“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long,” states Psalm 25:5.

Some pastors teach during this season not to get caught up in the ways of the world during this holiday. Others wholeheartedly embrace Christmas or what is known as Kwanza. I’ve not celebrated Christmas for many years. Now, I did enjoy Christmas in my younger years. And even now I sometimes get nostalgic thinking about the times long ago when our entire family spent the day at my grandmother’s house in front of the fireplace opening gifts.

As I’ve grown in age, my gloss over my eyes have been removed. I began to notice the frenzy that comes with Christmas. The commercials to boost sales began before Thanksgiving. In some stores, holiday decorations were on display on the last day of October. The Christmas songs emanate from the speakers to influence us to buy things we didn’t consider before we walked into the store. Everything has now become what I will get for Christmas. Children are told that they will only get toys if they’ve been good and are lied to about who bears their gifts.

We keep saying Jesus is the reason for the season, but I don’t see where Christ is being honored. Some have santa clause, wreaths, trees, and reindeer all around their house. What do any of those things have to do with our Lord and Savior? Do any of us know the day Christ was born? Absolutely not! Do you know the origins of the day we’ve celebrated for years known as Christmas? Do you know the significance of the tree, where santa came from, how reindeer were introduced? It began as a pagan celebration, but Christians have fully embraced the day to celebrate the birthday of Christ. Do the research and your will find varying explanations as to the origins of the holiday.

At this day and age, this is the biggest time of the year for retailers. Those that are in the hole expect to come out on top in just a short time period. Marketers spend million trying to lure you into the store to buy, buy, buy. It’s all a game of manipulation. We buy gifts with money we don’t have. We spend money on people we really don’t care about while our children don’t have money saved up to cover the cost of college. Folks run around madly shopping for a gift, something cheap, but special. We often go into debt then spend years trying to get out of it. I heard it at church over the weekend, “Happy Birthday… Macy’s, Target, WalMart, Saks, and even the Dollar Tree.” This is what it boils down to. There isn’t any advertisement that mentions the birth of Christ. Happy Holidays! Merry X-mas!

Some of you may take offense to this post. I know what my truth is. You have to decide for yourself what you will continue to do. I will not judge nor condemn. I just know for myself that I will not fall into the trap of being manipulated to buy gifts and celebrate the day just because the world does it and it is traditional. Now, I will spend the day with my family, but not partake of the “festivities”. I don’t knock anyone for celebrating the day. I just know what my truth is, and hope to enlighten others. It’s your decision whether you accept the information I’ve presented or not. Just don’t kill the messenger.

John 17:16-17 says, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” We are in the world, but are not under any obligation to be of it. Do you want to walk in the light of truth or continue in the traditions of man because it’s easier to do so? What say you?

A lot of things are happening in this world…none of which we have much control. The financial system under which we live seems to be squeezing the life out of us…literally. Some of us are struggling to keep a roof over our heads and feed our families. We have lost working hours and wages due to furloughs and layoffs. Our jobs have been outsourced and scaled down. The economy is unforgiving. The banks are tightening their grips…barely lending to small businesses or individuals; never mind their nefarious activities. All the while food, oil, gas and health care costs are increasing by the day.

While Congress debates the merits of the un-employed getting an extension of benefits and the richest of the rich getting their tax breaks, people are suffering. Some are hitting a financial storm, a tsunami for a few, unlike which they’ve ever seen. Many are in a place where it seems they have no where to turn. We have become a bit pessimistic, with good reason, that our congressional leaders will make decisions that benefit the 98% of us who are not millionaires.

We have to remind those that are struggling and ourselves that God is much bigger than any of our financial storms. He is our provider and does make a way. Yes, we may have to scale down, make wiser financial moves and in some instances walk away. Truth be told, the financial system which man created is rigged…usury describes it best.

God sees all that is happening right now. He sees our hardships, knows our fears, and feels our pain. Some of us have become desperate. We don’t know what our options are. Be still and know He is God. Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” He will not leave nor forsake us. When fear hits…fear not. When the bank account is low…fear not. When we get the pink slip…fear not. We don’t know what God will do, but we do know that He is a God of mercy. May He be benevolent and keep us from stumbling.

We mustn’t worry. (Matthew 6:27) Seek peace in God during this stormy weather. One day it will pass but in the meantime we can reduce our stresses by not agonizing about it so much. Easier said than done, but it is what it is…and we must ride it out for sanity’s sake. The locust (banksters and wall street hucksters) are devouring money at this time. God will restore in due season.

How are you handling this unsettling financial climate? What say you?

Lately a lot of news has been coming out about he “big” sins of pastors and church leaders. It has become the talk of the town on blogs, gospel and secular radio stations as well as office talk and social networking websites. People are actually debating whether or not we as Christians should judge; Matthew 7:1-5 verses 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Seldom does the entire story come out in the news. Just a hint of sin is all that is needed to write and inflate a story. The media is in the business of sensationalism to bring about sales, not necessary the truth. In that, the sordid details will be printed, and rarely is a follow-up or correction made if the slandered party has been found to be innocent of charges…there isn’t much profit in the boring truth.

We gobble up each news item and spread the message far and wide. We don’t think about the impact on his/her followers or the closest family or friends. The reality is…it is not our business. When we discuss someone else’s private matters amongst the public we are operating out of self-righteous folly. We judge the sin and condemn the fallen, all the while throwing stones and hiding our hand. We talk about others, yet conceal our own indiscretions. It is not up for debate. Romans 14:10 (NIV) says, “You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” We are not to decide on the matters of others. That’s God’s role.

Bottom line: when the story breaks…pray. Pray for the fallen leader, family, church members, and especially for those that may make a decision whether to accept Christ in their lives or not based on the sins of the leaders. We all fall short, and because a lot of us are not in “high” positions, our sin is not noteworthy. As much as I like to debate issues, I too must pray.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 (NIV) says, “and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,” 

What say you?

Someone recently spoke a term I had not heard before…coerced care.  It was used to describe social services for people…social security, Medicare, Medicaid… the big 3s that are currently being hotly debated in the halls of Congress, of which working people pay into. Coerce pretty much means to force someone to do something without regard for their personal opinion or desires; being forced to pay for other people’s care through big government and our tax dollars.

The big taboo is to mix politics and religion. However, when you have politicians professing to be Christians, yet promoting austerity measures on the least of those who could afford it, something is wrong. The complaint is that no one should be forced to take care of someone else, no matter the extenuating circumstances. Everyone should get off their butts and get a J-O-B; even when the unemployment rate is the highest since the depression. We live in the land of the free (wink, wink) where there is equal opportunity for everyone to become rich they spout. The rich work hard for their money and have the right to keep it all they spew out; no matter if it was ill-gotten gains. There are forces that have conspired to steal from the poor and those considered to be middle class to enrich themselves.

Are the poor at always at fault? Even if some are poor due to their own choices, are they expendable, worthless? No they are not. We each have value. But, according to too many Christians, we shouldn’t be forced to take care of people. Yes, we should not be forced to do anything, but where does compassion come in, and we no longer loudly complain about people benefiting from our tax dollars? When do we submit to love one another as God has asked us to in His commandments? When do we stop walking over the oppressed, downtrodden, addicted and judging them without knowing their circumstances; thereby excusing ourselves from giving? James 4:17 (NIV) says, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 35-36, 40, NIV)

What are you willing to do to feed the sheep, especially in this downward economy? (James 2:17) Are you walking in love or in judgment when you decide not to give to those in desperate need because of what you think about them? Would you rather demonstrate mercy on earth rather than have judgment without mercy at the throne? What say you?

As I prepared to complete my second book project and create a website for the first time, fear gripped me. My fears are many. One is that I was releasing another part of me into the world. I was/am shy to a certain extent. I’ve grown a wee bit in that area. As shyness derives from fear…I know the correct word to give the real meaning now. My “shyness” has kept me from exposing who I am.

The second issue I deal with is fear of harsh correction.... not wanting to deal with the repercussions of making a mistake and being called out on it, then condemning myself for screwing up. I know, I know, there is no condemnation in Christ, but when fear abounds, rational thinking takes a back seat. I also lacked trust…trusting and believing that God is with me, and would not leave me.

I asked a few sister friends to pray for me. I sent this email.

“Alright. I've succumbed to fear. I started building my website with a blog. I'm afraid to put it out there as well as the book (it’s finished). Been procrastinating a little bit because of the fear. I’ve been listening to praise and worship music all afternoon while the tears stream down my face. My heart is heavy. Please pray that I will push through and trust God that He is with me, and that I don't have to be perfect. I know He has given me the words and ideas. I need an encouraging word from my sisters in Christ...reminding me of who and how big God is. Thank you!!! His greatness will come through my weakness.”

I immediately received two text messages and one email response reminding me who I belong to and that God has my back. As I type on the keypad, my once trembling hands are becoming calmer. I’m getting some strength from God at this moment. The heaviness is lifting as I reflect on what my dear friends wrote.

I was reminded that God didn’t give us a spirit of fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NCV) says, “God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of power and love and self-control”. Fear has no place in me. God is bigger than fear, and I am determined to win the battle in my mind.

I was also convicted. My best friend of 30 plus years told me that this is God’s work and for me not to take credit for it. She’s absolutely right. She defined it. I am self-absorbed…it’s all about me. Not! That is where that fear came from. The fear is His will to humble me. Oh, it did. Now that I’ve been reduced to size, God will shine brightly. He will be seen, not me. My mind is sound now.

Now I have to parlay the strength from God into courage to post the site and upload. If you are reading this…I did it. I pushed past. God is in control, and He will carry his daughter…that’s me. As Philippians 1:6 (NIV) says, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  He has my back. He is doing something in me and my breakthrough came with a click of the mouse.

I’m walking like I know it!

~ Thank you Tammy, Lataunya, Serita, Pam, Shirley and Chelsea for encouraging me. I appreciate you all.