Not too long ago I talked to a sloppy looking adult man in a certain non-denominational church who tried to encourage me to wear sandals and shorts to Sunday morning services, just like he and his friends. In that same church the pastor wore polyester pants and a faded and threadbare long sleeved shirt hanging out over his bulging belly.

To top it all, he was unshaven with a three-day stubble of beard. Then worse than that, he had greasy, dirty hair (you know what that looks like). The sight of him made me skeptical about what he had to say, but I listened anyway.

Low and behold, the man was teaching out of the book of Genesis, with no relevance to today’s world! Shouldn’t he have gotten past that already? Was he lazy or slothful? I couldn’t decide. But he was trying to be one cool dude at the expense of doing some earnest teaching. And as far as his congregants were concerned, some of them are “ever learning and not able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

The amazing thing was that I was told that he was a dynamic teacher. I may be wrong, but I expected more— much more—from this “dynamic” teacher. (I think some people just say that so that you will know that they are being taught the deeper things of God.)

I suppose some people think that looking like what they think Jesus looked like when he was here on earth, that they can project an image of holiness, kind of laid back and primitive. But Jesus was not a pot smoking laid back kind of guy, nor was he primitive.

Jesus was straightforward, didn’t use any tricks or smoke and mirrors, and more often than not, He said things that people didn’t want to hear.  I doubt that He went around with a ridiculous smile on  his face all the time either.

For God’s sake, just be who you are!  Remember when most television ministers all had slicked down hair and wore a mullet? They had a dramatic demeanor or even a tick such as twitching of the  neck to go with it. What was that all about?

Did they think they were being spiritual? Now some even go so far as to color or spike their hair with styling gel, and most of them still like to show off. They want to identify with the world and be in the limelight.

If these same people would to put on Christ—spiritually speaking—they wouldn’t be so concerned about being “cool.”  They would be earnestly compelling people to repent, receive Christ and avoid judgment, especially in the days in which we live.  Now I ask you, isn’t that the real measure of a man’s spirituality?  And to go further still, the music that is played at most of these services is uninspired and in some cases even redundant, with phrases being repeated over and over. It’s almost like the band is trying to put you into a trance.

Years ago a young Catholic lady I came in contact with said this, about such a service: “The music was cultish, it sounded to me like trance inducing noise, something you would hear in a cult worship service.” She had come from a background of chanting (Gregorian) and so it came as no surprise that she was offended.

It’s not about how much you know or whether you’re a deacon, teacher or elder either; it’s what you do with what you know and not a certain title. Many such people want these titles simply to reap the reward in admiration of others. Jesus speaks on this matter, saying that when these men and women will be harshly judged when they stand in judgment.

Having said that, I realize that some churches especially start up churches don’t have any to chose from and some men and women just happen to slip into that position.

The Bible says we should not have too many teachers. If they knew that they were going to be held accountable for their teaching they might not be so willing to teach others. “Be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive greater judgment.”

Motive is paramount in this endeavor. Do you really care about people? Do you practice what you teach or preach? If you are a teacher in the church it’s good to have a little humility as well. The rules are set out in the first book of Timothy chapter 6.

If you are a teacher, here is a suggestion: Take the time to really get to know your students. Pray for them and pray with them. Contact each of your charges by email individually or as a group. Let them know you really care about their spiritual growth. Don’t form cliques within your group of students, the outsiders will resent it.

All too often we teach on subjects that are of no concern to the individual. Most disciples (students) want to know about things that are affecting them in the here and now. They want to know how to overcome the difficulties that they are facing, based on scripture, not where Philippi Caesarea is on the map.

By the way, the movie about Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot who landed his plane on the Hudson River, is a good movie. Here is a heroic man who had to face the air transportation hierarchy, lawyers and insurance representatives. In this case the good triumphs over bad.

Speaking of good outcomes, Tim Tebow hit a home run on the first pitch of his professional baseball career! This man was bounced out of football for his show of pointing to the sky in thankfulness to God. At the same time, others are doing back flips, and dances or even calling their mother on a cell phone in the end zone! It looks like a double standard to me.

YBIC,

Jim Torres “Towers”

jt.filmmaker@yahoo.con
www.theprophecies2016movie.com

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come…” There is a conspiracy to lower our moral standards by men used of Satan to corrupt our nation. What used to be wrong is right, and what was right is now wrong. Without our Judeo Christian values we as a country are doomed.

Without the Ten Commandments what is to be had but confusion, fear and hopelessness. God’s laws are anathema to those in power. Today there no restraint on the reprobate mind. The world has gone mad.

Our political leaders have led the way. Their only concern seems to be for money and power. Their closets are full of sexual secrets, perversity and of dead men’s bones. The love of money and sex take preeminence over morality and the law. We are fast becoming no better than animals and the internet proves it.

Social media is becoming rife with topics that were once taboo. Even the word “taboo” is fading from the English lexicon. Words like love, sin, honesty, chaste, lust, chivalry, virtue and dignity are dying out as well.

Nothing is sacred or forbidden anymore.

The huge gaping door leading to hell has been flung wide open in our country. The masses are giving themselves over to a reprobate mind and that, willingly. Sexual promiscuity abounds and pornography is in your face and out in the open, full force.

Meanwhile, others have gone stark raving mad and walk about naked in broad daylight. Some are even going so far as to attack people on the street in the light of day. Parents are killing their children and children their parents like never before.

A man used to be proud of being a man and the same can be said of women. They each knew their place in life. Today, many a man or woman is unsure of their sexuality and station in life. Men act like women and women try to act like men.

Children and teenagers have been brought up in fatherless homes where the person who delegates and chastises and loves his children is missing. Where those who do have both parents usually one or the other is a step-parent who doesn’t care all that much about them.

They do what they want, when they want, because mommy and daddy have better things to do. What can be more important than to mold a child into a loving and kind God fearing person? They are God’s gift to us. God even goes so far as to let us participate in the creative process through love of the opposite sex in a marital bond.

Speaking of love between the opposite sexes, where is the love and romance we once knew just a lifetime ago? Mankind isn’t satisfied with the way they are created anymore. They are looking for more and more drug, alcohol and sexual highs that stimulate the endorphins no end; and so delve into things best left alone. They have become lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.

In the meantime, earthquakes continue to proliferate across the globe. Diseases such as Zika, Lyme, Cholera and brain eating Amoeba are on the increase as well.

There were over 225 drug overdoses in four adjoining states recently.

Killings in Chicago (a gun controlled state) and other metropolitan cities are over the top already this year.

Children are killing parents and grandparents. Adults are killing innocent children, not to mention the millions killed in the womb.

How long will God let humanity keep up this evil behavior before He’s seen enough?

Even in the Church sin abounds. Some put on a pious face and meek demeanor without really having Christ in their lives. They are only fooling themselves; their self-righteous fruit stinks to high heaven. They are always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. As a matter of fact, we already have homosexuals in the pulpits of America; what’s left to do to anger God even more?

Weep and wail America. Be sure your sins will find you out. God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap. If that be the case, then I’m afraid we as a country are doomed and will be crying out to God for mercy soon—but perhaps too late.

The only good news I have is that God is long suffering and not willing that any should perish. There is, however, a requirement and that is repentance. You must confess and forsake your sins and receive Christ Jesus into your life. No one is exempt from this requirement.

“If we confess our sins, God is willing to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” If a person has come to the end of his or her rope and wants to start anew, that person must have a change of heart, repent, and be born again. “You must be born-again.”

The Insanity of God is the title of a documentary that played for just one night in one of our local theatres. I didn’t go to see it. I’ve seen too much of Islam’s demonic deeds on the internet and that’s what this documentary and forthcoming book are all about.

If you feel that calling to Muslims then the opportunity to do so are coming to you in droves and are already here with our open door policy. You won’t even have to leave the country. Obama is bringing them to you by the thousands.

As for me, I’ve shared the gospel with three Muslims already and prayed with two of them, closing with, “In Jesus Holy name… Amen.”

YBIC

Jim Torres “Towers”

jt.filmmaker@yahoo.com

www.theprophecies2016movie.com