Are you ashamed!

I have to ask this question of myself from now on; and that is “Am I ashamed of the Gospel?” A discussion broke out which really has no bases in anything except to cause divisiveness between, which might seem like a bad joke an agnostic, Muslim and myself the Christian. Well the Muslim in the story brought up how Christian outside of America feel that they have a better brand of Christianity. Let me also be clear that I am paraphrasing his comment, but the intent was too invoke anger within me. So I began to explain the different denominations within the totality of Christianity from Roman Catholics to Orthodox and Protestants. Then we began to disagree on the etymology of Bethlehem in Arabic knows it as house of meat and I believed that it is House of God for bread, I say that because cause it is a compound word which get lost in the English translation. I eventually threw my hands up and said “NO MAS!” Some people you can not discuss truth with. So this bring me to my point of no being ashamed of the Gospel even though the Muslim didn’t want to hear or understand and even comprehend the term Bethlehem or the origins of Christianity we must still proclaim the Gospel to the lost and hard headed even when you might need to throw up your hands and so no more to this one because salvation from the gospel is to everyone who believes and sadly to say the wrath of God is on those who might not believe. If you get a chance check out Romans 1:16-20

Peace

NO OUTLET

I am currently living with my pregnant wife and son in my Mother’s basement. We still own a home in Waldorf, which is approximately 17 miles from where we are now. We moved in because we had to pay off some bills, which was causing us to sink deeper in debt. Our home is Waldorf is being rented for two years by a couple and their 2 kids. We really didn’t want to move down to Waldorf at the time, but in 2005 homes in our old neighborhood were just too expensive. We also felt disconnected from our friends and family and we didn’t build new roots in Waldorf. We attended a Church in Waldorf called Crosspoint which was a church plant that eventually closed just as we started to build friendships. It wasn’t the same. Our old church we lead the Singles Ministry, which was a blessing and I loved it, but we moved further away from the church. These are just some of the regrets I am feeling and just how I feel left out. It doesn’t mean that I am depressed or that I am losing faith. Have you ever wondered down a street and didn’t pay any attention to the yellow sign that says “NO OUTLET” and you have to turn around to get back on the road that leads to new destinations new scenery and the right course of action. That is were I am at this moment. How you ever felt like that?

Where is my mind these days?

Well now that I am back to class my head is spinning, trying to juggle family,work and seminary life. You know sometime I fail big time at the work stuff mostly because I am stuck doing the same old thing. It is only to my own detriment since I decided to come back to work here, all things work for there good. So I am not going to complain. Even if I do I am not condemned because of the work of Christ and what God has done by making him a sin offering for my deficiencies and those I have many of. So we have been set free from death to life in Christ. So I will put my priorities in place in and continue to hedge forward to the goal that is in the Gospel of God.

So when we fail at relating or not showing the love to those who may not be in Christ, know that we are not condemned.

Back to Seminary

Reid went back to school on Monday now it is Dads turn to return to school. Today is my first day back after a four year hiatus. I am only taking one class since I still need to provide for my family, I would love to be able to attend full time and provide for my family. That was the reasoning for me to start my dry cleaning business that failed. So living in my Mothers basement is only a temporary situation until we can sell our home to the family that is renting or save up the down payment for a new home.

Three years of struggles in Waldorf with the losing of our business, I changed jobs to only return back to the job I left last September. Proverbs says that we plan in our minds our ways steps but the Lord directs his steps.

I planned on starting a business in order to be in Seminary full time, but to only work in tech and run a business, that God has lead me to learn how to work to support my family and have the perseverance in a ministry church plant. Thank you Lord for insight.

Our prayer for a new type of Bible Study downtown

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DC IMPROV — Comedy Lounge via kwout

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We are praying that God will provide the funds for us to lead a bible study downtown at the Improv DC during lunch hour or even after work for some professionals who are seeking God, but are uncomfortable entering a church. We are going to be intentional with our approach in this. So if you will pray with us as we endeavor this for Landing Point and comment if you don't mind about it as well. If this is a good idea or a bad one.

The First of many first days of school

Man time does fly. 4 1/2 years ago I held Landon in my arms for the first time weighing a whopping 10 lbs 10 oz. Now my little slilly little boy is off to kindergarten. Now go learn so me and your mother can live off and jump up and down on you furniture.

Baggage from my old business

Ok, I was comming home down Indian highway a few days ago and saw a bag from my old dry cleaning pick up delivery business. You have to understand that this business was run about 28 miles from where I saw this bag at a bus stop in Eastover in Washington DC. I pray and hope that our ministry will float around the city just like my bags.

He loves kites

My little on has found new joy and that is flying kites. This was one
of the most peaceful things I did as a child. When the fall gets here
with the wind really blowing he will really have me out there.

Some Food and Directions

Starbucks was giving away $2 for Grande cold drinks after 2pm if you return you’re your recipe. Just as I was going to take advantage of my cold drink special, I was approached by a homeless schizophrenic man who wanted to eat before entering the Franklin School Shelter on 12 street downtown DC by 5pm. Normally when the homeless ask for food instead of money I know that the need is greater and that I can chat with them while eating or ordering food. So I asked him what he wanted he said MacDonald’s, but the problem was that it was 4:30 and food is not allowed in the shelter from what he was telling me. After talking with him I gave him some money from a 20 I had to break at Cosi, he could have eaten at Cosi but instead wanted the money. So I told him that he didn’t need to swear to God that he was going to get something to eat for me. It would be easier to lie to anyone giving you money when you don’t have any family, friends in this country that you came to 20 year ago to only be living on the street. So I told him make sure you buy food with that money, but that decision is up to him and is out of my control. I probably want see him even though my office is directly across from the shelter since they will be closing it in October. What will happen to him and the other 259 other men when the mayor shut it down to create a luxury hotel for those who will be willing to pay 250 or more a night.

After I gave up the money and crossing a stop light, I ran into two single mothers trying to find direction to New York Ave, after thinking about it I gave them the wrong direction. I wanted to send them on the roundabout way to get to New York Ave but I thought they would have gotten lost and turned around, since they were already lost. If I went with the Spirit in that situation they would have been fine. Sometimes when we think we know the right way we must first take the time to verify that and line it with scripture to ensure that those directions or instruction is from God and not from my own heart, which in many ways leads people wrong.

Are you willing to get clowned for the Change

Are you willing to get clowned for change? Maybe you haven't told anyone that you have been changed. Are you even willing to confess or is it something you think should be kept to yourself. Are you afraid of the ridicule.

So, for the past 7 months now I call myself a vegetarian. I slip up now and again, at a cookout. 95% of the time I am the vegetarian type who does not eat any meat produces like beef, pork, chicken, turkey and seafood. I still eat eggs though; yes I am eating pre-animal life.

What bothers me is when people look at me and say “you’re a vegetarian” or “other will say I commend you” mostly it is the prior that I hear. It isn’t just what they say but also how they say it and how they look when it is said.

I become angry and feel their judgment on me, as if they are saying to me “you will be back to our side soon enough”. I start to question, why, am I a vegetarian. Comments land my own questioning is similar to when I became saved and gave up alcohol. People would ask me why don’t you drink I would say that I am a Christian and I need to abstain from drinking alcohol so that God deals will my deal with my issues.

Jesus said in Luke 12:8 that “everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angles of God” So you are not confessing before men for a popularity contest to see how you will far up before people. So that you my be blessed before the angels of God. So do not afraid to tell your family, friends and even those crazy co-workers who you are and who it is that you belong, this confession just might be an example of what people need to see the Glory of God that lives within you.

Not willing to confess Christ is like turning your back on him and he will according to verse nine will not confess you before angels of God. So lets confess and bring disciples to Christ and enjoy our reward in heaven.

Peace

Wearing black does not make you look smaller

I have dealt with my weight for the last 8 years, but of the last four years I have lost approximately 55 pounds. Prior to losing the weight I was self conscious of my weight thinking that black would somehow make me look smaller and more approachable, confident, intelligent, not lazy, and all of the other thing you might be thinking of yourself about your weight. When the real issue was that I needed to let go of finding comfort in foods, letting go of the hurt, yearning to be a part of the crowd.

What I realized was the stains of sin I was wearing around my heart . So many people wear black thinking that it makes them look smaller, when in actually you look big in Gods eyes. Darkness is one thing that exposes our deeds for what they are. Let us put off and come to the one who allows living water to flow and requires that we believe and we will not die, but that we have been forgiven with our weight, and thoughts our mouths and our minds. It took 3 nails and a tree and a savior and we are free. Freedom is here if you except it.. Do you, then comment or are you willing to wear the black for eternity. It my make you look less noticeable down here, but big in Gods eyes whatever shade of black you are wearing.

WIBO Perry Noble Interview

Good Stuff.

http://godwardthoughts.blogspot.com/2006/07/lectures-on-jonathan-edwards.html