In the natural realm we understand that change is often crisis-driven. Do we accept this fact in the spiritual realm as well? So often we don’t have a change of heart until it hurts, until the pain of staying the same hurts more than the pain of change. Yet pain is the change-agent of both equations. The question is not if you will suffer in this life but when. Or more often, when will it end? If suffering is such a great change-agent then shouldn’t we have a better attitude about it? The scriptures say yes!

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. -1Peter 4:1

Consider this definition of suffering: “Not getting my way in the circumstances of the present moment”. This fosters an environment of faith, patience, humility etc. In short, spiritual maturity is suffering-driven. The key to personal growth in our lives is not to run from suffering but to embrace it, yield to it and learn through it. When we do, it becomes a powerful tool in the hands of God to shape us into His image. God isn’t the author of our suffering but the redeemer of it. He takes what was intended for evil and converts it into an experience of grace. If you look for God in the midst of your suffering, you’ll discover Him in ways you’ve never known. People all over the world are hurting. In our own backyard people are suffering. We have a message of hope for those in the middle of crisis. You ask why I talk about suffering? I ask why you don’t?

“Well, here’s why: “The bottom line on your ‘fast days’ is profit.

You drive your employees much too hard. You fast, but at the same time you bicker and fight. You fast, but you swing a mean fist. The kind of fasting you do won’t get your prayers off the ground. Do you think this is the kind of fast day I’m after: a day to show off humility? To put on a pious long face and parade around solemnly in black?

Do you call that fasting, a fast day that I, God, would like?

“This is the kind of fast day I’m after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts.

What I’m interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. Then when you pray, God will answer. You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, ‘Here I am.’ A Full Life in the Emptiest of Places

“If you get rid of unfair practices, quit blaming victims, quit gossiping about other people’s sins, If you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out, Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight. I will always show you where to go. I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places-firm muscles, strong bones. You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of your past. You’ll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again.

Isaiah 58:1-12 The Message

Medications:
(These items can be purchased over the counter at any local drug store)
Aspirin
Tylenol
Motrin
Children’s and adult multi-vitamin
Benadryl
Neosporin or triple antibiotic
Oral re-hydration salts
Cough medications

Medical Supplies:
(These items can be purchased over the counter at any local drug store)
Ace bandages
Alcohol pads
Band-aids
Betadine wipes and sticks
Drapes
Gauzes – any size
Gloves – all sizes, sterile/non-sterile
Gowns –surgical and patient (head and shoe covers, goggles, masks)
Pediatric supplies
Tape – all types
Thermometers

The most dangerous place in America for Black or Hispanic babies is in their own mother’s womb. About 3,300 babies die everyday to abortion in America. Of those 2000 are Black and Hispanic. People are waking up to the fact that Planned Parenthood is building these abortion clinics in low economic areas and is intentionally targeting Latinos and Blacks for abortion. The largest abortion clinic in the western hemisphere is now being built right here in Houston. We don’t have the option of standing silent and hiding behind politics or a women’s right to choose while an evil agenda of genocide and a mission of hate is carried out on people. The Bible is clear that we must be a voice for those who have no voice.

The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. Proverbs 29:7

We are gearing up for The Call Crisis Tour in Houston and invite you to join the thousands of Christians for a night of prayer and fasting. This is a crucial time for God’s people to rise up and be a voice.

“You’ve been to one charismatic meeting you’ve been to them all. We are trying to work something up when God has to send something down”

“Forget ‘There’s room at the cross’ There’s room on the cross, get on the cross.”

“Our people don’t want to die. There’s only two kinds of people in the world, those who are dead in sin and those who are dead to sin”

“What we need in America dear brothers more than ever is we need people who will go forth with a new birth message. Forget all about tongues, forget all about miracles and signs and wonders. Let’s get back to real genuine conversion”

Jesus said, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:12-14

What if your friends and family ARE the poor, crippled, lame and blind?

We have a saying around here: Jesus will take you just as you are but He loves you enough not to leave you that way. I am so blessed to be around men and women who are the addicted and afflicted of society. They are the lame, blind and crippled of our day. They are my friends and family.

There is a special reward that comes with loving the addicted. I can’t explain it but some how at the end of the day when our resources are tapped out, our energy is exhausted and I’m spiritually and emotional depleted, somehow life springs up. It shows up as an unspeakable joy, an unexpected donation, a burst of energy, a testimony from someone or a thousand other ways. Jesus said “They cannot repay you” but “you will be repaid” with resurrection! The definition of resurrection is a rising again, as from decay, disuse, a revival. I believe that resurrection is not only reserved for the second advent of Christ’s return but God makes it available to us everyday. A foretaste of what’s to come.

I know what the apostle Paul said to be true: “The Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you. So the God who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your bodies, which are going to die. He will do this by the power of his Spirit, who lives in you.” Romans 8:11

Thank you to all of you who serve the poor, help the needy and befriend sinners

Photo from 2009 Victory Family Center Christmas banquet

This is why God commands that we put the natural man in its proper place. What is the proper place for the natural man? It is the cross. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:24

God does not leave this work entirely up to us. He will initiate this work inside of us and all we have to do is surrender to it. The Christian life is not as forced life of willpower and self-effort. It is a yielded life of grace and peace. “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.” Galatians 5:16-18

Check out these Bible verses set to Cypress Hill’s “Kill A Man”.

Religious Phobia, how much do you have?

If you’re Evangelical Christian read the list below to find which best describes your level of religious phobia.

Profile: The Hipster

Summary: Religious Disdain

Religious phobia level: Extremely high

Bible Translation: The Message

Description: Don’t worry you’re not religious at all. As a matter of fact no one is even sure you are Christian. Indie bands, domestic beers, graphic T’s (the tighter the better) and occasional profanity show the world how “free” you are. You are so afraid of being labeled religious that you refuse to Tweet or put anything on your Facebook about the J-man. You probably don’t own a tie. If you do, I bet it’s a thin one.

Profile: The Guru

Summary: Religious Anxiety

Religious phobia level: Medium

Bible Translation: Contemporary English Version

Description: You don’t preach- you present, you don’t disciple- you mentor, you don’t fellowship- you network. Your phobia isn’t so much with religion as it is with not being successful. Highjack some Biblical principles, replace Christ with the word character and you’re on your way to the New York Times bestseller list! Remember if you think you can do a thing, or think you cannot, in either case you’re right!

Profile: The Calvinist

Summary: Religious Tolerance

Religious phobia level: Moderate

Bible Translation: English Standard Version

Description: You can turn your religiosity on and off at “will” depending on the circle you’re in. You’re pretty much annoyed by any brand of religion that isn’t your own. Your religiousness is the same as most but because you’ve been schooled in Grudem systematic theology you can explain it better than anyone else.

Profile: The Mystic

Summary: Religious Curiosity

Religious phobia level: UNKNOWN

Bible Translation: All versions including the Gnostic gospels

Description: You are Aristotle, Paul and Yoda all rolled into one. It’s hard to tell your attitude toward religion because no one understands you. We are still trying to figure out if what you just said was a statement or a question.

Profile: The Spooky Charismatic

Summary: Religious Ignorance

Religious phobia level: Very Low

Bible Translation: New International Version

Description: You are very religious but you think it’s spiritual. You may not go to movies or know any top 40 hits, but you know where the geographic portals to heaven are located and how to access them. If you say, “God told me” one more time I’m going to punch you (but I’m sure God already revealed that to you).

Profile: The Pharisee

Summary: Religious Intent

Religious phobia level: ZERO

Bible Translation: King James Version

Description: You are so religious it’s dangerous. Not only do you not have religious phobia, you can’t stand others who do. You have a replica of the Ten Commandments in stone hanging in the bathroom. You frequently yell out “Hallelujah” “Glory” and other religious jargon. Your favorite chapter in the Bible is Deuteronomy 28. You’re saved by grace but sanctified by sweat brother, AMEN!