You Are Enough!

This past weekend Travis and I attended the Home Going Services for perhaps one of the humblest men of God a person could ever know, Elder Walter Franklin. Elder Franklin was more than a pastor. He was our spiritual father and he had a passionate heart for the people.  His ministry wasn’t based on membership drives, plush pews or church building funds. His primary focus was on teaching the word of God and serving God’s people. He was a loving husband and devoted father of ten…yes ten children. He pastored four churches during his time with United Holiness Church. He was a very busy man…yet he still found time to be there for our graduations, weddings, the birth of our children and just because. His family never felt neglected and his church always felt loved.

Elder and Sis Franklin (pictured center) with 2nd United Youth Dept

Attending his funeral was a bittersweet occasion. Bitter because of the obvious and sweet because we were able to see saints from the old church whom we hadn’t seen in years. These people had a strong hand in our upbringing. Growing up they fed us, taught us and told on us whenever we got out of line. Seeing all of them again was just what we needed. You see I’ve been struggling with losing heart about today’s church. The bible says in the last days the love many shall wax cold but I never thought it would be like this. Church today has become too commercial and loose in its standard of living. Image, numbers and pleasing “passa” (pastor) has replaced God’s commandment to love, teach and comfort. A spirit of shunning and seclusion has taken reign in the body of Christ. If you dare answer the call to step out and teach the word of God, you are shunned and if you aren’t a part of today’s Christian social club, you are secluded until you show yourself worthy.

I was beginning to look at my children and ache because I wanted them to have what we had growing up. I wanted them to experience being a part of a body of Christ that loved purely and unconditionally. I wanted them to experience the presence of God FOR REAL…no downloaded sermons and prayers and no imitation outpours of the Holy Spirit. I was afraid Travis and I alone wouldn’t be enough. I wanted them to have a church family like we did growing up. I wanted them to have church friends they could lean on like we did growing up.

And then we ran into Elder Robinson at the repast. He also pastored one of the churches at UHC (just in case you didn’t know United Holiness Church was a body of ten churches throughout Georgia, Alabama and Florida). Elder Robinson greeted Travis and I with the sweetest smile and big ole hug. With his hand to his heart he said “This does my heart good to see you young folks still holding to God.” He said “You know the ole church is a dying art. I was beginning to think when we were gone the church would die with us but seeing you all and the rest of the young people today did me good. You all can carry on.”

His words reminded me that we do what it takes. We are enough. We were given a firm foundation as children. All we have to do is stand and never give up. I understand now what the bible meant when it said to remember not the days of the old (Isaiah 43:18). God wasn’t telling us to forget the past per se. He was instructing us not to get so caught up on the past that we give up on our future. Spreading the love of God does not have to be a “dying art”. We refuse to allow satan to break our spirits. Instead we choose to turn this test into our testimony and work relentlessly at reclaiming God’s lost and runaway sheep. Yes the church is under attack but I thank God for reminding us we were armed a long time ago with what we need to stand strong through the storm. For those of you who have been shunned, isolated or beginning to give up on the church, I pray you are remember…YOU ARE ENOUGH. All you have to do is stand.

 

Never Thirst Again

 

When I was younger, I absolutely hated to drink water. It was colorless and more importantly, tasteless. Back then, my drink of choice was anything with added flavor and sugar. Still my parents insisted we drink water. There were times (especially after a long hard play outdoors) when my parents would relent and let us drink Kool-aid J or soda instead. Refusing to admit mom was right, I'd find myself sneaking a nice long gulp of ice cold water. Bottom line, the sugary drinks just could not quench my thirst. Thank God with age comes wisdom because after a while I learned to appreciate water and its added benefits.

Life is a race and we spend a lot of time running. We run errands, to work, to church and social events. As much as we love what we do, it gets tiresome and it drains the body. The mistake we make is we don't turn to water to rehydrate us. We choose what satisfies the palette instead of what is healthy for our bodies. After a while we feel tired and sluggish. It's hard to think straight. Before you know it productivity decreases and so does morale. It's important to drink water every single day. Drinking water is required to remain healthy.

But what about our spiritual being?

John 4:13-14 tells of a conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. He says "Whosoever drinketh of this water (meaning the well's water) shall thirst again. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst: but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up everlasting life."

A lot of Christians are drying up and withering away because they are consuming spiritual drinks that taste good and look good instead of what IS good for them. God created the heavens and the earth. He's told us since the beginning of time what we need to prosper and have everlasting life. Satan has managed to contaminate the minds of many by adding bicarbonates, sugars and various flavors to a polluted version of God's word. He makes sure our drinking glasses are never empty and when the moment is right, he slips in the ecstasy. Our interpretation of God's word is tainted and our faith becomes sluggish. He waits until we are at our most vulnerable moment and then he attempts to rape all of God's promises from us.

Let us not forget about the the wolves in sheep's clothing. These are the ones who are wickedly wise enough to present an illusion of clean water by adding chlorine to hide the impurities. If you've tasted city water, you know what I'm talking about. The smell of chlorine is usually a dead giveaway. Wolves in sheep's clothing can only present a recycled version of God's word but they can't hide the smell. Not from God or anyone who truly knows his word. II Corinthians 2:15 (NLT) says, For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are saved and those who are perishing...

God's water is clean and pure. It's one of his simplest solutions for our natural and spiritual health. Spiritually healthy children of God function better because they are stronger. Their bodies are free from the impurities that affect the way they think, talk and act. They can handle challenges easily because of their firm faith and knowledge of God's word. They know what's good for them and they stick by it. They are not easily led. They stand up for what's right even if it means standing alone.

The benefits of drinking from God's well are endless; the alternatives come with too many risks. Choose life and drink what's pure. I promise, your body, mind and soul will thank you.

Wisdom flows from the lips of those whose thirst is quenched by the word of God.

I AM NOT A HOMOPHOBE

George Weinberg, a psychologist, is credited to being the person to "coin" the term "homophobia" in the 1960s. Weinberg's term became an important tool for gay and lesbian activists, advocates, and their allies. He describes the concept as a medical phobia. "It was a fear of homosexuals which seemed to be associated with a fear of contagion, a fear of reducing the things one fought for - home and family. It was a religious fear and it had led to great brutality as fear always does."

 

God created the heavens, earth, man and his Holy word over two thousand years ago. Still, there are those who have managed to justify abandoning God's instruction to socially accept the teachings of a term created by Mr. Weinberg only 54 years ago.

Let's just get to the point...

FIRST

Christians have been labeled as homophobes because of our effectual belief in God's word. The bible clearly says homosexuality is a sin. I'm not coming from the Book of Bridgett. I am coming from the word of God. As a matter of fact, God calls homosexuality an abomination. I've included a list of scriptures for you to read if you disagree.

1. Genesis 19:1-11
2. Leviticus 18:22
3. Leviticus 20:13
4. Judges 19:16-24
5. 1 Kings 14:24
6. 1 Kings 15:12
7. 2 Kings 23:7
8. Romans 1:18-32
9. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
10. 1 Timothy 1:8-10
11. Jude 1: 7

You can’t deny it. It’s in the book. The bible was written thousands of years ago. It’s a done deal. There is no changing it or going back. Once God says it; it is so.

 

SECOND

Just because we don't support homosexuality, doesn't mean we are afraid of it. This is our faith. Not our fear. There is a grand difference between the two. After all, God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, and of love and of sound mind. (II Timothy 1:7) Despite Mr. Weinberg's biased mass prognosis, there is NO medical phobia plaguing the body of Christ; simply put, its ministry. Yes, I will admit, there are some religious organizations who do not exhibit the love of God when speaking against homosexuality.

 However, they do not account for those of us who loves the sinner and not the sin. Just because we may not agree with how a person should live does not mean we should treat them differently. While my bible teaches against homosexuality, it also teaches us to love. God tells us in Jeremiah 31:3, by love and kindness have I drawn thee.

 

There comes a time when two people should agree to disagree. In my conversations with people who are either gay or supporters of gay rights, I tell them "I won't ever mistreat you. I will always love you and whenever you need me, I'm here. But my Christian beliefs prohibit me from supporting a lifestyle that my bible tells me will hinder your walk with God."

 

AND FINALLY

My bible teaches free will. You have the option to accept or reject God's word. I have no right to forcefully impose my beliefs upon anyone. I do, however, have the right to vote and/or voice my convictions when necessary.

 

I find ironic...Christians have been labeled as homophobes simply for standing on the very thing this country was founded upon...the word of God.

PS

I would be remiss if I did not say this: gay is NOT the new black. Gay people were not ripped from their homelands and imprisoned in slavery for over two hundred years. They weren’t torn from their families. They didn’t spend months at sea bound in chains, lying in their own vomit next to rotting corpses. They weren’t raped, beaten, lynched, tarred, feathers, hung and castrated. They didn’t wake up to burning crosses and men in white sheets. They weren’t denied the right to vote, use certain restrooms or forced to go to segregated schools. Their history does not include the senseless assassinations of civil rights leaders and underground activists. There is NO comparison between the two.

 

 

Said in love. Never in hate.

Sources: King James Bible, Wikipedia, Merriam Webster

M.A.D. 2014

 

 

This year we pledge to become even more radical for Christ. In a world where Christians are persecuted, mocked and scorned for standing on God's word, unity among the body of Christ is needed like never before. It's difficult to digest the mindset behind those who have chosen to take God out of schools and then blame him for the tragedies that follow.

It's time to stop making excuses for the sins of this world. The majority of these people know exactly what they are doing. They take pride in their blasphemous acts against God. While we must continuously pray for their salvation, we SHOULD not take this laying down. We are commanded to teach the word of God and the repercussions behind living a life of sin. The world has successful played a cynical guilt game on the minds of the saints. Accusing us of judging whenever they felt convicted.

We have proclaimed 2014 to be the year of Restoration. Every family, home, church and business will reclaim what the enemy has stolen from them. This is something we must all do together! No more cliques, no more Sunday Segregation, no more "anything you can do I can do better" agendas. After all if one can chase a thousand then two can....well you know the rest...

 

I am including a video recently posted by Atheist and Comedian Doug Stanhope. I must warn you, the language is vile and his message offensively clear. Every child of God must see this...And if it makes you M.A.D, we encourage you to join us on February 22, 2014. Let's become Motivated to Attack the Devil together and quench the fiery darts of satan as a united front. We hope to see you there!!!

 

 

In Christ,

Pastor Travis & Bridgett Mack

Born This Way???

Born This Way

On May 23, 2011, Lady Gaga released her second album Born this Way. This album was a tribute to and affirmation for anyone living a homosexual lifestyle. The slogan "Born the Way" has become the reasoning behind same sex relationship. Their logic says since God made you this way, you should love who you are no matter what.   So the question is, are they born that way. The answer is Yes....but WAIT...WAIT...WAIT...continue reading please.   Adam and Eve introduced sin into the world the moment they both disobeyed God by eating from the Tree of Knowledge. Every person born since then entered the world with the generational curse of sin on their shoulders. David would come later to say in Psalms 15:5, Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me. So yes, we are ALL born One way or Another.   Your struggle might not be homosexuality, it might be with lying, disobedience, lusts of the flesh or anger. The beautiful thing about all of this is even though we are BORN that way, we don't have to STAY that way. Jesus paved the way for our redemption, salvation and living a life free from sin when he died on the cross.   We were given the wisdom and power to overcome any struggle or stronghold through the Holy Ghost. (I Corinthians 2:11-16)   Lady Gaga's song was another one of satan's lame attempts to give the world an excuse to reside in HIS demonic actions. God fearfully and wonderfully made you based on the potential he implanted in you from conception. satan's job is to tarnish that potential by contaminating your mind, body and spirit with ungodly ideals and logic. The wisdom of knowing the difference between the two comes once you give your life over to Christ (Romans 10:9), accept his Holy Spirit and actively pursue a relationship  with him and him ONLY.   You might be born that way but you CERTAINLY do not have to stay that way!

Best Man Holiday: Movie Review

After hearing so many rave reviews from my Facebook friends and family, I was very excited today when the hubby and I finally got the chance to steal away to go see the movie Best Man Holiday. I promise not to include any spoilers. I find myself conflicted while writing this review. The movie’s core message was unexpectedly heartwarming but the actual execution of the entire movie itself has me on edge as a Christian.

While the movie comes complete with adulterated yet comedic drama, I have to give props to the movie’s writer and director Malcolm D. Lee for not going overboard like Tyler Perry did with his melodramatic soap opera movies “Why Did I Get Married” and “Why Did I Get Married Too”.

HOWEVER, I would be remised if I didn’t say how disappointed I am in my fellow “brothers and sisters in Christ” who positively cosigned on this movie (Amos 3:3). Yes, I fought emotion during certain scenes but as a child of God and the wife of a newly ordained Pastor I cannot, in good conscience, recommend this movie for anyone to go and see. My emotions were touched but my spirit was grieved. While the life lesson in the movie is one that will probably make the majority of us all stop, think and reflect, the constant use of God’s name in vain (Exodus 20:7), vulgar profanity (especially the F bombs) (James 3:10) and the sexual references (I John 2:16) (which includes oral and anal sex) are way too explicit for any Christian too ignore. For those of you who watched the original Best Man, you know the character Lance, played by Morris Chestnut, to be the cursing-christian pro athlete who is preparing to marry his love Mia. In the Best Man Holiday, Lance is still the same cursing-christian. As long as we as a body of Christ continues to accept Hollywood’s persona of what true Christian living is all about, these examples will continue to be exhibited in the movies. Unfortunately, we have become desensitized to the enemy’s plot (John 10:10) to contaminate the minds of the people by presenting a false sense of holiness through the movie screen (Matthew 7:15). By saying nothing, we are telling the unbeliever they don’t have to totally surrender their lives to Christ. We are saying “It’s okay to be the Lance Christian”. (Galatians 1:10)

This movie would have been just as enjoyable without the vulgar language and sexual liaisons: the extremely talented cast and heart touching core message alone was enough to make this a FAMILY movie that could have broken records at the box office.

The Best Man Holiday was a pretty good movie but it could have been even better if it was kept clean and family friendly. It would be nice to see standards established in Hollywood and resumed in Christianity. And before you go there, I’m not judging. I’m standing. Matthew 16:18

Starting from Scratch

It is with my husband’s permission that I will begin blogging about our family’s journey to the next level in ministry. The thought was inspired after hearing Travis teach our children during a bible study session in our living room on “The Parable of the Talents”. Travis taught our children about the man who before going on a journey entrusted his servants with his property by giving each servant talents according to his own ability. The first two of the servants immediately invested the talents doubling their Master’s money. However, the servant who only received one talent chose to bury his instead. When the Master returned, each man gave report of how they handled the money.  The one with five talents earned five more and the one with two talents earned two more. In those two servants, the Master was well pleased and he blessed them. When the last servant told that he had buried the money for fear of losing it, the Master scolded him and called him wicked and lazy. (Matthew 25:14-30)

Travis looked deep into the eyes of our children and said,” God has given us only one talent to start this church and we WILL NOT bury it. We are starting from scratch. It’s going to be a lot of hard work and it’s going to be lonely at times but WE WILL work for the Kingdom of God.”

Sometimes we get discouraged because we feel like we don’t have what’s needed to effectively operate in God’s call. We quickly forget Matthew 6:34, where it says to “Take no thought for tomorrow…”  Other times we disobey God because in our minds we have failed before we even started. We quickly forget God doesn’t call those who are qualified; he qualifies those who he calls. Don’t believe me? Remember Moses and his speech impairment? What about Abraham, married to barren Sarah but called to be the Father of many nations? I’m sure you didn’t forget about the Virgin Mary. The young woman who had never known a man but still became pregnant with the Son of God.

Most people don’t know me but just about everyone who has ever met has to admit this, I’m honest. God has given me the gift to pen and I promised to use it for his glory so I’d be remised if I didn’t say this.

Starting a new church frightens me. I was three when my parents got saved so for the past 34 years, the church is all I’ve ever known. And in the last three decades, I’ve watched the “church” (some not all) evolve into a palace of glitz, glam and hypocrisy. We don’t want to be placed in that category. Back in the day, soldiers for Christ were literally trained up in the word and sent out to reach the lost. Today, starting new ministries is frowned upon. Sunday has become the most segregated day of the week. Churches no longer fellowship with each other.  There is no trust in the congregation. The church has become a place where a person in sin come and hide not be redeemed. Whenever there is a national tragedy, it’s the celebrities you see coming to the rescue. Our pastors are too busy producing movies and hosting TV shows. Our First Ladies are throwing catty tea parties. Big name preachers are too busy working the red carpet, taking pictures along-side cleavage showing actresses. The church(some not all) has become a clique filled cultish empire where any and everything goes. Travis explained to our children, we WILL NOT have any part of that. We pray the body of Christ begins to come together and work in unity. We rebuke the spirit of fear and confusion. We pray wounds and scars within the body of Christ is healed so that we can effectually lay claim on the lost and hurting souls. We pray for the return of God’s unconditional love. In Jesus Name Amen.

So with our one talent in hand, we are stepping out to put ten thousand to flight…. starting from scratch.  

PS: The wonderful thing about scratch is God gets to choose the ingredients of the genetic make up for Real Faith Ministries

Please enjoy this attached video of an interpretive dance, our daughters (Driven Dance Team) ministered recently.