Outsourcing Evil - Satan, Sin, Humanity: What About Christianity?

In this time of cut backs companies and other types of entities are finding themselves in need of outsourcing some of their services to cut down on overhead expenses such as payroll taxes, workers compensation, and other types of fringe benefits. It would appear that hell has picked up the same mantra and has outsourced many of its services to of all places the church! Some of you are wondering what I’m talking about and I’m glad you’re wondering. Let me make it clear. There are different levels and ranks in any army. You have privates, sergeants, lieutenants, captains, and generals to name a few. Depending on their rank and expertise there are given certain responsibilities. Another consideration as to who takes charge is the status of the one who it has been deemed as one who needs to be taken down or taken out. Bottom line you don’t send a general in to take out or take down a small patrol especially if that patrol is being led by a sergeant. Are you following me? If not hold on it will become clear in just a few minutes. We learn in the scriptures that we wrestle not with flesh and blood but with spirits in high places, in the atmosphere. That would lead one to view life challenges as one where evil spirits are being dispatched to run havoc over your life and yet we find that they do not have to be dispatched Satan can simply dispatch the church to do his bidding and it would appear that he is being very successful.

Let me give you some examples of the havoc that is running ramped and making some individuals lives a living hell:

•Backbiting people

•Gossiping people

•Cliques (exclusion)- making folk feel unwelcomed. Turning up your nose at someone who doesn’t look like you, dress like you, drive the same car as you, or have the same resources as you (money).

•Failure to have love one for another (people can’t stand the person sitting next to them, speaking, or singing then as soon as the person who is the object of your desire is out of view you’re falling out in the church, speaking in tongues, and saying “praise the Lord”.) How can you say you love a God you can’t see and yet hate your brother who you can see?

•Pharisaical spirit (a critical spirit that lacks grace and mercy- quick to condemn someone’s shortcomings while failing to acknowledge your own shortcomings.) Just straight up judgmental.

•Easily offended – skin so thin you take everything personal and then leave the church and bad mouth it only to push others away from the church and cause others to bad mouth the church and justify their lack of desire to attend an organized religious institution.

•Those causing dissension within the church.

Is it a no wonder the church has become a revolving door – folks come to the church and the air is so thick with strife or worse no sincerity or warmth so they fail to return.
Then Satan uses those same outsourced individuals to wreak havoc in the home, on the work place, and in the community.

So as you can see Satan has absolutely succeeded and benefited from his outsourcing tactics. The imps and demons have been replaced with individuals who if asked, would ensure you we couldn’t be talking about them. So to the church I say stop being a pawn of Satan and become who you were created to be vessels of honor to be used by God to save a dying world.

As a foot note I use the “church” loosely as it is what and how many people associate the body of Christ. Just so you know in this instance the “church” is the gathering place that “Christians” congregate. It is not the bible definition of the church. The church is the people. It deals with the heart and the relationship to Christ. That was for free!!

6 Reasons Why You Should View The World Through A Childs Eyes: Kids See Things Grown-Ups Don't!

Through the eyes of your child what emits back through their cornea, the part of the eye that is like a camera lens? What is it that your child or children see of you on a regular basis? Are you giving them the opportunity to see you in a positive light or a negative light? God has given children to us as a precious gift. We have the responsibility to raise them up in a way that is pleasing to God. That means that we are not to live a life that says do as I say not as I do. It means that we are to live a life that they can emulate later in life and instill those same values and principles in their children.   So much damage is being done by parents to their children that are absolutely mindboggling and downright shameful.  The children born to you did not choose you and yet they’re stuck with you and yet God did choose you to be their parent. Let me ask you, through the eyes of a child; is this the image they see?

• A parent who insists their child/children go to church and yet the parent lives their life as though they don’t know Jesus the other six days of the week?

• A parent who walks around saying God bless you and out of your mouth on a regular basis the child hears you cussing them and others out?

• A parent who puts their respective courting partner before the needs of their own child?

• A parent who parades a different set of courting partners in front of the children only to confuse them by one minute being their “dad” and then the next minute they are to become nothing to the child?

• A parent who brings courting partners into their lives that have no values and no morals? Living off of you and contributing nothing?

• A parent who brings courting partners into their lives who are abusive to you and your children?

• A parent who says do as I say not I as I do further confusing the child? Example – you are not married and your child is exposed to your sexual encounters, partners spending the night, and yet you tell the child they shouldn’t have sex. Based on what example? Where in the bible does it say if you’re over the age of eighteen then sex before marriage is okay? Why in the world are you expecting your child to make better decisions that the example you place before them on a regular basis?

• A parent who misappropriates funds given by God opting for frivolity then can’t pay the basic bills needed to provide for your family?

• A parent who has child after child by a different courting partner?

• A parent who tells their child they’ll never amount to anything? Calls their child stupid? Is always tearing them down?

I could go on and on and I encourage you to continue to paint the picture for yourself and others. The question begs is this really the image you want your child to have of you? Don’t you want to give your children a chance in life? Many times our children act up because we are not giving them the love, the time, the attention, or the encouragement they need to mine their way through this thing called life. Our young girls search for the love of a man that they just can’t seem to get from their fathers. This means they tend to get together with any pair of britches if they dare to say those six magic words, “Girl you know I love you.” Our young men tend to emulate the men they’ve seen come around or worse they have a strong need to prove themselves and an even stronger need to feel accepted since they’ve been torn down by the very one who should be building them up. This is for free – you are not to be your child’s friend until they are an adult! You are supposed to raise them to be responsible adults, discipline them, instruct them, guide them, and love them.

Here are some images that should be seen and embraced through the eyes of a child:

• A parent who encourages them to be the best they can be.

• A parent who exercises tough love, when, the occasion calls for it.

• A parent who if they say they are a Christian is identified as such not because you say it but because the child witnesses Christian behavior by you on a regular basis. You are a walking epistle. The child sees you praying and trusting God so they too will know how to trust and pray to God.

• A parent who lives a life that is not reflective of the very things you’re telling their children not to do.

• A parent who shows by example what it means to have work ethics, be a good citizen, and  live in a way that exudes character and respect for authority.

•A parent who has a spirit of hospitality, a spirit of compassion, and one who always endeavors to see the best in others.

You can add to this list also.  It is time out for the constant destruction being done to our children and time for parents, actually long overdue, for parents to be parents is a way that builds our children up instead of tearing them down. Like marriage parenthood should not be entered into lightly. You will have to sacrifice, you will have to discipline yourself, you will have to put some of your wants and desires on the back burner to ensure that your children’s needs are met both emotionally and financially. Remember you’re the one who decided to have children so you should be the one making the sacrifice and you should be the one ensuring that you are raising healthy children who are an asset to those they encounter and not a liability to them. If we don’t stop this emotional chaotic rollercoaster that has taken over the very fabric of the family then we position ourselves to continue to see the following:

•Escalating divorces

•Escalating violence towards one another

•Escalating sexual promiscuity

•Escalating single parent households

•Escalating emotionally disturbed children

Let’s stop the cycle.  If you have not lived in a way that you want your child to see you apologize to your child and immediately begin a corrective program to bring your child/children into a healthy realm of existence.

Five Character Traits to Look for When You Are Ready to Start Back Dating

This really isn’t a question asked by many, but it is definitely a question that should be asked, meditated on, and intently explored. I am going to start with the most appropriate  response, you are ready to date when you are not willing to settle for less than the best God has for you. For some this may seem a very broad answer and yet it’s actually a very narrow answer. The question is do we know what the best is that God has for us? Before we journey down what the best is let’s first make it plain up front the worst time to consider dating:

You should never consider dating when you’re on a rebound. The person who gets dumped is usually the one who has the most difficult time dealing with the break up. A focus takes place where the one left behind begins wondering what they did that made the other person leave them. They start wondering whether or not they’re attractive enough, loveable enough, intelligent enough, passionate enough, pliable, the list can go on, bottom line you are trying to figure out how to make yourself more desirable for the next person. Your confidence is low and you need a self-esteem boost, you need a quick pick me up, no pun intended, so you’re apt to be less selective. This is the absolute worst thing you can do. It’s enough you’re already dealing with the loss of one relationship only to find yourself jumping out of the frying pan then subsequently landing into the proverbial skillet, no better off than before, sometimes worse off than before. Let me say ensure that you are healed from the last encounter and completely come to grips with the valuable person you are!!

Let’s explore the principles of dating. Dating is generally the observation stage. It is a time to observe the individuals you are spending time with. You are observing how they treat you, their friends, their children, if applicable, their co-workers, their family, and their finances. You’re having conversations about things important to you and gleaning information about things important to them. You are observing their lifestyle; if they say they’re Christian their life should reflect it by action and not simply by word. This is not, I repeat not the exclusive relationship, this is simply what I said, the observation stage. I know it can seem controversial by stating not exclusive, too many times as women we latch on to one man, go exclusive, getting to know him and before we know it we’ve seen months, even years of our lives wasted on a relationship that had no teeth from the beginning. This does not mean that you have a slew of men or women in your life you simple don’t count out any potentially suitable mate during the observation, dating period. Sex does not enter the equation!! Let me digress: When sex enters the equation that rational part of brain that was able to see clearly and make sound judgments goes right out the door. We have a tendency to become death, dumb, and blind. We have a tendency to refuse to accept the flaws staring right in front of us. We become the fix it queen or king. Surely we can mold what’s lacking. We can dress him or her, clean them up, teach them how to walk, talk, eat, the list goes on. Sex is the great destroyer to sound thinking. Let me also say this, are you listening? Good because this is a very crucial and important point – God is not trying to stop you from having great sex. He knows we are sexual and relational beings. He has set boundaries to protect us. God knows that once sex has been introduced into a relationship all hell breaks loose in the atmosphere and in the rational mind of primarily the female. He understands its dangers and the destruction sex brings into the lives of all parties, that is, sex, outside of marriage. If you are not willing to make the ultimate commitment, marriage, how dare we play at marriage, wanting all that comes with the marriage covenant; sex, money, children, a future. The old adage why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free, is still alive and well.

Back on point once you’ve observed you and your potential future mate will collectively agree that you want to be exclusive. Once that commitment is made you will have entered into the courting stage. Here you get the opportunity to probe deeper into what you learned during the observation/dating stage. You truly should get the opportunity to ensure that you both are evenly yoked. Evenly yoked is not limited to your faith. You should be as evenly yoked in all important areas such as finance, child rearing, health, family, friendships, careers, short and long term goals. So many times we get involved with someone and generally it’s all about the external persona of a person and we fail to dig through the layers of the people we think we want to get involved with. You want to see how this person handles anger, disappointments, and difficulties. This is important because if he or she is a hot head you know you’re travelling down a slippery slope of potential violence and unhealthy reactions that can not only harm you but also your children if not now in the future. Is their behavior healthy or unhealthy? Jealousy, controlling, irrational, manipulative, domineering?

So now we’ve identified the dating and the courting stages let’s take a magnifying glass and probe deeper into the character. If it is true that we are only ready to date when we’re not willing to accept anything less than the best that God has, then what exactly is the best?

Five Character traits to look for:

1. Must have a demonstrated, active relationship with Christ.

2. Must have a servant’s heart. Here you will see if the individual will lay down their rights and consider your wants and desires some of the time. (Can’t be greedy and want someone who will lay down their rights all the time, that’s effectively a doormat.)

3. Knows the word of God, if a man, can he lead you and the family in devotion, and provide spiritual leadership in your relationship. If a woman does she know the word and understand how to be that example to your children, if applicable, and possess an inner spirit that is absolutely irresistible.

4. Must be a provider, if a male. He is committed to by whatever means necessary (legally) to ensure that his family has adequate provisions? Now don’t get this wrong I am not insinuating that he should be paying your way while courting, you want to observe how he pays his bills, handles his finances, accepts the responsibilities of meeting all his household needs. If he has children from previous relationships does he provide for the children financially and emotionally? If a woman she must possess traits of restraint where finances are concerned. She should be equipped and prepared to ensure that the money that enters the home is spread around to pay all bills. She should be frugal steadily looking for ways to cut back and save for rainy days.  How does she ensure that she meets her finances adequately?

5. Must accept and love you for who you are; no changes. This is not to say that there isn’t room for growth, it just shouldn’t be the condition for a future together. Neither should be trying to change, redefine, mold, or reprogram another to create the other into what you believe the ideal mate is. You must be prepared to stay the course, meaning if marriage comes about, then you marry this person with the realization that nothing may change and the question must be asked can you honestly live with this person just the way they are for the rest of your natural life, because that’s what marriage is until death do you part!

Now clearly you may have some things you want to add to your list sense of humor, athletic, etc. Just ensure that the basics are in place, the five above. The five will last you through your natural life the other traits added may subside with age.

So once again when are you ready to date? You got it—when you are not willing to settle for less than the very best that God has for you!!

Things Must Change: 7 Examples of Obstacles and Things That Hinder Us

 It is easy to look around and make the statement “things must change.”  How easy it is to look at others around us and to look at situations around and immediately make that declaration, and yet when it comes to being honest with ourselves it’s not as easy. I am reminded of the song by Michael Jackson entitled the “Man in the Mirror”.  In that song he states very eloquently, “I’m starting with the man in the mirror. I am asking him to change his ways. No message could be any clearer if you want to make the world a better place take a look at yourself and make a change.” If change begins with me the first thing I have to do is be honest with myself. I wrote an article entitled, “misplaced anger” in the article I challenged our mental state by looking at a situation that affects us and being painfully honest as to who is the primary culprit for our current situation. Life is full of introspection. If I truly want to live a full life I must dissect what are the obstacles that hinder me from being the best I can be. Here are some examples.

•My finances are meager – are they meager because of how you spend your resources? Are they meager because you do nothing to improve your skills so that you can make more money? If you are not being a good steward of the resources God has given you why in the world would God increase your resources? Check your spending habits.

•My life sucks – does it suck because you are the type of person who can never seem the positive side of life? Do you fail to appreciate your health, the very air that you breathe? Do you view a cup filled half way to be half empty or half full? Check your views on life and discover if you speak life into your situation or death. If you can’t see the beauty in the little things that God has placed in your view; the ocean, the sky, the green grass, the cool of the wind, the warmth of the sun, the light and majesty of the moon, then it’s hard to see how you will ever come out of this mental state of life sucking.

•My marriage is dead – is it dead or are you dead? What are you doing to breathe life back into it? The bible says that marriage is honorable. It states that the marriage bed is undefiled and more importantly we are reminded that it’s a good thing, God created it. Marriage is perfect it’s the imperfect people who come together and mess it up. See marriage through the eyes of God and seek His assistance at restoring the union.

•My children are out of control – Are they out of control because you failed to parent? Were you more focused on your own goals and dreams than your children? Where you too busy trying to be their friend than being their parent? If you can’t embrace your children as true gifts from God and endeavor to parent according to the scriptures you will find yourself distraught about your children all the time.

•I am not a happy person – Why? You must search yourself and find out where the unhappiness stems from. It’s not up to other people to make you happy, happiness comes from within. If you can’t look at your life and find the good that God has given you, how can you ever find true happiness?

•I hate my job – Are you thankful first and foremost that you have a job? If you hate your job what are you doing to make a career move? You have to position yourself for greater opportunity. Let’s face it if you can’t praise God for what’s been provided at this juncture in your life why in the world would He promote you? Trust me if you don't change your view on your employment situation you will continue the pattern of disappointments.

•I hate my body – You can control many aspects of this. How do you honor your body? What disciplines have you put into place? No matter what your current situation you must see yourself as being fearfully and wonderfully made. Embrace every aspect of your physique realizing that God made you unique.

The list can go on and I’m sure you can add some of your own ails to this list. While it’s important to list ails you must also be willing to identify the cure. The cure comes from your outlook on life. You must change how you view your current situation and learn to embrace the journey God has chosen to take you through. You must trust God every step of the way always remembering the good work that He has begun in you He is faithful to see you through.

Life is a set of ups and downs, a set of challenges, a set of victories, a set of failures, and a compilation of highs and lows and yet through it all we are reminded that all things work together for the good for those who LOVE the Lord (look up what it truly means to love the Lord) and are called according to His purpose. Paul reminds us, a principle we must embrace in order to find inner peace, “whatever state God sees fit to place me in I am content.” This means whatever job you have right now you will thank God daily for the provisions. This means your marriage you will thank God for the journey, the discovery, and restoration of it. You will look at everything that you find no joy in and fight to be transformed by the renewing your mind and begin to live your life through the lens of the Creator.