The Bill Cosby Fiasco

   Just weighing in...I've been quiet for the last few months, watching Bill Cosby live under the firestorm of accusation. There are two sides to every story, and God knows the truth. Bill Cosby is being accused of sexual misconduct, including rape by over twenty women. As of yet there has been no indictment on any of the accusations, except in the court of public opinion. I personally am not going to give an opinion of guilt or innocence concerning Bill Cosby or his accusers; but I will say that for any man to use his position of privilege as a means to take advantage of young women is wrong. It is equally as wrong for anyone to character assassinate another person, to slander another, and to dismantle and destroy someone's life and legacy. The court system says one is innocent until proven guilty. The court of public opinion is hard and cruel and doesn't care to know all the facts.

    While I do not doubt that these women have been hurting for years and are finally relived to unhinge their silence, and the emotional prison to which they were bound. I can't help but wonder, why now? Why not say something when he was in the throes of a thriving television career? What is the motive? As I think of the spirit of accusation my mind goes to the woman caught in the very act of adultery and the men standing before Jesus to accuse her...and then I think about Jesus who also lived under the cloud of accusation. Jesus was perhaps one of the most popular men of his day. Being popular doesn't mean being well liked, his detractors were always around. We read in the gospel accounts of his last ride into Jerusalem on a donkey amidst the praise and adoration of the people. A day later those same people turned on Jesus and wanted him crucified because of the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin accused Jesus of blasphemy and treason and the people turned on Jesus with a-quickness. So what I'm saying is people are fickle. One day they are with you and the next day...oh, well! 

It's amazing to see how reasonably intelligent men and women have succumbed to mob mentality in attacking Bill Cosby's reputation, mocking him, heckling at his shows, and have dismantled his television legacy, as if it never existed. It is equally disheartening that such a sensitive subject as rape and sexual misconduct has become fodder for comedians and others without concern for these women who were finally brave enough to break their silence. This situation is tragic for all involved and should not be made light of as these women and Bill Cosby have to deal with the issues at hand.

I grew up watching Bill Cosby and was proud that an African-American man was visible on the big screen as well as the small screen. The Cosby show in its heyday was one of my favorite shows, and Bill Cosby was always the perfect dad. But, even seemingly perfect dads have skeletons in their closet. And let's be honest- those who sit in the court of public opinion- I wonder what could be found if we peeped into your closet door? 

As a Christian I will not judge Bill Cosby or his accusers, because how I judge them in this matter, I too will be judged-

Matthew 7:1-3- "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

As a Christian I will continue to pray for Bill Cosby, his family, and these women, they all have to pick up the shard pieces of their lives and figure out how to go on from here. In the meantime-

John 8:7- "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone..." 

SELAH!

Shalom!

Pastor Tracy

Selah- means to pause, think about it and give God praise.

Donnie McClurkin - We Are Victorious ft. Tye Tribbett

January 4, 2015- January 24, 2015

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6

Fasting along with prayer is our first-fruit offering to the Lord. It is our reasonable service, as we offer ourselves willing to the Lord as an offering of thanksgiving for bringing us from one year into a new year of expected blessings and great harvest. Fasting enables us to prepare ourselves spiritually as we deny our fleshly whims and desires (Isaiah 58:11). It causes us to slow down, to be still and to get centered. Fasting also helps our bodies to rest from the abundance of food and calories we intake daily. Often we fill up on empty calories and things that add no nutritional value to our health. Fasting allows our bodies to heal and gives us the opportunity to reset our nutritional habits. Fasting is good for us spiritually, physically and mentally. We think slower, so therefore we react slower (James 1:19). It gives us time to clear our mind. Fasting will break the bonds of demonic oppression (Isaiah 58:6), it brings clarity of thought when enjoined with prayer and meditation on God's Word; and it will help us to walk in peace (Isaiah 26:3). Fasting is the time to draw closer to God and to cry out to him in intercession for our nation and the church (Joel 2:15-17).

Instructions:

1. The fast begins Sunday, January 4th- it starts at 6 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. (Sundays only).
2. During the week and Saturdays- fast starts at 6 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m.
3. Menu: fish, chicken, and turkey meats. Plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. No sweets- cookies, cakes, pies, etc.
4. Limit your salt intake. Limit your sugar intake- purchase items with 12g or less of sugar.
5. If you take medications please use wisdom. Take your meds! Eat a small snack to take your meds and resume the fast.
6. Drink fluids throughout the day- especially water.
7. Time is precious and valuable, spend it with the Lord. Limit your t.v. time. During the fast and throughout the year try to spend at least one hour in studying the Word of God, and one hour in prayer. It will be the best two hours of your day!

REFUSING TO CHANGE

“The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude.”
- Oprah Winfrey

Refusing to change can have dire consequences, especially when it's in direct opposition of the will of God for your life. Stroll with me through the story of Zedekiah, as found in 2 Kings 25. The basic premise of the story is that Zedekiah was King of Judah for eleven years, and rebelled against God and Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon.

As I read this story I had a Selah moment and want to share my thoughts. As we read in 2 kings 24: 18-20, Zedekiah was twenty- years old when he began his reign. In the beginning of his reign he had a choice about how his kingdom would be run. He choose to rebel against God, and to rebel against the king who had put him in position. He had plenty of time to repent to God; but, instead Zedekiah squandered his time, he used it foolishly, he also mismanaged the wealth and resources of the nation. Is your choices making you an opponent of God? How much time have you wasted rebelling against the will of God for your life? How long have you refused to change? Even in matters of salvation...ever talk to someone about accepting Jesus as their savior and they come up with excuses as to why they can't commit. And years later you meet the same individual and they still have the same excuses. They had time and chance to change but refused it. As found in Deuteronomy 30:19, life and death are a choice, and we are admonished to choose life.  The Strong's Exhaustive Concordance defines the word rebelled- H6586- pasa- expansion; to break away from (not just authority); trespass, apostatize, quarrel- offend, rebel, revolt, transgress, transgression, transgressor. As a result of Zedekiah's pride and arrogance, and his continued refusal to worship God, and bring the nation out of apostasy, Nebuchadnezzar set up camp around the wall of Judah. But even this act of intimidation, and final warning did not deter this unwise King in changing his attitude.The funny thing is he had seven months grace to change before Nebuchadnezzar made a move against him.

The decision to continue in rebellion not only affected Zedekiah but his household and the nation. His refusal to acknowledge God, and his refusal to submit to the authority of Nebuchadnezzar caused the nation to go into a famine, brought division with the inhabitants of the city, and the cowardly men of war tried to flee. After seven months of  grace, which is the number for completion, Zedekiah's reign ended as the armies of Babylon over took Jerusalem. Zedekiah's rebellion resulted in all his sons being killed, and his eyes being put out. It resulted in the Lord's house being burnt down, as well as the king's house, and the houses of the nobles. Read the chapter because there is more...but for our purpose today we will stop here. The point is sometimes we are warned, we have dreams, the prophetic word may even come and confirm what we know to be true and yet we refuse to change. Then when things fall apart in our life or we find our situations in shambles we want to blame someone else. We are accountable for our decisions, especially when we refuse to change. I will be the first to admit change can sometimes be hard, and is often hard work. But once the process begins and we see the good result of our efforts, all quarrels are "out the window".

Sometimes the change can be to lose weight, or to make adjustments to your eating habits, because years of over eating and the constant intake of sugar has caused you to have dire health issues. Why not make the changes to your diet if it will bring the weight down, and improve the condition of your health.  Recently a former co-worker died at 43-years old because she refused to take her blood pressure medicine. Her refusal to take her medicine caused her to die prematurely. She didn't think she would die, didn't think about the consequences of her decision, or how it would affect her children. Our attitude is often, "well I've done it this way for so long and nothing has happened". As Christians we often go through many life challenges that are meant to bring adjustments to wrong attitudes, and behaviors. Change is a necessary component of our Christian walk as we are constantly being conformed to the image of God to become the best person possible. Romans 12:2 tells us that we need to be transformed and this comes from renewing the mind. When the mind changes, the behavior will follow. 1 Peter 2:5 (Amplified) says, [Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. This happens when we allow the old man, or old nature to be pulled away from us- wrong attitudes, anger, hatred, bitterness, jealousy, back-biting, timidity, negative thinking and actions, etc. Why? So that the new man, or new nature can be seen- love, joy, peace, gentleness, patience, etc. (Galatians 5:18-23; Colossians 3:12-13).  I encourage you who are reading to be the best you can possibly be, and take every opportunity to make the changes to your life that will bring you to better. Selah.

Shalom!

Pastor Tracy

Selah means pause, think about it, and give God praise.

Anointed Fire

My Selah moment...I know that I'm in a new season, because something has truly changed in me. I have a fire that has been rekindled on the inside. I haven't been this excited about life in a long time. I had been praying for the Holy Ghost with fire would fall on me and Christians everywhere. Well, the Holy Ghost's anointed fire is here! Thing have shifted fast and is accelerating. Quite a few things have taken place in this season for me as I have allowed God to lead me into purpose.

 There are things I wanted to do throughout my life that I'm now doing or about to do. Dreams and visions I had for my life, and business ideas I had written down over twenty-years ago, are now becoming a reality. Some of us are a little slower at grabbing hold of dreams then others, but the point is to grab it and go for it. And that's what I'm doing! I want to encourage others...no matter what your age; you are not to old to make your dream happen. I'm walking in a new season of entrepreneurship. I've always had side businesses- various streams of income; i.e. Mary Kay cosmetics, selling jewelry, designing/sewing, and babysitting. But this is different. I struggled with some decisions in September I needed to make for my life. I was working three part-time jobs and in college full time. I had absolutely no peace, none. So after much prayer, and tears I withdrew from school for the semester, that was hard because I love going to college and have been doing well. But, I'm hoping to go back in the spring. I then resigned from two of my part-time jobs, and the other one stopped putting me on the schedule.

A few days after I had stopped working, a friend calls and asked if I would be interested in going into business with her, and every since we have been working it out. No money, but faith in God! He has been opening doors and connecting us with those whom we need to be with.  I recently went to an expo that the Kingdom Chamber of Commerce gives each year in New Jersey. It was perhaps one of the most inspiring events that I have been to in a long time. I was in awe to hear the stories of other Christian Entrepreneurs that started with nothing but a God-given idea, and are now multi-millionaires. Three things were emphasized by each one: 1. You must obey God, 2. write the vision- Habakkuk. 2:3; 3. you must be a giver (tither) no matter what your circumstance. I want to encourage you to write-the-vision. Write the vision for your life, ministry, vision and business. Watch it "get legs" and go!

Every since the expo I have been on FIRE! I feel that the Holy Ghost has renewed a passion for life, ministry and my entrepreneurial spirit once again. Stay tuned for what's next.

Shalom!

Pastor Tracy Gittens

Selah- means to pause, think about it, and give God praise!

Season of Change

My Selah Moment:

I'm in a season of transparency concerning my life's journey as a Christian, and a leader. Some days and some seasons in life are hard to go through. In my walk with God there are moments when my faith waivers and I have to encourage myself through the Word of God. And every now and then God will have someone call or text me with words of encouragement, but most days I'm on my own. I see the fruit of my life through the prayer ministry that God has assigned me to and the many answered prayers for others. But sometimes I have wondered, "what about me God?" This particular blog post is not designed for those who have it all together. Nope this is designed for those who want more of God! Those who are broken, thirsty, and hungry for His presence. That is my current situation- I'm not satisfied where I am- I want more of God.

Walking in a new season can at times be daunting as you learn to navigate new terrain both spiritually and naturally. It can throw one off balance, make you discombobulated. During seasons of shifts, and transitions I have found it necessary to stay close to God. What that means is I have to increase in prayer. Where I prayed for one hour a day I may now have to pray two or three hours a day. That also means incorporating weekly fasting, and increased time studying the Word. I have found it helpful to shroud myself in worship, and to listen to worship songs to settle my spirit. I have found that it is extremely important to really be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. One thing I know for sure is that when I deviate from the plans of God, things never work. But when I follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, things always work out right.

One morning as I was seeking God in prayer, He led me to read Isaiah 48:10 (KJV)- Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. Whoa! Still on my knees I looked at the scripture again and pondered, how could God want to use me. At that moment it didn't matter to God how I felt about my self or my situation, He looked past my feelings and was pulling me out from the place from which I had fallen. No, I haven't backslid, I was tripping because things are not going as I want them to. I was having a moment or two of pouting and complaining. And in my moment...God met me there. Tears running down my face, he came to see about me. The word affliction in Hebrew is the word oni, which means depression, misery, trouble. He had come to lift me out of the furnace of affliction, the state of depression, the low state I had sunk into. And it didn't matter to God how low I had sunk, His word rang loud in my spirit that He had chosen me. He reminded me that day that what I had been through was not designed to destroy me, but to refine me for his usage and glory. He needed me to be completely devoid of my personality, to be totally abandoned of my ideas, thoughts, actions, and emotions. To be completely stripped of my identity so that I can totally reflect His image. My identity for His. No ego tripping here...when something goes through a refinery (a place for purifying a crude substance), it is broken-down, melted, or purged. Whatever it once was, it has now become something else. I have come to realize that I am in a "transformative transitional" period of my life. While it is not an easy process to change, I know at the end of the day, it will be well worth it all.

Walking in my 2 Corinthians 5:17 season- Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.

Shalom!

Pastor T

Selah means to pause, think about it and give God praise.

A New Season

My SELAH moment: 

Whew! Being transparent about where I am right now in my walk as a Christian makes me feel very vulnerable. As a leader, I want to articulate what is really in my heart, because I believe that I can help someone else overcome similar issues. For quite a while I have been in need of a change. I haven't been happy in a long time with the status of my life, my financial situation, and I miss having a social life (still adapting to new area); honestly, I'm not always happy about where I  am concerning ministry. I have been prayerful and hopeful that change would come to my life because quite frankly it is needed...I'm in need of an over-haul, a make-over of the God-kind.

I had lost my passion. I lost passion for the job I was doing and for the company I worked for. So I resigned. I am at the point in my life that whatever I do employment wise or in ministry will be what make me happy and where my passion lies. Time out for working just to get a check. Or doing busy work in the Kingdom just to stay relevant. Concerning the relational and social issues, those things are being worked out slowly but surely, as God is connecting me with some awesome, genuine people in the Kingdom. And financially, God has gifted me with several gifts. So its time to put them to use and make them work for me. One thing I have learned is that if you put no value on your time, talents, and efforts, no one else will give value to them either. Some days, the pains of loneliness sets in, defeat over my current financial status, and just down right depressed over a life and ministry that appears as if it has stalled. And despite my feelings, I keep it moving. Life hasn't stopped, and ministry is still going on. However, there is an inner longing, a deep seeded longing that there is more. The month of September was one of the hardest months I have had in years. It was long, arduous, and I could feel the pangs of transition taking place; which left me feeling discombobulated, off-balance. I sensed God was up to something...but couldn't put my finger on it.  Near the end of the month someone reminded me that September being the ninth month was the month of labor, and that a spiritual birthing was taking place. Wow! I thought, that makes sense. One season was ending, and another was about to take place. 

One evening as I flipped through the television channels I saw that Bishop T.D. Jakes was on Oprah's Life Class. He was talking about his new book, Instincts. As he was talking, something resonated in my spirit. I was on the right track. I was not off, but moving by instinct. That gut feeling that you get, which is really the Holy Ghost driving you into the direction you should be going. We call it intuition, but its the voice of the Spirit. And let me just say, that it was a strong, loud and clear voice. I thought this season of birthing had to do with ministry, but it is really about me. Its about me shedding off the old and embracing the new. It is about me not being afraid of flying high, flying solo, or of being afraid of success. This new season is the answer to prayers that I have labored in for several months...that I want more of God and that I needed a change to take place in my life. Bishop Jakes used the analogy of a giraffe and a turtle, and how giraffes are meant to be tall. That made me realize I am too TALL to be dealing so low, with turtles. So with that said, I  raise my neck today to eat from the tops of the trees and to walk tall not only in this season but,for the rest of my life.

Nothing about me in my new season can change until I make the effort to do so. So I will be walking out 2 Corinthians 5:17- Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.

Shalom!

Pastor Tracy

SELAH means to pause, think about it and give God praise.