Cosby's Right

For years I've loved Bill Cosby as a comedian, but now I love him as a prophet. Well maybe he's not really a prophet, but his words echo in my heart like the words of a prophet.
For quite sometime now, he's been an unwelcome mouthpiece for the Black community. It seems that his no nonsense style or as he puts it, his "blunt" way of putting things, continues to raise people's ire. I think he does raise powerful and important questions - allot of cultural interrogatives that tend to rightfully place blame where it should be - on us. Oh, what a novel thing, personal responsibility.
I don't know where Bill's at in terms of his relationship with Christ, but I will say that what he's saying, should be said by the people of God.
We of all people should speak the truth in love, but we don't. We just speak "love" and we never get to the heart of the problem.
And then on top of the Cosby issue, CNN splashes a headline across the screen "Blood in the Streets" 36 people shot, 9 die, this weekend alone.
Where is the answer to these and so many other problems found?
IN CHRIST ALONE! Whether anyone wants to believe it, we are living in the Last Days, and we're getting closer and closer to that Last Day.
Can we as Christians, the people of God, finally begin to open our mouths and speak out about our dyer need for God's intervention? Can we take up the torch where Jesus and John the Baptist left off, "REPENT... FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NEAR".
I just believe that we have a responsibility to speak the truth in love, and we'd better start in our homes and in our churches... before it is too late.

RAK

The Clock is Ticking

Just a quick thought. Will there soon be a day when the mention of God or Intelligent Design will be illegal [see the movie Expelled], or will the day come when true followers of Jesus Christ will have their children taken away, because we are poisoning their minds with "hate" doctrine [see the polygamist issue - granted they're deceived, but the government did just take away over 400 of their children, for the children's protection - I agree with protecting children and prosecuting pedophiles], but could we too someday be prosecuted and have our children taken away? And what about the Reverend Wright? Was he wrong? Maybe, but the very fact that "guilt" by association may genuinely upset Senator Obama's chances of a bid for the White House, should cause us to at least think. Will the day come that New Testament doctrine RE sin, become such an offense to the culture around us that individuals become targeted by the government, due to their guilt by association - the length of time you've been a member in a church, or sat under "sin" preaching?

Just makes me wonder... How about you? Are we actually discerning the signs of the times?

RAK

Feeling Much Better

It's rather late, on Monday night, and I was supposed to be at my annual District Council kick-off service, but I strayed away.

Earlier in the afternoon at another meeting I found out from another pastor that some very special meetings were being held at another local church [Heartland AG in Ankeny, Iowa]. Some might call them revival meetings... I kinda think of them as much more. I had attended a service last Thursday night and it was good, and God really showed up and because the services were so powerful over the weekend, the guest minister stayed on... and actually will return next weekend.

So although I missed my DC kick-off service... I DID NOT MISS GOD! That's my point. Regardless of what we have planned or what we think we should be doing, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS NOT MISSING GOD.

When I go to bed in a few minutes I don't want to MISS GOD. When I get up in the morning I don't want to MISS GOD. As I go through my days this week I DON'T WANT TO MISS GOD. For when I DON'T MISS GOD... miraculously I feel MUCH BETTER about myself, others, the world in general, and especially Him, Father God.

I know life's not all about FEELINGS, but just try to live one minute of one day without FEELINGS and my guess is you'd be dead.

So if you are not dead yet, then EXPERIENCING GOOD GOD FEELINGS IS CRITICAL!

Then next time you have a choice, and the options are MISSING GOD or NOT MISSING GOD... don't MISS GOD. Adjust, change, move, run, jump, avoid, excuse yourself, make a call, do what ever you must... but DON'T MISS GOD! I guarantee you will FEEL MUCH BETTER. I know I did...

RAK