

For Tami, therapy was an important path to helping her heal from these very tragic and life changing events. 

"I have to say that I did not know that my deep rooted anger or the way I deal with people stemmed from these things and the fact that I was holding them in for so many years. That didn't come out until I started therapy"

The Silence & Isolation Of Abuse

I have often said that a person is victimized a second time by the silence of those who could help, but fail to do so. I certainly yet hold to that premise and will continue to deal with my advocacy for those who suffer from sexual abuse and molestation as a result of their relationship with the church and religious institutions, and especially those who have suffered within my church, the Church Of God In Christ, Inc. Memphis, TN.  

However, I want to take special time to minister to those individuals who come across this blog who may think that their life is over because of these atrocities. I want to say, your life is NOT over and you mean something to God.  The critic says if you meant something to God, he would have stopped this from happening. The fact is that bad things happen to all people, even very good people, all the time. If there can be found any strength, it is in the fact that what happened to you did not kill and or destroy you.  Because it did not and could not do that, you are already an overcomer and made stronger than you ever imagined. 

As I present this article, I am aware that abuse and molestation has no age boundaries and healing has no time limits. As a result of abuse, many have had to struggle with serious issues about one's own sexuality and even sexual identity. I know the path and the road has not been easy. Healing is a lifetime process.

Reconciling the issues of self-worth and assessing one's own self-value may be the proposition and effort of one's life. These facts are often underestimated when it comes to sex and sexual abuse. The prevailing thought is that, "it was just sex"...but it was not "just sex". It was a violation of your being, both physically and spiritually. 

As the abused, or as the family of a victimizer, who often are overlooked, you didn't ask for the hand that was dealt to you. Although the selfish acts of another has damaged you in the wake, you have been given the ability to overcome anything that has been sent your way. Some of you may not be religious. Some may not have ever called on God or trusted in anyone or anything that you couldn't see with your eyes. that's OK, God loves you for who you are, and he loves you so much that his intent towards you is not to leave you as you were.

Healing, You Deserve It

First, don't wast any time trying to convince anyone of your pain. Having to convince others of your pain and victimization and that you are not right mentally or physically, and that you have experienced nothing less than a life changing and life altering event such as this, is one of the most damaging parts of the healing processes. That effort alone can continues to set you back and causes you to relive the pain of abuse over and over. You can be free and deserve your freedom.

John 8:36 ~ If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Second, get a spiritual foundation underneath you. Life is not meaningless and to everything under the sun there is a purpose. The intellectual has lost sight of the fact that there is a transcendent reality. If not, then all is without meaning and suffering is merely suffering alone and without purpose. However, in reality, and with Christ, that is not the case. In Christ Jesus, we have a high Priest who is "touched with the feeling of our infirmity" Repair the damage spiritually.

Romans 10:10 ~ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Recenter and refocus. it may be time for a new circle of friends once this information is out in the open. Abuse tends to tell a person that somehow they are not deserving of liberation or freedom from pain. That is a trick of the enemy. Do not deny yourself the refreshingness of being around people to whom you can relate and who will continue to apply the healing salve of Christ in the beauty and glory of holiness. From this moment on you can live your best life. Now as a scheme to get or gain wealth, but as an overarching life premise in the seat of your soul. You have the rest of your life to live so live it reaching out and helping others overcome what you have made it through.        

2 Cor. 5:17 ~ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Share Your Story

Personally, I would like to hear your story. I may even feature it here or on the I Am My Brother's Keeper site so that others will be encouraged and inspired. You may save not only yourself and your most close loved ones, but countless individuals who are sitting on the edge wondering if there is any hope.

Feel free to share your story in the comments section or anonymously via email at Dunamis1@netzero.com or Imbkcac@gmail.com Thank you.

Blessed! 

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Is The Euthyphro Dilemma Really A Dilemma For Christians?

The Question: Is Good Good Because It Is Good, Or Is Good Good Because God Says It Is Good?

From CARM Ministries, the summary of the problem and the answer:  

Blessed!

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Babies & Morality...What Are The Real Implications Of Current Findings?

Anderson Cooper's 360 on CNN has recently taken off on this presentation that 60 Minutes did a couple of years ago when they examined studies on the foundation of human morality at Yale University's Baby Lab. This reintroduction of this material has gotten all kinds of attention and commentary and thoughts are all over the board on this one. 

Question: 

This is somewhat of a trick question, but, is it even possible to be moral or to distinguish good form evil without God?

Enter the Baby Lab of Yale University

The Baby Lab sets forth scientific information, not spiritual information nor information that is designed to support one dogma or another. The scientists clearly believe in evolution and the evolutionary path, but their findings can be interpreted in a different sense as well. Here's the vid:

As I stated, this is a trick because we can never be or have never been truly "without God". God is present even in the life of an atheist to the extent that the presence of God cannot be removed from his creation or the earth as we know it. At the root of the question however, is does one need God, in the sense of saving faith, to be moral or to distinguish good from evil? 

My answer to this complex question has always been NO. One can be good, moral and distinguish evil from good ONLY because God has built the ability to distinguish good and evil in us as people, so that we are without an excuse for the path that we have chosen at the end of the day. 

Now, there is a perversion of this called "human morality". This is the type of morality that humans establish to prove that they are "better" than God and have higher values. While these attempts arguably fail miserably (because it's like a child crawling in the lap of his mother to slap her in her face and tell how how to take care of babies) We can say that men without God have established their own twisted and perverted sense of what is right and wrong, supposedly rooting that in what they call "rational thought". 

In the world of so called "rational thought" the concept of God and the boundaries that come with religion in general, restrict truth and make discovering truth more difficult. See, according to them, in this world, we should allow everything to go...live and let let...do as thou wilt...y'u-know, all those satanistic values that Anthon LaVey perpetuated...no restrictions, no boundaries, but whatever one's will is, that's what one should do....ie hedonism...Well that's well and good until someone does what they wish that isn't in accord with your wishes...

Bottom Line

Whether God is acknowledged or not God has communicated certain attributes to man and mankind. Moral and freewill choice being a couple of them, that we can exercise whether we accept HIS reign in our lives or not. In other words, the gift of life and choice between right and wrong does not simply go away because we choose evil. Although we are powerless to "save ourselves" we are able to make a choice freely based on how we are created. 

The Materialist Conundrum: 

If God does not exist and we are merely material or products of natural processes it is impossible to know or distinguish good from evil. Why? It is really rather simple...It goes something like this: 

If we are truly and only products of the material realm, by what process can we ever arrive at morality? Material, rocks, dirt, trees and anything else known as material matter makes no moral assumptions and has no moral values other than the values ascribed to them by human agency for whatever reason that might be. There is no moral position of a rock or material even if acted upon by chemicals and water over time...Morals are not what is called inherent in material mater. So the whole process of evolution, if one believes in evolution, cannot get out of the gate...on top of this, the moral question of materialism becomes a futile effort. 

Morals exist in humans and unlike that of apes and rats (atheists go so low on the chain of life to make comparisons when they hear things like this) Human values do not only promote the species, they fulfill life and cause life to be and become what it is. Interestingly, humans, undertake moral values and questions, on the shoulders of God, not in spite of God. God is the principle that provides the distinguishing factors of truth and the ability to distinguish between good and evil. There is no materialistic mechanism for this in any sense.

Ultimately Speaking... 

Under a truly materialistic paradigm, good and evil receive the same reward. They are merely built in premises that a person is bound and destined to follow fatalistically. Like the Matrix, all individuals are simply acting out their program. Atheist Alex Krauss says, "all physics are deterministic". This means that nothing acts randomly, not even thoughts. In the deepest sense, there is no choice or freewill under materialism. The mind is set from birth. This, by design, excludes any intervention of God to any degree in life's equation. However, it also strips one of any ultimate culpability for their actions in any sense. Duties are only to self or a close group or community, never to any ultimate authority. 

If there is no God, in the most deep sense, all actions are justifiably equal. The raper and robber are as good as the hero and the law abiding citizen.

Thank God that materialism is FALSE! 

The Sin Nature:

Having worked with children in a child daycare for 16 years as a profession, I can readily and easily see the sin nature at work in children at a very young age. What we find the doctors revealing is that a "sin nature" exists. They call it being selfish. The "us vs. them" mentality that these researchers reveal by the behaviors of certain children are the byproduct of sin in our hearts. Any bigotry and racism as outlined are as a result of the fall and our human values after the fall.

This is why man need a savior. Babies can't distinguish these things. However just as God distinguishes them, and men observe the actions, God knows what exists. Form a very early age, we can see that children identify what is right and what is wrong. What they do with that is their freewill even at that age. Interesting. 

Certainly these things will continue to be talked about for generations, and rightfully so.

Blessed!

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I'm Baaack!

Are you still saying "Happy New Year" to some members of your church? 

Well, I know the readers of this blog have been wondering where I have been and what has been going on...So Happy New year to you too! 

I have taken on some new duties, responsibilities and the schedule has been heated up...I decided with all that is happening to take somewhat of a break from writing, but Oooooohhhhh my...don't think for a second that I have not been busy examining the changes within out community and nation with plenty of insight from the Lord on what is happening both in the church and within society...There is plenty to fight, advocate and stand up for and God and his people are certainly on the move. 

So Much To Pray For...So Little Time

Since my last post in Nov. of 2013, much has happened...We have probably had the most extensive winter than we've seen in years, and in some cases American history...Our poor folk in Atlanta can't function with a couple of inches of snow on the ground and would probably go off the map if 4 to 6 inches of snow fell...Current expectation is that an inch of ice will continue to paralyze the South. We are certainly praying for all them that were injured and for the families of those who lost their lives in the most recent storm and for the safety of them that are preparing for another round of winter. 

I know that there is a great deal of upheaval in the world. We have a civil war in Syria, the advancement of the Palestinians who have never had a nation or been a people, and all kinds of international uprisings and such the like. 

Then, there is the advancement of the homosexual agenda in America both through the courts and by this President and the Democratic Party in general...

Is there ANY REASON that a believer in Christ should vote democratic in the next Presidential election? 

I can't think of ONE THING that the Democrats have done and stand for that represent my interest or the interests of most Americans that I know....I actually can't think of anything that the democrats believe in that attracts me as a Black man with a family and the head of my household. Not ONE! Certainly the Republicans aren't exempt or just get a pass either...They have done and are doing their fair share of damage too...Well maybe that's just me....

Isn't it special that the only way that the homosexual agenda can advance is through the courts and by weak legislatures who overlook the will of the people? We all understand that the "will of the people" can be wrong and that "might" does not necessarily make right. People, through their "might" can choose a path that disenfranchises groups of people. I dare say that slavery is one of those kind of things. Noone understands this sort of sentiment better than those who have studied and lived through the Civil Rights era. However, what we are talking about is normalizing and ultimately endorsing "behavior" as opposed to inherently obvious diversities that cannot be worn off or changed through behavioral modification or by any other method. 

Look at it this way, Black cannot be "silenced" nor suppressed and it is obvious for many to see who is Black and who is White...How a person has sex or who a person loves, cannot be known until a person acts upon their feelings or inclinations. This is a vast and marked difference which makes all the difference in the world. This is forever why the fight for sexual acceptance will never been in the same league as the fight for racial parity and acceptance. 

Back to politics...Look at it, in almost every situation where gay normalization has been before the PEOPLE either by referendum or some other public vote, (not the sick legislatures who violate the will of the people whom they have been elected, commissioned and charged to represent,) gay normalization has been rejected. Yet, legislators continue to pass laws in favor of the homosexual agenda, for fear of being demonized and shamed publicly. In most cases, the demonization doesn't come from their elected base...it comes from organizations that claim to stand for "human rights" such as the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Lambda Legal and such like who, from a distance, seeks to shame those who don't hold their values. 

Standing for something, may cost popularity, but this is America and taking and making a stand is a courageous thing to do and something that should be done at all costs when that stand is for truth and righteousness. 

What of Sochi?

This whole attempt to "shame" can be felt around the world. I believe that if we look close enough we will find that HOMOSEXUAL advocates proliferated the lie that Sochi would be the worst and most dangerous Winter Olympics filled with terrorism...I am not so enamoured that I look beyond the atrocities of Russian Communism, however, separated from that, I believe that homosexual advocates deliberately tried to instill fear and even sabotage the games in general. Why? Because Russia (as I said, criticize the Communists all you want) had enough NERVE to stand and condemn homosexuality as a lifestyle and as a human right in their country.... For that I say KUDOS RUSSIA!....As former KGB leader President Putin expressed, no one is trying to lock anyone out, no matter their sexual preference or practice, but the proclivity of a person doesn't change society and neither will it change their laws. Do what you do out of the public eye. I believe that after years of decline, Russia understands that whatever society is allowed to practice, so is society and so goes society. Although I can't say that the Church has had any influence on the governmental position on the issue, I do know that the Russian Christian church has been on an upswing. I can only pray that that upswing works according to God's word and brings liberation and peace to millions. 

It seems as if no one was intimidated by America insulting the Russian's by sending Billie Jean Lesbian King as an American representative to a country that doesn't allow the open practice of homosexuality. This was a shameful and disrespectful act and only shows a lack of character that has seemed to embrace this country's elected leadership....Like they said on Fat Albert, the President's actions were like, school on Sunday...NO CLASS! This is and will continue to be an important issue I'm sure.  

What Of Religion In America?

The religious front is filled with all sorts of action over the last few months. From folk eating grass "in the name of the lord" (their lord- NOTHING to do with the true and living God) to all sorts of new debates over the compatibility of religion and science one can expect that nothing has slowed down in this so called "scientific age of enlightenment"....

This debate is even commonplace on America's most watched TV shows. While watching a recent Cop show, a character stated an atheist theme song that "faith is believing in what is irrational while claiming rationality" I couldn't believe my ears at first. I said, wait a minute...faith has nothing to do with irrational belief...(except for in the mind of a caveman). A simple proof of that is that we BELIEVE that folk have minds and can and will change or act or follow and outlined path of behavior that is set before them...we BELIEVE that prisons will cause criminals to reconsider therefore curbing crime, we BELIEVE that our friends will come to our rescue when we are really in need. Are any of those "beliefs" all of which remain to be proven, irrational? Simply put, faith has nothing to do with irrationality. Rather, rank and ultra skepticism displays itself to be irrational. Having or needing a proof for what already is, IS an irrational approach to nearly anything and everything. 

Example, do we need a proof as to why a car engine starts when it is built properly? Then further, do we hold that because we can explain how the engine works, that it has not been built? To come to an understanding of how something functions, and then to believe that because we understand it, that there are no higher principles at work, is an irrational position and presumption. These sort of things are irrational belief systems in action, and sentiments of this sort exist among many of the modern atheists and God haters...Yes, they claim they don't hate God, because they "claim" he doesn't exist, but we KNOW the truth... They are HATERS! Sins have blinded their eyes and filled their hearts with hatred against the one that gives them both breath and life to display their hatred...So sad...so true!

Then What Of The Church?

Now, to be fair, there is still plenty of self inflicted damage that the church has done and is doing to itself...For example, my goodness...My church, the grand ole COGIC has yet failed to adequately deal with the healing of victims of sexual abuse. Although we are setting new procedures in order to collect money and secure the fees of credential holders, we have YET to produce a national plan or program that address the pain that victims have suffered as a result of the sins and perversion of some of those who have been entrusted to leadership. Here is the outline of my plan that I will continue to push as long as the Lord gives me strength to do so. 

The Catholic church continues to experience the revelation of cover-up after cover-up...as much as they would like to "pretend" and see the world at "peace" I guess even the Seagulls and Crows know as long as

they ordain priests and leaders with suppressed gay and pedophile feelings, that there can be no peace....

Now, by revelations that are confounding congregations all across America, Bishops and Pastors yet continue to come up with "lust children"...They are those children born out of wedlock and due to adulterous affairs of these leaders years ago. Now, these children are suddenly suddenly showing up, demanding rights and attention....Oooh Yes, I am sick of it too, but don't be fooled, and don;t get it twisted. The women who in many of these cases, think that they are on a "righteous mission" by exposing these men, and even in some cases, used sex as a way to make money and a source of income from preachers and weak leaders, are just as bad as the preachers who fell into their arms...Don't think for a minute that a person "exposing" these bishops and leaders deserves any kind of pat on the back...Some of them were whores laying with whore-mongers. They get no reward for exposing the preachers, and as they do they expose themselves too! More on that in another writing....

So yes, much has happened and much more will happen. Glad to be back and for all the haters and debaters, there will be much more in this coming year to hate and debate over, but in the end...JESUS and them that follow HIM...WIN!

Blessed!

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Special Upcoming Radio Appearances

There are 2 upcoming radio events that Dunamis Word readers are invited to be a part of. 

1- On Saturday November 30th, 2013 at 11:00 AM (CST) Pastor Harvey Burnett will be one of the special guests discussing "Christianity Today: The True "Reality"" on AM 1140 WVEL Peoria, IL. This program can be heard on an analog signal in Central Illinois and on a live internet stream by clicking HERE and further clicking the "Listen Live" tab.

Jittaun Wilson-Woods
WVEL

In what promises to be a lively, and fast paced hour, topics will include the church's relationship and response to crime and violence within the community, the expected challenges due to the recent passage of homosexual marriage in the State of Illinois and other topics such as the secularization of the church through entertainment. 

The host is radio DJay, Jittaun Wilson-Woods who is a long time WVEL and local radio personality. Please call in with your questions or comments during the live airing at (888)673-1011. Readers of the Dunamis word, please say so. 

2- On Monday December 2nd, 2013 at 8:00 AM (CST) Pastor Harvey Burnett will be a special guest of Star Parker's CURE America Radio Program which airs on Urban Family Talk Radio, a division of American Family Radio Network. This program broadcasts on over some 300 stations throughout the United States and is also live streamed. One can hear the live stream by clicking HERE and further clicking the "Listen Live" tab. 

CURE (Center For Urban Renewal And Education) is dedicated to delivering a message of hope and renewal to the Black community which has been devastated by misinformation, inept social and political policy and inaction of the church. Through its national network of thousands of pastors and churches, CURE seeks to bring wholeness and healing to the community by delivering solutions to the problems facing Black America and the Black family in particularly.  

If you aren't able to tune into the live program, don't worry, the program will be rebroadcast at 3 PM and 11 PM (CST) on the same station and will be available at the same links.  The host for this program is CURE Director of Outreach and Education Mr. Lonnie Poindexter who is also an experienced radio and outreach personality.

Once again, phone lines will be open. Questions and comments are welcomed during the live airing of the broadcast. Please call (866)963-2037.  In addition, please state that you are a reader of The Dunamis Word.

Blessed! 

Update: 

Click Here for the link to the Cure America Broadcast from Dec. 2nd. 2013.     

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Fornication & Pre-Marital Sexual Activity. The Bible IS Clear

1 Cor. 5:9-11 ~ 9- I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10-Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11-But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

The TV show, Preachers Of LA has given rise to many conversations among believers. The show has also detailed conversations that many believers have been having for quite some time. One such conversation centers around the relationship and eventual marriage of Deitrick Haddon to his current and new wife, Dominique (Mctyer), with whom, according to THIS ARTICLE, Deitrick had a baby before he was divorced from  his first wife Damita. In fact Deitrick and Dominique had a baby in early 2012. (So his relationship and infidelity with Dominique began as early as 2011) His divorce was said to have been finalized in August/Sept. 2012. Deitrick then went on to marry his current wife, in July 2013, preceded first in what appeared to be a fake wedding ceremony (with a string for a ring) carried out on Preachers Of LA and then in an official ceremony sometime in July 2013. 

It was plain to see that Deitrick, according to his own confession, not only fell off the wagon, (ie: Backslid, as we call it in Christian circles) so far as his salvation was concerned, but was also was an adulterer and a fornicator according to the biblical definition of the words.

Reinterpretation Of The WORD

One scene that caught my attention was when Bishop Ron Gibson was speaking to Derick and Dominique about marriage and living together, or what we often call in the Black community, "Shackin' Up". Interestingly enough Deitrick's claim was that "Shackin' up" wasn't in the bible. In fact Dominique would go on to claim that they (Deitrick and she) were "already married in God's eyes" because they had already had sex.

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In The Matrix With Stephen Hawking

The one thing that we are sure of is if people want to make up excuses to not believe in God, they will go to the limits of craziness and strange assertions and "pretend" that they are being rational. One of the modern atheist "heroes" is no different. Here is a part of Frank Turek's examination of Stephen Hawking's book, "The Grand Design" and the philosophical metaphysical naturalist conclusions and presuppositions that he makes. 

If you liked that you may also like these articles I did on the philosophy of science and other modern novel speculations as it pertains to science.

Does Science Presuppose Atheism?

Is Evolution Science?

Unnaturally Selected, 150 Years Of Deception

Blessed!

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"SAINTS", Not Merely "Christians"

Thankfully, I have been blessed by God to have known and served under some of the greatest leaders in the Church Of God In Christ. Long ago I would hear the late Bishop Dr. T.T. Rose formerly of Illinois Central Jurisdiction COGIC say, 

The Late Bishop Dr. T.T.  Rose
Springfield, IL. 

"I would rather be called a Saint any day than a 'Christian'." when I asked why? He would respond by saying "Saints, live right. They are the one's that God has called. You are subject to find a Christian doing anything...I don't want to be called a Christian, I want to be called a Saint!"

On Thursday night 11/7/2013 at the 106th Annual Holy Convocation of the Church Of God In Christ, Bishop Darrell Hines (see teaser video below) picked up on that same sentiment and theme and began to explain what Dr. Rose knew and was convinced of some nearly 70 years ago and I thought I should repeat this for all those younger individuals who don't know or have not been taught why we call one another "SAINTS" in COGIC as opposed to calling one another fellow "Christians" as is commonly done in many if not most Christian churches.

Slight Western History

In 1897 when the Church Of God In Christ was first formed, through its first reorganization in 1907 when it became a Spirit Filled and Pentecostal church, the believers that followed the teachings of Bishop C. H. Mason, were quick to call themselves Saints. 

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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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The COGIC 106th Annual Holy Convocation...A Time For Reconciliation!

Theme 1: Discovering The Power Presence And Person Of Jesus Christ

Theme 2: Experiencing The Power Of Jesus Christ, Pursuing His Mission & His Righteousness

Although I really can't say that I know exactly what theme that the 106th annual Holy Convocation of the Church Of God In Christ will be, (click HERE and read the banners for yourself) either theme sparks much fruitful and spiritual contemplation and is painted on a ripe canvass of both victory, mystery and even further controversy.  

The 2013 Holy Convocation promises to be another in which COGIC will have the opportunity to address many issues and hopefully take the opportunity to set the pace as it pertains to standards of safety and integrity within the modern Christian church. However, they are starting from a deficit. There are some serious problems that must be dealt with including lawsuits, abuse, and unresolved ongoing personal conflicts and issues. 

COGIC Victim's Advocacy...The Need STILL Exists

The wonderful part is that COGIC now requires background checks for all new clergy coming into the organization and a thorough and extensive training program for all clergy licensees. In addition, we have received certain information that there is a counseling plan or program that exists, whether officially or not, for victims of sexual abuse in some areas of the country. That's the GOOD NEWS! 

The BAD NEWS is that sexual abuse within the church continues to occur and that COGIC has failed to implement a true Victim's Advocacy program and plan that will effectively minister to the needs of victims and their families. There is yet no clear "bill of rights" or path to recovery plan as we have proposed and recommended within the IMBKCAC plan. There is yet no organizational system of accountability on the issue of abuse in all forms. A solid advocacy plan, will meet the needs of both victims, the public, and the church insuring that COGIC is a safe and family friendly place of worship which embraces safe practices that not only prevent sexual abuse from occurring, but also affords victims the very best care, compassion and concern as they place their lives and families back together. An solid victim's advocacy plan is of essential importance if the goal and aim of the church is to be relevant within the community in which it exists and all around the world.

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