What happens when a Homeless person is given $100,000?

Reversal of Fortune:

What Happens When A Homeless Man Is Given $100,00?

Today I watched a documentary about a certain experiment: what would happen if a homeless man is given $100,000? While I think it was a good and noble thing to give such a substantial amount of money to this man, I firmly believe that money, in and of itself, could never solve problem affecting him, or anyone else for that matter. While money may help for a period - and the film does show this - it will not; indeed it could not, totally assuage the root of the problem. This, after all, is the crux of the matter - the "root issue." Once when asked by Time Magazine "what is wrong with the world," famed writer G.K. Chesterton wrote, in pithy fashion, the following reply: 

"Dear sir, 

In response to your question 'what is wrong with the world,'

I am. Yours Truly,

G.K. Chesterton."

What Chesterton aimed in conveying is simply what Jesus taught when he said, "for from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery" (Mark 7:21). The problem with man isn't homelessness, famine, wars, or any of these things that truly plagues the human race, but rather man himself, who is the cause of all these things. As I watched this documentary, my heart broke for this man. I did not know him, but I didn't need to. I only needed to know myself, and what the bible says of man to accurately guess what would be the outcome of such a generous gift. The outcome? By the end of 6 months, the man who was given such an amazing gift, totally squandered it all. You may ask after reading this, "if money cannot help man in his situation, what will?" I answer in the words of Jesus, "that which is flesh is flesh...you must be born again." What does this mean? It means that we are born sinners; we are weak and prone to do that which is consistent to our fallen nature. We must be born again - i.e., undergo a spiritual birth given by God himself. This new birth will give power to go against the sin that comes so natural to us. 


This is the true cure! It entails a heart and mind change (the born again phenomenon), which goes right to the root of the problem. Money will not cure the problem of greed or laziness or the numerous addictions that the man in the film had, but a change in the very being of the man will. If he is a lover lusting - as the film demonstrated, the cure is to change him from being a lover of lusting, to hating it. This is the power of God in his gospel. This is the truth, and it will set anyone who aims to be free, free indeed

  

For a more detailed synopsis of the film, please visit the following website here. 

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Middle Aged White Woman Rapping about Jesus

This is way too cool!!

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How should Christians react to Haiti's recient Earthquake?

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Eph 2:10

Recently, I was disappointed to find that some Christians were telling others that "the earthquake in Haiti was God's judgment on the Haitians for making a pat with Satan." Whether or not that statement is true is of no consequence to me, and I will not deal with the historicity of that report. What does concern me however, and what I will deal with in this blog, is how we are to react to such a tragedy. Before I begin on that issue, let me first remind the readers of a story taken out of Luke's account in the Bible (Luke 13:2-4) .

Jesus once told a story about a tower falling on about 18 people in a town called Siloam. After telling the story, he asked the question, "do you think the people who died in the accident are any worse sinners than those who live in Jerusalem?" To which he replied, "No! And unless you (those in Jerusalem) repent, you too will likewise perish." There are many things that could be said on this story, but I only use it as a platform from which I will give an answer to the question the blog asks. Are the people of Haiti more wicked that we in the United States? Well, quite obviously someone may say, "they practice voodoo as their religion, and commit ungodly crimes."  Well, have you not read..."all we like sheep have gone astray" and "all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory?" God is no respecter of persons, and he does not choose one sinner over another, based on the sinner. As it is written..."God has mercy on whom he has mercy, and compassion on whom he has compassion."

Any sinner, whether Haitian or American, does not merit God's mercy based on their sin. Again, "all have sinned, and have come under the just judgment of God." Rather - and this must be seen if any humility is to be birthed in us - the evidence of God's mercy on a particular person, is that the person does not sin as much as they could. All persons have certain proclivities to produce great and terrible evils, it is the sovereign God of the universe who curtails, and altogether frustrates our sinful desires. So all that being said, I would have to say that the Haitians sins aren't any worse than ours here in the US (not to mention, we here do some pretty wicked things too!). So why did the earthquake occur in Haiti and not here? My answer is simple: I don't know. I honestly don't know. And, since the Bible doesn't tell me as a Christian why God allows calamity in one place, and prosperity in another, I cannot in truth or sincerity tell you why Haiti is suffering. What I can tell you however, is that Haiti is suffering! I can also tell you why God saves people; the heading gives a hint - "for good works and to bring Glory to the Father."

So all that being said, what are you doing to help people in need, Christian? I know that all aren't able to be there physically, but there are other ways you can help. You can give to the missionaries and other organizations there. Honestly speaking, all help is good help to the Haitian people right now. However, if you are a Christian, there is more at stake here than just being good and moral people. We are not solely a "nice people" who help others when in need. We exist for more. We exist as walking and living reminders - reminders that point to the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. There is more at stake here than just physical and temporal needs (that is a need, and I pray you would help in any way you could!). Eternity coming. Jesus' words is still applicable today - "unless you repent, you too would perish in hell." So how are we as Christian people to act?

We are to be a loving and sympathetic people who pray and give! We pray until we've prayed, and until God the All Mighty One hears us, and we give as if it were us in need. More than that, we are to take the good news of the gospel (which incidentally is seen for which it is intended - namely good news, often times in times of great despair) to a people who, just like everyone else, will one day die. Whether we die in an earthquake or in our beds is of little importance. What is important, however, is if we died as sinners who have been reconciled to God via faith in God's sacrifice, Jesus Christ.

If you would like to give to a creditable ministry who has been doing God's work in Haiti for awhile, please send your donations to:

Heritage Baptist Church

3585 Thruston Dermont Rd.

Owensboro, KY 42303

In car of Keith Maddy for Haiti

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Slamonline Presents God Shammgod

This dude had the smoothest crossover move I ever saw!

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Decisional Regeneration: Paul Washer Interview

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Happy New Year 2010

Happy New Year

 



I remember last year. Sort of. It went so fast! I can remember writing my "happy new year 2009 blog," and now its already 2010. Wow. I only desire one thing. Lord, at any cost, please make me more like Jesus. Only give grace to go through the means you choose, so that I would endure.

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When Lord? When Will You Come?

"A praying man stops sinning, and a sinning man stops praying." 

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Merry Christmas!!!

Joy To The World - The Lord Is Come!!

It is that time of year again, and I could literally cry! Today we celebrate invasion day - the day in which God incarnated into the world. The Savior came into the world to save sinners. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son [the Lord Jesus Christ], that whoever believes in Him should not die, but have eternal life." Oh thank you God! Make me to thank you more, I desire you!!

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David Lowe on Jonathan Edwards' Sermon

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

Judge for yourself. Click on title to hear Sermon

I have a friend named David. Wet met online some 5 years ago, when I was very much into End Times theology, and waiting for the rapture to occur. I was doing a Google search for a Pastor named Perry Stone (who we both no longer listen to incidentally), and David's website came up. David and I remain friends till this day, but our friendship has become a little distant when we both adhered to opposite ends of the theological rope, so to speak. I became reformed in my understand of scripture, while David gravitated towards Arminian theology. The changed occurred this way:

David asked me once, "what will you say to a person who asks, 'why will I be judged by God if I was born with a condition that makes me love what God hates - speaking of sin - and born when I didn't ask to be born?'" I remember that the question had little effect on me, initially. I gave a flippant response; something like..."disregard the question, and tell him how he has broken God's laws to bring about an awareness of his sins." Yet, as time went on, the question began to strike me as one with weight. I couldn't shake the feeling that if such a question was posed, the questionnaire would have a great point. For months the question pressed on my mind and conscience, until I became angry with God. The question made God seem unfair and at fault for countless sinners going to hell's infinite torment. Yet, ironically enough, it was that question that lead me to a closer relationship with God. Needless to say, today Dave and I have some disagreements on how we see certain scriptures. This brings me to the point of my blog. Recently, while speaking about Jonathan Edward's famous Sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," Dave said the following:

"I don't like the sermon because it is not biblical. It is not in the Spirit of Christ. It uses fear and manipulation to get people to repent. This is not how Jesus and the apostles preached. It leads to false conversions based on a fear of burning in hell forever. Rather, conversion should be based on the gospel: that Jesus Christ conquered death, died for our sins, and is exalted at the right hand of God. He commands all men everywhere to repent."

My aim in this blog isn't to defend Edward's work (I feel it does a good enough job on its own merit), but simply to address some of the comments and concerns that Dave brings up as his argument. With that being established, let us continue on in the endeavor at hand. First, on the issue of the sermon "using fear and manipulation to get people to repent." This statement assumes that Jesus or scripture for that matter, never uses fear as one of many motivators in leading someone to Christ. This simply isn't true. The scriptures clearly say..." by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil" (Proverb 16:6). And lest one would say, "but that is the Old Testament - Jesus never taught this," as if it were a valid argument, we would do well to remember Christ' words... "I will show you who to fear. Fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matt 10:28). I trust that these scriptures will suffice in showing that the premise for David's conclusion is faulty. And since the premise is as such, the conclusion no doubt will be in error. Second, concerning Dave's feelings that the sermon will "leads to false conversions based on a fear of burning in hell forever."

I feel this to be a legitimate argument; partly because I know Dave's heart in evangelism, and because fear could be a potential stumbling block if it is used wrongly. I think if one uses fear of hell without first explaining man's guilt, and then explaining Christ' glory in saving us from such a place, a person could in fact get the wrong idea, and thus end up being a false convert. I myself had experience with this. Some time before my conversion, I heard about the rapture and the Great Tribulation, and so I reformed my life to ensure that I wouldn't be left behind. Yet, I was in no way born again. In fact, I didn't even understand why Jesus was so precious, or why God would call me - and otherwise good boy - an evil person. So with all that being said, I want to acknowledge David's concern. Nevertheless, this concern does still stem from a false assumption (one we already dealt with above), and therefore should not deter believers from using the fear that should arise from preaching the realities of God's wrath in Hell. Finally, I think it worthwhile to mention my conjecture on this issue. I believe that Dave's contention with such a classic sermon, derives from a livid disdain for Calvinism. And because this is so - if in fact this is the case - then nothing I say will change his mind.

Its cool though, Dave...you're still my dude!

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Evangel's Response to Rakim's Holy Are You

Remember Queens native rapper, Rakim? Sure you do. Well, he has a new song called "holy are you," where he makes a bunch of blasphemous charges about being the true God. While Rakim claims to have read the Bible - and I do not doubt that he has - I do not think he understands much of it. And, while the Lord Jesus himself promised that "man will give an account for every careless word he speaks," Rakim proves that for the one dead in his sins, "there is no fear of God before their eyes." Pray for Rakim! All that said, I like what Christian rap artist, Evangel has done. Listen to his song with the same title above. Also, if you're curious about what Rakim said in his own song, listen here:

"Holy Are You" by Rakim

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Time Magazine's Fascination with God's Death

Time Magazine Cover 1960: "God is Dead" Time Magazine Cover 1970: "Marx is Dead" Time Magazine Cover 1980: "God and Marx are Dead and I'm not feeling too well myself."

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Some of my Favorite Theme Songs

The Last of the Mohicans


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Adventures in Evangelism

My day started unlike I planed. I had been excited about going out to share the gospel all week, but now that Saturday was here, I was tired and no longer felt like going. I woke up around 9 AM to my non-alarming cell phone alarm. The battery had died due to me leaving the the music player on. Assuming that I had missed Ron's call, and that he left without me, I took solace in the fact that I could go back to sleep. Even now as I write this, I am not sure why I called Ron. After calling Ron and realizing that he too had been running late, the realization that I had to get out of my cozy bed became more evident. Finally presumption became fact when Ron - in typical side bar fashion - said..."I will be there in a few minutes." Now I was sure that my peace would be disrupted, and I would have to get out of bed. I prayed after getting out of bed. Two things I know to be true: 1. you can't go out witnessing without God, as the Lord himself said..."without me you can do nothing." 2. you can't go out witnessing if your heart isn't in it. I prayed before meeting up with Ron, and the Lord graciously dealt with my heart. Besides being motivated to tell of the worth and fame of Christ (and instinctively knowing that I primarily did this to an audience of one - namely God himself), I will not tell more of my talk with God. Ron and I arrived at Pennsylvania Avenue around 10 AM.

Pennsylvania Avenue is considered one of the worst places in Baltimore city, and if I knew we were going there - and going with only one other person - I might have opted to stay home. Nevertheless I was now there with Ron. I asked if we could pray in the car, but Ron wanted to pray outside. "Actually" he said, "do you mind if we pray outside?" My initial hope was to pray in private, but something about standing for Christ in the mist of people made me excited, and I looked forward to praying outside. Ron and I prayed, and the Lord took pity and blessed our prayer. There was a market close to where we parked. Outside was hot and humid, and there were people everywhere. I've always liked being in the mist of people, and this time was no different. For a short while, I was reminded of New York City. Manhattan, actually. Inside the market was a lot smaller than what the outside view of the building suggested. There were a lot of different stores in the market; some selling clothes, some food, some appliances, etc. As we walked around the market, and as we exited on the opposite side from which we entered, we met a man named Kevin. Kevin was a short and sickly looking black man. He had most of his upper teeth missing, and the ones at the bottom were noticeably brown. As Kevin stumbled into the door we exited, Ron and I decided to follow him back in. Talking to Kevin was interesting. My heart quickly began to break for him as I listened to his story. He was only 34 years old, but looked to be in his mid to late 40's.

Though I couldn't help feel sorry for Kevin, and though I wanted very much for God to work in him in that instant (kind of like what God did through Paul for Lydia), I was continually humbled and somewhat convicted by my reoccurring hope that he wouldn't spit on me, or even touch me. Not long after having that hopeful though, Kevin would put his hand on my shoulder and then shake my hand. In and instant I felt dirty on my whole right side, but for the sake of the gospel I resolved not to be reclusive. As I spoke to Kevin, another man would come into the door to which we moments ago entered. Interrupting my talk he asked..."Do men go to hell if they do wrong?" Ron answered saying yes. He asked another question pertaining to the gospel, and Ron asked me to explain the answer to him. As I began to talk, the tall and scrappy-looking black man pulled out a small knife, and began to sharpen what seemed to be an already sharp and pointed piece of wood. With his eyes squarely fixed on me, I begun to feel nervous. This man seem to not even blink as I spoke. Many thoughts raced through my head as I spoke. "God is sovereign, Terrence. He who said to the waters, 'you may come here and no further,' holds your life. I am invincible unless God permits this man to do me harm." Those were my Christian thoughts. I also had some natural ones: "If he lunges at me, maybe I can block him if I do this," and "maybe I can push Ron in front of me since Ron is way bigger than I am." I had an outer body experience talking to that man. I saw and heard myself talking, but I am not certain of what I was saying. As he spoke, still with knife in hand, I kept moving to the left of Ron (slowly as to not excite him), hoping and praying that he would not try anything. Even now, I am not even sure whether he was trying to intimidate me, or if he was really going to physically harm me.

Ron took over the conversation - and I am sure he did this because I was no longer speaking sensibly, I was so afraid - and I would once again turn my attention back to Kevin; though now my back would be against the wall. For the rest of the day my back would face a wall, and I would make sure that no one was behind me. Kevin interrupted my talk to ask for some money. But rather than giving him money, I would later buy him something to eat. Ron's conversation was interrupted by the man who would say, "I am a Muslim, and I don't agree with you. I have to go!" Prior to saying that, and before speaking to me, he mentioned that he was a Christian minister. Ron, Kevin, and I, left the back of the market and walked to the front where there was a fast food store. We bought Kevin some food and proceeded to look for more people to talk with. As we walked away from Kevin, he would hop after us in a kid-like fashion, and thank us for the food. Unexpectedly, he once again shook my hand, and the familiar feeling of being covered in germs would plague my mind. At that point I resolved to keep my left hand in my pocket. That would be the hand I used to scratch my throbbing and itchy right hand and face.

To be Continued...

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Paul Washer Interview

Please stop and watch brother Paul's interview, as he speaks on the importance of doctrine and theology.

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Theology Hinges on Sovereignty Of God

Theology Hinges on Sovereignty Of God

Covers wide range of beliefs; critics say it minimizes role of free will.

By Cary McMullen
THE LEDGER

Published: Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 11:25 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 11:24 p.m.

John Calvin's theology is dominated by the doctrine that God is "sovereign," or rules over everything in creation, down to the most minute detail.

It can be found in varying degrees today in Presbyterian and Baptist churches, in the Reformed Church in America and Christian Reformed Church that have roots in the Netherlands and in the United Church of Christ, which absorbed the Congregationalist churches founded by the Puritans.

Calvinism covers a wide range of beliefs, but the version best known in the Netherlands, Scotland and America is summarized by five principles, known by the acronym TULIP, that address the question of salvation. Critics of five-point Calvinism complain that it removes or diminishes the role of human free will.

Total depravity: Not a belief that persons are completely corrupt but rather that all parts of a person - reason, emotions and beliefs - are affected by sin. People are therefore incapable of belief in God without God's help.

Unconditional election: Sometimes known as predestination, it is the belief that God has chosen those who will be saved. It is a claim that humans cannot earn or accomplish their own salvation.

Limited atonement: The belief that Christ did not die for all humanity, only for those who are "elect," or chosen to be saved.

Irresistible grace: This holds that those chosen by God will inevitably come to believe in him.

Perseverance of the Saints: Calvinism teaches that those who have been saved by God cannot lose their salvation but will persevere until the final judgment.

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Da Truth: New Album

The New album called "the big picture" is here. Check out two songs free here.

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Books I'm Reading

I look forward to finishing this book and learning more about this cool guy!
One chapter in this book and I'm blown away. The thought about being intentional about spiritual growth should be an obvious one, yet as the saying goes..."common sense isn't so 'common' anymore."

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Could I - I mean "me" - Actually Make Jesus Happy?

"...all things were created through him and for him" (Colossians 1:16).

I want to try something new; something perhaps a bit radical in the idea that it may not be the usual way in which I've learned to mortify sin in my life. What am I speaking about? I am speaking about a thought that has just passed through my mind. I do not remember who said the following words - I think it may have been Matthew Henry - but in keeping with the quote above, he said that..."we are made for his pleasure and praise." Now here are my thoughts. Could it be that when we are fighting sin, we should think about the fact that it pleases the Lord when we do what he wills, rather than just doing his will out of an obligation or a fear of punishment? I am sure that each motivation may work and therefore have its place, nevertheless the idea of pleasing God inasmuch as to make the Eternally Glorious One happy with a finite and insignificant speck of dust, is very appealing to me. More than just appealing, it is both enticing and exciting. Again, the thought that I, being as small as I am in relation to life and everything else, could actually make King Jesus happy is stunning to me! I look forward to putting my thoughts into practice.
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10 Reasons Why Michael Jackson's Life and Death Matters

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Independence Day

"... having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness." - Romans 6:18

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