Tag: born-again

September 23, 2011

Jamey

It DIDN’T Get Better for Jamey Rodemeyer! Suicide, Bullying and Christian Blame

I commented on a post from the Huffington Post website that it was a lie that was fed to the gay teen Jamey Rodemeyer that it would get better when he was proof that it wouldn’t.  My very brief but straight to the point comment was deleted as a violation of their website’s guidelines.  Fortunately, I have my own blog and I get to say it again without deletion: It IS a lie to say it gets better!

Sadly, Jamey took his life and according to articles it was due to the relentless torment he received through online social media. (See ABC news report:  http://abcn.ws/pPQyiy)  Jamey had posted a video back in May (see Youtube video link below) during the “It Gets Better” campaign that was created to help stop the growing suicides of gay youth.  The gay adults want the youth to know that because of their own lives, things would get better so they posted videos along with other gay supporters of life getting better.  For many, their lives did become better but it wasn’t the case for Jamey and those who are still being tormented by unloving and uncaring bullies.

View Jamey’s “It gets better” video on Youtube:  http://youtu.be/-Pb1CaGMdWk

Should Christians Be Blamed?

Many are placing the blame on Christians who believe the bible teaches homosexuality is a sin.  But it’s not the teaching that’s the problem, it is those who are not exercising God’s love and tolerance to those who may be “different” or even “sinners.”  We are commanded not to condemn those who are not believers as Christ Himself didn’t come to condemn (John 3:17). But reserve the harshest of treatment for those who call themselves Christian and persist in living ungodly lives.  (1 Corinthians 5:9-12). And even when dealing with those Christians, our treatment must still be done in love.

Those who are doing the actual bullying need harsh punishment.  Bullying online, on the  phone, at schools and anywhere else is rampant and very destructive as many have taken their lives.  I am in full support of the police tracking down whomever did any posting to Jamey and/or about Jamey in making his life ultra miserable.  Bullying should never be tolerated for any reason.

But if it should ever get to the point that Christians can not state their opinion about homosexuality without prosecution, then yes we may soon find ourselves facing jail time! Sadly, that time is quickly approaching! A teen, Dakota Ary, was suspended from his school recently for expressing his belief about homosexuality being wrong a week after a teacher had posted a picture on their classroom wall of two men kissing, a picture that was later torn down by a classmate. (See Christian Post: http://bit.ly/r4toXc)

Born that way vs Born Again

That classroom incident is just the beginning for many of us Christians.  I suspect especially if Lady Gaga gets her way in having bullying classified as a hate crime, that many Christians will be persecuted as the teen in high school for simply stating that homosexuality is wrong. Lady Gaga was quoted by Jamey in the video as making him feel better about himself because he believed too that he was born that way.  (See my post on Lady Gaga: Does being born this way mean we stay that way?) The message that Lady Gaga gives that if one is born that way then it’s okay, but Jesus says that we must be born AGAIN! Our Lord and Savior recognizes man’s need for spiritual regeneration and that is quite contrary to the lie being pushed by Lady Gaga which unfortunately many or believing instead of Jesus’ commandment:

…“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” see John 3:1-5

There is a better way!

For those of us who believe the words of Christ, life may not get easier but it does get better! Life has more meaning, we have peace of mind knowing that we belong to Christ and are promised a place in heaven for trusting in Him.  But along with our new kinship with God in becoming His children, comes the responsibility of obeying Him and homosexuality is just one of many many sins that are offensive to our Creator. (1Corinthians 6:9-11)

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: John 1:12

So I pray that the bullies of Jamey Rodemeyer are caught and given the necessary judgement, but I do hope that bullies are never classified as people who disagree with homosexuality and are being forced by many to accept it.

update 8:00 am, PST 9/24/11

September 3, 2011

hot topics

Beyonce, B Slade, Chaz Bono, SB48 and more hot topics!

I don’t have much time for blogging these days while concentrating on my writing projects, meanwhile I did want to do a brief commentary on some hot topics that have been of immediate interest to me.

I’ll start with Chaz Bono. I really feel bad for this woman.  As far as I’m concerned, she’s still a woman trying very hard to become a man. According to many sources Chaz even still has the female parts from the waist down. (TV Guide) Why is this even something to blog about? Is it because Chaz Bono’s name is all over the Internet and TV news and popular TV programs such as the upcoming new season of Dancing with the Stars? Children are bound to ask “what’s the big deal about Chaz Bono? What is transgender?”  And yes, we parents must be prepared to engage them in age specific discussions.   My children are all adults now, but I would tell younger children that it is simply a person wanting to be something different than what God made them.  Is it wrong to become transgendered? I do think it is. It is unnatural and that’s all I know about transgenders.  Why doctors are bent on messing up a person’s life with these type of operations is beyond me. Is it for money? Do they really think they are doing that person a favor? I don’t know and it’s just sick to me.

Next topic. SB48. That is the law that was recently passed to allow Gay history into California’s classrooms.  What is so wrong with this? For the multitudes of people that believe that being gay is NOT ok, to introduce it into our children’s classrooms contradict what is being taught at home by many parents.  If gay history is being taught, then the child would naturally believe it’s ok to be gay. Well, it’s not and now further confusion is being added to an already inept public school system that as a whole is failing our children.

B. Slade formerly known as Tonex. I haven’t written about the San Diego product called Tonex in over two years, yet my blog articles about this former gospel singer turned gay pop singer are still the most popular on this website.  If he was just a gay man singing and going about his business, this wouldn’t be such a big deal.  But because he still refers to himself as “Christian” and is teaching people that God will accept you just where you are as long as you are honest about yourself, he has become a false teacher, false preacher bringing about “another gospel” that the bible warns us to heed.



B Slade’s talent is unquestionable. This man can sing, dance and act! But sadly his character is debase. He’s profane in language, actions and teachings and any chance we get, believers must speak out against him while praying for him at the same time.  I’m not praying the gay away at all, but I’m praying for B Slade to become born-again! When you truly put your faith in Christ, all the other character defects in your life will begin to change. B Slade is showing us that his fruit is not bearing the signs of being a true Christian.   Being talented and talking about God doesn’t make one saved – at all!

Beyonce is pregnant. And someone tweeted on Twitter, she dated, got married and got pregnant – in that order and for other ladies to take note! Yes, Beyonce is a good role model in that respect but I’m not sure for any other aspect.  She is very vulgar in the way she dresses and dance and oh how so many girls are mimicking her as their role model for that!

Once Saved Always Saved! I recently had the displeasure of dropping a beloved fellow blogger from my blog list because of his belief that we are not secure in our salvation.  I am a staunch believer that Christ paid the price for our sins, and that if we repent of them then the gift of salvation is our! We didn’t earn it, it was given to us because of our faith.  Evidence of that faith becomes our good works which are done out of love and obedience to Christ, not because we are trying to earn our way to heaven.  If one is not secure in their salvation, then they are busy depending upon their own good works to make it to heaven – an extremely burdensome way to live as well as prideful way to live!

President Obama. I was of the 5% of Black people who didn’t vote for him and am very glad I didn’t.  I still disagree with most of his policies but he is still the president and therefore I will continue to pray for him to make wise decisions regarding this country.  Whether we like him or not, we must show respect for his position and I will not be a part of any group that childishly disrespects the office of president while disagreeing with him.

Ah, that feels great to get all of that out!  Now back to work…

_________________________

Scriptural references:

You must be born again!

John 3:1-3 – 1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Saved by Grace ONLY!

Ephesians 2:8-9 – “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Beware of “other” gospels:

Galatians 1:6-8 6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.”

You can tell a Christian by the “fruit” they bear:

Luke 6:43-45 43 “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart[g] brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

And what is this “fruit?”

Galatians 5:16-26 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,[c] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders,[d] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”

March 30, 2011

lady-gaga-born-this-way

Does being “born this way” mean you should stay that way?

An age old theme is being played on the airwaves, on TV and every media means possible in today’s declining land of morals. It’s the theme that if we are born a certain way, then God has ordained it.  It is even in the form of Lady Gaga’s song, “Born this Way,” the most popular song in sales this year in America. Why is this song so appealing to so many? With words such as:

“I’m beautiful in my way,
‘Cause God makes no mistakes
I’m on the right track, baby
I was born this way.”

Who can’t help but to feel good about themselves if they believe that whomever they are in life and whatever they do it’s okay because God made them that way?  Lady Gaga is invoking God’s name so it must not be that bad, right?  How about when she says the following lines which were recently banned or at least altered in Malaysia, and even left out when American Idol played it last week:

“No matter gay,
straight or bi,
lesbian transgendered life,
I’m on the right track, baby.”

Why even waste an ounce of time writing on a pop singer’s song? Because we all know the power in music and especially the way it affects our youth and young adults.  But not only in the music but the messages that modern day lyrical pop, rock, rap and RB preachers are spreading are affecting people immensely!  If your favorite artist is telling you that God says it’s ok to be Gay, then how does one receive the message from another person who says that God says it’s NOT okay to be Gay?

But the question isn’t about being Gay or not, but if one is born one way do they stay that way and please God? Jesus answers that question in the following verses in his conversation with a Jewish leader and Pharisee by the name of Nicodemus.  Mind you, Jesus isn’t talking to a Gay person here, or anyone else considered a “sinner,” but a man who is a teacher of Jewish law. A respected leader, a holy man. A man considered very upright and godly by Jewish standards.  Check out what Jesus tells this man:

John 3:1-21

1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”

10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

If one of the most upright men on earth at that time needed to be “born again,” what does that say for the rest of us? Being born again is entirely dependent upon us believing in HIM – believing in Jesus Christ.  What do we believe about Jesus? That He is God’s Son sent to the world to save us from our sins!  Nicodemus needed saving not because he wasn’t good enough, but because he didn’t have God in his heart as well as his mind.  He didn’t see himself as one who fell short of God’s expectations.  The number one reason to seek God – because we will never be righteous enough for God on our own!

“But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.”  Isaiah 64:6

So however way in which we were born the “first” time, we all need a rebirth – a second birth – a spiritual birth!  This is how we do it – how we can become born again:

  1. We must admit that we fall way short of God’s standards! – That message is watered down if we dare believe that God made us this way so we must be okay.  If we believe that, then we won’t believe that salvation is even necessary.“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23
  2. We all pay the penalty for sin – which is physical death. But there is spiritual death too!“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
  3. Christ paid that penalty for us:“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
  4. All we must do is recognize our separation from God (called sin) and call upon Him while believing in Him and we will be saved!“For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” Romans 10:139 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10

So contrary to pop preacher Lady Gaga and contrary to what many already believe, yes, we may be born “this way” but God doesn’t expect us to stay that way.  If the way we are born is contrary to the way God wants us to live, then we must do as Jesus said in John 3 and come out of the darkness, stop practicing godlessness and live in the light!  And we do that first by becoming Born Again!

_________________________

See also:

  1. Video by John Piper on being Born again (in bloglist!)
  2. Know God by Pastor Miles McPherson, Rock Church San Diego
  3. How to be born again – back of Gideon Bible
  4. The New Birth – Pastor John MacArthur

June 30, 2009

Michael Jackson or Mikaeel Jackson? Christian or Muslim?

mikaael

Michael Jackson donning a black veil in Bahrain

Many are asking about Michael Jackson’s family, how are his kids, what about his assets, his debts and even interest in his will but how many of us are wondering where is he with God?  Of course that final answer belongs to God Almighty Himself, but it doesn’t stop us from wondering.

Michael gave many mixed messages about what he believed.  From being raised a Jehovah’s Witness to being persuaded by brother Jermaine to become a Muslim.  But I’m reading some unconfirmed reports that he talked with close friend and gospel music great Andrae Crouch recently and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord.

Michael converts to Islam

The last thing that the public has heard of Michael’s religious interest is his acceptance of Islam back in November of 2008.  According to articles, he was influenced by his brother Jermaine to try out Islam.  Jermaine converted to Islam in 1989 and is now known as Muhammad Abdul-Aziz.  Michael converted and became Mikaeel.

The website Haaretz.com says the following of the Islamic conversion of Michael: 

“The 50-year-old pop star, who changed his name to Mikaeel, pledged allegiance to the Koran at a friend’s house in Los Angeles. An Imam was summoned from a nearby mosque to hold the shahada, the declaration of belief in Allah and Mohammed’s prophecy.”

A video of the same news story:

That news was devastating to me as a believer in Christ and still a pretty huge fan of Michael’s.  I wanted to see him on the right road and that can only come through knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior!

Michael meets with Christian Pastors Andrae and Sandra Crouch shortly before his death

But can it be that Michael IS born-again? It was reported in the WorldNetDaily.com of a possibility of him becoming saved after a meeting with twins Andrae and Sandra Crouch.  According to a spokesman of the Crouches:

“Andrae and Sandra did in fact visit with Michael Jackson two times, once at the recording studio, and once at his home in the last two months, as recently as three weeks ago, asking for prayer concerning the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and how he could make his music more ‘spiritual.’ So Andrae and Sandra explained to him about the anointing and about Jesus. He wanted to know what makes your hands go up, and makes you ‘come out of yourself,’ and what gives a ‘spirituality’ to the music? He then requested to hear his favorite song that he loves and wanted the(m) to sing to him, so they … joined hands and sang together, and he said, ‘It was beautiful.’ He first heard it in New York and loved it and wanted it on tape. He had the engineer tape the song sang to him by Andrae and Sandra. He definitely had an encounter with them.”

Michael looking to spiritualize his music doesn’t necessarily make him born-again.  My own hopes of him being eternally safe shrank as I continued reading about his moment with the Crouches.

The spokesman goes on to say in the article that although Michael didn’t reject Jesus Christ, he didn’t acknowledge Christ as Lord either. Sandra also says the following about those reporting that Michael did accept Christ through them:

“Not sure where that came from,” said Sandra Crouch on her Facebook page. “We loved and respected Michael and will continue to pray for his family. All the extra is not from us.”

Michael Jackson’s judgment left to God

So back to my original state of again wondering about Michael’s salvation. Nothing is a done deal as he has never publicly professed a belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

I’m sure when what will be one of the largest funerals ever in American history for Michael begins, many and myself included will once again wonder where will Michael be on that glorious day of Christ’s return!  Hoping for the best . . .but one day we’ll all know.

The Great White Throne Judgment

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. – Revelations 20:11-15

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