Thank You For Telling Me You're Gay...and You're HIV+

You know, with all this talk of Jason Collins 'coming out' of the closet and all, I have had a chance to rethink some things.

As it pertains, to relationships between gay men and straight women...the new 'mixed marriages...'

Modern day psychologists have used this term to describe relationships/marriages between men who are gay   (or bisexual...) and women who are straight.

The dynamics behind this type of relationship/marriage is very complicated.

I remember when it was just one man, one woman.

Now you can have a variation of what 'marriage' means...and complicated relationships are more the norm than the exception to the rule.

I want to talk about relationships where a woman enters into one with a man she presumes is STRAIGHT, and the guy (maybe intentionally, maybe unintentionally) does not share with the woman that he is gay or bisexual.

Some men won't share this with the woman because they are intentionally wanting to deceive the woman.  They married the woman as a cover.  He most likely works in a field that is considered 'masculine,' such as a minister, a police officer, or in the military.

He knows he will catch much flack on the job and maybe in his community if it were to get out if he were gay.  So he plays the role of a straight man-beautiful wife, 2.5 kids, white picket fence, 2 cars (one a minivan).  The other life he frequents the gay bar, perusing for a gay lover.  Or he may have a gay lover on the side...lives two and three different lives.

In the movie "Cover,' there is a great example of what can happen when a man does this.  I won't spoil it for you.  See it for yourself:

I titled this the way I did because I have some experience with dating (and almost marrying) a man with his own sexual struggles.  

I can say my story differs from Jason Collins' or the guy in Cover...my ex fiance disclosed with me from the onset of our romantic involvement of his sexual struggles...and his HIV status.  

At the time, I really couldn't appreciate the fact that AT LEAST he was honest with me.  As I look around and see SO MANY men are just plain scary, deceptive and maybe just plain old confused when it pertains  not to their sexuality but in the dark about their HIV status.

I can honestly say I am one of the blessed women that KNEW what was going on.  I accepted the proposal because I believed he had been 'converted' from his homosexuality...and that I could deal with his HIV+ status.

As the relationship went on, however, I realized that I could not deal...with both.

The homosexuality, well, let's just say as a woman, FOR ME anyway, it was important for me to know that the man I was going to marry was going to want ME and ONLY ME.  And I just couldn't accept that he didn't want ME.

How did I know?

A woman knows.  A woman knows when a man wants her...and when he does not.

And the closer I came to the day, I couldn't just play along to get along.  

The HIV+ status...well, HIV is a serious thing.  Yes, there are ways to protect yourself.  But, again, I couldn't deal with marrying someone who may be terminally ill.  That was too much of a strain to place on ANY marriage.

So I called off the wedding.

So part of my writing this is to thank him for his honesty....Thank you.

The other reason I write this is because I want to admonish men out there who are struggling with their sexuality.  They are (or at least THINK they are) attracted to other men.  And are in a relationship with a woman.

I want you to be HONEST with the woman in your life.

Don't go and get married to a woman because it would be a good career move, or ministry move.  Or you want to impress your family and friends.  Or even to convince yourself that you are 'heterosexual.'  

Don't use that woman as your 'conversion tool.'  Even the most desirable, beautiful, holy or whatever type of woman won't be enough to 'convert' you from homosexuality to heterosexuality.

I'm not even addressing the biblical aspect of this here....I am just talking to you .... woman to man.

As a woman who has been in a 'complicated' relationship (or two), I have to tell you.  It could backfire on you.  You might be going to the wedding dinner TONIGHT.  The invitations are out.  Everyone has flown into town and your bride-to-be may be brimming over with excitement about the wedding...

But if you even THINK you swing 'that way,' if you even THINK you're gay, or attracted to other men, CALL IT OFF!

Don't lie to this woman,  Don't lead her on.  Would you want someone to do that TO YOU????

And if you are a man (or a woman) with HIV, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE SHARE YOUR STATUS BEFORE YOU BEGIN THE RELATIONSHIP!

That is information that you MUST share with the other person WAY AHEAD of time.  Don't wait til you've been together with the person for 1 year...or 2.  THEN tell them.  

Because IF you happen to sleep together, and that other person gets HIV, YOU can go to JAIL!

Plus, how ethical is that?  

Give that person the chance to work through whether or not they want to go forward with you in a (romantic) relationship with the HIV.  That is really heavy news...and they have the right to know.

And I know that getting tested for HIV is not a requirement in most states before getting a marriage license...but I HIGHLY encourage getting tested.  NOT just for the wedding...but (unless you're BOTH virgins) throughout the relationship.

NO matter your age, your vocation, your marital status, your status in ministry, or whatever.  If you have EVER had sex, GET TESTED!  KNOW YOUR STATUS!

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CHECK OUT MY NEW BOOK "The Makings Of A False Prophet"

The Makings Of A False Prophet

by Wenona Russ

'The Makings of a False Prophet' is a book that looks at the motives for wanting to be in ministry as well as serving as a tool one in ministry can use to gauge where they are in the HEARTS as it pertains to ministry. Many a TRUE prophet turned false as a result of not taking heed to the very foundational and practical things the author shares in her 50-pg book. THIS is the stuff they WON'T tell you in Bible College or the School of the Prophets and/or Apostles! ‎'The Makings of a False Prophet digs deep into the heart and soul to determine the authenticity of a genuine call from the Lord, and how to keep that authenticity pure and undefiled. You will be blessed by this book if you are truly ready to examine yourself and see not only if you are in the faith, but if you are really called. It is an eye-opening and realistic view at what ministry is-and what it is NOT. Great teaching tool for any ministerial class on ANY level.

The Church Are FULL of Accomplices and Accessories!

Now, before you bite my head off, let me pre-qualify this.  Before you say I'm being unloving, cold, mean and the such to good-hearted church people, hear me out....

There ARE good people in church.  No doubt.  Some are actually SAVED.  But it is a VERY few who are....another post for another time.

When I say that the church is FULL of accessories, I'm NOT talking about hats, purses, belts, or jewelry.

I am referring to the legal term ACCESSORY.

Read below what an accessory is...(there are three different kind, btw)

According to http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/accessory, an accessory is:

Aiding or contributing in a secondary way or assisting in or contributing to as a subordinate.

In Criminal Law, contributing to or aiding in the commission of a crime. One who, without being present at the commission of an offense, becomes guilty of such offense, not as a chief actor, but as a participant, as by command, advice, instigation, or concealment; either before or after the fact or commission.

One who aids, abets, commands, or counsels another in the commission of a crime.

There are accessories, accessories before the fact, and accessories after the fact.  (I worked at B.C. Law School for a BUNCH of lawyers...as well as for another lawyer in the N.O. area at S.U.N.O. in New Orleans....I learned a LOT!)

Accessories BEFORE the fact are those people who sets up a crime, orders it, or helps in the commission of it....not necessarily hands on, but there is a definite connection.  An example of this would be a wife that orders the hit on her husband to be murdered.  She would be an accessory to the crime in the murder of her husband because she ordered it, possibly paid for it.  She set it up BEFORE the crime actually was committed.  

Accessories AFTER the fact are the people who know about the crime, and help to CONCEAL the crime...or hide the criminal, help him/her to escape justice.  Someone who drives a getaway car for a guy who robs a liquor store would be an accessory AFTER the crime has already been committed.  

NOW....that I've gotten THAT out of the way....

How many people do YOU know (I know MANY) people who know of things going on in the church (A LOT of it CRIMINAL behavior!) and they won't say A THING about it?  

They will conceal it, they will help hide pastor and first lady out, they will help conceal that pedophile, that rapist, that thief, that murderer (YES!  I have read of cases where a preacher in Alabama killed his wife, put her in the deep freezer, the CHURCH KNEW something happened, and they would NOT go to authorities!    See Preacher Says Seeing Stepdaughter in Chocolate Negligee Was Too Much...)

The community, the church KNEW something was wrong.  They knew the daughters were being molested.  And impregnated.  The daughters KNEW their MOTHER was STUFFED inside of a deep freezer......FOR FOUR YEARS! And no one said a thing!  I read in another article that even though everyone had suspicions, no one came forward .... because they were scared!  They said because he was considered 'a prophet' 

In the church culture, to reveal the crime/sins of another is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO taboo, so looked down upon, often called 'unloving,' that many who go to church (as well as a few who do not) still hold to the mindset that exposure of a crime and/or sin is wrong!

They often misquote the scripture 'Love covers a multitude of sins...'  

But what these same people fail to realize is that LOVE ALSO JUDGES SINS.  The LOVE OF GOD through His Holy Ghost, convicts sin.  

And if the sin committed happens to be a crime, then it is only JUST and RIGHT for the guilty to face punishment.  

They DESERVE to experience the love of God not just in concealing sin or 'covering it up.'  As a matter of fact, the Word tells us that concealed sin can NOT be forgiven...or healed (Proverbs 28:13)

Proverbs 28:13
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Mercy can only be administered when one CONFESSES and FORSAKES their sins!

When we go to the mercy seat and obtain favor from God - and grace (empowerment to NOT sin) - we won't get that mercy .... unless we first GO to the THRONE! (Heb. 4:16)

The church system has lied to so many...and in this culture of lies and deception, many have fallen prey to its predators.  

And even MORE have SILENTLY sat back and said NOTHING of the crimes that goes on within her walls!!!!!

THIS IS NOT LOVE!!!!!!!!  THIS IS DECEPTION!!!!!!!!!!

In my post, Judgment Against The Church....GUILTY!, I point out that the church is under judgment (doesn't the Word says judgment WILL begin IN THE HOUSE OF GOD? Never mind in Hollywood or in the government!).  

When a judgment is handed down in a court of law, all who are affiliated with the crime are judged as well.  Accomplices and accessories as well....oftentimes, once the evidence has been presented to the jury, that is when the accessories and accomplices get issued warrants.  Because it is THEN found out that others partook of the crime.

What a LOT of people in church do NOT realize is that when they harbor a fugitive, a pedophile, a thief, an extortioner, that they are actually ACCESSORIES to a crime.  

But even more disturbing are the church people who cover up for their pastors, their elders, their bishops, their leaders...and they REALLY believe that they are doing what God says.  

They forget the Word of God that says to we are not to be a partaker of another's sins (1 Tim 5:22, Rev. 18:4, 2 Cor. 6:13-17)

They forget where the Word says that if you cover up sins, you are a partaker of said sin, and will suffer the same judgment as the guilty.  (Rev 18:4)

Because that scripture is in Revelations, a lot of people believe this is for a far-off time, in the far away future.

This is NOT the case.

We are really in the end times...folks are marrying and given in marriage, feasting, partying, the love of many is waxing cold, children are disobedient to EVEN THE BEST of parents, false doctrine is taught MORE than the TRUTH....

We need to start taking the Word seriously.

Not twisting it.  But studying it like never before.  And TRULY understanding what it says.

Don't be a partaker of another person's sins.  Don't cover up sin ..... NO MORE!

If the person wants mercy, the Word says there IS a PROCESS to obtaining mercy.

Yes, mercies are new every morning...but YOU MUST DO SOMETHING TO OBTAIN IT.

Read your Word....

Have YOU Been Treading On the Forces Of Darkness?

If you have (been 'treading') ...

YOU HAVE BEEN FIGHTING IN THE FLESH...A NEEDLESS, POINTLESS WARFARE!

One initiated by the enemy to wear you down, to cause you to burnout.  To get you in 'the wrong fight.'

(There is a LOT of ground to cover...so bear with me...)

I went to church for over 20 years-saved and 'full of the Holy Ghost.'  I was what some folks call 'a prayer warrior.'  For those of you not familiar with 'charismatic/pentecostal' lingo, a prayer warrior is someone who has been deemed (by other church folks, NOT by God) to be so effective and powerful in prayer that they are often 'sought out' to pray for the needs (and wants) of others.

I used to work as a prayer partner for the Daystar Network.  Yep....I was the one you would reach when you would call the 800 number and ask for prayer.  (Not quite sure HOW I was somehow 'transferred' to that department, when I started out doing data entry for Daystar! )  I also was the head of prayer teams in a few churches.  So I am familiar with the term 'spiritual warfare,' as well as the whole mentality and fervor behind such thinking.

I watched church folks, church lingo, the actions and practices of church people for a long time.  Yes, I judged, too.  But by judging those around me, I was able (by the grace of God!) to finally GET OUT of a corrupted church system devoid of the Spirit of God.

And I am going to share with you the gross fallacy of what these people call 'spiritual warfare.'

You know, when you're in church, praying down the heavens, hollering in tongues, anointing EVERYTHING with cooking oil, olive oil, castor oil, maybe even baby oil, you really believe that you are conducting 'spiritual warfare.'  You really believe that you are moving the heavens and 'casting down imaginations,' tearing down the gates of the enemy...'taking back what the enemy stole from me!'

But when you get OUT of churchanity - and search the scriptures for yourself - you come to realize it was ALL a farce!

Now, I'm not degrading the power of the prayer of a SAVED, RIGHTEOUS, BORN AGAIN believer.  As a matter of fact, I concur that according to scripture, the effectual, fervent prayer of the RIGHTEOUS avails MUCH!

But what a LOT of people do NOT understand is that the effectiveness and the fervency of the prayer has absolutely NOTHING to do with how loud we pray, how many tongues are spoken, how much you sweat, roll in the floor, cry, wail, get slain in the spirit....it has NOTHING to do with ANY outward manifestation you may see or do.

The effectiveness and fervency of one's prayer is determined NOT on one's performance during prayer.  It's NOT determined by how long one fast, or how many tongues they rattle off.  It's NOT determined by any outward calisthenics one displays during a prayer meeting (like we have all seen in church prayer meetings).  It has NOTHING to do with the outward display of emotion.  

NO!

I just want to blast this LIE about there being ANY 'prayer warriors' among believers!  This is not supported NOWHERE in the scriptures!

What you DO have invariably are SAVED folks who simply had the faith to believe God for what they prayed for...and God granted them the request!

Read James 5:15-17.

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

Do you see that?  It is not 'because this person is so powerful, therefore THEIR prayer will be answered!'  According to THIS passage of scripture, anyone with the faith to believe will see a healing...and if they are not saved, the Word says 'their sins SHALL be forgiven them.'

Then right before that scripture we ALL have misquoted and misapplied to mean something that it does not...'the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous avails much....,' the Word tells us HOW that prayer IS effective, fervent...

Confess your faults...one to another.  Pray ..... for one another!

It seems like to me this fallacy in the church system that sets certain people aside as 'prayer warriors,' or those who have been deemed BY THE SPIRIT OF RELIGION as so powerful, so anointed, so effective in prayer, that now THEY are the only ones who can 'get a prayer through!'

THAT'S A LIE!

ANYONE WHO IS BORN AGAIN CAN 'GET A PRAYER THROUGH!'

This truth also blows apart the whole 'deliverance' ministry thing in the church, too.

I have written on the topic of deliverance before...but as I was sitting down one day, it occurred to me that - amidst all the buzz and hoopla on deliverance - that many still don't fully understand what IS deliverance.

When we hear of someone talking about deliverance, most church folks immediately revert back to the picture of folks up at a church altar, someone laying hands on them, someone puking up their guts, etc.

And I guess because of all the sensationalism and focus on the flesh this 'mode' of deliverance entails, most people become quite fixated and fascinated with it.

But the fact of the matter is that THAT is NOT necessary in most cases where someone is in need of 'deliverance.'

I think we should stop using the term 'deliverance' so much and think of it as 'a renewing of the mind.' Or 'an empowering of oneself to liberty.

The bondage is seldom an outward one...it mostly always entails an inner struggle. A faulty way of thinking or perceiving circumstances or people around you. A lie the enemy has planted in one's mind and that persistence of that lie (a stronghold).

When you find a person who cannot think or perceive correctly what's really going on, they have a stronghold. That whole mentality they have (i.e.'...everyone's always rejecting me or talking about me...,' '...this one's my enemy; that one's my enemy...') when that is not true, that represents a stronghold.

The Word says we are to 'cast DOWN imaginations,' and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. We are to bring into captivity, reign that (false) thought, that lie...whatever it is...unto the obedience of Christ.

Twice in the New Testament, the word 'deliverance' shows up. And in both instances, they speak to what Jesus Christ did for us at Calvary, the remission and forgiveness of sins.

Deliverance word in Hebrews 11:35
"apolytrōsis"

a) a releasing effected by payment of ransom
b) redemption, deliverance
c) liberation procured by the payment of a ransom

Deliverance word in Luke 4:18

"aphesis"

a) release from bondage or imprisonment
b) forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty

Calvary was the ultimate 'deliverance' session! Once and for ALL...for ALL mankind!

This whole focus on the outer and ignoring of the inner is the ultimate deception.

The teaching on deliverance, prayer warriors, and spiritual warfare that has spread like wildfire in the church is a lie sent from the enemy to get you on a wheel....spinning round and round.  One where you will never stop until you jump OFF the (church) wheel.  

Then when you look at that wheel from afar off, you will be able to see how the church has bamboozled you into believing yet another lie!

Plainly put...most, if not all, 'deliverance' has to take place in US. And it has absolutely NOTHING to do with the other person, or group of people, or enemies, or frienemies, or 'haters,' or the 'ites.'

All that type of thinking does is deceive and brings one to paranoia!

Fear and paranoia are the main elements the enemy uses to make CHURCH FOLKS and folks with church-like mentalities believe that the 'warfare' we are supposed to be in is based solely on THE OUTSIDE OF US.

This is what is behind the pushing of the spiritual warfare teaching in the church.

If the enemy can get YOU to believe that a demon tormenting you on the outside is the main reason for the way YOU think, or the way YOU perceive things, or the way YOU interpret certain truths...then he has done his job.  He has 'effectively' deceived you into getting focused on an outward battle, getting you enthralled and engrossed on a battle on the outside, and caused you to lose focus on what's wrong IN YOU.  What type of mentality, thinking, character flaws, strongholds IN YOU that has you believing what you believe.

That has you believing that demons are standing at your bedside, waiting to pounce on you...like you're so powerful and scary.  Like ALL demons have to do is torment YOU.

It actually feeds into a narcissistic mindset that has permeated the organized church system.  Now EVERYTHING that goes wrong is 'an attack' on the church!  Smh.  

(Maybe, just maybe, its just a fulfillment of prophecy, already written in scriptures!)

And just like the entire church system has got this ME-ISM mentality, its me and against the world, the enemy is attacking me on every hand...so I got to 'command my morning...'

That kind of teaching is faulty.  It genders fear and paranoia.  That can grow into mental illness!

And we wonder why more and more church folks are killing themselves?  And others?

They have been feeding into fear and paranoia by believing this lie of 'spiritual warfare.'  And have lost complete focus on TEARING DOWN FALSE BELIEF SYSTEMS, STRONGHOLDS, LIES, DECEPTIONS ingrained IN THEM.  

Like I said earlier, the deliverance MOST need is INNER DELIVERANCE.  INNER HEALING.  They need their MINDS renewed.  

• If a lust demon is always after you, maybe that just means you need to kill YOUR flesh!
• If an angry, rageful demon is always making you fight or want to hurt someone, maybe you need to CONTROL your emotions.  Allow the Holy Spirit to KILL YOUR FLESH so that need to be right or to defend yourself is KILLED.
• If a spirit of poverty seems to plague you and your family, maybe you just need to get up off your face, go get you a plate of spaghetti, and then go look for a JOB.  And live within your means!
• If depression seems to plague you, go visit a nursing home, or a hospital, or an hospice.  Go see some folks who are about to take their last breaths.  It brings a whole new perspective to feeling sorry for yourself and always blaming a demon for YOUR lack of courage and faith!

It's NOT your family.  It's NOT your 'church.'  It's NOT your husband or wife.  It's NOT your co-worker.  It's NOT Obama or the government.  It's NOT that hottie that just strutted in front of you almost naked, or that dude with those speedos on.  It's NOT your boss or supervisor.  It's NOT the Illuminati.  It's NOT your neighbor.  

IT IS YOU!!!!!!!

Now...STOP treading on the forces of darkness.  You are just spinning your wheels and the enemy is gaining an even stronger hold on YOUR thought processes.  

So plainly put...(I promise; this is the end!), there IS no spiritual warfare, not for a born again believer anyways.  

The Word says the weapons of our warfare are NOT carnal, but mighty - THRU GOD - how?  To the PULLING DOWN OF STRONGHOLDS!

Strongholds are IN US.  IN our thought processes.  In our minds.  Our souls.  NOT lurking over the air over a certain region or country (remember that whole 'territorial spirits' teaching, made popular by that preacher in California, I think his name was Bernal?)

Yes, spiritual wickedness in high places, principalities, powers, (fallen angels) DO exist.  But we don't FIGHT against them.  Not like some fist fight, or wielding some (physical) sword.  We CAN'T behead a SPIRIT!  We cannot 'beat up' a demon!  We cannot b***h slap a spiritual being!

Read 1 Corinthians 9:25-27.  

Paul speaks of we don't fight 'as one that beats against the air.'  

And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

If you read the ENTIRE chapter 9 of 1 Corinthians, Paul speaks of LIVING the gospel.  The power is in living it...NOT in all this 'I'm more powerful than you, I can run faster than you, my prayer is more effective than you...' crap that is being taught in churches.  

We are in a race...and then in verse 27, Paul speaks on HOW we are to live this thing.  

Keeping our body IN SUBJECTION.  Killing OUR FLESH.  Casting DOWN imaginations.  False religious teachings.  Doctrines of devils.  Enduring til the end.

That's how we 'fight.'  By staying saved.  By doing what we are supposed to be doing.  

I am convinced the reason why most folks set up 'prayer warriors' and 'deliverance ministries' (within the church system) is because most of these folks are not saved...so they don't have a leg to stand on...you know, when the Word says in Ephesians 6:12-14.

WE ARE TO STAND.  NOT FIGHT!

The good fight of faith Paul told Timothy about was NOT a physical one.  According to 1 Timothy 6:1-11, the way to fight the good fight of faith is to flee GREED and COVETOUSNESS.  AVOID seeking after prosperity.  Not getting into debates over the scriptures.  

Read it for yourself!

Everywhere in NEW TESTAMENT scripture, I don't see where a born again believer is supposed to be engaged in any type of 'warfare' in the natural.  I don't see Paul mention one time 'cutting off the head of the enemy.'  I don't read where Timothy or John the Revelator were 'prayer warriors' or 'deliverance' ministers.

ANYONE who was born again can pray, can expect to receive answer to prayer, and received 'the measure of faith.'

It's just high time you RENEW your minds....and USE YOUR FAITH the way GOD INTENDED you to use it.  

If you would do that, your life will be a WHOLE lot more peaceful.  You won't find yourself 'in warfare' every day.  Satan WILL flee.  

JUST STAND!

You Heard Right...God Told U2 SHUT DOWN UR CHURCH!

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The Power of Fear...How Leaders Are Worshipped

Ever since I can remember, fear has been used as a controlling manipulator for not only me, but for those around me...the general public as well.

When we are kids, it is easier for all of us to be afraid.  Scary movies, being away from mom or dad, strangers confronting us-with the intent to possibly harm, nightmares, first day in new school...a lot of different situations and scenarios played themselves out in our lives.  Had us pretty scared, too!

But as grown ups, having that same type of child-like fear is not healthy.  Or normal.

Yet I know millions of people who are operating today out of sheer, unadulterated FEAR.

Take, for instance, the Illuminati hunters.  (Seems to me, hunters of humans of ANY kind do so out of fear...i.e., Witch hunters, heresy hunters, Illuminati hunters....etc. They all go on the hunt out of fear.  The Witch Hunters out of fear of witchcraft; the heresy hunters out of fear of losing the 'integrity' of the gospel; and the Illuminati hunters...I suppose 'hunt' out of fear of the unknown...the future.)

I want to talk about the Illuminati hunters for a moment.  

It's been a few years since I first started seeing folks start talking about the Illuminati.  Now, being the inquisitive person that I am, it did pique my curiosity for a little while.  But it got old really quick, and I began to notice that there was something going on with me that was a little unusual for my character.

I started to get scared!

Fear is not something I embrace or feed into.  I was a shy, fearful CHILD, but I grew out of it.  When I was in the church, fear was used to control and manipulate the masses...and while I was in there, they used it on me as well.  And it is a POWERFUL control agent!

But fear has left my life since I have exited left stage from the I.C.  

The interesting thing I am noticing about Illuminati hunters is that they are IN and OUT of the church.  They all are superstitious-at best-and they feed into what I call conspiracy theories real easily.

I actually had to call someone who consistently fed into the conspiracy theories floating online 'Conspiracy Brother' from the movie 'Undercover Brother.'  (WARNING:  EXPLICIT LANGUAGE IN CLIP) But it's MAD funny!

We can all laugh at Conspiracy Brother here.  But after a good laugh, we have to sit back and think.  How healthy is it for someone to go around always thinking someone is always 'after them?'  How healthy is it to look for symbolism in EVERYTHING triangular?  There is a picture my 13 year old son recently showed me that's online:

Again, we find the humor in stuff like this.  But we need to see the big picture here-pun intended.

Why are more and more people so paranoid?  So Fearful?

Fear is a strong emotion, one that can lead into paranoia.  According to http://www.mentalhealthcare.org.uk/paranoia, paranoia is the unfounded fear that something bad is going to happen.  

We joke about people becoming paranoid, but what we don't realize is that-left untreated-paranoia/fear can lead to psychosis, post traumatic stress disorder as well as a host of other mental illnesses.

All of this because someone did not address - or get rid of - their fears.

Fear is a strong emotion brought on by a perceived threat.  Perception IS everything, for sure!

How one perceives a thing is what is reality to that person.  

This may not seem important, but when watching a powerful documentary on the leader of North Korea, the one who has been in the news for the past few weeks in threatening the U.S. with nuclear attack...I found that this leader is literally worshipped by the North Koreans.  Somewhat like Jesus Christ.  (smh)

As I watched this video, I couldn't help but wonder, 'How did the people get to such a place where they worship this man?'

If you'll allow me to give a little background on North Korean history, it has always been that the leader of North Korea has always been a powerful dictator...and one who rules by an iron fist.  North Korea has a VERY high concentration (for lack of a better term) of concentration camps.  Why?  

If anyone challenges the leader there, he places not only the person in camp or put to death, but he imprisons the entire family.

Fear.

Fear is a powerful controlling agent, as I stated earlier in this post.  

Now imagine a whole nation of paranoid, delusional folks...who have been made to be such by fear mongers?

What we in this country need to realize is that fear is powerful.  Jung Kim (or whatever his name is) as well as many others, have used fear as a powerful agent, a powerful factor, to manipulate the masses.

Whoever started this whole Illuminati hunting was on to a powerful truth.

"...if I can instill fear into the masses, I can control them...'

One more thing...

The Word of God says 'a wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign' in Matthew 16:4.

It's funny to me that -in and out of the church-the Illuminati hunters always seek 'after a sign' as a clue to whether something is evil or not.  Or a part of the conspiracy theories they so eloquently cling to.

Well, I say if all you ever do are seek after signs that some music artists throw up at a performance or symbols supposedly imprinted on U.S. currency, then you just may be evil and adulterous....

STOP feeding into the fear of conspiracy theories and illuminati hunters!!!!

GOD is in CONTROL!

If you are saved, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR!!!

In the bible, the phrase FEAR NOT shows up over 165 times!  

HOW many times does God have to tell you to FEAR NOT???

What's The Fuss About 'The Anointing?'

"Oh, they are SO anointed!"

"Did you sense the anointing in that place?"

'The anointing on their life is SO strong!"

Anybody who has gone to church for any length of time has heard a lot of things about 'the anointing' and 'the anointed.'

If you are a newcomer, or a new convert/member in your church, you may have a lot of questions about 'the anointing.

If you have been listening to your pastor, prophet, apostle, bishop or any one of your favorite preachers, the anointing, more or less, is made out to be this supernatural force that represents the Holy Ghost.  Or, at the very least, is presented as if its 'sensed' to be in a person, group or place, or even music or writings, then they are said that those works, people or things are 'anointed.

Before I get into my beliefs, let's see what the Word of GOD says about 'the anointing' and 'the anointed:'

The anointed served several purposes in the Old Testament:


1)  Things, places and priests were anointed/consecrated for God's service -
      Exodus 29: 2, Lev. 2:4,  Lev. 4:16,    Lev. 6:20, Exod. 29:29, Numbers 7:10

2)  To hold office as kings, governors, princes -
      2 Chron. 23:11, 1 Chron. 14:8, 1 kings 1:39, 1 Sam 1:10, 1 Sam 2:10, Isaiah 45:1

3)  God's people were anointed -
     Lev. 7:36, 1 Sam 2:10, 1 Chron. 16:22, 2 Chron. 28:15, Psalms 28:8, Psalms 105:15, Lam 4:20,  Hab.  
     3:13

4)  God anointed folks to administer judgment -
     2 Chron. 22:7, 2 Sam 19:10, Ezekiel 28:14, Zechariah 4:14

In the New Testament, the anointed only were used:

1)  To administer healing -
     John 9:6, Mark 6:13, John 9:11,

2)  To moisturize -
     2 Sam 12:20, Luke 7:46

3)  Jesus was anointed by God -
     Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18, Acts 4:27, John 11:2, Acts 10:38

4)  As a form of worship -
      Luke 7:38, Luke 7:46, John 11:2, John 12:3

5)  We are anointed -
      2 Corin. 1:21, Heb 1:9

The ANOINTING is mostly mentioned in the Old Testament as ANOINTING OIL.

The only place I see a different use of THE ANOINTING is in probably the most MISUSED, MISAPPLIED scripture regarding the anointing ever used.....

Isaiah 10:27:

"And it shall come to pass in that day that his burden should be taken from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from  off his neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing."

MANY Charismatics teach this scripture TOTALLY out of context...they wrench this scripture apart from the rest of chapter 10 and twist it, interpret it to mean what they want.

If you read the ENTIRE chapter 10 of Isaiah, you will see that the Hebrew word used for anointing there is 'shemen,' which literally means 'fatness.'

In Isaiah 10, God is pronouncing judgment on evil leaders and those who oppress the Israelites.  Its a prophetic scripture that speaks about the oppression of the Assyrians, which are modern day Iranians and Syrians!  God will send deliverance to the Israelites there, but the leaders (Syrians) will boast that the deliverance came by their hand, and NOT the by the Hand of God.

It is prophesied that only a few Israelites will return to serve the one and living True God, a remnant.  The Assyrians (Syrians and Iranians) will come against the Israelites real hard...to get them to surrender.  God promises that He will deliver by His Spirit (the scriptures denote by a supernatural act of some kind).

THAT'S how the yoke is destroyed.

Charismatics took this out of context...thinking He was speaking to modern day 'believers...'  And they have used this scripture for YEARS to justify peddling a power and dominion gospel that cannot be founded on scripture.

They are power hungry, money seeking groups of people who don't trust God but their ability to perform miraculous acts and to make it appear they are 'powerful.'  They conclude that wherever the 'power' is, God is there with them, too.

And that is simply NOT the case.

We can say the magicians who mimicked the signs and wonders of God at the hand of Moses when they laid down their rods before Pharaoh to show God is powerful.

How long was it before the temple magicians' were able to mimic those miracles, signs and wonders with their own 'signs, tricks, miracles, wonders?'

So from a scriptural standpoint, everything and everyone that is anointed is not always for GOOD.  God uses it...YES.  But just because something or someone is anointed does NOT mean they are right with God...or that they are even ANOINTED BY GOD!!!

In a few of those above scriptures, the PEOPLE actually anointed some kings, such as Saul, but were NOT anointed-or chosen by God.

The prince of Tyre was another who was anointed for office in Ezekiel 28...but then God speaks about another that was anointed and fell into the trap of pride....Lucifer.

He was called 'the anointed cherub.'

Lucifer probably was the most gifted, talented, most beautiful creature God ever created!  Read the entire chapter 28.  Beyonce or Rihanna was not made up as beautiful as Lucifer!

Only Lucifer and King David are mentioned in the bible as being 'anointed' and affiliated with music in some fashion.

And in both cases, we know how these 'anointed' ministrels ended up.

One was damned forever to eternal torment...hell bent (pun intended) on taking as many folks with him as he can.

The other was as anointed as all get-out, but his family was so jacked up, his own son tried to kill him and he had to have him killed and his other son raped his sister!!!!!

Hmmmmmm!

So with all of this in mind...I again ask you.....what is all the fuss about 'the anointing?'

Too many in the church world elevate the anointing to be something so awesome and powerful...when God requires of us not so much that we are anointed, but that we are OBEDIENT!

There are talents, gifts...and then there is the anointing.

What is the purpose of the anointing?

To preach good tidings to the meek
To bind up the brokenhearted
To proclaim liberty to the captives
To open the prison to them that are bound

To preach the Kingdom of GOD....ultimately.

One more thing...

The last two verses in the bible that speaks of the anointing speaks of it in terms of as how it applies to ALL who are born again.

In 1 John 2:20 and 2:27, the anointing is mentioned as 'an unction.'

But you have an unction from the Holy One, and you know ALL things....

The anointing which you have received of Him abides IN you, and you need not that ANY man shall teach you.  The same anointing teaches you all things, and is TRUTH, and is NO LIE....and you shall abide IN HIM.  

What we need to understand about 'the anointing' as believers is that WE who are born again HAVE the anointing.  And why?  So we can do all the things I listed above....and to teach US how to do those things.  To help us discern good from evil.  TO help us RIGHTFULLY divide the Word.

The anointing is NOT some magical force that we yield when we get good and ready, to our bidding...to perform all kinds of neat, church tricks to wow one another.

The anointing is NOT that thing that gets you to cut a rug, do a dance, hoop, holler, not even that which makes us shudder when we hear a jolting word or a powerful, talented singer.

The anointing is NOT something we use like a witch does her sorceries to lord over people...to prove to people how 'powerful' we are.

The anointing is NOT something that is supposed to move us into emotional frenzies, tears, holy groanings and moanings....tongues, or to take over our wills.

THAT is another spirit in operation that is moving you to do all of that!

Murder On Holy Ground?

You've GOT To Read Centino Kemp's "First Lady"

A few days ago, I had the pleasure to read Centino Kemp's first book, 'First Lady.'  It is his story of his relationship with Bishop Eddie Long.

You would have had to have lived in a cave for the past few years to not know who Centino or Eddie are.  Or not hear of the scandal that arose after it was revealed that Bishop Eddie Long had inappropriate relations with minors who came to his church, New Birth M.B.C., for mentoring and spiritual direction.

I have to say that this was one of the most moving stories I have EVER read!

You know, the way this story was portrayed in the media much was left out of the story.  So we all were left to our own imaginations and devices as to what we thought happened between Eddie Long and Centino Kemp, as well as the others who came forward with their stories.

There was SOO much more to this story that was untold....until NOW!

I know we are living in a time where more and more church scandal is surfacing.  And those who are still part of the whole church culture probably will choose to keep their heads in the sand and ignore not only this powerful rendition of what REALLY happened...but will choose to ignore the VERY real reality of child sexual abuse and exploitation...IN OUR CHURCHES!!!!!!

The media failed to tell, for instance, that Centino was raped by Long.  That that sexual assault was Kemp's very first sexual experience.  He was 16...some say that's a man...but legally, that is not.  He was still a MINOR!  And we all see the bulging muscles Eddie sports from his pulpit every week.  He was MUCH stronger than the teenage Centino...and it is my wholehearted belief that something as traumatic as rape and assault can MOST definitely 'convert' an already struggling teenage boy from a kid who merely questioned his sexuality....to a full-fledged, openly gay man.

I have known other homosexual men who I know were assaulted as kids or teens by other men.  They have confided in me that before the assault, they only questioned their sexuality, but did NOT act on it.  It wasn't until someone TOOK their innocence, TOOK their virginity, TOOK their manhood from them that they just went ahead and say 'Ok...yeah.  I'm gay....'  And walked on in that lifestyle.

Having been in ministry myself...I have also heard of stories of the most revered of 'bishops' who would 'tear the house down,' preaching 'holiness,' heaven or hell messages....and they were the VERY ONES taking boys' virginities, introducing them to the lifestyle, pornography...and some even to HIV and AIDS!!!!!

I recall getting an email from a church prayer group of a 'bishop' who I actually went to school with.  I knew this guy in high school.  He never looked like he ever 'struggled' with his sexuality.  He later went on to pastor a church, get married, have kids...the whole nine.  Holiness preacher.  One of the BEST preachers and singers I have ever heard!

They sent me an email asking for us to pray for 'bishop' because it turned out that this 'man of God' was being taken to court...seems like he was having sexual relationships with other young men in the church we once all went to!!!!!!

I was literally SICKENED to my stomach!

How can this 'man of God,' one I went to school with, to boot, been living two different lifestyles?????  He sure had me fooled!

This saddens me SOOO much....and ANGERS ME!

It's easy for a lot of people to laugh, joke, make fun and just look at the average homosexual man and say 'Hmmmph!'

And I admit...sometimes even I come a little hard on them...

But I CAN say I can relate to being sexually abused in the church...by leadership.  I CAN say I can relate to the struggles.

And it turns my stomach that so many who claim to love God would continue to allow GROWN MEN to take away the manhood and innocence of our most vulnerable population within the church system....of our kids!

I want to talk to all those church people who wanna point the finger and make gay men and lesbian women out to be such horrible people....

NO...I don't condone or support the lifestyle.  I KNOW deliverance and restoration IS possible.

BUT...YOU church people are the REASON why these young men and women are the way they are!!!!

How can I say that?

You sit back and let these nasty preachers turn these kids out.....TIME and TIME again...and say nothing.  And do NOTHING.  You let them stay in your pulpits and preach you happy...while they go home and turn out someone else's child!

Then when they grow up and be whatever and do whatever, you want to say 'EWWWWW?'

YOU CAN'T SAY DIDDLY SQUAT!!!!!!

From the mothers of yesteryear that knew that the young men singing in their choirs were turned out by the pastors (gay men sang with Mahalia Jackson, Albertina Walker, Inez Andrews...and many other gospel greats) and no one did A THING!

Centino, keep sharing your story.  Don't be ashamed of what you have been thru...your story is going to help so many....You are a brave young man who has been to hell and back!  I do believe God IS with you.  God WILL perfect that which concerns you....don't you worry!  May God keep protecting you....

You all who no longer wish to keep your heads in the sand on what kind of stuff is going on behind the scenes of the church-who wish to hear a REAL story of not just child abuse in the church...and a story of SURVIVAL-YOU NEED TO GET THIS BOOK!

I can tell you that it is somewhat graphic...but if you're not too religious to really see what's going on in these churches...I DARE you to get a copy of this book TODAY!

(I promise you..if you're REALLY saved, you won't lose your salvation reading it!  lol)

This book had me in tears....

First Lady by Centino Kemp

****************

What's Wrong With 'Church Swag' Anyways?

Ok.  

My kids accuse me of being 'old' all the time because I don't 'get' the new slang terms that they use all the time.  

This is the case with the term 'SWAG' as well.

So I went on my Google hunt trying to get a clear cut definition of exactly WHAT is swag anyways.  Moreso because I hear more and more young people 'in the church' use the term 'church swag.'

Here's what I found:

According to Adrien Chen in 'The Old Person's Guide to Swag,'  swag is:

"Swag just isn't the new cool.  Swag is a noun, an adjective, a verb, an all-around expression of endorsement or agreement..."

According to some kids on Twitter quoted in the article, Swag is:

'Charisma.'

'The way you are like how you walk, talk, and present yourself...its a good thing.'

'Sexy with a bit gangster.'

'It means cool.'

Chen goes on to tell the readers that the term 'Swag' comes from hip hop.  "Swag, meaning superlative style, has, of course, been around forever...." 

And this kids' 'forever' is back from the 90s...and he goes on to quote some examples of rappers from that era (who I have NEVER heard of, by the way) who first introduced the term 'SWAG' in their rap songs.

(I guess I am old!)

Anyway...

He brings up a very good point.  

The fact of the matter is-from what I can tell-'SWAG' started out in rap music.  I was into rap in the era when rap was intelligent, informative, empowering and helped young people know their history....NOT the era (the 90s) when it sort of morphed into this hyped up, it's all about me, no one is better than me, rap music that hijacked one of the most expressive, informative and empowering original music forms ever....I feel even more impactful than what is termed 'gospel' music.

(Another blog for another day....)

I bring all this up to try and understand HOW in the world a rap term from hip hop rap music ended up in a setting where the people are supposed to be worshipping God?????

I guess it was the efforts of church folks to try to be relevant to 'the world,' to try and evangelize 'the world.'

Well, let's just look at how 'the world' responds to 'church swag:'

Now, 'Q Deezy' brings up some good points in this vid as well.  The main one I want to focus on is his observations on the hierarchical system that is more than obvious to him.

Just the fact that it exists is a complete TURN OFF to him wanting to even go to church, or come back anyways....

And I imagine once he heard 'the word,' he would probably run for the hills!

The fact of the matter is the words 'church' and 'swag' don't go together.  The TRUE church (not this microcosm that represents church where people go to show off their 'swag') does not have 'swag.'

The Ekklesia doesn't operate that way.

Church Swag represents another form of pride and vanity....a conspicuous form of idolatry and ambition....that has permeated every church system.  One doesn't have to hear the praise and worship or choir sing, or hear a sermon or witness an altar call or a shouting session to know that there is something inherently wrong with 'church' or 'church swag.'

Church Swag is just another ploy to try to make an institution that God is NOT a part of relevant in a society that, at best, laughs at most churches.

All the 'church swag' in the world-with all of its bishops, apostles, and elevated positions, and folks lifted up on pedestals/pulpits to be seen, with all of its 'kiss my ring because I'm better than you are,' with all of its just plain old demonic worship and idolatry...not to mention all the sinning going on behind the scenes-is not going to draw REAL believers to your church.

Young people are not drawn by 'swag.'

The Word of God says men are drawn to God BY HIS SPIRIT.

SWAG is a work of the flesh.  Period.

And that which is flesh cannot yield results in the spirit.

No matter how impressive....
No matter how well dressed
No matter how talented
No matter how anointed
No matter how glitzy and glamorous it all appears
No matter how much rank you pull
No matter how much theatrics and entertainment you put in the mix
No matter how many signs, wonders and miracles appears (David Copperfield can do the same thing)
No matter how beautiful

IT SIMPLY WON'T WORK!!!!!!

I know someone else who had 'SWAG,' too.  The Bible talks about him....

Ezekiel 28: 12-19

"You were full of wisdom and beauty, the image of perfection.  You were in Eden, God's garden.  You were covered with gold and every precious stone:  carnelian, topaz, and moonstone; beryl, onyx and jasper; lapis lazuli, turquiose and emerald.  On the day that you were created, finely crafted pendants and engravings were prepared.  You, a winged creature, were installed as a guardian.  I placed you in God's holy mountain where you walked among the stones of fire.  From the day you were created until iniquity was found in you, your ways were assured.  But because of your trade, (the KJV says 'merchandise'), you became impure."

(MAN!  if I was still preachin, that would PREACH!  Merchandise?  Prosperity?  Hmmmm!)

"So I expelled you from God's mountain.  I removed you, winged creature, guardian...you exalted YOURSELF because of your beauty and corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor!"  

"I will cast you down to the earth ... and I will make a spectacle of you....you made sanctuaries impure."

"Everyone among the peoples who knows you will be appalled because of you..you will become a terror....from that time on, you will be nothing..."

Allow me to set the tone here...

The Prophet Ezekiel was sent to prophesy to to the prince of Tyre, Ithobal, a wicked king, a wise king/leader, who thought he earned 'divine honors' equal to God because he believed he and he alone was 'the protector' of the Israelites.

God may have tried to use him to help the Israelites...but where he went wrong was in 'believing his own press,' so to speak, and taking the honor and the glory for what GOD had done upon himself.

The prophecy starts out addressing Ithobal directly, then the Spirit of the Lord leads Ezekiel to address THE SPIRIT that is operating in the haughty king, that of LUCIFER.

So, you see, SWAG began before man was ever created.  The first being to have SWAG was LUCIFER.

And you see where it got him!

I would leave that swag thing ALONE.

Pride and ambition is a dangerous thing, y'all!  Also, the incessant need for public approval and acceptance.  Affirmation and confirmation....

Look at this picture of a bishops' ordination.

It leads to pride and ambition....

Many a leader started out humble, wanting to serve the people and please God, but developed SWAG....WHY?

To please the PEOPLE...and THEIR FLESH!

I want to point out one more thing....

Did y'all catch that in the scriptures where God told Ithabol/Lucifer that his WISDOM was CORRUPTED by his beauty????????

THAT thing BLEW ME AWAY!

You see, we all can appreciate beauty.  We all love to see things pleasant to the eyes.

BUT, according to what I read here, WISDOM (which is supposed to be the PRINCIPAL thing anyways) can be CORRUPTED by beauty!

There is a little vain person in EVERY last person on this earth; it is part of the fallen nature.

There is a little portion of us all who loves attention.  We love to be accepted.  We love the pre-eminence and power over people.  If you give the seemingly most humble of persons a little power of something or someone, they WILL abuse their authority!

NO one can resist the temptation to LORD over another!

Also, people, in general, are always looking for someone to worship.  To emulate.  To look up to.

The enemy knows this...so I do believe that (especially in the organized church setting AND in the music industries) the enemy KEEPS sending BEAUTIFUL, TALENTED, ANOINTED creatures to get the people to worship!!!!

In AND out of the church settings!!!!!!

Now don't get me wrong.  I am not saying that all beautiful people are sent from the enemy.  Nor are all talented or anointed.

But we need to be VERY careful today.

We can NO longer judge people AFTER THE FLESH!

It is TIME to judge RIGHTEOUS judgment!

And THAT is based upon SOLELY the spirit and NOTHING in the natural realm.

Definitely, not by SWAG.

SO, What's wrong with 'church swag?'

It's sent from the devil!  HE developed it!!!!!