The Silent 501(C3) Organization a.k.a. The Church

As I sit here watching the news and see all the issues that are plaguing the world today, I am wondering to myself, were is the voice of the church. Now I am not saying that  the church has to be out picketing and standing on the sidelines shaking their fist in the air intimidating folks to do right, but from your pulpit where you speak the word of God everyday having the undivided attention of your listeners, you have the chance to give them exactly what God is saying about living Holy, Righteous, and Moral in this life today.You have a chance to speak to those issues that weave its way into our community, our schools, our homes, and yes even our churches. But instead it seems that many, not all of the spiritual leaders today seem to want to speak to the emotions and greed of its parishioners. Many to build up their own agenda and gaining notoriety from the messages they preach, inciting the people to give more than for God they Live. Out here alone in the city I live, everyday on the news you see teachers being arrested for sexually molesting a student at school. They are robbing the stores now, and it seems the young people out here are just out of control with the relationship fighting and killing. An it seems that on any of these issues the Church is silent. Now some of you may say....well the church has nothing to do with these situations, they are the result of sinful man doing what he does and acting out or committing crimes, so what does the church have to do what this. Well if the church is preaching and teaching what sin is, and not to sin against God, than we would have fewer of these situation going on in our communities. If the churches would take the time to counsel and mentor those that need help, again we would have less of these situations in our communities. A few years back they took prayer out of the Schools, and yes for a stint you heard the cry of many brave soldiers crying out that they bring it back....but not that cry has turned into silence. It seems we have preachers more interested in becoming Celebrities than being Men and Woman of God. More interested in glad handing the politicians and being in bed with the ones corrupting the system, than giving them the Gospel. Now a days the preachers want to be shown photographed with Puffy and Jay Z. They want to be reality show stars, talks show host, FAMOUS....and they forget in the bible where it says in Philippians 2:7 where it says Jesus made himself of no reputation (Didn't seek fame), but humbled Himself....Long gone are the days where we have preachers that are humble. They Glorify themselves and their skills from the pulpit more than they glorify God and acknowledge He is the one speaking through them. And the sad part about this is the people in their congregations allow this to go on because they put these swindlers on pedestals. These shysters come in and tell these folks anything as long as it sounds religious and they fall for it and empty their pockets to them giving foolishly, instead of studying the word for themselves and putting it in context so they can know the truth for themselves.  An many of them are becoming rich off of the backs of these poor folks, while their bank accounts become depleted. So I ask who is speaking to the issues. Out here where I am I see the Muslims getting involved with the social issues and helping the community more than those that say they are followers of Christ. I see churches on almost every corner along with prostitution and drug selling, but no evangelizing or soul winning. But yet we scream to the high heavens Jesus Saves, but yet don't do anything to get them to Him so they can be saved. An I believe some of them are so afraid of losing their  Tax Free status that if they spoke out against the issues or even participated in setting wrong right then they would lose the right to not pay taxes and lose money out their pockets, so they remain silent. You can't be a Friend of the World cause then you are an enemy of God. John the Baptist was the Voice Crying out in the wilderness speaking of the coming Messiah and against those who Sinned against God be it if they were the common man, worked for the government, or was of notoriety. He wasn't afraid to speak what God had given him to say along with speaking out against the issues of sin that plagued the earth in that day. Now it seems churches today are crying in the wilderness, but its only for them to get the people to send them some money so that the preacher can build up his bank account. Until the church decides which side it is on, we will always have these issues in our community. Where is the True Church, where are the Sons of God.....

OFCI Report Editorial: Is Being Gay "The New Normal"?

Let me first say I do not condone neither do I cast judgment on those who live the homosexual lifestyle, God is their Judge. But what amazes me is how we as people who believe in life as God has set it have those who differ to the contrary try to force feed us this lifestyle as being normal or acceptable. Look, I believe as a human being you choose to live whatever style of life that fits you, that's your free will right, but having this right doesn't mean that you can put forth your rationality of living this lifestyle of wrong to the people and pass it off as acceptable. We have been taught the way from the beginning of what God has mandated for us to live as man for woman and woman for man. But for those to come in and try to redefine the ordinance of God is just in my opinion evil and sinful. Who are you to try and change or redefine what God has set in place....last time I checked every bible still says God is the SAME...Yesterday, Today, and Forever. That means his laws and his word and his Will doesn't change. I am upset because first of all I saw a video of how they are trying to teach kids ages 5 to 11 that they can now choose what gender they want to be. If you are a girl and you now want to be a boy that's ok, or Normal. I am upset because instead of fighting to be treated equally or civilly like any normal couple, the government and gay rights activist are now trying to redefine what Marriage is as put together by GOD. I am upset that as a NBA player has now come out of the closet and praised for being Brave by the President, many people around the world commit real brave acts everyday and don't even get as much as a good job or a thank you and we want to honor him. It seems that we as a people really have our priorities mixed up as what Normal is and is not. Again I say, I am not going to judge or cast hate on anyone who chooses to live the lifestyle of homosexuality, but what I am going to say is that trying to impose your choice of living on me and pass it off as normal and acceptable really is a bit much.  Now this is me and just me....Having a man prancing around like a woman or a woman trying to be a man isn't cool, nor is it normal. God made you a man, be a man, God made you a woman, be a woman. There is no middle ground here. It is almost as crazy as a dog walking around trying to be a cat, or a bird trying to be an fish saying God made a mistake, he put them in the wrong body....who ever heard a dog meow or a cat bark...that wouldn't be normal right? Then why are we trying to accept men trying to be woman or loving other men or woman trying to be men and loving other woman. Have we really gone so far back as a human race and just decided to abandon God's law and commandments or redefine them, that we have now set ourselves up as being all mighty or all knowing? When have we become greater than God. Again, live any lifestyle you choose, that's your free will choice, but when it come to passing it off as being normal or acceptable, whether it is homosexuality, being a drug addict, being a thief, murderer, liar, whatever, it won't fly with those who know right from wrong.....

OFCI Report: Editorial, My Conversation with a memeber of Joel Olsteen's Church, Lakewood

A few hours ago I had a very interesting conversation with a member of Lakewood Church, Pastored by Joel Olsteen. And during this conversation I began to wonder from this talk if everything that we have labeled Pastor Olsteen as, is really just a unfair generalization of him being a "Motivational Speaker" and not a Pastor or him being a Prosperity" Preacher or Is he really who is who God called him to be. The Reason this has come to mind is because the man began to talk in a certain way that says that Lakewood church is more than just a church where Pastor Joel is preaching more than a Hippie Love everbody, do the right thing, and lets all feel good, love God , and if we give him a few dollars he will grant us our every 'wish' type of message. He shocked me because he begin to talk about love, and how God is love, about witnessing to folks, and drawing people to Christ through love...He really shocked and impressed me because he made me think that there really is more to Lakewood and Pastor Joel and his winning smile and feel good messages. I know sometimes in society, by the standards of others, that we are not valid because we don't measure up to other people's view of us...and if we are to much above what they expect than there must be something wrong with them.so we want everyone to fit in our own little box and be what we want them to be. So, now as I have had this conversation I am wondering should I look at Pastor Joel in a whole new light or do I continue to look at him as the same and chalk it up to this man over exaggerating about his Pastor. No doubt Pastor Olsteen is not your conventional Pastor, but none the less he is a Pastor. And it is his right to run and teach his church in whatever manner the spirit is leading him. As I listened in more I began to wonder if our sterolization of Pastor Olsteen is based on the fact that we see and hear him on tv, and make our judgement on the fact that we hear messages after  they are cut, polished, and edited, where he seems flawless, or is it the fact that we have been to the church and seen what is happening behind the scenes before it gets to the cut and the polish. Either way Pastor Joel is receiving backlash because he is folowing his God in the way of leading his church. There is a saying Never judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes, well for all of us that put a bad label on Pastor Olsteen, we have  a lot of walking to do, and we better hope the shoes fit. Cause if not....Then we owe not only God an apology because he is in control of this situation, but we will have to swallow our pride and eat a lot of crow....

Editorial: In (insert Your God's name Here) We Trust....

Lately if you have been watching the news or reading your local newspaper,  you may have noticed a lot of talk about religion, especially pertaining to the Muslim Religion and Christianity. And some of that talk has been about religious tolorance towards each other. I'm all for respecting the rights given by the 1st Amendment towards religious freedom and all, but does it seem that we as America is moving away from it's founding principal of serving the One True God, to paganism and serving many gods. All throughout high school we have been thought how the "Founding Fathers" were strong in their belief in the God of the Bible, and how those beliefs help shape America and it's laws around the country today. We also learned about how as this belief was spread throughout the country many also came to believe and follow this God of our "Fathers" and trust in Him. Now it seems that America, with those residing here from other countries, cultures, and religious beliefs, is becoming as diverse as its settlers are. The question is, Are we as a country founded and built on Christian Beliefs and values moving away from its core and moving towards incorporating other values into our system? Like I said before, I support the 1st Amendment and how it gives us the right to worship and serve any god we choose. But do we back away from what was and follow what is just because times are changing and people are changing, and opinions seem to rule the world? I was always thought to stand strong in what I believe and never waiver from it no matter what others may say, but it seems that in this day and time everytime a new opinion comes about or the popular flavor of the month come around we as americans are changing more than a chameleon in a tree. The Statement used to be: In God We Trust, now it seems to be: In Which god Do You Trust....

Thinking.

I was just sitting here thinking what I should blog about. I have plenty to gripe about, plenty to express, plenty to post. But I guess I'll bundle these thoughts all in one. As I travel around this city and I observe the doings of the people, I sometimes wonder to myself if many of these people really have a brain, a conscious, or a heart. Many times I hear people say things just to be heard or to hear themselves talk. Other times I hear or see people do things that make you wonder if they either care or if they just have no compassion at all. I guess I wanna ask, What happened to the love that we used to have toward each other. What ever happened to the kindness we used to show towards our fellow man. It seems today that all of that has been flushed down the toilet and it is now everyman for himself. We seem to have forgotten the word Help, or Assist, and must have traded it for Ignore, Push Away, and Walk Over. Now I don't want to seem like I am Mr. Perfect or anything, but I do feel like I do my best to help out someone when I can. Are we our Brother's keeper?, yes. Should we love our neighbors as we love ourselves?, All the time. I think the world will run more smoother if we get back to loving each other and stop competing against each other all the time. I told you, I was just Thinking.