Creativity is a gift to be explored free of fear. Perfect love casts out fear. When men have connected to the source of all life Jesus, creativity and redemption is an open door.

Creativity should never be boxed in by what is considered normal and accepted, but with freedom comes responsibility.

I long for the day that creative people will explore their gift and come up with solutions to some of the problems the world is facing.

I long for the day where men and woman are free to explore what the creator has placed within their hearts to be made manifest on the earth.

I long for the day when people would stop aborting the future hidden in the lives of children who never get the opportunity to develop and explore the world we enjoy.

I long for the day when all men would honor the Glory of God contained in each other rather than divide over doctrine. It is never about us and them it is about we.

Jesus did not come to set up another religion! He came to adopt broken and lost children who are disconnected from their creator & lover. He came to bring us back into the divine relationship of goodness and love. Anything less is a substitute.

Enjoy this video.

I recently had a conversation on facebook with a beloved family member. The discussion was interesting and related to a post she put up regarding the Co-Exist movement. I am posting this because I believe it is a valuable conversation to be had. I love her heart just disagree with the lie of relative truth.

Let me know your thoughts, I really would like to hear them.

WAYNE
Jesus Christ is not a religion He is the son of God and there is no other way to heaven, that into the heart of Father God. That fact alone divides every other religion from the truth. Truth is not relative to ones opinion, it is absolute and His name is Jesus. True enlightenment is encountering him in His Glory and Power not sitting in a building reciting mantra’s etc. Sorry but Buddah, Mohammed even the Dali Lama may seem enlightened but there is no other name above Jesus that saves, heals and delivers. He does not deliver us into a church structure but into life and relationship.
Can I love buddists, muslims, sieks, sunnies? Absolutely but the very nature of the gospel message will always be divisive as the Lord my God is a Jealous God and will have no other gods before him. Does that make me intolerant, probably by the current popular definition but there is no such thing as tolerance because by its nature, tolerance itself is not tolerant.

EM
I’m glad that we live in a diverse world where there are diverse belief systems, as well as live in a country where those diverse views can be shared and (hopefully) celebrated.

One can only demand respect for their beliefs by respecting the beliefs of others.

WAYNE
Absolutely agree Em.
Here is a question. Should we be demanding people respect our beliefs?
What I am sad about is the enforced culturalization going on presently. For example, Should the gay community enforce its beliefs on me? Should I enforce my beliefs on the gay community?
Last time I checked my Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit were perfectly secure in themselves and their ability to heal a nation. He does it through love. The greatest love story ever told was a man on a cross. He commanded us to love.
For those in His love, we will not tolerate sin in our lives and we will not bow to the pressure to acknowledge a sin as something normal. It is something completely contrary to our new nature. On a good day the only person I can control is me.
When a government, or any other structure, religious or otherwise, forces itself upon a someone else then it is a very slippery slope until abuse of power is legally entrenched. America on a whole does not see it coming.
After living in Zimbabwe I saw it first hand. Now look at the nation. We need to protect the freedoms of everyone not just a select few minorities. We should look out for the good of everyone.
Anything motivated by fear is rooted in insecurity. Perfect love casts out fear. They are mortal enemies. What you will see in the coming days is a people who are captivated by love. There is no answer to love and love will always stand in the midst of darkness and point the way to the truth who Himself is perfect love and light.

EM
We should not be demanding respect for our beliefs; we should EXPECT respect for our beliefs. Because the world is a diverse place, people have found different truths in their lives. My truth is different than your truth. The problem is just that. I agree that we shouldn’t enforce our beliefs unto others, which is exactly what “coexist” means to me. I understand that your truth validates your life, as others’ truths do for them. Your definitions of truth, sin and so forth are different than mine. I respect your definitions as they define your life. And, without defining our terms and agreeing on those definitions, we cannot even begin to have this conversation.

I respect your beliefs and your right to live your life as you choose.

Well now…that sounds eerily similar to my original post. If the world can live together in love and cast out fear, then the world will be a better place. And if everyone is to be protected and allowed to live free of enforced beliefs, then that goes for EVERYONE…Christian or not.

WAYNE
But the source of the love is different. Relative truths are not truths Em. Truth by its nature is absolute. Jesus is Truth. That, by its very nature, makes mohamed etc not truth, as such co-existance is a pipe dream based on a lie that all truth is equal. By its nature if something is true it means something contrary is not true. Thereby claiming all roads lead to God is not truth when, as you say my truth is contrary to yours. Islam says the only true prophet of God is mohamed and Jesus says He is the only way to God. Those very points cannot coexist together since they are contrary to each other. Either one is true and one is not, one is subject to the other.
Islam does not preach tolerance of other beliefs. The Koran is specific about that.
It is only when we encounter the person of truth, Jesus in his power and glory do we encounter the truth. All else are shadows of truth.

So what is the source of the love you share? If it is yourself then it is limited by your definitions and perceptions which can change as your paradigms change with the inclusion of new information.
There is a definite standard of absolute love and truth that is outside of time and space, is available to anyone, anywhere, anytime and is consistent for everyone.  He is absolute love and is eternally true. I cannot make him real for you you have to encounter him for yourself to know. I respect your views but respecting them does not mean we should not question. Questioning does not mean I don’t love you rather I want you to experience the Truth.

Blessings and grace to you.

Wow, the power of the people was exercised. In an amazing turn of events Facebook has changed it’s TOS to the previous version. The mass media got hold of the story and the objections of users combined forced Facebook to rethink their position.

Just a thought. Has anyone told you you are awesome. You are!!!
There is so much good hidden inside of you that as you encounter and release it we are all blessed by it. Don’t hide it, don’t flaunt it just become it. Yes you were designed to change the world for the better, and the world is truly better with you in it releasing what you have in you.
Whether you believe in Jesus or not He believes in you. If you don’t believe me ask Him for yourself. He is omnipotent enough to tell you, and if you don’t hear His voice clearly here is a few clues how he can speak through others to you. Listen to what others may say as they may compliment you out of the blue, you may see a roadsign where certain words or pictures stand out and you know that refers to you, you may hear a song and know that it is meant for you. Be open you may be surprised how much He is talking to you. It is almost like you are in a room full of noise and only when you turn your attention towards something does your mind zoom in on the specific sounds / conversation.

This week the whole digital television transition was delayed. While I understand to some degree why the government voted to delay the transition I cant help but think why a mere 5 million people out of a country of 134 million have the power to delay a multimillion dollar transition project. Whats more the amount of time, money and energy being thrown behind the move to get the delay approved could be better used to debate more pertinent issues such as health care or energy.

Here is a question, how much tax payer money has been used to push through the changed bill?

How much money is it going to cost the television stations to delay their transition?

Would it not have been better to use that money to provide coupons to the some 3 million of the 5 million people waiting for the coupon?

I also have to wonder how many of those same people, who are so desperate to have TV, would go out and spend the $50 to get the converter box, and when the government has the funds available again use their receipt to claim a refund.

While some people have procrastinated, some cannot afford to purchase the DTV boxes the transition has been broadcast for over 2 years now. For goodness sake lets move on.

Reality Check : Those who want will keep up those that done will get left behind. Hey there is always the library. Wow what a unique concept maybe read a book, take a walk, start a hobbie, there is more to life than sitting behind a television screen watching the world go by.

I am so encouraged for America as it truly is the land of opportunity for everyone and anyone. I am also encouraged by the fact that a great lie has been broken by the election of Barak Obama to the highest office in the land. Race must ever again be used to set limits for people, be it self imposed or otherwise.

I believe ALL men should be treated with honor and respect regardless of position or rank. I am excited by the fact that America has shown the world that anything is possible if you pursue you dream regardless of skin color, regardless of self imposed or culturally imposed limits.

Racial prejudice in any form is evil but just as evil is the dis-empowering lie that racism is everywhere and behind everything a person does. That lie is pervasive in the world. It is in essence defeatist and an excuse for unjust and immoral behavior. It breads anger and resentment on all sides of the race spectrum. The only way to defeat a lie is to replace it with the truth. Thank God for another nail in the coffin of racism.

Does racism exist – yes. Can it be defeated? Yes, if we are willing to dis-empower the lie with the truth.

For every area of my life that doesn’t glisten with hope means I have an ungodly stronghold in my life and mind. It is a lie that I have empowered through my conscious and unconscious agreement and belief. Every time I agree with the lie, the lie grows and starts to become a self fulfilling prophecy. At the root of that lie is an incorrect belief about who God is and what God does. It is an incorrect perception of who I am and who I was created to be. If we can replace the core lies we believe with the truth of who God is and who He says we are our lives will certainly change accordingly.

Ephesians 4:20-24 (New American Standard Bible)

But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

The Bible also says it this way “According to your faith, so be it” (Matthew 8:13) So what you believe you empower.

Reality Check : I choose to believe in the truth of Who God calls me not what my past experiences define me as. Faith is the evidence of things not seen (Heb 11:1). Our “evidence” for things being true is not our circumstances, but God’s promises.

We don’t deny negative facts in our lives, but we choose to focus on a higher reality: God’s truth.

Faith indeed comes by hearing (Romans 10:17); therefore, we choose to speak these powerful truths to build our own faith and eventually your circumstances will change to reflect your beliefs based on the truth.

Have I personally attained it, honestly, I am a work in progress.

A story on CNN got my attention today. Atheist Michael Newdow has filed suit to remove the phrase “So Help me God” from the presidential inauguration. He is also opposed to a Christian performing the invocation. Not very “Tolerant” now is it.

Newdow said references to God during inauguration ceremonies violate the constitution’s ban on the establishment of religion.

What I don’t understand is the fact that, by definition, atheist groups deny the existence of God yet serve their own God Atheism. I will explain more later in this post.

First off to me atheism is a bit of an oxymoron. To deny the existence of God one would need to consider the possibility that God exists. That very act I feel denies atheism. One would then need to examine the evidence for the existence of God and against to come to the informed conclusion that God does not exist.

To outright deny the existence of God would in essence show itself to be an uninformed narrow minded decision. Anyway I have it on good authority that God does not believe in atheists.

Secondly, religion is defined by dictionary.com as a body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices.

Therefore by definition an atheist belongs to the religion of atheism. By demanding the removal of In God We Trust or so help me God from the constitution, currency or from the inauguration on the basis that it is discriminatory towards atheism is, in essence, elevating one religious belief above that of another and as such is against the constitution.

The establishment clause in the constitution has generally been interpreted to prohibit the establishment of a national religion by Congress, or the preference of one religion over another, or the support of a religious idea with no identifiable secular purpose.

Lets look at some word definitions. These were found at dictionary dot com.

God is defined as;
1. A person or thing deified and honored as the chief good;
2. An object of supreme regard. One that is worshiped, idealized, or followed
3. To regard or treat as a god; deify; idolize

To idolize is defined as;
1. to regard with blind adoration, devotion, etc.
2. To worship as a god.

To Worship can be defined as the object of adoring reverence or regard.

Looking at the above definitions it could be said that atheism (a set of beliefs and paradigms honored and given high regard to) is it’s own God being idolized and worshiped by atheists.

As such the secular view of in God we trust does not violate those beliefs rather is inclusive of those beliefs. An atheist trusting in the god of Atheism is not discriminated against in the use of the term in God We Trust.

Reality Check: I am a follower of Jesus and I respect the fact that people may not have encountered Jesus yet. Jesus is not a religion. He is a person, the very son of God. I worship, adore and follow the Son of God. Jesus is not intimidated by the other so called God’s there will come a day where every knee will bow and confess that he is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is almighty and powerful and fully able to reveal himself to those who are earnestly seeking to find the truth.

I choose to be in relationship with him, to be loved by him, to be led by him and to obedient out of love not religious duty.

It is an awesome adventure that will cost you everything but you get so much more in return.

Ok we are in the middle of a bathroom renovation project. I am sitting in a 53 degree house, dust everywhere, trying to catch up on email and some other tasks. We have been staying out at the In laws farm where I have no internet access.
Talk about withdrawals. Twitter, facebook, blogs etc have become so much of my daily routine that being without it has been both refreshing but also feeling so disconnected.
I pray there are no delays in the renovation I miss my internet.
The good news is that the farm will soon be getting high speed net which will assist me in getting my internet fix when we are out there. Sad isn’t it!!!

Living in Southeast Missouri, otherwise known as the Bootheel provides its fair share of challenges and opportunities. Cape Girardeau provides a unique blend of both urban and rural environment. Situated along the mighty Mississippi River it is to my knowledge the only inland Cape in the world. It is also the hometown of radio personality Rush Limbaugh.

Cape Girardeau is a vibrant college town and is the home of Southeast Missouri State University. Although it is the largest city in Cape Girardeau County, the county seat is actually located in the city of Jackson.

With the current economic situation in the country there have been a number of announcements regarding cutbacks in spending. The economy is not only affecting the housing market but is also affecting educational and social institutions. The battle against meth took a hit with the budget cutbacks this week when the police departments grant was not renewed due to budget constraints.

With all this negative news it is not hard to get dispondent. Well there is a ray of hope for people who are burdened by debt.
What if there is a legitimate and proven system to reduce a person’s debt burden? With United First Financial people are shedding the excess burden of debt. In one case a client is scheduled to pay off over $75 000 dollars in debt and student loans in 2.7 years. What is stunning is he was able to do this with $1 in discretionary income in conjunction with the Money Merge Account(R) program by United First Financial(R) . Sound unbelievable!!!

Well find out for yourself. United First Financial is winning awards and industry recognition both nationally and internationally for the power of its financial tool called the money merge account. See the latest issue of Success from Home magazine of how the company is changing the financial future of clients all over North America.

United First Financial changing the financial landscape of America featured in Success from Home magazine

Do not let budget cuts destroy your dreams. For current students or potential students at SEMO (Southeast Missouri State University) who would like to earn an income while they study and/or potentially pay for their tuition before leaving college, feel free to contact me and find out the awesome opportunity available to you.

The only person in the way of you achieving your dreams could just be you.

Don’t just rely on scholarships and grants, some of which will probably disappear shortly, become proactive and create your own success. We offer exceptional training and you get to decide how much time and energy you want to invest and what you want to achieve.

If you are an entrepreneur and are looking for an opportunity to start and run your own business check out my website for agent opportunities.

A simple thank you goes a long way. I keep thinking about how many people are so trapped in their thinking about what they don’t have. The big screen TV that their neighbor has, the cars, the houses etc.

I came from Africa where poverty is rampant. I now live in the US where poverty of a different kind is rampant. There is a poverty of thankfulness for all the blessings that we have here. I have a house, thank you Lord. I have a lovely wife and two wonderful boys, Thank you Lord. I have food on the table and a Christmas tree, Thank you Lord. I have family, extended family and church family who choose to share their love and their lives with me, Thank you Lord.

I have clean water, heat in the winter and electricity, Thank you Lord. I get to touch peoples lives with hope and blessing and share experiences with friends.

If you do not know what it means to be grateful and thankful take a trip to Zimbabwe for a year. Go without Water for Days on end. Go without electricity and have an erratic power schedule. Go to the store and find nothing of value on the shelves and what you can find is 3 times the price here in the US while earning  1/100th of what you would in the US if you are lucky enough to have a job.

All my years growing up there, while we may not have had everything we wanted we could always share a smile, share some love, have a meal together and laugh.

Reality Check : Lets get back to the basics. Loving family and friends and sharing life is a great way to live. we dont need all the stuff that America craves. If we can connect with our creator and each other we will find a depth of life that brings great joy and celebration.