Pastor Lavaughn Carter

The Prayers of the Righteous...

2011-07-10T23:00:00.001-07:00

The Bible tells us is James chapter 5 verse 16 that: The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. This leads one to think that if the prayers of a righteous person can do many great things then their actions or behaviors must do the same. When we reflect on this scripture we must at all times govern ourselves in the spirit of this divine instruction and apply it to rebuke any and all actions and behaviors that may temp us to do otherwise. I say this because we must remember that the many minions of satan who are the demons or agents of sin want us to follow them and practice what they speak or whisper in our ear. Consider the sins or demons of unforgiveness, hatred, or resentment just to name a few, that sometime control our behavior and actions in relation to other people and how we treat them. Ask your self is an unforgiving person a righteous person according to God? The Bible does reveal: “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses” Mark 11.25 If you are allowing for a demon/sin to direct you physically then we should not be angry or confused with God when He does not bless us spiritually by our prayers. While you are holding grudges or being particular towards people in an attempt to exact some form of revenge, remember you are serving satan and not faithfully following God. Sinfulness of any kind blocks Divine blessings…

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries ©2011

If you are a Christian then you are an Evangelist, so go Evangelize and Encourage

2011-05-26T11:13:00.001-07:00

If you are a Christian then you are an evangelist and if you are an evangelist that means you are a voice and source of encouragement not discouragement. I will give an example, if you are talking to someone who is going through a troubling time in their life and they seem to have given up completely and feel that all is lost as overcoming this situation is impossible, as a Christian would you agree and continue to tear them down with decaying words that confirm the bleakness of their situation or would you as a Christian in the spirit of the Great Commission begin to lift them up with the Living Word of God? Surely as a Christian you would not call them a pathetic failure or a whinny loser who cannot survive in the real world, after all these are not words that one would find in the Gospel of Christ for us to use when speaking to each other. What we must realize is that as Christians we are always in the commission of an evangelist spreading the uplifting and overwhelming power of the Living Word of God not just to people we don’t know but to those that are closes to us. The main point I am making is that as Christians we cannot go out and evangelize to people and lift them up out of their problems in the Living Word of God if we are not doing the same thing to those we are close to who may have a similar or the same problem, if one does this it makes one a hypocrite because if the Word is good and working for a stranger then is it not the same for the ones in our lives? For example a Christian husband cannot evangelize to another woman about her addiction and how God can deliver her from this but at the same time tell his wife with the same addiction she is hopeless. The Bible tells us; ‘You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ’ 2 Timothy 2.3. This applies to everyone not just to those we just met but to those we have known for a while. If you are a Christian you are an evangelist which makes you an encourager to everyone in and at all times but never the source of calamity at anytime. We must remember that saving someone is as simple as what we say and do therefore never forget; The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise, Proverbs 11.30. In closing you never know what you are being asked to do for God but always know that as a Christian we are to be in the spirit of Matthew 5.13-14 (Salt and Light of the earth).
God Bless.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries ©2011

Is it Emotional Abuse?

2011-05-24T03:02:00.001-07:00

When we think of abuse we forget that a person can abuse another person emotionally by saying things that make that individual feel belittled or defeated. Emotional abuse follows the same pattern and displays the same traits as physical abuse in that it comes in cycles. For instance when a person is physically abusive they blame the person that they are physically abusing as the reason they are being abusive towards them, but as soon as the violent episode is over they are apologetic, say they are sorry it was their fault, they don’t know why they over reacted like this, become real loving and giving and then without warning they do the same thing over again and again, leaving the abused person feeling lost and completely turned inside out not knowing what to do or where to turn. Well it is the same with emotional abuse for example if a woman tells a man that he is not a real man and that he will never accomplish anything or a man tells a woman that she is worthless or stupid these are words that cut into the emotional stability of a person because they stay with that individual long after they have been spoken. Let’s take the man for instance whose wife/girlfriend says he is not a real man, they argue she says these things says she wants a divorce or too break up with him because of this and then after she calms down she goes back to him and says she was sorry and she did not mean to say that and she was just going through something and to please forgive her which the man does. Consider that this man tells the woman how her words had hurt him and made him feel emotionally vulnerable and asks her to promise not to ever hurt him like that again, to which she agrees and the two go on with their day. Then say a month later she does the same thing and attacks him with the same words but adds that she does not know why she stays with him because he will never be able to provide for her because he does not know how because he is not a real man that can and knows how. Do you see the pattern here this is a person being torn down emotionally with words that they have already indicated makes them feel helpless, demeaned and has lowered their self worth and esteem but yet the person tearing them down blames them for these actions just like before and then turns around and apologizes and just like before says they will never say these things again only to repeat the cycle with even more vicious verbal attacks and insults the next time. The thing about emotional abuse is not easily recognized because you cannot see the scars but they are there and it takes a lot longer for them to heal because there is no medicine or bandages to put on them to help the healing process go faster. We must remember that in the middle of what we are going through we must be careful of what we say to people that we love because words hurt and do the same damage as hands balled up in a fist!
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18.21
Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries ©2011

Excerpt from: Homosexuals are Human Organisms: Why Don't they Behave Like It

2011-05-21T09:09:00.000-07:00

The numbers, 2, 5, and, 13 don’t seem to mean anything at first glance. However if we say these are ages they could mean a lot. Consider Erik Erikson stages of psychosocial development:
 Infancy/ basic trust versus mistrust- a period encompassing approximately the first year of life. Erikson believed that this stage was a time of incorporation, which the infant {organism} takes in their environment through all their sense organs. The term oral-sensory arises in this stage as this is where an infants’ principle psychosexual mode of adapting begins. This is the start of the most significant interpersonal relationships with the primary caregiver, which is usually the mother. Realizing that their mother will provide food on a regular basis the infant learns basic trust, the soothing sound on the caregiver’s voice, and an environment full of positive activities will also enrich the basic trust of the infant organism. If the infant organism can find no correspondence between their sensory organs needs and environment then mistrust arises. On one hand basic trust is ordinarily syntonic while mistrust is dystonic. If an infant organism is exposed to too much trust they become naïve and easily influenced to the vagaries of the world; however too little will lead to anger, confusion, cynicism, hostility and depression, (Feist & Feist, 2009).
 Early Childhood age 2-3/ Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt. Erikson’s view was that young children {still developing organisms} not only master the sphincter muscle but other body functions such as walking, throwing, reaching, pointing, and going potty. It is also at this stage that children not only develop a sense of control over their interpersonal environment but self control as well. This is also the stage where we see the child {organism} experiencing doubt and shame as children learn that attempts at autonomy are unsuccessful. The psychosexual mode observed during this time frame is anal-urethral –muscular. It is here control; cleanliness and mobility of the body are learned. Not how to mate or who to mate with, (Feist et.al, 2009).
 Play Age ages 3-5/ at this preschool-age children are developing locomotion, language skills, curiosity, imagination, and the ability to set goals. The primary psychosexual mode at this point is genital-locomotor. Here the Oedipus complex {child develops feelings of love and or hostility for parent; son loves mother hates father reverse for daughter} is played out in the imagination of the child and includes the start of understanding the concepts of death, future events, growth and reproduction. At this stage a child may play at being {or model the observed behavior/actions} a mother, father, wife, aunt, sister, uncle, prince, princes, or husband. This expression of the genital mode also shows that developing rapidly is the child’s locomotor abilities. Erikson also believed that unless sexual interest (mating habits) is provoked by cultural sex play or by adult sexual abuse, the Oedipus complex produces no harmful effects on later personality development or behavioral choices. Even though children begin to adopt initiative in their selection and pursuit of goals, many goals, such as marrying their mother or father or running away from home, which must be repressed or delayed which results in guilt. This conflict becomes the dominant psychosocial crisis of play age. Where too much guilt leads to a child being overly inhibited and moralistic and too little may lead to chaos and a lack of morals. This conflict of initiative versus guilt produces the basic strength of purpose. At this stage children have a purpose in what they do, their genital interest have a direction, in which the mother or father being the object of their sexual desires, (Feist et.al, 2009).

POINT OF DISCUSSION
[Homosexual males were molested as children at much higher rates than heterosexual men: 35% versus 4%; one study found a ratio as high as 46% to 7%. A former law enforcement official pointed out, the information they had indicated that people who were molested as children have a greater likelihood of perpetrating that behavior on others when they grow up.
http://www.dakotavoice.com/2009/06/pedophilia-in-the-homosexual-world/]
[In research, by the California School of Professional Psychology, Fresno, California, with 942 nonclinical adult participants, gay men and lesbian women reported a significantly higher rate of childhood molestation than did heterosexual men and women. Forty-six percent of the homosexual men in contrast to 7% of the heterosexual men reported homosexual molestation. Twenty-two percent of lesbian women in contrast to 1% of heterosexual women reported homosexual molestation. This research is apparently the first survey that has reported substantial homosexual molestation of girls.
http://www.springerlink.com/content/u10022r778788010/]

 School Age ages 6- 13.The social world has expanded and now includes peers, teachers, and other adult models beyond the family or home environment. This does not necessarily mean an actual school or classroom like many modern cultures, but this also includes societies where less formal approaches are used by adults to instruct children in the ways of that particular society. This psychosexual mode in this stage is latency. Sexual {mating} latency is important because it allows children to divert their energies to learning the concepts within their culture and the strategies of social interactions, (Feist et. al, 2009).

POINT OF DISCUSSION
Social learning theory is one of the most popular explanatory perspectives in the marital violence literature. When applied to the family, social learning theory states that we model behavior that we have been exposed to as children. Violence is learned, through role models provided by the family (parents, siblings, relatives, and boyfriends/girlfriends), either directly or indirectly, and reinforced in childhood and continued in adulthood as a coping response to stress or a method of conflict resolution (Bandura, 1973). During childhood and adolescence, observations of how parents and significant others behave in intimate relationships provide an initial learning of behavioral alternatives which are "appropriate" for these relationships. If the family of origin handled stresses and frustrations with anger and aggression, the child who has grown up in such an environment is at greater risk for exhibiting those same behaviors, witnessed or experienced (Wofford-Mihalic & Elliott, 97).

from the book Homosexuals are Human Organisms: Why Don't they Behave Like It? Chapter 3 by Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter

Spiritual Adherence first and Always.

2011-05-09T12:23:00.000-07:00

Men and women, if you are not spiritually cleaved/adhered to and in God with each other, you have no business becoming legally married. The wedding ceremony and the license that must have physical signatures and witnesses is not in the model of Genesis 2.24- Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. This spiritual instruction comes first as it relates to a man and woman coming together for the purpose of being one both in body and spirit in God, this is always over all time. The legal marriage is what the law of man needs as the government does not recognize a spiritual bond or in others words the authority and anointing of God. Remember throughout the entire Old Testament before the Exodus the Bible mentions many being husbands and wives but we have to ask who was marrying them since the God did not establish the Levitical Priest until the Exodus and Aaron as it first. If we know history we would realize that the purpose for the wedding as we know it was to establish a physical record of fact in the presence of witnesses for the purpose of any future legal claims per the law of the ruling authorities. The Apostle Paul states in Romans 13.1; Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. This does not mean to ignore the commandments of God it means first do what God says do and you will be justified for your actions by your spiritual obedience {FAITH} it is written the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1.17. To review; first comes spiritual adherence between a man and a woman in the example of Genesis 2.24 for the purpose of fulfilling Genesis 1.25-28, then that man and woman to establish and keep the peace become legally/ physically married as husband and wife per the instructions in Romans 13.1. Remember please God first and always and everyone including you will be the better for it… “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Mark 12.17, the government needs a marriage of law but God requires a spiritual adherence to Him; therefore God first then man.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries © 2011

Homosexuality Void of Purpose

2011-05-06T23:42:00.000-07:00

The Bible reveals to us:
Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually, Genesis 6.5, NKJV.
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…... Proverbs 23.7, NKJV.
Notice that with regards to homosexuals they think they were born to not function as they were designed/created, which means they are living in conflict, a conflict that is between their mind, body and their spirit.
The Bible reveals:
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it, Genesis 1.27-28, NKJV.
This is clear that we {mankind} are created for a purpose in God’s perfect plan given to us from the beginning of time.
With regards to homosexuals consider this they are the only human organisms who claim that they are born with a predetermined behavior that has no purpose for the work of God or mankind. Homosexuals want us to believe/think that they were born equipped to do something that they think they should not do and that is follow God; first in spirit, then in mind and finally in body, per Genesis 1.27-28.
Ask the question, why did God create mankind {men and women}? The answer is in Genesis 1.27-28. Are not a man and a woman designed to complement the physical function of the other?
If we think about sin as a whole we can see that it is all about the mental perception being the sole direction of the physical person, void of an adherence to the Spirit of God. When people begin to ignore the inherent Spirit of God that lives in us in place of our mental reasoning for the pleasure of our flesh instead of the purpose of our perfect God, we justify our disobedient behaviors with excuses like I was born that way never considering how could I be born with a purpose to sin?
In the book I speak about modeling and how this is one way that children learn, consider this how does a child learn either good or bad, sin or righteousness, by modeling what he or she sees from those around them, I go on to ask if all heterosexuals must learn what to do as it relates to sex {birds and the bees} with their opposites, how are homosexuals learning to have sex with the same sex? Someone would have to introduce this behavior to them and through this modeling of the behavior got them to think that it was normal and this is true for every single sin.
Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries©2010

The Christian World View and the Epistle of Rome

2011-04-10T09:03:00.000-07:00

The Christian world view can be found in the passages of the epistle of Romans in many ways. When we think about the Christian worldview often times people think of it not in terms of the Bible but rather the way they see what Christians do and say. However; not everyone who says they are a Christian are living Christ like. This brings up a very important question as it relates to how are Christians to live in this world? Paul does much to explain this, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God, Romans 12.1-2. In this passage reasonable service stands out as this reasonable service will allow Christians to avoid living unrighteous and avoid the consequences of sin which as Romans 6.23 reveals; for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In avoiding being worldly and separated from the divine nature of God, Christians must realize and adhere to the mission of Christ. If we read what the Apostle states; for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”, Romans 1.16-17. Paul is explaining to both Jews and Gentiles that Christ is God’s gift of Salvation to those who are living as Christians should from the moment of our very creation. We often forget that we were spiritually formed in God’s image first then physically created, this means that our first nature is spiritual as we are to as God revealed to us in Genesis by our nature; Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1.28. This is how and why we were created for a purpose in God and through fulfilling this purpose we reflect attributes of God. Paul explains; for since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, Romans 1.20. These attributes start and end within the righteousness of God from which we are able to see God’s holiness, goodness and love as explained by Paul; yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, Romans 8.37-39.

If we as spiritually formed beings of God are not living in His image, an image that begins in righteousness as this is how we are able to be empowered by the Holy Spirit as the Apostle points out in Romans 15.13; Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, then we are not set apart from sin but rather we are living to commit it on a consistent basis.

What Christians understand is that if we are not living as we were first created in fulfilling the purpose of God in His image by His Divine nature and attributes to allow for us to live apart from the sin that is in the desire of the world then we can never live in the realization of Christ as our salvation from God to be reconciled back to Him. Throughout Romans the Apostle is explaining that a Christian worldview without spiritual adherence means there can be no physical deliverance from the troubles and temptations of this world. In all this none of it is possible for anyone if it is not done in faith. We cannot reasonably serve God, avoid sin, receive and accept the responsibility of salvation through the Body of Christ if we do not have faith. It is not just believing but doing and living by faith in and for God. If we are unfaithful then we are unrighteous, if we are unrighteous we are disobedient no one can be justified or saved in a life of disobedience. If we look at what the Apostle said about Abraham; for what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness”, Romans 4.3. Recall Abraham was the father of faith by his obedience to God; he is not the father of the Law. Abraham serves as the example of how we as Christians must first live by faith, and by this be faithful-obedient and through this we are covered in all that comes in the righteousness of God’s mercy and grace through Christ.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries ©2011

Islam a Religion of War?

2011-03-24T04:00:00.000-07:00

Before Islam Arabian tribes held to the belief that the universe was animated by innumerable spirits, each inhabiting its own distinctive elements and natural features. There were called an ilah or “god” however; many of the tribes in the different regions held to one main ilah or chief spirit which they called the god/deity or allah. Mecca was one of several major cultic sites over which such a deity ruled. In an around 610 A.D. Muhammad a self professed messenger of his chief deity or allah belonged to a powerful tribe in Mecca called the Quraysh who controlled the lives of Meccans including which ilah was chief among all others. Muhammad was among the poorer and less influential clan within the tribe so when he came along with what he claimed was the corrected word given earlier to prophets of the Book (Bible) his fellow Meccans did not receive it as he had hoped. In and around 622 A.D. Muhammad and those who decided to follow him moved north to a city called Yathrib, this Hijra or emigration is the start of the Muslim calendar. It would be about eight or nine years later after building his followers of allah or Muslims and taking the fight throughout the region that Muhammad would gain control over the Arabian region/tribes most notably Mecca. (Renard, John. The Handy Religion Answer Book. Canton: Visible Ink Press, 2002)

There was no Islam until Muhammad invented it.
Islam was not the religion of the descendants of Ishmael it seems they followed whatever was convenient for them.
Muhammad was actually a Christian before he made a power move to gain control over his people and then others through his ideology/religion.
Islam is a religion of war and the first battle was against the Arabian tribes.

Surah 8.39- "And fight with them until there is no more persecution and religion should be only for allah" From the historical context we know that the "persecution" spoken of here was simply the refusal by the Meccans to allow Muhammad to enter their city and perform the Haj. Other Muslims were able to travel there, just not as an armed group, since Muhammad declared war on Mecca prior to his eviction. The Meccans were also acting in defense of their religion, since it was Muhammad's intention to destroy their idols and establish Islam by force (which he later did). Hence the critical part of this verse is to fight until "religion is only for allah." According to Ibn Ishaq (324), Muhammad justified the violence further by explaining that "allah must have no rivals." http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/Quran/023-violence.htm

Surah 9.29- "Fight those who believe not in allah or the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued." "People of the Book" refers to Christians and Jews. This was one of the final "revelations" from allah and it set in motion the tenacious military expansion, in which Muhammad's companions managed to conquer two-thirds of the Christian world in just the next 100 years. Islam is intended to dominate all other people and faiths. http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/Quran/023-violence.htm

If we look at what has been discussed we can conclude that the chief ilah of Muhammad was himself and for his own rise to power even if it meant killing first his own people and then anyone else not just in his time but throughout all times, the Koran is a continuous war doctrine invented by Muhammad.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries

The Crusades Were a Reaction not a Cause

2011-03-23T19:43:00.000-07:00

The crusades are a part of not just Christian or church history but history as a whole, there are many points of view as to what the purpose or purposes of the Crusades were but many feel that the Crusades were war-pilgrimages declared by the Popes on the behalf of Christ as a way to reclaim both Christian territory and people from the control of Muslim invaders(Riley-Smith) . This is surprising that an actual war would have to be declared by the Pope, or the bishop of Rome whom many feel succeeds the first pope or bishop of Rome Peter. The reason that this action may seem so inconceivable is because of something that Christ told to Peter in Matthew 26.51-53; and suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? Now if we believe that Peter is the first pope and that all who succeed as pope or the bishop of Rome must follow not Peter but the instruction given to him by Christ then does this not say that we as Christians should never result to such actions in defense of Him?

As we look at the Crusades it would appear that they were not about Christ or the faithfulness Christians must have in what Christ will do but more about the individual. This was more or less stated in an article by Riley-Smith about the Crusades; “while holy war had had a long history, the idea of penitential war was unprecedented in Christian thought. It meant that a crusade was for the crusader only secondarily about service in arms to God or benefiting the Church or Christianity; it was primarily about benefiting himself”(Riley-Smith).

In March 1095, Pope Urban II was presiding over a church council at Piacenza, preached the First Crusade at Clermont eight months later; it is here that the idea of synthesizing the tradition of war and pilgrimage by Urban’s idea of penitential warfare, this gave the most charismatic penance then known, pilgrimage to Jerusalem(Riley-Smith) . It seems that no where do we see the defense of Christ in the purpose of the Crusades, we know that the Holy land was under the control of Muslim invaders who by all accounts really did not adhere or believe in the deity of Christ, but was the purpose of their invasion conversion to Islam and the complete dismantling of the Church and the Body of Christ? Huff finds; “The initial spread of Islam took place rapidly and was primarily militaristic in nature. Muslim conquerors ordinarily wished to dominate rather than convert. They did not require conversion, but rather subordination of non-Muslim peoples”(Huff).

We need to consider who was it that started the action of invading which caused the Pope to feel that he must have a call to arms in the liberation of both people and land? The leader of the Muslims and the one credited with starting Islam, Muhammad who had once been a Christian, became increasingly displeased with Christians and Jews and when they rejected his so called message (Koran) and his political and military leadership, he became antagonistic and no surprise that a soon as Islam had a successful military and political force, Christianity became an enemy that had to be conquered(Huff). The Koran states: so when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters (Jews and Christians) wherever you find them, and take them captive and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, Surah 9.5. This was the attitude of Muslims as prescribed by their leader as his revelation from allah. With this ideology the invading Muslims swept across the Middle East and North Africa with great efficiency and success, which lead to the loss of major centers of Christian learning and civilizations(Huff).

From this we can clearly see that the Crusades were not just the Christians feeling the need to have a war or the pope feeling that he must impose his way, but there had to be some type of stand against this military invasion by the Muslims on what was nothing more than a quest to conquer and wipe out both the Christian and Jewish faith. It is here that we must realize that the Crusades were not a war against people but principles, principles which were spelled out to Muslims in the Quran. This is why a stand such as those against modern terrorism must be explained as a war against these same principles that lead the invasions by earlier Muslims and was the cause of the Christian response by way of the Crusades. Renick states: “most contemporary pundits reject comparisons between the war in Iraq and the Crusades, granted President Bush did make a public relations misstep in the days immediately following the 9/11 attacks when he called the coming U.S. led war against global terrorism a crusade and promised that terrorist would face the full wrath of the U.S.. A lot of people think that America is out to get Islam, Joshua Salaam, director of the Council on American- Islamic Relations, warned at the time, we’ve got to be very careful of the words we use”(Renick).

It is preposterous to believe that President Bush misspoke or was not politically correct when in fact he was historically correct and if the crusades like the war on terror is not because of what is said in Koran the book that leads all Muslims in the Islamic religion then what is it. In the article mention in the above paragraph Joshua Salaam states that we must be careful of the words we use, well if this is true what of the following words, the only punishment of those who wage war against allah and his messenger and strive to make mischief in the land is that they should be murdered, or crucified, or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides.. Surah 5.33, the Koran. “The call to arms if we look back at the early Crusades was founded on the just-war argument and Pope Urban II suggested that the war was to protect the innocents of Jerusalem in order to end the appalling violation of women and to bring to justice enemies who cut open the navels of those whom they chose to torment with loathsome death, tear out their most vital organs and tie them to a stake”(Renick) , according to Renick. It would appear that the Crusades were the first response to the terrorist nature of Islam because of the ideology of Muhammad.

The first Crusade was the foundation for all those that would follow; contemporary historians disagree about when the Crusades came to a close, in part because the term designates a rather loose grouping of events rather than a unified movement (Renick). It would seem that the Crusades al be it late was a response to what was an aggressive act of intimidation, threats, coercion, confusion, fear and submission all of which are the guiding principles of terrorism and are seen in the core of the Islamic religion which is the Koran. What seems to be the confusion is that the Crusades did not cause themselves or started without a cause, they were a direct result of the actions initiated by Muhammad and not until some 400 years after many Christian territories had been under Islamic control, again based on the principles found in the Koran.

We again are speaking in terms of principle not people, we must remember that nowhere in the Bible are we told about a holy war yet the Koran is based on the principle doctrine of jihad or as we have seen submission by both Jews and Christians to allah and his messenger or meet with severe punishment. It would seem that the Pope and those early Christian Crusaders were not at war with people but the principles that drove the people to do the things they were doing, it was in this that these Christians felt moved to do what is revealed in Matthew 10.38; And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. It comes as no surprise crusade comes from the Latin word for cross, crux. The Latin Crucesignati, which in the English language translates to crusaders, which literally means those signed by the cross(Renick). It would appear that perhaps the Pope while knowing the truth of what is revealed in Matthew 26.51-53 as we discussed earlier, knew that Peter was unjustified in his actions in trying to defend Christ in the way he did. If we think back to the actions of Abraham as it relates to him coming to the aid of Lot and saving him we can see that defending the weak and over whelmed is what a faithful servant of God does, not against people but because of the principles that drive those people. We are told in Ephesians 6.12: for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

In closing the Crusades are an ongoing part of history past, present and future, because as long as the Koran is followed, then those who truly read its words will seek to fulfill the ideas of Muhammad by invading and destroying both Christians and Jews so that the world is under the religion of Islam; ‘and fight them until there is no more persecution and all religions are for allah…’ Surah 8.39, the Koran. While the Crusades may not have started or been about defending Christ they were about what Christ lived and died for, all of mankind and the promise of Salvation for all nations not by force of man but by a sacrifice of the Lamb of God, and this we would never have known if not for the Crusades.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter –Patient Perseverance Ministries©2011.

Bibliography
Huff, Livingston. 2004. The Crusades and colonial imperialism: some historical considerations concerning Christian-Muslim interaction and dialogue. Missiology 32, no.2:141-148. ATLA Religion Database with ATLA Serials, EBSCO host (accessed February 25, 2011).
Renick, Timothy M.2004, Crusades. Encyclopedia of religion and war. Ed. Gabriel Palmer-Fernandez: Routledge. http://www.routledgereligiononline.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu (accessed February 25, 2011).
Renick, Timothy M., 2005. Crusader zeal: holy wars, then and now. Christian Century 122, no.2:26-29. ATLA Religion Database with ATLA Serials, EBSCO host (accessed February 25, 2011).
Riley-Smith, Jonathan, 2000. Rethinking the Crusades. First Things no 101:20-23. ATLA Religion Database with ATLA Serials, EBSCO host (accessed February 28, 2011).
Riley-Smith, Jonathan, 2004. The crusades. The new Cambridge medieval history volume 4 part 1c.1024-c.1198. http://www.histories.cambridge.org.ezproxy.libery.edu (accessed February 25, 2011).

Player: No, You're Just a Typical Prostitute

2011-03-20T23:18:00.000-07:00

I keep hearing these young boys and some of the old heads to proclaiming they are players, I laugh because they do not realize that this means they are prostitutes. What comes from being known for sleeping with many women other than the fact that you have been had by a lot of women, that you lied to in order to achieve the goal of having sex with them. You sold a fantasy of who you were so they would not see who you really are a prostitute. By definition a prostitute is to devote to corrupt or unworthy purposes: debase prostitute one's talents http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prostitute Hidden in there is the word debase which is defined as to lower in status, esteem, quality, or character http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debase Ok so called player, you have lowered your own status in life you own self respect and value and lastly your character all because you had to lie for sex not just once but multiple times. Do we even need to discuss the psychological issues of someone who has low self esteem issues and how they fill that void with destructive and toxic behaviors that lead to a never ending spiral of darkness and despair? You so desperately want to exist outside of the lie you have created but you are afraid that no real woman will give you the attention you so desire. Prostitutes do what they do because of a void in their life and they fill that void by corrupting themselves sometimes for money, fame, life fulfillment or the sense of self worth not just to themselves but to the world and their peers. Player, no you’re just a typical prostitute.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries ©2011

Physical or Spiritual Self

2011-03-20T15:53:00.000-07:00

Albert Bandura most known for his social cognitive theory recognized that three internal requirements in the ongoing exercise of self influence that are 1) self-observation- we must be able to monitor our own performance, 2) judgmental processes-helps regulate our behavior through the process of cognitive mediation, and 3) self-reaction- people respond negatively or positively to their behaviors depending on how these behaviors measure up to their personal standards, (Feist & Feist, 2009). The Word of God teaches us these factors in many ways and throughout the Bible, but to me none is clearer than in the 51st Psalm which David wrote after his affair with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband Uriah.
Self observation- Have mercy upon me O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin Psalm 51:1-2
Judgmental process- For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight-that you may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge. Psalm 51:3-4
Self reaction- Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:10-11
It is from the Holy Spirit that we are able to have self regulation:
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him”. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may know the things that have been freely given.

By: Pastor LaVaughn Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries © November 11, 2008

pages 57-61 from Homosexuals are Human Organism Why Don't they Behave Like It

2011-03-20T15:39:00.000-07:00

POINT OF DISCUSSION

Sexual perversion in which children are the preferred sexual object = pedophilia, no doubt about it the Greeks condoned the lifestyle/ behavior of pedophilia and thus furthered the lifestyle of homosexuality. It is no secret that many ancient civilizations engaged in lifestyle choices that some consider acceptable while others view as immoral. If we take a step back and look at the history of this world, we can point to three ancient world powers whose influences are still around us today. These three ancient dominant cultures were the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, each super power if you will, provided a blue print for how the next society or communities should and could behave. What’s odd is that all these super powers fell and no longer exist yet some of their art, philosophy, religious views, architecture, sculptures, and yes lifestyles/ behaviors have survived. For instance Roman art and music, like its literature, was heavily influenced by Greek works, however, the Romans did their fair share of "works of art" that are still influential today. Roman art went through four different styles over the time of the empire. All four contributed to society by continuing the development of art into what it is today. Modern day art has many similarities to Roman art of antiquity. The Romans used music for military purposes, marriages and celebrations, religious rituals, public ceremonies, and of course in its amphitheatres. Music is used today in all of these situations as well whether is to give an army a command through a sound or a rock bands concert in a modern day amphitheatre.
Knowing what we know about ancient times, the culture which conquered another would force their customs on this newly overthrown society. All we know about history says that the oldest and possibly the first world power was Egypt, and knowing what we know we can conclude that it is here that the tenets for immoral sexual behavior began.

-VIII-
Not Just Leviticus 18:22
In the Torah or the Old Testament in the book of Exodus, we are told of the children of Israel leaving the land of Egypt and once they had we also read where they were immediately given instructions, laws or commandments from God thru Moses. The first and most famous are the “Ten Commandments” Exodus 20:1-17, but one law or commandment that is given is often overlooked and it is in Exodus chapter 22 verse 19, “Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death” John MacArthur Study Bible NKJV. This shows that this behavior must have been strong in cultures who did not know the one true God, the God of Abram and all creation. This must have been so severe that God had to make them aware of this immoral act in the same time frame as the “ten commandments”. In case you do not realize this is speaking about the sexual perverted behavior of bestiality and unless you practice this behavior you know it’s illogical, immoral and sinful. If we think about it isn’t this the purpose of the commandments to cease behaviors that are of no good logically, morally or righteously to the community as a whole. Let’s take a simple commandment like; “you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” Exodus 20:16 NKJV. If you lie on someone this makes no sense logically to attempt to destroy their life and those around them, it could cause for someone to possibly seek revenge on an innocent person. Telling a lie on someone when you know it’s not the truth is also immoral and causes unnecessary conflict within the lives of others in the community and it’s obvious that this is in no way a just thing to do. God is letting the children of Israel know that these behaviors may have been normal in Egypt and in other nations or communities but they would not behave in this way. Keep this in mind God knows that illogical, immoral and sinful behavior will lead to sickness, pain, suffering, anger and eventually the death of someone. Many agree that Egypt is the oldest civilization hence all roads lead back to the pyramids. We are told in the Torah or the Old Testament in the book of Leviticus about some of the immoral behaviors of Egypt.
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘I am the LORD your God. According to the doings of the land of Egypt where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not; nor shall you walk in their ordinances. You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am the LORD your God’” Leviticus 18:1-4 NKJV.
Next God would spell out some of the many behavioral practices that were found in what we call ancient Egypt.
“None of you shall approach anyone who is near of kin to him, to uncover his nakedness: I am the LORD. The nakedness of your father or the nakedness of your mother you shall not uncover. She is your mother; you shall not uncover her nakedness. The nakedness of your father’s wife you shall not uncover; it is your father’s nakedness. The nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, whether born at home or elsewhere, their nakedness you shall not uncover. The nakedness of your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter, their nakedness you shall not uncover; for theirs is your own nakedness” Leviticus 18:6-11 NKJV.
Apparently incest and child molestation was very popular in ancient Egypt and it does not take a genius to understand how this type of behavior can disrupt and destroy a family, divide a community and cause physical and mental issues and in many cases the murder of an individual or suicide.
If we read all the laws, commandments that Moses received from God to give to the children of Israel, it is not hard to agree that doing any of these things would cause hardship in someone’s life. In Exodus 20:15 we are told; “You shall not steal” NKJV. Do we need to even discuss the outcome of what happens when a person or persons steals from another. If this lifestyle continues eventually it will lead to the death of the person committing the crime , the person being victimized or an innocent bystander, this is what is meant by; ‘For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord’ Romans 6:23 NKJV. Illogical, immoral unrighteous behavior causes physical death. If you agree that no one should steal, how can you not agree that no one should molest or pervert a young child boy or girl?
So much focus is placed on the laws of God being man’s way of controlling the population that we forget or lose sight of the purpose and meaning of not doing things such as killing, stealing, harming children and performing sexual deviating behaviors of any kind. Do not fool yourself because of the topic of this book that I am in some way condoning the sinful sexual behaviors that have been adopted by heterosexuals as well. It is improper to think that in some way having more than one mate or sexual partner is normal or apart of your nature, this is untrue and is born out of the same origin as what we have been discussing so far. All of the things we now know are dangerous can be traced back to ancient societies that held immoral rituals such as orgies. Orgies were secret ceremonial rites held in honor of an ancient Greek or Roman deity and usually characterized by ecstatic singing and dancing drunken revelry, it’s also a sexual encounter involving many people, an excessive sexual indulgence and an excessive indulgence in something especially to satisfy an inordinate appetite or craving We know that an orgy is an environment of disease and viruses and the eventual death of a person physically, mentally and spiritually. Yet, people knowing what we know still practice and participate in orgies and have the desire to have threesomes and alike. What is amazing is that God who knows and sees all knew what the outcome of immoral behaviors would lead too. The Torah or the Old Testament and the New Testament were not held by the ruling ancient cultures and they were only being followed by the children of Israel and converts to the Christian faith. Just because the laws of God had been given did not mean they were followed by all mankind and still are not being followed or accepted by all today.
I want to show the omniscience of God with this next point, I just pray that I have been successful thus far in tying this information together for a better understanding on this topic. We can see that no organism is born with a behavior and that any behavior that will cause pain, suffering, sickness and death should be abandoned for a better lifestyle. This is what we are basically discussing, the homosexual lifestyle, which is sinful and not a trait an organism is born with. Let’s look at God speak out against another improper lifestyle; “you shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. Nor shall you mate with any animal, to defile yourself with it. Nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it. It is perversion” Leviticus 18:22-23 NKJV. Knowing what we know now and that God has always known, what viruses and diseases are found in such lifestyles as bestiality and homosexuality? We discussed some of these earlier in chapter 4, but was there ever any discussion of this from God to the children of Israel? If we read about some of the things that will happen if the law of God is not adhered to it is quite surprising; ‘the LORD will make a plague cling to you until He has consumed you from the land which you are going to possess. The LORD will strike you with consumption, with fever, with inflammation, with severe burning fever, with the sword, with scorching, and with mildew; they shall pursue you until you perish’ Deuteronomy 28:21-22 NKJV. Keep in mind this is what will happen if the children of Israel followed the rituals, lifestyles and behaviors of the cultures who knew not the holiness of God including Egypt. ‘The LORD will strike you with the boils of Egypt, with tumors, with the scab and with the itch, from which you cannot be healed. The LORD will strike you with madness and blindness and confusion of heart [spirit/conscience]’ Deuteronomy 28:27-28 NKJV. Your improper lifestyle can bring you into a depressive state according to what the scripture is saying here.

this is a excerpt from the book"Homosexuals are Human Organisms why Don't they Behave Like It written by:
Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter, founder of Patient Perseverance Ministries.

Stubborn Minded

2011-03-20T15:28:00.000-07:00

I would like to caution those of you who like to say they are stubborn minded. The very definition of this word is “unreasonably obstinate” which means you won’t budge on anything once your mind is set. Any action or thought that causes your mind to be unreasonable indicates negative or the opposite of logical, rational thinking. So you are unable to fully see all the potential solutions, issues and ideas or thoughts of others. This type of attitude leads to each person or person’s trying to explain who is wrong because they are correct.
When you are not able to see things from different point of views, you are allowing yourself to be in a no way out scenario. When what you thought was the only way fails or does not produce the results you knew it would, what will your back up be considering you had your ‘ unreasonable obstinate” mind made up. Don’t allow for your stubbornness to put you in a situation that has you lost, angry, sad, confused, taking risk, scrambling or caught in a cycle of sin trying to validate your point.......
WITHOUT EYES THERE IS NO LIGHT; WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE THERE IS NO WISDOM A STUBBORN MIND WILL FARE BADLY AT THE END, AND WHOEVER LOVES DANGER WILL PERISH IN IT. A STUBBORN MIND WILL BE BURDENED BY TROUBLES, AND THE SINNER ADS SIN TO SINS. Sirach 3:25-27 the Apocrypha

from the book Inspirations Spiritual Strength Courage and Wisdom by:
LaVaughn R. Carter, Pastor and founder of Patient Perseverance Ministries

Skin color is not a race

2011-03-08T05:14:00.000-08:00

Melanin is the pigment in our skin. The more melanin a person has, the darker his or her skin will be and the better their skin will age. A person's skin adapts to the climate in which they originate. Those living near the equator are darker-skinned. Those living in the north, such as Scotland, are fair-skinned and exposed too little sunlight. Because the Scottish have such minimal melanin in their skin, they are unable to block out sunlight, so what sunlight they are exposed to enables them to naturally produce vitamin D, which we need to prevent rickets. http://www.ehow.com/facts_5021865_benefits-melanin-skin.html
High melanin content (racial pigmentation) protects the skin against ultraviolet (UV)-induced skin damage through its optical and chemical filtering properties. Human populations living in areas with lower UV levels would adapt with lesser pigmentation and those living in higher UV areas would adapt with more pigmentation. UV light can damage our skin, producing burns, premature skin aging, wrinkling, mutations, and skin cancer; this is why we need some type of protection, in comes melanin. Like all good sunshades, the umbrellas in our skin are darkly colored. The dark pigment in our skin, called melanin, is typically black or brown. This protein is produced by special cells, called melanocytes, which are located in the lowest level of our epidermis the surface layer of our skin, melanocytes themselves are not the umbrellas of our skin. They merely produce the melanin for our skin, in the form of tiny granules called melanosomes. Human skin is normally never truly white, though some people have less melanin in their skin than others. Surprisingly, all humans, regardless of the shade (“color”) of their skin, have approximately the same number of melanocytes per square inch of skin. Even albinos have melanocytes, but they produce colorless, rather than pigmented, melanosomes. The granules are colorless because the enzyme necessary for producing melanin is either missing or defective. http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v5/n4/melanin
Fact: nowhere in the entire Biblical text is there any mention of black, white or any other race being discussed with relation to color, racial color is manmade not God created.

Pre-flood
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1.26-27.
Post-flood
Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.
Genesis 11.9.

Notice God wanted man to spread out throughout the entire earth before and after the flood, form what we discussed is it hard to see how we have many shades of the same and only race God created –THE HUMAN RACE- which is Spiritually model after and Created by God.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries ©2011

“Love does not exist between your legs; stop confusing physical pleasure and sexual desire with love”

2011-03-03T06:59:00.000-08:00

If you are telling people that your greatest attributes are anything physical such as your eyes, legs, chest, butt or any other parts of your anatomic structure then you are not seeking love but a physical relationship based on physical attraction. I say this because our greatest attribute is our first and that is our spiritual connection to God, Who lives in us. If this is not seen by others first then they are not connected to God and if is not displayed by you then you are disconnected from God.
It does not matter how some one looks if they do not have a relationship that has developed into an unwavering love for God, if they are void of love for God then what will the really do to and for you?
You keep looking for love based on your confused understanding that it starts and ends between your legs and or ears and therefore this leaves you emotionally hurt when you are no longer moved or pleased physically by him or her or them by you. You then seek out another empty relationship that is full of physical pleasure but absent of God and therefore love.
What is sad is that people have sex with one another before they pray together to God, then they wonder why they are having problems and can’t seem to find happiness or come to realize joy with him or her.
Many of you have become trapped in the same relationship just with a different person but for the same physical purpose which leaves you constantly needing to be healed emotionally because there is no presence of God in them for you to cleave to for spiritual support, understand we cannot physically get emotional support, healing or mental stability this can only happen spiritually.
Yet everything you do is to get a physical partner and none of what you do is to gain a spiritual one. Talking about you going to get sexy, your nails are done but you never use those fingers to turn the pages of the Bible to read the Living Word of God with the sight from the eyes He gave you, yet you have long lashes and perfectly arched brows, yes so sexy for sex with all the physical abilities to attract a man looking for sexy. “Ladies you get sexy for sex not love and not God” Men you go and by that expensive outfit to go to a club or party but you won’t go to church casually dressed, “Look at you all dressed up to go sin, but won’t dress down to avoid and defeat it”
In the club or at the party, why are the sexy people always single? They do get a lot of phone numbers, numbers of people who are out looking for sex not love. Then these same people without realizing they are showing the clear signs of having self esteem issues, brag about how they are now being harassed by emails, text messages, facebook inboxes and what not, by someone’s girlfriend, boyfriend, husband or wife, talking about if they had been doing what they were suppose to then they would not have been trying to get with me, I can’t control my sexy. Hello!! key word sexy, which means this person was out looking for who they could get some physical action going with, just sex after all everything you did when you walked out the door was to showcase sexiness or the idea of sex, or sexual appeal in an environment of dark lights and physical pleasure, really do you go to the club, party cabaret or bar for spiritual satisfaction?
These sexy people complain about the harassment and how they are tired of this happening which means this occurs or has occurred more than once or twice in their life, which makes one wonder; why are you consistently single all of the time an attracting what is obviously one loser after another, after all you are sexy!
Consider this: If they are with someone and they are trying to get with you all the while they are still with them this does not make you special it only shows that you attract cheaters and liars who only see you as an opportunity for some recreational, transitional sex. Which means once they are done with you they transition on to the next recreational body of pleasure and thereby leaving you with all that sexiness for the next one to treat you the same way…..
Makes me think of an old song by BBD called “I thought it was me”, the songs goes something like this, I went out, last night, that's when I met a sexy girl She was looking so right She said, "I wanna take you for a trip around the world" And by the look in her eyes,
The girl was serious! She wore no disguise, . So let's have some fun. Then the chorus says: (I thought it was me) - I thought it was me who makes the girl this way
(I thought it was me) - I came to find out she's like that every day
(I thought it was me) - I thought it was me that makes that girl so wild
(I thought it was me) - I found out she's like that with all the guys. This again confirms what I stated earlier, Sexiness is for sex not love and therefore not for God, after all you are getting sexy for a person not God, to fulfill your physical self all the while denying your spiritual self.
The Bible reveals to us in Matthew 6.33; But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Understand you seek sex or pleasure through the sexiness of men or women not God, you seek God through faithfulness and by faith you will find the Love that you deserve and need because it is there that you see God.
I close how I started; Love does not exist between your legs, stop confusing physical pleasure and sexual desire with love, close your legs to the achievement of sexiness and open your heart to the triumph of Christ…..

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries©2011

A Look at "I Have A Dream"

2010-11-30T18:25:00.000-08:00

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther jr., in his “I Have a Dream Speech”, was able to give credibility not just to himself but the cause for which he stood for by not attacking the person or people responsible but rather the actions caused by principles that certain people had adopted. Speaking from facts not opinion Dr. King explained that a country that was formed in its most basic tenets on the premise of freedom and that the original or founding fathers in forming a more perfect union signed and decreed both the constitution and the declaration of independence to ensure from that day forward all men or Americans would have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and none can have this if there exist injustice. This speaks volumes to support Dr. King because these documents say all men it does not say all men but, or all men except. Making his argument more about the principles of the formation of the country that all recognized citizens of which the Negro was included then America as a whole was suffering in a pool of contradiction by swimming in both moral and social injustice of a certain population of its citizenry.
Dr. King, in approaching this issue uses a logical appeal to the facts that a country cannot live as a nation of freedom when it decides who receives the fullness of American freedom, but not just freedom but justice. Freedom and justice they are more or less twins and when you see one you can’t help but see the other. Yes they are one in the same and this is what Dr. King was trying to get everyone to understand that a country cannot live up and out the true meaning of its creed if it is in moral contradiction of allowing freedom but practicing social and racial injustice through the principle of segregation. In other words one cannot claim to be righteous and at the same time reject salvation in favor of sinful disobedience.
The argument from Dr. King was delivered in a very charismatic way not because he used big words with hollow meanings but meaningful words with momentous purpose. Although the title of the speech is I have dream it is not about being asleep but rather waking up and moving into action against the sin of social and racial injustice.
In closing Dr. King presented the model of high character in stating that this quest for freedom should not be sought by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred but on the high plain of dignity. He builds his character by not stooping to the level of attacking anyone else’s, he never makes it personal and this goes a long way in showing his character.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries©2010

Godly dancing that shows praise to Him for all He does

2010-11-16T14:45:00.000-08:00

Read
II Samuel 6:16 now as the ark of the LORD came into the City of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the LORD..... v20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself {he was wearing priestly attire and not royal garments} today in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers himself! v21 So David said to Michal, it was before the LORD.....v22 And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight.

Now unGodly dancing for the desires and sinful intent of man
Read
Matthew 14:6-8 But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before him and pleased Herod. therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. v8 having been prompted by her mother, said "give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter"

David's dance was for God and it brought joy to God and the people by the rejoicing in God's favor which is void of sinful intent. The get low, booty shaking, drop it like it's hot sinful intent that preys upon the desire of flesh to gain man's evil intent is never in line with the Will or Word of God.

So I say this saints will you DANCE A DANCE AS DAVID DID FOR GOD!!!!! OR will you dance a dance of sin as Salome daughter of Herodias did ??????????

God Bless
Pastor LaVaughn Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries©2008

Parenting Styles, Find yours in God

2010-11-16T14:41:00.000-08:00

Despite what many have said and many think

[God is not a ready made ATM where you walk up recite a few well rehearsed scriptures and then out pours an abundance of what you’re asking for.

God is not like the magical gods in fictional stories that will give you the ability to fly or become invisible

God is not the wind, moon, birds, water or any other elements

God is not energy or light

God is the creator of all we know and more of what we don't know]

God is like a parent and by that I mean this; I love my kids with all I am and want them to be safe, happy and prosperous. I will do everything within my power to make sure of that. However I would be an irresponsible father if I did not explain to them the things of this beautiful world that could hurt them most importantly themselves, I would have to let them know the rules to follow or the discipline to teach them how not to become entangled in a web of deception, pain, turmoil, bitterness, confusion, peer pressure, and anything that would and could find them in jail which is like hell or death. I would give them this discipline or rules to follow and no matter where they went those rules are to follow for the avoidance of trouble-sin. I would when they disobey chastise them accordingly never stopping to love them keeping in mind that if they continues to live a life in direct conflict of what I have taught them that they will either wind up dead, in jail , lonely and depressed or a combination of these with death coming last. I like God am a parent and I love my kids but I don’t love them so much where I spoil them and allow for them to act a fool with no consequences.

The problem we have just like most children is we think we have in some way become smarter than our parents and that what they are is not good enough for us and we are better than them and they are old and out dated and don’t have a clue about today's knowledge. If your parent tells you all the good things you shall do and what bad things not to do because they will bring you harm consider Baumrind's three styles of parenting:

Authoritarian - style of child rearing in which standards for proper behavior are high, misconduct is strictly punished and parent-child communication is low. {Not God}

Permissive - style of child rearing in which the parents seldom, punish, guide, or control the child but are nurturing and communicate well with the child {partially God}

Authoritative- style of child rearing in which the parents set limits and provide guidance for the child but are willing to listen to the child's ideas and make compromises { partially God }

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:3

By: Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries ©2009

Farrakhan Speaks On Religion

2010-11-14T11:30:00.000-08:00

Mr. Farrakhan Loves Religion

2010-11-14T11:23:00.000-08:00

Mr. Farrakhan with all due respect you have no idea what you are talking about. Mr. Farrakhan the Bible or the Book as you Muslims call it is not about religion it is about Redemption. There is no religion in God for a Christian only faith in and for Him. The reason why we shout, jump, dance and fall too our knees and cry tears not of pain but of joy is because by faith we know through an understanding spirit that God loves us and when you are loved genuinely as God does for us it is no wonder why we Praise and Worship Him like we do in His house and in our lives for the Glory of His Grace on us. What you confuse as a performance is actually PRAISE- It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night, PSALM 92.1-2, NKJV.

You say a Holy dance as if that is a bad thing the Bible reveals to us: Then David danced before the LORD with all his might, 2 Samuel 6.14, NKJV. The Bible reveals to us: Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God, 1Corithians 10.31, NKJV. If God does not hold back His love for us then why should we hold ours back from Him?
Christians are not religious we are FAITHFUL- For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast, Ephesians 2.8-9,NKJV
In other words Mr. Farrakhan, Christians know it is better to be faithful to and in God than religious about Him.

Mr. Farrakhan religion is all about the mind as by its definition is the same as one’s mindset, or philosophy or point of view. God did not give us Christians or Jews religion He gave us deliverance by His Salvation through His Word {Spirit}. Jews faithfully hold to the 613 mitzvah/commandments, while the Christian faithfully holds to their fulfillment in Christ. After all is not Christ the Living, Walking, Breathing Example of the Commandments? The Bible reveals: “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill”, Matthew 5.17, NKJV.

Mr. Farrakhan this shows that Islam is a religion in allah and not a faith, in, of and for God, let me say that again, this shows that Islam is a religion in allah and not a FAITH, IN, OF AND FOR GOD!!!
It is by faith we love and through religion we doubt, this why the Bible Mr. Farrakhan reveals to us: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, Hebrews 11.1, NKJV. Pay close attention as this does not say that religion is the substance it says FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE, as it is the faith that provides the proof/evidence of what only an omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent God who is the source and strength of our faith not a religion can provide.

Mr. Farrakhan it is no surprise that you as a Muslim hold to religion as the Koran states: and fight them until there is no persecution and religion is only for allah, Sura 2.193. It is obvious that you as a Muslim like other Muslims are about religion in allah but the Bible reveals: Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy {world view/religion} and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ, Colossians 2.8, NKJV, parenthesis added.

Mr. Farrakhan you speak about what religion is but we all know what it is not and that is faith, we know that religion in allah will not do what faith in God can, for the Bible reveals: So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you, Luke 17.6, NKJV. This is done by faith not by religion, it was faith not religion that allowed David to defeat Goliath the Bible reveals: Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand”, 1 Samuel 17.45-46, NKJV, This is clear that David is operating in faith not religion.

Mr. Farrakhan you are a man of religion not of faith, because if you were a man void of religion and rooted in faith then you would recognize and understand an expression of the love that can only come out of having faith. See we cannot religiously love God we faithfully love Him because we have an unwavering faith in Him from the testimonies of our tests. Faith and love are one in the same and neither will lead us astray, this is why we say; “thank you Jesus” for the Bible reveals: Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths, Proverbs 3.5-6, NKJV. All of these things Mr. Farrakhan are done by faith not religion, religion is the reasoning and weakness of man while faith is the realization and strength of God that man has from Him. It is faith not religion that is required for the Bible reveals: For we walk by faith, not by sight, 2 Corinthians 5.7, NKJV. We have already pointed out that faith is the substance/proof /evidence of what is not seen but what is hoped for, while religion is only what a man sees as what he believes, religion is finite while faith is infinite.

Mr. Farrakhan to you I say you can have your religion; I’ll keep my faith and the expression of it to show God my appreciation through my praise!!!!

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries©2010

The Spirit Can Do No Evil

2010-11-11T13:36:00.000-08:00

It is true that the spirit knows evil but it is a fact that the spirit can do no evil. The spirit is from God and that is what lives inside of us as we are made in the Spiritual image of God and not a physical/flesh image the Bible reveals:
"So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them". Mankind was created to strive in, for and with God but as revealed in the Bible:
And the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” Genesis 6.3, NKJV
What would cause man to no longer be with God or separated or struggle with God? The Bible reveals:
“Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” Genesis 6.5, NKJV.
It would seem that man who was created to be spiritually directed by Divine order ignored their true image for all things carnal. It would appear that mankind’s mind could no longer perceive the Spirit of God that lived in and loved them so they turned to the finite reasoning of the mind and became seekers and lovers of all things that provided fleshly pleasure {sex, power, money, materialism, ideology/philosophy, etc.}. It would be these things that would serve to supplant their/our original spiritual image and purpose in, from, and with God, for a more physical/mental mindset.
The spirit tells us why we should not or why we should, while the minds tells the body who, what, when, where and how all of this will make you feel good physically and not to worry about the why. Notice people always ask after the fact: “Why was he over there with them he knows what they be doing and who they be with?” But the mind told him how he was going to be able to buy so much when he sells the drugs where all the crack heads hang out.
It is no secret that we all struggle to strive with God and it is here where we all are like Israel {he who strives/struggles with God} and Jacob {he who supplants}. Israel is basically our inability to completely hold on to God but refusing to let go because as we are striving to live in, for and with God in our created image, the supplanting nature of our flesh will not relinquish its hold and desire for the world. It is the flesh {mind and body} that drives us to sin not the spirit. The spirit is not at war with spirits but principles of the flesh and false spiritual beings claiming to be of God but there is only one spirit and that is of God {Holy Spirit}. The Bible Reveals:
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places”, Ephesians 6.12, NKJV.
I will close with this everyone has a mindset/ philosophy/ or religion but the Word of God is not a religion it is a redemption from the supplanting ideologies of a disobedient spiritually created man who has become carnally dependant on the vices of the world, introduced to them by Satan as possibilities hoping they would become principles adopted for the hidden purpose of killing the flesh and keeping man from knowing, accepting and understanding who we truly are, servants who strive through and for God not supplanters against Him.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries©2010

The Third six{6} of Jay-Z

2010-10-28T19:34:00.000-07:00

Jay-Z stated “I’m on my third six {6}”~ free masons with ric ross

Three sixes or 666
First we have one six connected with the pride of fleshly might.

(I will be) The King Of New York (I will be) New York Not only N.Y.C. I'm hip hop's savior (Yeah) So after this flow you might owe me a favor (Yeah) When kingdom come, you ready? (I will be) When kingdom come, uh huh (I will be) Not only N.Y.C. I'm hip hop's savior (Yeah, yeah) So after this flow you might owe me a favor (Hey! Hey! Hey Hey Hey!!!)-
kingdom come- jay-z.

Second we have two sixes connected with the pride of absolute dominion.

The takeover, the break's over niJJa, god MC, me, Jay-Hova
the takeover- jay-z.

Third we have three sixes connected with the pride of satanic guidance.

My flesh, no niJJa could test My soul is possessed by D'Evils in the form of diamonds and lexuses The exorcist, got me doing skits like Homie You don't know me, but the whole world owe me Stop screaming, you know the demon said it's best to die And even if Jehovah witness, bet he'll never testify, D'Evils... {jay-z is saying that if God –Jehovah is watching He will never speak}
D’evils–jay-z.

I'm making short term goals, wonder whether foes just put away the leathers and put ice on the gold chilly with enough bail money to free a big Willy high stakes, I got more at stake than Philly shopping sprees, coping three, deuce fever I guess its fully loaded,ah yes, bouncing in the lex luger, tires smoke like Buddha 50 g's to the crap shooter, niJJas can't fade me chrome socks beaming, through my peripheral I see ya scheming stop dreamin', I leave ya body steaming niJJas is feening, what's the meaning I'm leaning on any niJJa intervening with the sound of my money machine-in my cuff running over with hundreds I'm one of the best niJJas that done it six digits and running, y'all niJJas don't want it I got the godfather flow, the don Juan Demarco swear to god, don't get it fu&&ed up –
can’t knock the hustle- jay-z.

Yeah I said it We are You can call me Cesar{ in ancient Rome Caesar was considered a god}In a dark Czar Please follow the leader So Eric B. we are Microphone fiend It's the return of the god {jay again calling himself a god}Peace god... (Auh! Auh!)
run this town-jay-z.

GOLIATH, whose height was 6 cubits, and he had 6 pieces of armour;* his spear's head weighed 600 shekels of iron (1Samuel 17:4-7). Fleshly might.

NEBUCHADNEZZAR, whose "image" which he set up,** was 60 cubits high and 6 cubits broad (Daniel 3:1), and which was worshipped when the music was heard from 6 specified instruments,*** Absolute dominion.

ANTICHRIST, whose number is 666. “ I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7.13-14, Satanic guidance.

If six is the number of secular or human perfection, then 66 is a more emphatic expression of the same fact, and 666 is the concentrated expression of it; 666 is therefore the trinity of human perfection; the perfection of imperfection; the culmination of human pride in independence of God and {opposition- Lucifer} to His Christ{Salvation-Yeshuah}

But 666 was the secret symbol of the ancient pagan mysteries connected with the worship of the devil {opposed to Salvation}. It is today the secret connecting link between those ancient mysteries and their modern revival in spiritualism, theosophy. Did not jay-z say “Hail Mary to the city, you're a virgin and Jesus can't save you, life starts when the church end”- empire state of mind-jay-z.

The number 6 was stamped on the old mysteries. The great secret symbol consisted of the three letters SSS, because the letter S in the Greek alphabet was the symbol of the figure 6. a = 1, b = 2, g = 3, d = 4, e = 5, but when it came to 6, another letter was introduced! Not the next—the sixth letter (z, zeta)—but a different letter, a peculiar form of S, called "stigma" (V). Now the word stigma (stigma), means a mark, but especially a mark made by a brand as burnt upon slaves, cattle, or soldiers, by their owners or masters; or on devotees who thus branded themselves as belonging to their gods. {Think about the sign that jay throws up all the time when he says the roc}

Jay says he is on his third six {6} so he is saying that he has realized

{fleshly might-6}

{absolute dominion -6}

{satanic guidance -6}

Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666, Revelation 13.18, NKJV.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries

Are you Beautiful or Sexy?

2010-09-28T10:57:00.000-07:00

Which of the following definitions define you best?

1. Delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

2. Marked by or tending to arouse sexual desire or interest

Are you beautiful or sexy? Sexy is not beautiful and no one or thing that is beautiful wants to be sexy, these are two different words and do not come close to defining the same thing or person.

Consider the following:
The name of the movie was a beautiful mind not a sexy mind
No one says how beautiful the porn star is; no they say how sexy she is
No one says the stars in the sky are sexy tonight no they say the stars are so beautiful
No one says that is a sexy sunset no they say the sunset is so beautiful
No one says the moon light off the ocean is sexy no they say the moon reflecting off the ocean is so beautiful
No one says those orchids or flowers are sexy, no they say who sent you these beautiful roses, flowers or orchids
No one says their children are sexy, no they say I am blessed with beautiful children
No one says you have a sexy home here, they say you have a beautiful home
No one says the poems written by Maya Angelou are sexy, no they say how beautifully written they are
In the wedding portrait no one says how sexy the husband and wife look they say oh how beautiful they looked and the same is true for when the bride walks down the aisle you do not hear she looks so sexy, no we hear how beautiful she is

The choice is yours, do not allow for the world to convince you that sexy is best when everything that we all love and brings us happiness is beautiful.

The definitions above define beautiful and sexy, the first the definition of beautiful the other is sexy, so again I ask which one defines you?

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries©2010

Which is better for life and love; Homosexual or Heterosexual Behavior?

2010-09-23T21:53:00.000-07:00

What produces new life to help provide for the continuing of the hierarchy of needs?
Only heterosexual behavior

What is better for love, homosexual behavior or heterosexual behavior?
First you need a living organism to love, and only a heterosexual produces life for another to love; no life no love
Only heterosexual behavior

One of these behaviors serves the purpose for all life which is spelled out in our basic needs which we discussed earlier. The other behavior serves only the individual self within the provisions of the other. The homosexual is only about same not others; remember {homo= same} and {hetero=others}. Homosexuals claim that they can only love/mate with that which is the same as them. This is very simply the definition of narcissism- the love of self or the attainment of erotic pleasure from viewing one’s own body.

from the book Homosexuals are Human Organisms: Why Don't They Behave Like It?
By: LaVaughn R. Carter

Am I Controlling You Or Caring For You?

2010-09-23T21:30:00.000-07:00

What is your responsibly as a parent?
Provide shelter
Provide food
Provide adequate clothing
Provide emotional support
Provide love
Provide understanding
Provide safety
Provide parentship
Provide positive structure
Provide friendship
Provide necessity for life

From these things you’re learning your child how to be a person of great standards and morals by being an example of what has been provided to them. What you are providing them with is a set of workable life values. When you teach your children through Provisions and not Pleasures they will see it as you being rigid and not being fair and making them do what you want them to do. They say “you’re to controlling or why do you have to try and control me?” They usually follow this up with “you won’t let me live my life”. What’s unique about this is that children want to take all the Provisions of the parent that they like and then expect to use them for their own Pleasures. When you give them, a safe home filled with love and emotional support guided by understanding of a friend but structured in the hands and heart of a parent { provider } of the necessities of life[ food, clothing, shelter, emotional support, love, understanding, friendship, safety, positive structure, and parentship ]. As children we all felt that our parents should give us what we wanted and needed and then let us live and use those Provisions the way we wanted then our life would be so much better.

{Parable of the Lost Son}
Then he said: “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him , Father , I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” Luke 15:11-19

Is it control or caring when you can’t wear the pants I provided you with, hanging off your behind?
Is it control or caring when I wouldn’t let you have boys in your room in the home provided for you?
Is it control or caring when I won’t let you hang out all night risking the safety I provide you within the parental structure?
Is it control or caring when I won’t give you what you want but always provide you with every necessity of life you need?

I feel that somehow the meaning or intents of the words, care and control is lost within the minds of children. To control someone you are restraining or taking direction over, so if I won’t allow you to do something that could cause you harm or pain am I doing that to control you?

Care is defined as worry, caution, and serious attention, protection, to be concerned and to make Provision!!!!

So the question Am I controlling you or caring for you?
Care is when:
I show concern for you
I protect you
I show you not somewhat but serious attention
I am cautious about you
I am genuinely worried about you
I make provisions for you

Is this not the responsibility of a parent? This is what a parent does, not all parents but the majority. When parents care for their children this allows the child all that they need to grow and have a life of purpose and fulfillment, instead of being broke working for scraps as the prodigal son was. Children need to understand parents are not controlling them but caring for them always.

Just as God the Father does for all of us, His Commandments are not to control us but give us the Provisional tools we need to have a life full of happiness.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries ©2008

What is the Desire of Woman

2010-09-23T21:24:00.000-07:00

In Young’s concordance the Hebrew word for desire or longing is teshuqah, so this would mean that the longing of the woman shall be for her husband or ish which means man in Hebrew (Young’s Concordance). There are only three times that the Hebrew word teshuqah appears, the first is Genesis 3:16, then in Genesis 4:7 and the final time is in the Song of Solomon 7:10. Let’s take a look at all three of these so that we can gain a better or more complete understanding for the desire of women. Turn first to the Song of Solomon chapter 7 verse 10; where the Shulamite woman is speaking and she says, “I am my beloved’s and his desire is toward me” John MacArthur Study Bible NKJV. Some will read that and say this must be a physical desire, but remember in the Hebrew this word is teshuquah which again means longing, could this be longing for a physical connection? Before you answer let’s take a look at Genesis chapter 4 verse 7; here God is speaking to Cain, and we are told, “And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it” NKJV. Now this scripture use dispels that teshuquah has anything to do with a physical connection or sexual desire. The first use of this word as I said is in Genesis chapter 3 verse 16 and again God is speaking but this time to Eve; and what He says is, “your desire shall be for your husband” NKJV, knowing what we know about the Hebrew word teshuquah we know that this is not sexual or physical so what is it? Many say that this desire is for a woman to be ruled by her man or to have freedom to do as she pleases aside from her man.
The word desire is defined as to long or hope for; while longing means a strong desire especially for something unattainable, but we must ask what since the fall has become unattainable for a woman with regards to men? If we break down the word unattainable and focus on attainable which is defined as to come or arrive by motion, growth, or effort, httt://www.merriam-webster.com. This would mean that a woman is now because of sin unable to arrive by movement, growth or effort with man to what God first ordained and that was together in His image be fruitful, multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth rf Genesis 1:28.
If we were to ask any wife if she feels her husband is on the same page and pace with the same goal in mind as her and most will say no or not all the time. This is what most women will say is missing in their marriage, its equivalent to a lack of communication or understanding. The man is seen as wanting to or tries to rule or he is moving left when she is trying to move right. They seem to reach a point and can never get beyond or through that point. Remember man is doing or does everything by the might of his muscle or his physical strength, so much so that man thinks all things can be done by his physical labor, there are not too many men who do not feel they can’t fix everything including and not limited to a car and emotions. Men try and lead by their physical attributes instead of being lead by their spiritual nature. We are told in the Bible in Genesis 2:24, Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, King James Version. Cleave means to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly, http://www.merriam-webster.com I have said this before this can only be done by the spirit. This is a man giving his self first to God then when he leaves home, he connects spiritually with his woman; this is just another way of saying, that before you run off and away from home make sure you both know God and live for Him because if you both are living for God then are living for each other, again this only happens by the spirit.

The desire of a woman is a return to a spiritual guided life where man and woman were not ashamed of each other, saw no blame in each other and were nestled in God’s image. Think about it for a second, who outnumbers who in the church. Who goes to Bible study while the other stays at home watching T.V.? Who claims they are physically tired on Sunday and stays sleep while the other and the kids go on ahead to Sunday school and Worship Service? I am talking about the higher percentage, is it men or women?
Men have the tendency to think that all their woman needs is that physical attention and some knuckle heads think it’s that which is between their legs that keeps a woman satisfied, forgetting that your physical self begins to fade over time and if that is your greatest attribute to your woman, this will not fulfill her true desire, a life where both man and woman walk together, not one behind the other. Side by side walking behind the Glory and Grace of God.
In proverbs 31:30 we are told; Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD shall be praised NKJV. This has nothing to do with what we normally are told about a woman or a wife, this is not about being a homemaker this is about her spiritual life, if we look in Luke chapter 10 verse 42 and Jesus says; “But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” NKJV. Christ is referring to how Martha is more concerned with the guest, or the house and its details and how to make everything come together, while Mary has decided to stop, and listen to the Word of God and let Him guide her. Mary has chosen the spirit over the physical; this again shows the true desire of a woman.

I will close with four scriptures and these scriptures are for men to embrace and women to understand and they are; Proverbs 12:4 A virtuous and worthy wife [earnest and strong in character] is a crowning joy to her husband, Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a [true] wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord, Proverbs 19:14 House and riches are the inheritance from fathers, but a wise, understanding, and prudent wife is from the Lord and finally Proverbs 31:10, A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman--who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls, Amplified Bible.

By: Pastor LaVaughn Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries©2009

The Little Lie vs. The Tremendous Truth Inspired by a father and son moment

2010-09-23T21:19:00.000-07:00

I was talking to my son about why he should not lie and always tell the truth. My son is only 7 yrs old, so he knows how to lie; he knows it’s wrong but tries to get away with it any way. This would be funny if it wasn’t for the fact that most adults still act and feel this way. I decided to explain truths and lies to my son in a way that have never been down before. Since, he is at the stage where visualization and imagination are key. I decided to use me and him as examples in a few different scenarios. I thought rather than saying the traditional you should not lie because or lying is wrong, I decided to make it personal. This started when my son had decided to get a popsicle out of the deep freezer and in the process he decided to pick up the arm and hammer, more or less out of curiosity to see what it was. While he was examining it he must have dropped it or let it slip through the anxious little fingers on to the grey basement floor. Oh boy no covering that up, so the right(eous) thing to do would be to say, “daddy, I made a mistake(accepting responsibility) and dropped this stuff out of a yellow box, I did not meant to, I apologize (repentantive) , I just wanted to know what it was” [truth]. Instead, my son got his popsicle and tried to act like nothing had happened and when I went down to the basement not 10 minutes after he did and saw the baking soda I said, “ hmm…..”, with my son standing next to me, “what is that?” My son, my one and only son replied I don’t know [lie].
The next few minutes was filled with my son wondering if he had gotten away and somehow fooled me into believing that somehow the baking soda had jumped from the closed deep freezer and onto the basement floor. Now he may have felt some guilt but not enough to confess and accept responsibility and a potential punishment but I’m sure he felt something and knew he was wrong. I allowed him to think he had gotten away with the perfect crime for about an hour, then I said to him; “Marshall, did you get your popsicle after you dropped the box of white powder?” and before he could think he replied, “yes”. The look in face was instant shock, fear, disappointment at being caught in this lie, and bewilderment. Now here we were father and son I am looking at him and he is looking at me and all I am thinking is wow this is reminiscent of me and my father {God rest his soul} when I was that age. I could hear my pop telling me, “son, don’t ever lie to me because if you are ever accused of doing something and you didn’t do it I will know that you will tell me the truth either way.” I then decided to build on that concept with a little role play.
I told my son that I wanted him to play a game with me, I told him to stand right in front of me and stand as tall and straight as he could and that I would do the same. I then told him to close his eyes and think about the lie he had just told and what he did. I then said to him, “Marshall you will be the lie that told standing in front of me and I will be what you really did and not the lie you told so I guess I will be the truth, o.k.?” I then told him to put his hands up above his head and try and cover me up so that no one can see me. He looked at me and smiled proceeded to attempt to cover me up. He stood tall and determined to cover me up so that I could not be seen, but no matter what he did he could only cover me to the extent of his length and width. I kept saying I’m still here, try harder, nope you can still see me, try harder. He kept it up for about 10 minutes or so and I made it more difficult by putting my hands up which allowed me to touch the ceiling and I also moved around and since I am faster than him this made him work even harder to cover me up.
My son who by now was getting tired and frustrated with trying to cover me up stopped and said, “daddy, I can’t cover you up, you too big!” I replied, so you can’t hide me huh? He shook his head as he tried to catch his breath. I told him so you mean to tell me you didn’t know from the beginning that I was bigger than you, and that I could not hide behind you? You did all that running around, stretching yourself all out, and sliding all over the floor to hide me and I was still here and still could be seen and known. I said to him, “so if you are the lie you told and I am the truth of what happen you see that no matter what, the truth is always there and always remains what it is, just like I was daddy the whole time you were trying to cover me up I remained daddy the whole time and when you gave up I was still me, daddy!” I told him the truth is constant it never changes no matter how you try and cover it up with a lie. The lie I told him as I touch him on his head is too small and little to cover up the tremendous truth pointing to myself.
I asked my son, has there ever been a time you have lied, not been caught and got in trouble for doing what you did and lying for trying to cover it up? He shook his head and I replied lying gets you double punishment? I then asked him if it was easier to let the truth be known and he replied, yes, so in other words I stated to him, you worked so hard to cover up the truth that you took away from the time you could have been doing something fun rather than spending these 10 minutes or however long you do when you are trying to lie and cover up the truth.
I do believe that this approach showed my son how difficult and impossible and pointless it is to lie to try and cover up the truth. It can’t be done because one way or the other the truth of what happened will reach higher than the low reach of the lie. I stated earlier that children are not the only ones who act in this way a lot of grown folk still think they can cover up or hide the truth with a little {white} lie. Old or young no matter how big you are you are not larger than the truth if you represent a lie.

He who speaks truth declares righteousness…. Proverbs 12:17 (NKJV)

By Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries©2009

Thirty Pieces of Silver, Surely your Worth More Than That?

2010-09-20T04:50:00.000-07:00

Do you present Christianity like Vanessa from the Cosby Show did Dabness?

2010-09-16T23:12:00.000-07:00

How many of you hearing or reading this message ever watched The Cosby Show? That was one; well actually it still is one of my top five best TV shows. The Huxtable family gave us many laughs and life lessons along the way. I actually want to talk about one particular lesson involving one of the children and no it’s not Theo, surprisingly. No this lesson is involves the often overlooked daughter Vanessa Huxtable.

The episode of the Cosby Show I want to discuss is when Vanessa introduced her fiancée Dabness to her family. Everyone if you recall this episode had some degree of misinformation with regards to who Dabness was. None of which was correct. They heard this and that and added a little as well, but none of them knew the whole truth or that he and Vanessa were dating let alone engaged. When Vanessa and Dabness arrived and the moment announcement was made we see all type of emotions unfold in front of us.

If you ever watched the show you can imagine Cliff and Claire were a cool angry and a bit hurt. The story develops when Cliff has a Q&A with the both of them and this is where the lesson with in the episode for this message comes.

Questions from Cliff to Dabness:
1. Do you have a favorite food? Dabness replies yes, steak
2. Cliff says ok, porterhouse steak? Dabness nods yes
3. What sides? Dabness responds mashed potatoes
4. You get the medium well steak, mashed potatoes, what about onions and mushrooms? Dabness says yes
5. I bet you can just smell, taste and picture it now? Dabness again nodding his head says yes

Cliff then goes on to say, “sounds perfect, sounds great, sounds oh boy.” Now imagine Cliff goes on to say I take this beautiful meal and all the fixings and walk over to the garbage can pick up the lid turn it over and put all that delicious good tasting and smelling food on that turned over garbage can lid and presented it to you for you to eat.
It’s not as great, appealing, tasty, or beautiful anymore is it? Dabness looking confused says no. cliff then looks at Vanessa and Dabness and says that’s how she bought you in here and presented you on a garbage can lid.

The way I see it, Christians who say they love everything about God, Christians who say the are saved by the blood of Jesus the Christ, Christians who say they are filled with the Holy Spirit; will bring all that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and the message of the Bible and purpose of Faith and present It on a garbage can lid which we might as well call sin.

When you say that Christianity is the greatest meal anyone can have and you are a reflection of its diet, then please do not appear, spiritually malnourished, spiritually starving and recklessly eyeballing and salivating at meals of the flesh and world. Do not be the one who carries the meal of Christ into the room on a garbage can lid and say please feel free to eat and be made whole like me. If you do this then people will not see, smell or want to partake of what is a great meal because of the stench, appearance and potential taste of hypocrisy, which the main thing that is said about Christians, they all hypocrites.

The problem is not if Christianity or Dabness was good or not it’s the way they are presented and represented, the old saying is you never get a second chance to make a first impression. To all my fellow Christians I urge you before you represent and present the meal of our Faith, look in the mirror and ask would I eat what I was offering to me looking and acting like this?

Read what it says in the book of Romans chapter 2 verses 17-24:
Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in law. You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, “do you not rob temples? You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you, as it is written.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries ©2008

So you don’t believe the Bible is the truth and the Word of God.

2010-09-13T09:38:00.000-07:00

If you do not believe in God and that the Bible Old and New Testament is His Divinely revealed Word to man, then you do you think that the following is wrong:
Incest
Pedophilia
Cheating
Stealing
Homosexuality
Lying
Adultery
Child Abuse
Domestic Violence
Bestiality
Prostitution/whoredom

If you review this small list I am positive that one if not two and possibly all are viewed as wrong to some of you reading this. The question becomes how do you know that it’s wrong? Were you told, did you observe? What did you measure it against to conclude that it was wrong / improper?

Ethic is defined as a set of moral principles; please explain how you arrived at your moral principles.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries©2010

LET’S TALK TRUTH: An American can be a Muslim; But a Muslim Cannot be an American?

2010-09-08T01:39:00.000-07:00

If you are an American you can be a Muslim, but if you are a Muslim it is not possible for you to be an American. This may sound confusing, but not when you look at what being a Muslim means and what being an American means it becomes clear of the conflict of interest that exist between the two.

Americans believe:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. (Declaration of Independence)
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof….. (1st Amendment to the Bill of Rights)

Muslims believe:
In the state of surrender or Islam and a person who acts in such a way as to cause that state is a Muslim.
Islam is a surrender to the will of allah as explained in what is deemed by Muslims as the revelation of allah’s exact words that were then recited (Qur’an) by the messenger Muhammad which is now the written book of “the reciting” or “the Qur’an.”
Sura
190- and fight in the way of allah against those who fight against you but be not aggressive. Surely allah love not aggressors.
191- and kill them wherever you find them , and drive them out from where they drove you out, and persecution is worse than slaughter. And fight not with them at the sacred mosque until they fight you in it; so if they fight you in it, slay them. Such is the recompense/reward of the disbelievers. (Anyone who does not surrender to the religion of Islam; this includes: Atheism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, and Shinto, Daoism, Judaism, Christianity and any other belief system that is not Islam)
{I wanted to point out that sura 190 is in conflict and contradiction with 191, how can you not see that killing someone is not an act of aggression, yet it tells Muslim to do just that kill non-believers of a complete surrender to the will of allah or Islam}
192- but if they desist, then surely allah is forgiving, merciful. {but only if all non-believers of Islam give up their beliefs/ religion/faith/philosophy and surrender to the will of allah or Islam}
193- and fight them until there is no persecution, and religion is only for allah. But if they desist then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors. {keep fighting all non-believers of Islam until there is no more perceived harassment, maltreatment or rejection of Islam and all that remains is the belief of complete surrender to allah or Islam}

An American is free to hold to any religion or philosophy that gives them life, liberty and happiness, which means an American can become a Muslim, however how can a Muslim become an American and hold to the idea, belief or doctrine held in the 1st amendment that guarantees all the freedom of any religion, held in the concept of individual life, liberty and happiness which allows all people to have their own religious convictions. An American stands up and for a person’s freedom of religion, in direct conflict a Muslim must surrender and fight and kill for the way/ will of allah in the belief of Islam as the only religion that must be followed, despite the 1st amendment. If there is no complete surrender to allah’s way then there is no Islam which means one is not a Muslim. On the other end of this being an American allows for one to be a Muslim or anything else for that matter.

I close with this, there is no religious tolerance/freedom in Islam, the way of allah does not allow for it.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries©2010

LET’S TALK TRUTH: Everyone has religion? But who has faith?

2010-09-01T18:53:00.000-07:00

What is the first thing we think about when we hear someone say religion or religious? We immediately think or imagine a church, synagogue, mosque or perhaps the Bible or Quran. Some may even think of Buddha or Confucius yes both of these are considered a world view, philosophy or religion it may come as a surprise but even atheism is a world view or religion as well. One might ask how that is possible if the view does not hold too or believe in a higher power, deity or a god but we have not considered that if it’s a religion to believe in a higher power then it can be a religion to not believe in a higher power, yet they are both a religion. What has happen is that the accepted practice for the actual definition of the word religion has allowed for the full meaning of this term to go unknown and left many not realizing they are the very thing that they say so called religious folks are. Let’s review the definition of the word religion

1 The state of a religious
What is overlooked are the last three ways in which the word is defined, which are:

2 A personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3 Archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness { I want to know how many conscientiousness brothers and sisters we got out there because I hear this term a lot from people who claim that being religious clouds or enslaves your conscientiousness yet if your conscientious then you have religion} the third and final way religion is defined is
4 A cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith {this is what an activist holds to}

In short religion means an adherence to a certain set of beliefs or teachings/ideas, which one applies to lead them through their everyday lives. The atheist who proclaims that there is no god of any kind was not born knowing one way or the other, he or she was either raised to believe by {teachings/culture/environment or tradition}, read something that made them believe this {books and writings from other people and their teachings and ideas} or they came to this conclusion based on their own experiences or {everything that we just described but especially with people, cultures and traditions}In short it is plain to see that atheism is a religion, if we look at the complete definition of the word religion.

I hear people say all the time that religion blinds people or separates people, yet by their own statements those who proclaim this are adhering to an accepted belief, teaching, idea, philosophy or attitude, that they consciously follow, in and for their life which defines their religion. I will give another example, if we think about hip-hop for a minute; it is after all a lifestyle with its own language, style of dress, music and mindset that is continuously growing. It originally consisted of four main elements; break dancing, emceeing or {rapping}, graffiti art and djing or {cutting and scratching}. For some, hip hop’s four elements serves as a griot; as they reflect the customs and values of different communities, but more so for the younger generation who sees the older generation as out of touch to their needs, ideas, and beliefs or their mindset. This is why I laugh when I hear an older person say that hip hop is not what it used to be or that today’s hip hop artist have no soul. This seems to me that the older hip hop generation is out of touch with the younger generation and their needs or mindset, but is this not why hip hop began, to be a voice of the younger generation or next generation? Hip Hop is as we know always growing and changing since it is of man and man’s ideas and mindset and not all mindsets are the same from generation to generation. This in many situations causes for a division between those who follow in and believe the religion or creed of hip-hop which is a direction and source of their moral path, thinking and inspirations.

Again if we look at the definition of the word religion we see that hip hop is a religion. And when we have a hip hop artist like Jay-Z make the following statement: “I don’t know where it started. I don’t know where it came from. I really think it’s really silly. For the record, I of course believe in god, but I believe in one god. If people must know my religious beliefs, I believe in one god. I don’t believe in religion,” this from a man who has said “do you believe? Its hova the god”, when referring to himself. This from a man who has a song where the chorus has women signing and spelling out h.o.v.a in reference to him and not to Jehovah the Hebrew name for God as known in both the Bible and the Torah. I am using the words of Jay-Z to show that many people share this belief, or as the definition we have discussed, religion. Many are not claiming to be a god but many do claim that they do not believe in religion, yet this is their belief system and what they adhere too so by the definition of the word religion this is their religion.

If we think about it for a second a person’s beliefs are where we can find their morals, morals being defined as: moral practices or teachings : modes of conduct. This is what we have basically been discussing, a person’s practices or teachings, which direct an individual’s conduct in life. This is why some see one thing as morally wrong while another sees it has ok, it is all about the teachings, experience, and knowledge that a person has been exposed to or adopted as part of their religion. This becomes clearer when we look at the definition of and for ethic which states:
1) The discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation
2) A set of moral principles: a theory or system of moral values
3) A guiding philosophy

All of these things amount to what makes up an individual’s world view, philosophy, code of ethics, and moral compass all of which are born out of an accepted belief system or as defined earlier a religion. Just ask someone, anyone if they have a set of morals that determine their values, or what is their mindset on individual ethics. If they say they do not have any they are lying because this would mean that they would never know if someone is doing something morally or ethically wrong to them or a loved one. If they start to explain their mindset on morals and ethics then know this that person has a religion.

We discussed earlier that one of the definitions for religion is a cause or principle held to with ardor {vigor} and faith. If I were to say a doctrine {principle} or practice that emphasizes direct vigorous {ardor} action especially in support of or opposition to one side of a controversial issue, would you know what this defines? It actually defines activist or activism, so we see that if a person is a professed activist then that means, yes they hold to a religion {belief} why or who would stand for a cause with vigor and faith if they did not believe in it?
Still there will be those who will claim that what they are speaking of are the doctrines that are held by Christians, Muslims, Buddhist and Hindus. They will shout dogma is what they have a problem with. I laugh still more because the very definitions of these words apply to them and their insistent protest against religion and anyone who holds to a “religious doctrine or dogma”. The words do not lie when you lay them out and dissect them with a discerning scalpel instead of a judgmental jigsaw that tears with an abrasiveness that does more damage than mending what is broken. They use dogma which is defined as:

Something held as an established opinion
A definite authoritative tenet
A code of such tenet
This would not mean too much if the word tenet was not used which again all words must be dissected and when we look at tenet we see:
A principle, belief, or doctrine generally held to be true
One held in common by members of an organization, movement {interest group, activist}, or profession.

Now I have shown that every world view rather shared or individual is based on a principle or a belief which is a person’s or groups religion. So if a person screams dogma, this is there dogma because their principles and beliefs or religion says it is such.
Let’s examine the other word that is hurled out there which is doctrine, people scream that’s the problem religious doctrines and dogma well we looked at the word dogma, now doctrine states:

Something that is taught in order for something to be taught there must be a person or persons there to learn what is being taught. The methods of sharing this information could be through speaking directly to or perhaps writing down the doctrines {principles= philosophy= values=morals=ethics=beliefs=way of life= one’s religion, which is based on what they have learned or experienced by some form of teaching}

Let’s go back and take a defined look at the word atheist or atheism; the doctrine that there is no deity. An atheist or atheism means that by either personal experience or being taught the principle philosophy of the values which set their moral and ethical beliefs for their way of life which becomes their religion. With all of this we must asked what is the core, heart, spirit of a person’s beliefs or religion? If the atheist state there is no higher power that would mean that they are the core or highest entity to them and that it is impossible to have any being greater than any man or woman. We have heard Jay-Z proclaim in his belief he is the core or god and thus ruler of it, all while saying he does not believe in Christianity, Islam, Taoism, and Buddhism because these religions divide people. But does he feel the same way about hip-hop which we have established is a religion according to the actual definition of the word?

Religion=belief=idea=thought=thinking and this establishes one’s actions which gives way to movement and then to progress all because of one’s thinking which was born from a thought conceived in an idea from a belief held within a religion. The question again becomes what is the core, central part, inner most, essence, fundamental nature and spirit of an individual’s religion, by which everything begins? If one is a rapper, writer, poet, spoken word artist, musician, preacher, teacher or activist, then without a shadow of a doubt they have a source of inspiration and it is this inspiration that moves them to say, write, play or stand up for and against something or someone. Yes I wonder what is it that is the inner most part of the religion/ belief or faith that an individual has adore for or worship of. For the atheist it is obviously themselves which would actually be more like Individualism, for the Buddhist it is a man named Gautama or as known to most, Buddha, and what he came to believe as the proper religion for life or Buddhism. For Confucianism it is a man named Kong Fu Zi or as more famously known, Confucius and his philosophy for social, ethical and religion standards. For the Rastafarians it is Haile Selassie, whose real name was Ras (Prince) Tafari Makonnen, who became known as the black messiah or jah Rastafari. These men are the center of these world views or as we have defined religions, and when we think about it they are no different than rappers like Jay-Z who have many people repeating and citing them as it relates to social, moral, ethical and religious doctrines.

What we have seen so far are manmade religions or world views and the doctrines come from the mindset of an individual which leads right back to Individualism, which is a doctrine that the interests of the individual are or ought to be ethically paramount; also : conduct guided by such a doctrine (2) : the conception that all values, rights, and duties originate in individuals, a theory maintaining the political and economic independence of the individual and stressing individual initiative, action, and interests; also : conduct or practice guided by such a theory.

I know some of you are screaming but what about Islam, Judaism or Christianity, aren’t they world views or religions started by men. Well if we look at what Muhammad’s early message of social justice and equality and the condemning of the wealthy and powerful oppressing the poor and to accomplish this Muhammad through the Quran taught Islam or complete surrender to allah and allah’s will. In Islam the will of allah is that Muhammad was its leader, we know this because of the feud that exist between the Shi’ite and Sunni Muslims over the rightful leader of the movement. This feud or power struggle goes back to the death of the grandson of Muhammad, when Sunni Muslims killed Hussein and thus stealing the Shi’ite’s rightful place as the leaders of Islam. With all that Muslims proclaim why would they think of themselves as a movement, society, or culture, where a man or men are to lead them and not allah? Think for a second in Judaism no one is feuding over who is to lead them, Christians do not argue over who is the leader of Christianity.

Judaism and Christianity do not need leaders because they are not a movement or a society or a culture that needs the leadership of a ruler to keep order, in the Christian faith it is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit or God in His full nature or His Word, for the Jewish people it is God and the nature of His Word. It is this that is the source of the Jewish and Christian faith, the Living Word of God. Not Moses, not David, not Elijah, not Isaiah, not Peter, not Paul, not even Abraham or any man, but the Word is what leads us and what we follow as this is the source of our faith. The Word is our inspiration and what we adhere too; the Word is and always will be the spirit of God. Everyone can have religion but not everyone has the Living Word of God, as the source of their faith, see religion is limited by what one knows through the senses, but faith; ‘now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen’, Hebrews 11.1.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries©2010

LET’S TALK TRUTH: His words reveal his philosophy which is his religion

2010-08-20T05:16:00.000-07:00

If I may for a second speak to the women, young ladies and teen girls, when a man or young boy is having a conversation with you and he is telling you about his point of view on different topics know that he is basing this on certain doctrines or teachings that he has come in contact with and has adopted to follow. These doctrines are his philosophy which equals his beliefs which are his religion.

Consider: an effective or leading spokesman {activist} for a cause, doctrine, or group. This is one of the definitions of a prophet. Merriam-Webster

Consider: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves, Matthew 7.15 NKJV.

Consider: Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ, Colossians 2.8 NKJV.

We focus in on the apple and if a snake could talk or not, that we overlook that Lucifer was introducing Eve to his philosophy, beliefs, and religion of sinfulness and disobedience to the Living Word of God. He approached her smooth, with words of deceptive comfort, knowing what she wanted to hear making sure to avoid what she needed to hear and already knew.

Ladies the Devil will use the most beautiful words that will lead you to do and believe the most horrible things, knowing through you he reaches the man in your life or the one yet to come.

LET’S TALK TRUTH: Game recognizes game so they say, and the Devil does have game, now you talking about the original player, the first pimp, a true hustler oh yeah that’s him. This is why he had to approach Eve, how are you going to spit game to a man if you are a man, how do you play a man if you are man, mainly because a man does not want to hear or listen to what a man he does not know has to say, (this is one reason why some men do not attend church). The philosophy has been introduced, accepted, shared and now followed from, Lucifer, to the woman and now to man, meaning to mankind. This belief, this religion of sinfulness and disobedience to the Living Word of God or the Spirit of God causes confusion and separation between men and women.

In this philosophy a woman loses sight of her desire for a man in the image of God and instead accepts or wants a rude boy, a ni@@a that’s real, a rough neck, a thug, or a gangsta. Why else would a woman date have babies by and be with a man who sells drugs, knowing that death for him, her and the babies could be right around the corner!!!!! The philosophy of such beautiful words born in sin has separated her from her desire to have a man of God and ultimately a life void of chaos. Beautiful words can be born from the philosophy, beliefs and religion of sinful disobedience to the Living Word of God.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter

Patient Perseverance Ministries©2010

LET'S TALK TRUTH: The right to debate as afforded in the United States Constitution not the law of Islam

2010-08-19T09:37:00.000-07:00

Did you know?
That according to Sharia law or Islamic theocracy non-Muslims living in Islamic Republics must pay a tax known as a (jizyat) just to live in their country. (Caner, When World Views Collide) In the Qur’an it states: out of those who have been given the Book (Bible), until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection, Sura 9.29 (the entire sura is about fighting non Muslims and the Jews and Christians into submission of Islam.

According to Sharia law Christians MAY NOT BUILD OR REMODEL CHURCHES AND ARE FORBIDDEN TO EVANGELIZE in Islamic Republics. (Caner)

I cannot believe that people are upset that people are arguing, no let me rephrase that, people are upset that people have the right and are able on both sides of this issue to express their opinion openly over the building of a Mosque in America at a site that for some is very sensitive. This amazes me especially since it would not be an issue or a discussion in countries that follow Islam.

We complain about America but many fail to realize just how good they have it here, If you have ever spoke out about any President, Religious belief or any facet of the government in America and did not get dragged from your home, possibly beaten, tortured, or even killed which I know you have not then you better start rethinking about why America is better, not perfect but better than the options that exist across the pond (the Atlantic Ocean). There is no revolution without a constitution, think about it.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries©2010

LET'S TALK TRUTH: The Plan of Allah

2010-08-18T16:52:00.000-07:00

Before the time of Islam the tribes of Arabia believed the universe was controlled by numerous spirits with each of them possessing its own distinct element and natural features or attributes. Each of these minor deities was called ilah or “god”. However; in many regions one ilah was seen as the chief spiritual force. This major deity or premier god was called, al-ilah, or allah which is pronounced alLAAH.

Muhammad said that allah revealed himself to him as allah
Muhammad said that allah told him that the message in the Book {Bible} was wrong which would have to include the Torah and that he Muhammad must deliver the message of correction.
Muhammad said that allah told him he was God of the Book {Bible}
Muhammad said that allah told him that he {allah} will deceive

Why
Why would God reveal Himself in the same name of pagan gods “ilah” and not as “I AM”
Why would God allow for all these so called mistakes of the Torah and New Testament to survive and not be destroyed when the children of Israel were in captivity and under the rule of others like the Greeks, Babylonians, and Romans all of which had their own belief system and writings?
Why would God tell Balaam, who did not worship God but came to know and believe His truth as the One true God, ““God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Numbers 23.19

Consider:
Sura 3:54 Arabic: Wa Makaru wa makara Allah wa Allah Amkaru al Makireen.
English: "and [they] deceived and Allah deceived and Allah is the best of deceivers"
The phrase of Allah "being the best deceiver", kheir ol makarein, is also used of Allah in Suras 8:30 and 10:21. Sura 10:21 says Allah is the fastest in planning deceit.

The Arabic Bible in Genesis 3:1 uses the same word for Satan.
During the Second Gulf War, the Iraqi Information minister justified his false reports of Iraqi victories by quoting Sura 3:54, saying that "Allah was the best of deceivers".

When we look at the word maakir in English {root of makara or scheme} we see the following: Malicious, Cunning, Sly, Subtle, Crafty, Furtive, Scheming, Artful, Foxy, Guileful, Disingenuous, Feline, Wily, Fox like, Smart, Politic, Designing, Deceitful, Slim, Deep, Trick, Slick, Vulpine.

It is held by Muslims that sura 3.54 is explaining that when the Jewish leaders were scheming to have Christ crucified that allah was also scheming and basically deceived everyone by putting the face of Christ on someone else so that Christ would not be killed. This would mean that instead of just using the power of being allah and resurrecting Christ from the dead, allah put the face of Christ on another person’s body so that person could die. This makes no sense, but it does show the deceitful nature of the ilah in the mind of Muhammad. If allah will deceive how can anyone know when he is telling the truth or that he is not leading you into another one of his best laid plans or schemes?

I close with this; Islam means to surrender to the will of allah the greatest deceiver, liar, schemer, plotter, conniver, furtive, sneaky, mean, disingenuous, untruthful, fictitious and malicious, deity’s movement, worldview and religion. The plan of allah is to have one believe in deception and there by a rejection of the truth that is God.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries©2010

To Err is Human but to Forgive is Divine~

2010-08-09T05:10:00.000-07:00

In the Gospel of John in the eight chapter verses 3-11 we are told:
Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”
She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
We see that first the scribes and Pharisees were in err or sin when they willfully plotted to use the sin or mistake of another to exact some type of revenge or punishment on another, which in this case was Christ. They were not concerned with justice or God just their own ideology and the pursuit of personal and political agendas and power. We see that these accusers were all ready to throw stones {their accusations, and her mistakes} at this woman for her err or sin, until Christ mentioned that they too had sins {stones accusations and mistakes} that they should and could have thrown at them and it is possible that their errs or sins could have been the same thing that this woman had done. Notice as you read on in the text that the accusers never spoke of their sins or errs, never stated that Christ was correct, nor did they say any words of forgiveness or encouragement to the woman. They did not drop the stones to forgive the woman; they dropped them because of guilt {convicted by their conscience} and to avoid their business being put on front street, facebook, twitter, tagged and all the rest, they dropped the issue and walk away.
All that remained is the woman and Christ, we do not see Christ scolding this woman who as we can clearly read is guilty of a sin, but notice after the dust has settled all that remains is her and the forgiveness of Salvation. What we must pay attention too is that Christ tells this woman to go ahead with her life but be sure not to do any of the things that can put her in situations like these where she had to be dragged to her Salvation by the force hers and her accuser’s sins, when she could have been dragged to her death. See what we forget is that sin will lead us to one or two places, either to our death or to that point where we can be killed but because of the grace of God, His Salvation speaks for us and we are delivered. It is also very interesting that the accusers who were full of sins themselves and were so intent on punishing this woman for her sins came to a place to test the fullness and truthfulness of God’s Salvation, by basically saying that sinners need to be punished and it would seem in this case killed. Now what we overlook is how Christ saved the accusers as well, it would have been just as easy for Him to say, ‘since none of you are without sin then first stone yourselves and answer for your breaking of the Law’. But God’s Grace and Mercy, provides Salvation for all, Christ, Salvation delivered them from their sins and their death in that moment, we have to wonder and ask why didn’t Christ say to them; ‘since none of you are without sin then first stone yourselves and answer for your breaking of the Law’, I would go back to the title of this lesson, to err is human to forgive is Divine. If Christ, Salvation is not meant to save everybody then it cannot save anybody. If He did not offer them deliverance then He could not have delivered her and surely He would not be able to do the same for us.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries©2010

Are You The Woman In The Bar or The Woman At The Well?

2010-08-02T07:39:00.000-07:00

The Disappearance of Self Respect

2010-07-30T17:12:00.000-07:00

The definition of self is the union of elements (as body, emotions, thoughts, and sensations) that constitute the individuality and identity of a person.
The definition of respect is to consider worthy of high regard: esteem
So if we combine the key words: Your body, Your emotions, Your thoughts and Your sensations are worthy of high regard or esteem and are what individually identify us. This is Self Respect.

How does your physical body, your actual thoughts, and your sensations all of which are worthy of high regard and identify us individually as a person disappear?
Does it happen when we whore or bodies out by having sex with every Tom and Jane we meet or know for a few days, weeks, months or sadly hours? Does it happen when we abuse our bodies with drugs or alcohol? Does it happen when we allow for another person to abuse our bodies? Does it happen when we expose ourselves for self gratification or monetary gain or both? Consider a body that is worthy of high regard would not expose itself to things that are beneath it.

Does it happen when we become emotionally attached to a person in only a sexual way? Does it happen when we become emotionally attached to drugs and alcohol? Does it happen when we embrace the emotional abuse that comes with the physical abuse as necessary and normal? Consider: emotions are a conscious mental reaction subjectively experienced as strong feelings usually directed toward a specific object and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes in the body, (Merriam-Webster). When it comes to your emotions, they should be worthy of high regard.
Does it happen when our thoughts justify the lack of high regard towards our emotional and physical bodies as being worthy of anything but the best possible treatment and scenarios? Consider if our thoughts are power to both reason and the ability to imagine, why would we imagine or by reason see ourselves in such low regard. In other words when you reason or think lowly you feel or are low emotionally and you then move in very low places, in other words our thoughts should be worthy of high regard continuously.

Does it happen when what we see, hear, smell, taste and touch convince us to think that what we are feeling both emotionally and physically are necessities for our absolute survival? If what our senses are detecting is not of high regard then what is being processed is not worthy!

What is worthy to be held in high regard and not only commands but demands self respect? Us, our bodies, our emotions, our thoughts, and our sensations.
The problem is that many of us have begun to justify what’s regarded as low to be worthy of self respect. Does our self respect or esteem disappear or do we lose it? If we lose it when and how does this occur where does this occur what causes it to occur? Are we to blame, is it the environment that we live in, is it our circle of peers or friends? Could it be that we longer know what self respect or esteem is? I ask this because of the actions of many in our society show a total disregard for their individuals body, emotions, thoughts and sensations as being worthy of high regard or respect.

Think about this, everyone justifies what they are doing as being respectful, everyone; including the child molester, the rapist, the pimp, the mugger, the car jacker, the terrorist, the gang who drives by and shoots up the mother’s house of a rival gang member, the racist, the murderer, the thief, the counterfeiter, the man or woman who cheats on their spouse, the identity thief, the hooker, the drug addict, the alcoholic, the porn star, the girl who has naked pictures of herself on her profile, the son who calls his sister and his mom a B*&ch, the list goes on and on . I am sure that I have listed something on here that some find disrespectful and some have no problem with because they have justified the behavior as necessary. It is no way around it the things on this list and many others show a definite disappearance of self-respect, and if you won’t admit it that means you have justified your actions and in the process caused a DISSAPERANCE OF SELF-RESPECT.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries©2010

"I AM" a Divine Statement of God.

2010-07-11T11:59:00.000-07:00

When we read the Bible there are many statements and phrases which connect the many prophecies and historical content of the Old Testament with what is realized in the New Testament. Throughout the Old Testament there is an expectation of the fulfillment of a Divine promise and blessing that was given to Abraham the patriarch of the Jewish and Christian faith. These promises and blessings are the basis of the covenant that God has given to mankind. These covenants can all be indentified because they are grounded with the name Jehovah-LORD or Yahweh. This word LORD means the “self existent One”, coming from the word to be or become. LORD means, “I am, which I am”, and is the name that is used when the Creator relates to His people in an intelligent and responsive relationship. This name speaks of both the self existence of God and His eternity. God is the only one who can say “I am” or “I exist by Myself, independent of any other.” He can always say “I am” because He always was in the past and always will be in the future. Jehovah has been called the covenant name of God, as it is often used to identify God in His covenants. (125)
Towns, Elmer. Theology for Today. Belmont: Wadsworth, 2002.
What Dr. Towns has done is lay or establish the foundation for the recognition and understanding of the significance of the “I Am” statement when used or appears in scripture. This statement is used over 6,000 times in the Bible but it is eight of those times that are the topic of much discussion and debate. These eight uses of I am statement appear in the Gospel of John and are used by Christ, John is the only Gospel that shows us where Christ uses I am when referring to Himself. This is what makes this declaration so powerful when you consider that the only other times I am was used in a Divine manner was in the Old Testament and it was from God. If we look back just for a moment at Exodus 3.14; And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (New King James Version, Exodus 3.14)
When we then begin to examine the eight, “I Am” statements by Christ in the Gospel of John we can understand the origin and importance of the fulfillment of what was revealed in the Old Testament writings. The first time Christ used this statement was in John 4.26; the woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” Christ is speaking to a Samaritan woman in the promise that was spoken of in Genesis 12.1-3 and how every family of the world would receive the blessing of the salvation of God, Yeshuah, or the Messiah through the seed of Abraham. This is an example of prophecy being first Divinely revealed and then Divinely fulfilled as only a self existing God could do as He exist in all times past present and future.
We next see Christ proclaim His Divine nature in John 6:32-35; Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. The fact that Christ not uses the I am but he places emphasis on speaking about Moses and the manna that was received from God by the children of Israel in the book of Exodus; Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. (Exodus 16.4) Christ is showing once again that He is the fulfillment of the Divine revelation of the prophecy of the Messiah. What is overlooked by many readers and teachers of the scripture is when Christ states; “he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” This again is a reminder of Exodus 17.5-6; and the LORD said to Moses, “Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. This again reveals the Divine nature of Christ as, Jehovah-Jireh or the LORD will provide or I Am provides.
In John 8.12 in which Christ is having a discussion with the Pharisees who are trying to trick Christ into conflicting the Law of Moses. Christ spoke the following to them; Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8.12) What Christ is showing is how He is the living example of Exodus 13.21-22; and the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people. This shows that God is always present and Christ is now showing that He is the fulfillment of Jehovah- Shammah, the LORD is there or I Am always there.
The fourth use of the, I am statement by Christ comes in the tenth chapter of John as Christ is explaining that the only way to enter Heaven is through the door of righteousness and He is that door for those who humbly and obediently walks through. Christ explains; Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10.7-10) Salvation is not possible if we do not live a life of righteousness and the way to both is through the door of the God of righteousness which is Who Christ is proclaiming He is, Jehovah- Tiskenu, the LORD of righteousness or I am righteousness. This goes back once again to what was revealed through Divine prophecy; in those days Judah will be saved, And Jerusalem will dwell safely. And this is the name by which she will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. (Jeremiah 33.16) If we look closely we see the pattern of Divine revelation and Divine fulfillment in the Body of Christ as the true nature of God with each I Am statement.
The fifth I am statement is also in the tenth chapter of John, as Christ is once again using the analogy of Himself as a shepherd and us as the sheep. We are told by Christ; “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10.11) Here is Christ calling Himself our shepherd, when we look at the Old Testament in the twenty third Psalm it is revealed; The LORD is my shepherd… (Psalm 23.1) Christ’s statement is again leading us back to Old Testament revelations that are fulfilled in Him as the Divine nature of God. Here is Christ proclaiming that He is Jehovah-Roah, the LORD our Shepherd or I Am the Shepherd.
John writes about the Christ using the, I am statement a sixth time in the eleventh chapter after the death of Lazarus the brother of Mary and Martha. He makes the statement while speaking with Martha; Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” (John 11.24-25) Further along in the text it is revealed that Christ raises Lazarus from the tomb and back to life showing that He can prevail over anything including death. This shows Christ as Jehovah- Nissi or the LORD our Banner or that Prevaileth. If we look at what is written in the Old Testament we see this nature of God revealed; then the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived. (1Kings 17.22) Again we see the revelation of God and then the fulfillment of God in Christ.
The seventh I am statement comes as Christ is responding to a question by His disciple Thomas in which he wants to know how they can now the way to the salvation of God. Christ’s response is as follows; Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Christ is explaining that unless we separate or are separated from the opposition of God’s salvation then we will never have comfort and peace in Him. This is Christ reflecting how He is, Jehovah-Maccaddeshecm, the LORD our Sanctifier as revealed in the Old Testament; “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you. (Exodus 31.13) Christ is fulfilling the I Am the Sanctifier; through Christ we can be void of a life of sin, lies, and death as a result of living in sin because we are set apart in Him and a life of salvation.
The final I am statement comes in the fifteenth chapter as Christ is teaching to His disciples. Christ states; I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. (John 15.1) Christ’s last statement is the compilation of all the Old Testament names of God and showing Him in the Jehovah- Elohim nature in the New Testament. It is the LORD God who created man as we are told in Genesis 2.7; And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. When we take what is said in John 15.1 and then John 15.5; I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. This is showing that all the attributes and nature of God that was revealed in the Old Testament text that mankind forgot or turned away from is now realized and fulfilled in the Living Christ.
In closing I will add the only way to fully understand the New Testament writings we must first learn what they are fulfilling from the Old Testament. To simply read that Christ referred to Himself in the divine nature of, I Am means nothing without an historical foundation of the origin of the statement. The manifestation of Christ in the New Testament as anticipated in the Old Testament is realized in the four Gospels by pointing to historical origins. This fourfold manifestation reveals in Matthew the sovereignty of Christ is seen as King to the Jews, in Mark He is seen in His ministry as servant to the Romans, in Luke we see His perfect humanity to the Greeks but in John He is seen as deity, He is seen as God to the whole world. The Old Testament hope became the New Testament reality, when deity entered into human history. (Geisler, 23)

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries ©2010

Works Cited
The Bible: New King James Version. http://www.Biblegateway.com.
Geisler, Norman L. A Popular Survey of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1977.
Towns, Elmer. Theology for Today. Belmont: Wadsworth, 2002.

Speaking In Tongues: Luke’s Account of Actual Languages in Acts

2010-06-18T12:56:00.000-07:00

Speaking in tongues remains one of the most talked about topics of the Bible, the purpose of this paper is to argue if an actual language was being spoken in Acts 2:1-13 as a result of the Holy Spirit or was it just a sound of people babbling.
Introduction
In the second chapter of Acts Luke gives us our first account of what is now known as speaking in tongues which is an apparent sign of the Holy Spirit. Luke’s account gives us evidence that those who were assembled on the day of Pentecost were witnesses and receivers of this ability to speak in tongues representative of many different cultures and ethnic backgrounds. The theme in this chapter of Acts points to the abilities that exist in the power of the Holy Spirit with the focus being on the apostles being able to speak languages that they never could before.
The second chapter of Acts consist of thirteen verses, in which Luke gives a step by step description of what was happening at this time from what languages were being spoken, what some of those present were saying and doing and how the arrival of the Holy Spirit was thunderous and obviously unlike anything any of those present had ever experienced. We will in this paper discuss the term Luke uses for tongues to see if it points to an actual language being spoken. We will also explore what the Gospels have revealed about this topic and we will review thoughts about the tower of Babel in the Old Testament writings and we will look at modern day thoughts on this topic.
Glōssa
Was Luke intending for the reader or the Biblical audience to think that what was happening in the first four verses of the second chapter of Acts to be a spoken language that is known and used or was he trying to infer that the disciples were a bit zealous in their praise of Christ? It is quite clear and definite that the gift of tongues on the Day of Pentecost was an utterance in known languages. The terminology of Luke is convincing at this point. In verses 4, 11 he uses the word glossa, which is the normal word for the tongue as the organ of speech. It is, of course, often used in the metaphorical sense of a language, a sense which it has here. This sense is confirmed by Luke's use of the term dialektos, which is rendered by the AV in 2:6 by the word "language." This is its meaning, and it is unfortunate that it does not render 2:8 with the same word. The word dialektos occurs about six times in Acts, and in each occurrence it refers to a known language or dialect. In other words, the sense of a known tongue in 2:4 is made definite by the description of the phenomenon as a speaking in a dialektos in verses 6, 8.
The Gospels
Many have asked and argued that Christ never spoke of such a gift as speaking in tongues while many say that He did indirectly. There is no reference in any of the canonical gospels to ' 'speaking with tongues." It is never attributed to Jesus and is never promised by him to any of his followers. The saying which precedes the Lord's Prayer in the Sermon on the Mount appears to deprecate any kind of unintelligible utterance in prayer: the rendering of the New English Bible, "Do not go babbling on like the heathen," conveys the sense better than most other renderings. The verb used here is very rare in Greek; there appears to be no more than one other instance in all known Greek literature. Βατταλογέω is formed of a verb-ending meaning "speak," with the prefix βαττα, which is not a meaningful word but an onomatopoetic suggestion of the sound made; the literal sense would be something like: "Do not go on saying, "Batta, batta, batta." Beare goes on to claim; at the close of the Gospel of Luke, the risen Jesus assures the disciples that he is sending "the promise of his Father" upon them, and charges them to stay in the city until they are "clothed with power from on high." The words are undoubtedly an anticipation of the bestowing of the Spirit, which will be described in the second chapter of Acts; but the Spirit is not explicitly mentioned, and the nature of the manifestation of the "power from on high" that is to "clothe" them is not explained. It is related to the assertion that the gospel of "repentance for the remission of sins is to be preached in his name to all nations," and that they are to be "witnesses of these things." The "power from on high" would appear to be envisaged, then, primarily as the power to bring conviction by their testimony, in preaching the gospel to the world. It would appear that Luke was giving readers a preview or instructions about certain conduct that Christ had given and this would support the claims that speaking in tongues is not gibberish but an ability to speak an actual spoken language or languages
Babel
The other view that must be considered is the occurrence at the Tower of Babel in the Old Testament in the book Of Genesis. Briggs discusses part 2 of Hovenden’s book, in which Hovenden examines the three main possibilities concerning the tongues element: xenolalia, akolalia (a "miracle of hearing"), or a creative theological interpretation of unknown foreign languages. Luke, he avers, thought it was xenolalia, the speaking of recognizable foreign languages. This analysis is careful and compelling, and leads into a discussion of whether tongues at Pentecost symbolizes a covenant renewal hearkening back to Sinai, or is presented as a reversal of Babel, or marks the birthday of the church or an "empowering for mission." Many believe that tongues at Pentecost are best seen, at least to some degree, against the background of the tower of Babel. Babel's sin of uniting and consequent judgment of confused languages and of people being scattered throughout the earth is reversed at Pentecost: God causes representatives from the same scattered nations to unite in Jerusalem in order that they might receive the blessing of understanding different languages, as if all these languages were one, since the result was that all heard the same message. This is a very compelling argument for speaking in tongues being actual languages being spoken to unite mankind to be in union and communion with God through Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Modern Concepts
The confusion seems to be over the interpretation of what Luke was explaining so it was not Luke but perhaps those who read what he has written that are confused in speaking gibberish and not an actual language of a people. Unless and until one has some fairly clear idea of what glössais lalein means in the New Testament, it would appear rash to use the expression to describe a contemporary phenomenon. Yet when Christians today say, "We speak in tongues, they clearly imply either that there is something so distinctive about glössais lalein that it is immediately recognizable wherever it occurs and that it cannot be confused with any other phenomenon; or they imply that there are some persons (themselves included) who are qualified to discern the genuine gift of the Spirit from any counterfeit, however specious.
Histories of Pentecostalism have recounted how early North American adherents anticipated preaching in their newfound languages until disappointing reports from missionaries trickled home. Little attention has been paid to their adjustment to this development, though tongues remained central to their perception of Spirit baptism. Perhaps in the intervening years it has been assumed that with some embarrassment they returned to the New Testament to discover that tongues largely serves as an avenue of prayer. Two 1972 studies of glosso lalia launched a three decade or more exploration of the phenomenon. William Samarin, in Tongues of Men and Angels (1972), concluded that linguistically tongues speech was not a language and that it was a learned experience. In her Speaking in Tongues, Felicitas Goodman approached glosso lalia psychologically and argued that it involved a trance or spirit possession. It is point of views like these that are more or less saying that what the Holy Spirit did that day was not a sign of God’s glory and that at any time a person can learn to do this without God and that God would have one speaking words that no one knows and thus no one would understand the Gospel of Christ.
Conclusion
The gift of tongues in the second chapter of the book of Acts is clearly describing and actual language being spoken by the apostles to those that are gathered on the Day of Pentecost. Luke’s use of the Greek words for both a real language that is spoken and understood by those who actually use that dialect is solid proof that there was no babbling or unknown sounds being heard but real words in the different languages of the people who were present that day. Luke was not confused in his description of the events that day, it would appear that as with many Biblical scriptures it is the readers misinterpretation that is confused about what was happening, why it was happening and how it was happening.

Bibliography
Beale, Gregory K. The Descent of the Eschatological Temple in the Form of the Spirit at Pentecost Part 1, The Clearest Evidence. Tyndale Bulletin 56 (2005):73-102.
Beare, Frances Wright. Speaking with Tongues: A Critical Survey of the New Testament Evidence. Journal of Biblical Literature 83 (1964): 229-246.
Briggs, Richard. Speaking in Tongues: The New Testament Evidence in Context. Pneuma 27(2005): 380-382.
Connelly, James T. Speaking in Tongues: Multidisciplinary Perspective. Theological Studies 68(2007): 473-474.
Currie, Stuart D. Speaking in Tongues: Early Evidence outside the New Testament Bearing on Glossais Lalein. Interpretation 19 (1965): 274-294.
Johnson, Lewis S. Symposium on the Tongues Movement: The Gift of Tongues and the Book of Acts. Biblotheca Sacra 120 (1963): 309-311.
McGee, Gary B. The New World of Realties in Which We Live: How Speaking in Tongues Empowered Early Pentecostals. Pneuma 30(2008): 108-135.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries©2010

The Eight Signs of the Divine Nature of Christ

2010-06-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

In the Bible there are four Gospels of Christ that speak of the miracles of the ministry of Christ. Each Gospel is written from a different point of view with each author painting a picture of the body of Christ as the prophesied Messiah, promised by God to the children of Israel through the covenant of God to Abraham. All of the gospels reveal the wondrous works of Christ, Matthew and Luke tell of eighteen miracles, Mark tells twenty-seven, and John tells of eight but he describes them as signs rather than miracles. I feel that John uses or describes what Christ did as signs because signs point us to something and in doing so connect us to what we can come to believe, this is especially revealing since the key word that John uses some ninety-eight times is believe. John is trying to show in no uncertain terms that Jesus is the promised Messiah and to prove this all we have to do is follow the signs and we will come to believe and know that this is the truth.
I would like to discuss the signs that John has described or put in place for us to follow that will lead us to the Messiah. The very first sign is given or revealed at a wedding in which Christ and His disciples are attending. The wedding is going along just fine until they run out of wine, and that is when Mary the mother of Christ tells her son, to which He replies; “Woman what does your concern have to with Me? My hour has not yet come.” (New King James Version, John 2.4) It is later revealed that Christ would take six concrete pots that were thirty two gallons each and have those in service at the wedding to fill these pots with water. Once this had been down Christ directed them to take some of the water to be tasted at which time the water was described as the best testing wine. This is a sign of Christ as the Source or Creator of life, if we look at what John first said in chapter 1:3 with regards to Christ; ‘all things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. This ties in to what was revealed by the prophet Isaiah; ‘have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary His understanding is unsearchable, (Isaiah 40.28). Notice just as God is described as a creator so here Christ creates, by turning the water into wine. (Tenney, 151)
The next sign that points to the Divine nature of Christ happens in chapter four of the Gospel of John and it involves the son of a nobleman whose son was suffering from some type of affliction. John tells of this encounter in this way; ‘When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!”
Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!” Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household. This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.’(John 4.47-54) If we pay close attention we read where even Christ states that unless there is a sign in place people will not believe, this is almost like you tell someone that the curve on the road is sharp and drive slow around it but they do not believe you, but once a sign is in place that says slow down curve ahead people believe. This shows that signs help a person believe something that is for their benefit and safety. Again if we look at first what was said in John 4:42 about Christ we are told; ‘Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” This is a fulfillment of what was revealed in Isaiah 45:22; ‘Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. Here Christ is shown as the Salvation of God that can only come from God, just as He saved the nobleman’s son, His divine attributes of omniscience and omnipresence are revealed as well, and this is only an attribute seen in God, and here is Christ displaying this, (Tenney, 154).
The third sign is described in the fifth chapter of John, in which we are told of Christ healing a man that was a paralytic. Christ encounters this man at a pool known in Hebrew as Bethesda and this pool is where many people suffering from physical ailments went to be healed. This man tells Christ that he has been trying unsuccessfully to get into the pool but he has failed each time. We are told that Christ told this man to get up and take his bed and walk at which time the man was healed and did as Christ told him. The problem of this situation is that this was done on the Sabbath and this caused for the Jewish religious leaders to be upset and seek after Christ for not keeping the Sabbath. When Christ sees the same man again in the temple He again gives the man a commandment which was; “Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you”, (John 5.14). What John has done here is shown that Christ is Jehovah-Rapha or the LORD that healeth. If we look in the Old Testament for the use of this name we will see that it appears in the book of Exodus where it is revealed; “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you”, (Exodus 15.26,). This shows that no matter what day God will provide healing for those who are obedient to His voice, (Towns, 127)
The fourth sign of the Divine nature of Christ is seen in the sixth chapter, where Christ will feed over five thousand people who have followed Him and the disciples after the signs of healing those with disease. The disciples are trying to explain to Christ that they do not have enough money to buy food to feed so many and we are told that a little boy has five loaves of bread and two fish which are not enough to feed the multitude. The Bible reveals to us the following; Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world”, (John 6.10-14). This shows Christ as Jehovah-Jireh or the LORD will provide we first saw this in the book of Genesis with Abraham and Isaac, (Towns, 127). The next time we see God providing exceedingly and abundantly is in the book of Exodus we it is revealed; then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily”, (Exodus 16.4-5). We see in the sixth chapter of John, Christ providing or making provision as only seen in the Divine nature of God as first revealed in the Old Testament.
The fifth sign of the Divine nature of Christ happens in the sixth chapter of John verses 16-21, where we are told how Christ walked on the water to a boat that the disciples were in and once He was in the boat they were instantly where they were heading. This shows that while man has to conform to the law such as gravity, God is not bound or limited by anything that He has created or given. He is beyond the forces of nature and our understanding of what those are. This shows that Christ just as God possess the attribute of being omnipotence in nature. Meaning God can do any and everything that is in His nature and there is nothing that can limit Him other than Himself, (Towns, 121).
The sixth sign shows us how Christ would heal a blind man with clay applied to the man’s eyes. The most important thing that John tells of what was said that day by Christ was; “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world”, (John 9.5). This points to what was revealed in Psalm 119.105; Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Just as the Old Testament writers knew that God was the light that allows for us to see when we are not just blind physically but spiritually, John is showing that the Divine nature of Christ allows for Him to do just as God in giving us both physical and spiritual direction.
In the 11th chapter of John we are told about how Lazarus had died and was buried and that Christ was asked by the sisters of Lazarus to come and heal their brother who was dying but Christ did not arrive before he died. We are told that Christ said the following to Martha one of the sisters of Lazarus; “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11.25-26) We are told further in the text that Christ had the stone in front of the tomb that held Lazarus removed and in a loud voice called out to Lazarus a man who had been dead for four days, and he did in fact come out of the tomb alive. This text, this sign, shows what can be seen if we look again to the Old Testament, In 1st Samuel 2:6 we are told the following; The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. This shows us that only God could raise someone from the dead, and in the Gospel of John we see Christ the Living Word of God doing exactly that and reveals seventh sign of the Divine nature of Christ, (Towns, 157).
The last sign that reveals the Divine nature of Christ is seen in the twenty first chapter of John and the sixth verse, where John describes how the disciples were out fishing after the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ and were not catching anything, then suddenly the risen Christ appeared and instructed them what they needed to do to catch the fish, which once they did they had so many fish in their net that they could not pull it from the water. This is a sign that shows Christ as the Almighty God or El Shaddai, meaning that He is able to supply all more than what is needed to us when it appears we have nothing or have no way of getting what we are looking for, (Towns, 126).
In closing I would like to say that even Christ Himself pointed out that just Him saying He was the Living Word of God would probably not be enough notice what He says;“If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true”, (John 5.31). This is Christ saying look for the signs, check all that He is saying and doing against the only thing that can prove Who He is, and that is the Word of God. If we believe in what has been said in the Old Testament of what God would do and what to look for in the Messiah or the Salvation of God, then we will know and believe what is realized about the Divine Revelation of God to mankind in the Bible. Christ again sums it up when He says; “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me”, (John 5.39). This to me shows the truth of Christ as the Living Word of God and shows that He is Holy and thus Divine in nature.
Pastor LaVaughn Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries ©2010

Is God involved in the suffering of a Christian, both regular suffering and persecution?

2010-05-19T08:47:00.000-07:00

The short of this answer is no and we need to look no further than the Bible, in the Book of James in the chapter 1 verses 12-13 which reveals; Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone (New King James Version). When we look at this it must be understood that one’s temptations are individual trials or test that each person must endure in their lives. There will be suffering and persecution but God is not the architect of it this is not in the nature or attributes of God. I feel that Dr. Towns explains this point completely in Theology Today when he speaks about the omnipresence of God stating that; “the fact that God is means that God is here and now. He comforts, guides, and protects the believer with His omnipresence” (Towns, 121).
Since God is a God who provides protection, guidance and comfort then how can anyone think that He could be a God of suffering and persecution as this is not in His nature? Many argue then why does God allow for so much suffering in the world Dr. Towns sheds light on this as well, by telling us about God’s omnipotence where he explains; “God can do everything that is in harmony with His nature and perfection. Of all the attributes of God, God has limited His omnipotence by His will. He can do whatever He wills to do, but He does not necessarily will to do everything. On many occasions, God has limited His power by the free will of His rational creatures. By this God does not force people to become Christians; therefore, He limits His power by the rejection of their will (Towns,121 ).
In this instance the word will is action or something being done that shows a person’s true character, attributes or nature. If we look at the parable of the good Samaritan in the book of Luke recall that a certain man was robbed and left beaten, naked and for dead. Then there was a priest who came along saw this man suffering and in grief but did nothing for him, we are then told that a second man a Levite came along and did nothing but then a Samaritan happen by and helped this man in his time of suffering and affliction. The first two men showed their will was not that of God’s but their own the Samaritan showed or better yet reflected the will, action, of the attributes of God that we all posses but do not apply as we should. God does not cause for a Christian to suffer or be persecuted but He will provide comfort and protection in times of suffering and persecution as it is His nature.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries ©2010

Works Cited

Towns, Elmer. Theology for Today. Belmont: Wadsworth, 2002.

The Spirit of a Soldier

2010-05-15T10:24:00.000-07:00

Touch the spirit of the soldier in defense
of a war that makes no sense.

Touch the spirit and guard our daughters and sons
let them use Holy hands instead of guns.

Touch the spirit of those who fight against us
with the will to be humble and stand righteous.

These brave soldiers stand for all that we say we believe
if that’s Peace and Justice then why does the little boy, girl and entire country grieve?

Protect that soldier that’s in harms way
guide their enemy to you this day.

As a veteran soldier this is a prayer from me
to one and all who serves their countries military.

Praise the LORD, all you nations!
Extol Him, all you peoples!
For great is His steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD!
Psalm117.1-2

Pastor LaVaughn Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries ©2008

Christ the Symbol of the Tabernacle of Feast

2010-05-05T15:04:00.000-07:00

The Bible reveals to us in the book of Matthew in the 5 chapter and the seventeenth verse that Christ proclaimed; “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill”, (New King James Version, Matthew 5.17). When we read this and apply this we can begin to answer the question of how does Christ underline the symbol of the “Feast of Tabernacle”, especially when we understand that this was actually a mitzvoh or commandment from God to the children of Israel. It is no secret that upon their departure from Egypt that the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years. This was not because they had no place to go but more because while it took God one day to get them out of Egypt it took Him forty years to get the immoral sinful behaviors of Egypt out of them. God knew that they would need to once again focus and dedicate themselves to Him. This could only be done in a special place set up and aside for worshipping God, a dwelling place or a place of covering. In the Compact Bible dictionary this is how they define the word tabernacle as a place where the people could focus upon the presence of the LORD and have a place of worship, Youngblood et al (596).
In Core Christianity, Dr. Elmer Towns, gives what I feel is a great way to explain the purpose of the tabernacle. He writes; “these epochs, defined by the dictionary as an event or time marked by an event that begins a new period or development; a memorable event or date, this special time occurs: 1) when one intentionally meets with God, 2) in a time of great personal need, 3) when God meets with someone through unexpected circumstances, 4) when God reveals something of Himself, 5) when a person has an intimate contact with God, 6) when a believer prepares for a specific task, and 7) when the person probably doesn’t fully understand all the mysterious elements of the encounter”, (Towns, 64). When we look at this we can say that by going into the tabernacle or through Christ we; 1) we go to the tabernacle or Christ to intentionally meet God, 2) we go to the tabernacle or Christ in a time of great personal need, 3) we know that going to the tabernacle or Christ is where we meet God due to an unexpected circumstance in one’s life good or bad, 4) in the tabernacle or in Christ god reveals something about Himself, 5) in the tabernacle or in Christ a person will have an intimate contact with God, 6) in the tabernacle or in Christ is where a believer prepares themselves for a coming challenge or obstacle, and 7) in the tabernacle or Christ we sometimes do not fully understand the encounter of His presence. Yet we go to Christ as the children of Israel went to the tabernacle, they celebrate we glorify. Christ fulfills the purpose of the tabernacle by dwelling in us and allowing us to dwell in Him. The Hebrew word mishkan means a place of dwelling, In John 1:14 we are told; And the Word became flesh and dwelt {pitch a tabernacle} among us (NKJV parenthesis added). In other words Christ is the only place we can dwell in salvation and be in the presence of God.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries©2010

Works Cited
MacArthur, John. “The MacArthur Study Bible” King James Version.” Nashville: Word 1997.
Towns, Elmer. Dr. “Core Christianity: What is Christianity all About?” Chattanooga: AMG, 2007.
Youngblood, Ronald, F., Bruce, F.F., Harrison, R.K. “Compact Bible Dictionary” Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2004.

Why is John the most Jewish Gospel?

2010-04-23T10:58:00.000-07:00

It is often said that John is the Gospel to the world (Matthew to the Jew, Mark to the Roman, Luke to the Greek). However, in 1924 Israel Abrahams said, "To us Jews, the Fourth Gospel is the most Jewish of the four!" How is that so? If it so, why do so many people tell new converts to begin reading this Gospel?

If we look at what is being said it would seem that Israel Abraham is way off base with his assertion that the Gospel of John is the most Jewish of all the Gospels, after all it has been agreed upon by many Christian Theologians that Matthew wrote his Gospel to the Jews. We see how Matthew in 2:2 writes the following, with regards to the wise men who had come to see the new born King of the Jews; “where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him” (New King James Version). This would make one think that this is what any Jewish person would want to hear especially when you look at the fact that Matthew made sure to link Jesus to the house of David as this was revealed by the prophet Isaiah; There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots, Isaiah 11:1(NKJV). I then realized that in the book of Matthew Christ is seen as the seed of David and not as the Son of God or the Living Word of God. In the book of Mark he is seen as a servant and in Luke as the savior of man but not in the way that Jews would expect.
In the Gospel of John all are being told that in no uncertain terms that the Living Word of God {Elohim}, if we refer back to Genesis 1:1(NKJV) which states; “In the beginning God {Elohim} created the heavens and the earth, then we see John in his very first verse state; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning, John 1:1-2 (NKJV). John who is Jewish is showing that Jesus is the prophesized Messiah and that they need not worry or fear that they are abandoning God because this is God {Elohim} in the flesh, which he proclaims in verse 14; “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” When we look back at the name “Elohim” it means the strong One Who manifests Himself by His own Word (Towns, 124). Now the Jewish people know that if they believe in the Word of Elohim, then they will live by the provisions of God, just as the children of Israel did in the wilderness with manna, Christ is the living Manna of God or as stated in John 6:35(NKJV) by Christ; “I am the bread of life.”
The Gospel of John in 20:31 (NKJV) states; “but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” Unlike the other Gospels, John focuses on the belief in the Word as the way to live and be blessed. The Word is the spirit of God, It is the light of God, it is the Salvation of God it is Yeshuah, which is the Messiah, the Christ and the blessing that was promised to come through Abraham for the entire world. It is for this reason that John is the most Jewish because it is grounded more in Jewish tradition and customs and relationship with and to God as it is totally about the glory of God.
I close with the three words that give reason as to why those new to the church should read the gospel of John first, those three words according to the John MacArthur Study Bible are; “signs, believe and life.”(MacArthur,1570) The signs or prophecy that reveal the Messiah will give belief to the truth of Christ as the Son of God who was sent to be a blessing for the world and the realization of spiritual life.

Pastor LaVaughn Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries ©2010

The Un-Evangelized and the Nature of Hell

2010-04-13T12:04:00.000-07:00

The Un-Evangelized and the Nature of Hell.
The topics of the un-evangelized and the nature of hell are two different subjects but are tied together in that both involve those who refuse to recognize the truth that is God. The major obstacle in dealing with or discussing these topics is that in the quest to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are both receptive and non receptive, souls can be lost because of the presenter and the presentation, not the product. The product which is the Salvation of God to man is not the center but rather overlooked with too many references to what a person is not doing.
The first thing that must be understood is the purpose of evangelizing and the evangelist and their relationship to the un-evangelized. In the Greek language the English word Evangelist means; one who announces good tidings, so the Evangelist is one who comes with good news and in this instance this news is the Salvation of God in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are told in the Bible from the Apostle Paul, I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry, 2 Timothy 4:1-5 New King James Version, http://www.Biblegateway.com
The definition of the word evangelize is to preach the gospel and to convert to Christianity http://www.merriam-webster.com , this is what the ministry of an evangelist is all about. In doing this the evangelist is performing work of evangelism which is the winning or revival of personal commitments to Christ. Those that are deemed the un-evangelized are not just those who ignore the body of Christ after being told of Him but are those who have never been presented the good tidings, report, news, or Word of God’s Salvation to mankind. This is the message and when given it will provide life and comfort to those who it is being given to, in Proverbs 11:30 we are told; the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise http://www.Biblegateway.com . Many site this as instructions for the evangelist but all must understand this and embrace it because we all want a righteous and fulfilling life void of heartache and pain and in accepting the body of Christ we all achieve this and are winners in the Salvation of God of others and ourselves.
Having a life that is full of peace, joy, happiness and void of pain and abuse is what most people seek and desire in life and out of life. The problem is how do we get to such a life what must we do to avoid these discomforts for a life full of comfort. It is here that the Gospel of Jesus Christ shows us how to leave behind a dark life for a life of light. Without the understanding of the Gospel we would be caught in and become slaves to a life of hell, mainly because we lacked the knowledge of a better way of life to compare it to. Hell is defined as: a place or state of misery, torment and wickedness, an extremely unpleasant and often inescapable situation or as a generalized term of abuse http://www.merriam-webster.com . By this definition and ultimately the nature of hell appears to be a powerfully life consuming force that leaves no hope. It is here that those committed to Christ and the un-evangelized are separated with one seeing an escape from a life that is filled with abuse, pain, misery and darkness and accepting a new life filled with grace, mercy, love and light built on the Word of God and the other if they ignore the message will only see what hell has to offer and nothing else.
The un-evangelized and the nature of hell are tied together because one is the result of the other. There is a saying in the judicial system which is, ignorance of the law is not an excuse for breaking the law. This is the same with the Word of God; one cannot say that they did not know when God has made sure that His commandments and His Salvation were spread throughout the world and throughout time. It is here that hell becomes the final place for those who ignore the Gospel as if they have never heard it and seem to be un-evangelized not because of not being told but because they did not want to listen. We must remember that we have two types of un-evangelized those who have not heard and may or may not be receptive and those who have heard and refuse to be receptive. It is the last group that lives a life of sin as they are ignoring the message of God.
There are two Biblical examples that we can view as it pertains to the connection of the un-evangelized and the nature of hell and those are the stories of Sodom and Gomorrah and Nineveh. We are told in the text that both of these cities were filled with wickedness and either did not know, ignored or forgot God. In both accounts the people are un-evangelized in that they need to be told about the saving grace of God, in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah the people refused and remain wicked, in Nineveh they listen and avoided the devastating destruction that Sodom and Gomorrah had.
I close with this; the message of God is always delivered by those in His service and for His purpose to reach those who need to be saved from their own destructive behaviors which is everything that we discussed in the definition and nature of hell and the un-evangelized. Being unreceptive after hearing means that one has chosen wickedness over righteousness and we are told in Psalm 9:17; the wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God, Biblegateway.com.

God Bless

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries ©2010

Why Mention Hagar and Ishmael? Are the Biblical accounts wrong and is the Quran the correct Word of God?

2010-04-07T17:32:00.000-07:00

Why Mention Hagar and Ishmael? Are the Biblical accounts wrong and is the Quran the correct Word of God?

I will begin this lesson with a statement that God is omniscient and is omnipresent. The definition of omniscient is having infinite awareness, understanding, and insight
or possession of universal or complete knowledge. Omnipresent is defined as present in all places at all times, these two attributes of God means that He knows all things in all times at the same time both past, present and future. I want you to remember this as we go along with this lesson on the question of “why does the Bible include Hagar and Ishmael?”
What I feel we must do when we look at the Bible or the Quran is take our time and be willing to see what is the purpose or plot of each of these ancient writings. I am starting this first lesson with two of the most important people to the entire Islamic and Muslim heritage, that is Hagar and her son Ishmael the first born son of Abram or Abraham known as the father of the Jewish and Christian faith. In the Islamic religion Abraham is there most important patriarch, after all if not for Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael there would have never been a people of Arabic descent or there a Muslim culture or Islamic religion. Seeing that the first knowledge we have of Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael is from the Old Testament of the Bible. I will read what we are told about each from each source. I will not say which one I am reading from, I will say source 1 and then source 2 and then after I have read from both about all three I will tell you which once is which.

The following is from source 1
We begin with Abram or Abraham:
Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you
And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they came to the land of Canaan. Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, as far as the terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land. Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him. And he moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD. So Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South. Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land.

We are being told about a man named Abram whose name means exalted father, although at this point he had no children. We are told that he is married, and that he must leave all he owns and knows and go to a place where God has told him to go. We also see where he built an altar to God and then called on God. We are also told that he had to go to the land of Egypt because the place where he was currently was going through a famine.

Hagar:
Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai. Then Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan. So he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress became despised in her eyes. Then Sarai said to Abram, “My wrong be upon you! I gave my maid into your embrace; and when she saw that she had conceived, I became despised in her eyes. The LORD judge between you and me.” So Abram said to Sarai, “Indeed your maid is in your hand; do to her as you please.” And when Sarai dealt harshly with her, she fled from her presence. Now the Angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. And He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where have you come from, and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.” The Angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hand.” Then the Angel of the LORD said to her, “I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be counted for multitude.” And the Angel of the LORD said to her:

“ Behold, you are with child,
And you shall bear a son.
You shall call his name Ishmael,
Because the LORD has heard your affliction.
He shall be a wild man;
His hand shall be against every man,
And every man’s hand against him.
And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.”
Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?” Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; observe, it is between Kadesh and Bered. So Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram named his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.
We are told that Abram had no children yet, and that his wife Sarah wanted a child for them. She then told Abram to conceive a child with her maid-servant that came with them from out of Egypt, whose name was Hagar. We then are told about a blessing that this child would receive from God , we are also told that all of this happens in the wilderness by a spring of water. The last thing we are told is that a male child is born from Hagar to Abram and that Abram named him Ishmael which means God hears.

Ishmael:
So the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the same day that Isaac was weaned. And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, scoffing. Therefore she said to Abraham, “Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, namely with Isaac.” And the matter was very displeasing in Abraham’s sight because of his son. But God said to Abraham, “Do not let it be displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called. Yet I will also make a nation of the son of the bondwoman, because he is your seed.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water; and putting it on her shoulder, he gave it and the boy to Hagar, and sent her away. Then she departed and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba. And the water in the skin was used up, and she placed the boy under one of the shrubs. Then she went and sat down across from him at a distance of about a bowshot; for she said to herself, “Let me not see the death of the boy.” So she sat opposite him, and lifted her voice and wept. And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation.” Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water, and gave the lad a drink. So God was with the lad; and he grew and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer. He dwelt in the Wilderness of Paran; and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.
Now this is the genealogy of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maidservant, bore to Abraham. And these were the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael and these were their names, by their towns and their settlements, twelve princes according to their nations. These were the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred and thirty-seven years; and he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people. (They dwelt from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt as you go toward Assyria.) He died in the presence of all his brethren.
We are told that Sarah Abrahams wife once again was not happy with the presence of Hagar or Ishmael and wanted them gone. Abraham is somewhat distraught over this as he loves both of his sons. God then tells him not to worry because Ishmael will be a great nation. We are also told that Hagar and Ishmael go on and live blessed lives as promised at the spring of water and that Hagar finds for her son a wife from Egypt.

Now we will read what source number 2 has to say:

We begin with Abraham/Abram:
And when his Lord tried Abraham with certain commands he fulfilled them. He said: Surely I will make thee a leader of men. Abraham said: And of my offspring? My covenant does not include the wrong doers, said He.
Abraham was not a Jew nor a Christian but he was an upright man, a Muslim; and he was not one of the polytheists.
And who is better in religion than he who submits in religion than he who submits himself entirely to Allah while doing good to others and follow the faith of Abraham, the upright one? and Allah took Abraham for a fried.
We are not provided with as much historical background information in this source; this source only speaks of Abraham being the one chosen to be a great leader of a nation. This source does not mention his wife Sarah or his relationship with Hagar.

Hagar:
There is not a single mentioning of Ishmael’s mother or her ever being with Abraham, in the entire second source. Hagar’s name does not appear anywhere in the entire second source.

Ishmael:
And when we made the House a resort for men and a place of security. And: Take ye the Place of Abraham for a place of prayer. And We enjoined Abraham and Ishmael, saying: Purify My House for those who visit it and those who abide in it for devotion and those who bow down and those who prostate themselves.
And when Abraham and Ishmael raised the foundations of the House: Our Lord, accept from us; surely thou are the Hearing, the Knowing.
Our Lord, I have settled a part of my offspring in a valley unproductive of fruit near Thy sacred House, our Lord, that they may keep up prayer; so make the hearts of some people yearn towards them, and provide them with fruits; haply they may grateful.
Praise be to Allah, who has given me, in old age, Ishmael and Isaac! Surely my Lord is the Hearer of prayer.
So We gave him the good news of a forbearing son.
But when he became of age to work with him, he said: O my son I have seen in a dream that I should sacrifice thee: so consider what thou seest. He said: O my father, do as thou art commanded: if Allah please, thou wilt find me patient.
And mention Ishmael in the Book. Surely he was truthful in promise and he was a messenger, a prophet
And he enjoined on his people prayer and almsgiving, and was one in whom his Lord was well pleased.
And Ishmael, and Elisha and Jonah and Lot; and each one of them We made to excel the people
Again we see that source 2 does not give a historical background of Ishmael, it would appear that this second source claims that Ishmael was a prophet.
I want all you to remember we are talking about Hagar and Ishmael who any Muslim will say are the patriarchs of their religion along with Abraham. I would like to ask if you had both of these sources in front of you which one gives you more information about these three. Keep in mind source 2 does not even mention the name Hagar. I will say for those who may not know, source 1 is the Bible and Source 2 is the Quran. The core of this lesson is why does the Bible mention in great detail the life and times of Ishmael and Hagar. For this I want us to look at the word revelation, which is the act whereby God gives us knowledge about Him which we could not otherwise know. The way He does this revealing or revelation is by inspiration, inspiring through supernatural guidance of the writers of Scriptures by the Spirit of God whereby the writers wrote the Divine Word of God, transcribed accurately and reliably. In order for something to be accurate and reliable it must be truthful and we must trust that it gives us a full and complete background of all things involved. Ask yourself what if the Bible did not mention Hagar or Ishmael at all? Could the Bible be trusted as the revealed and inspired Word of God, which would mean that it should be accurate, reliable, and authoritative and without error which means It is inerrant. If the story of Hagar and Ishmael had not been revealed from God to the writer of Genesis then the truthfulness of the Bible would be proven inaccurate and unreliable and anything and anyone mentioned in it would and could be considered a fabrication.
Now consider this we began this lesson with two definitions that are attributes of the One True God, those were omniscient and omnipresent. I insert that only a God who poses those attributes would know to reveal by spiritual inspiration the full truth of the life of Abraham to include both Hagar and Ishmael. It’s as if God had foresaw that someone would claim that the revelation He had given in the Old Testament and New Testament would be challenged or said to be inaccurate or not His full Word thus meaning it was incomplete. Hagar and Ishmael are mentioned in full so that it can be known that what has been written in the Biblical text is the only and Inerrant Word of God and anything else is a ploy to lead people away from that truth.
The Bible reveals the actions of God in relation to people, for instance in the Bible we are told in Genesis 21:14-21: Then she departed and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba. And the water in the skin was used up, and she placed the boy under one of the shrubs. Then she went and sat down across from him at a distance of about a bowshot; for she said to herself, “Let me not see the death of the boy.” So she sat opposite him, and lifted her voice and wept. And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation.” Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water, and gave the lad a drink. So God was with the lad; and he grew and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer. He dwelt in the Wilderness of Paran; and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt. In the Quran in Chapter 2 verse 158 it says: The Safa and the Marwah are truly among the signs of Allah; so whoever makes a pilgrimage to the House or pays a visit to it, there is no blame on him if he goes round them. And whoever does good spontaneously- surely Allah is Bountiful in rewarding, Knowing. In the commentary for the Quran this verse states for 158, the Safa, and the Marwah are two mountains near Makkah. They were the scene of Hagar’s running to and fro in quest of water when left alone with Ishmael in the wilderness. These two mountains are now considered my Muslims to be of the reward which patience brought, and is a memorial to Hagar’s patience that pilgrims now walk around. Notice that once again the Bible tells the full story of Hagar and Ishmael while the Quran infers but does not reveal what is the inspiration for the verse. In the Bible we see God’s saving action to a situation, this is unseen in the Quran. If the Bible can be this thorough and tell us so much about these two people why would there be no mention of Ishmael being a prophet, and if he is a prophet why is there no mention even in the Quran about his ministry to the people, because he would have been the first prophet of Islam. One last thought how could Abraham or Ishmael ever call out the name Allah if in fact Allah is from the Arabic language which in the time of Abraham and Ishmael did not exist yet?

God Bless

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries ©2010

Physical or Spiritual Self

2010-03-26T07:03:00.000-07:00

Albert Bandura most known for his social cognitive theory recognized that three internal requirements in the ongoing exercise of self influence that are 1) self-observation- we must be able to monitor our own performance, 2) judgmental processes-helps regulate our behavior through the process of cognitive mediation, and 3) self-reaction- people respond negatively or positively to their behaviors depending on how these behaviors measure up to their personal standards, (Feist & Feist, 2009). The Word of God teaches us these factors in many ways and throughout the Bible, but to me none is clearer than in the 51st Psalm which David wrote after his affair with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband Uriah.

Self observation- Have mercy upon me O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin Psalm 51:1-2

Judgmental process- For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight-that you may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge. Psalm 51:3-4

Self reaction- Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:10-11

It is from the Holy Spirit that we are able to have self regulation:
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him”. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may know the things that have been freely given.

By: Pastor LaVaughn Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries © November 11, 2008

Design and Function: Homosexuality contradicts itself

2010-03-18T11:12:00.000-07:00

In the conversation or debate about homosexuality, the two words that must be remembered are design and function, if we look at the definitions of these words according to Merriam-Webster we can begin to really understand why sexual behaviors such as homosexuality is totally opposite to a human organisms natural function
We first look at the definition for Design which states the following: to create, fashion, execute, or construct according to plan; or: to have as a purpose
The definition for Function which is defined as: the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists/its purpose or any of a group of related actions contributing to a larger action; especially: the normal and specific contribution of a bodily part to the economy of a living organism. http://www.merriam-webster.com

Looking at these definitions we can surely agree that our purpose is realized in our function by way of our design. What I’m saying is that there should never be a contradiction of how something functions from its design. Let’s take a car for instance the design team creates a vehicle to fulfill a particular purpose and for it to accomplish this it must function according to the designs or the blueprints of the designers. For instance if the purpose of the corvette was to function with the ability to haul heavy equipment, it cannot fulfill that purpose through its design, in other words it was not made for that and this contradicts or better yet there is a conflict that would exist between the design and function.

Consider this for a minute; take a grown man who decides that he only likes little girls and feels that he is to only have sexual relations with little girls. If this man does in fact succeed with his intentions he has disrupted and destroyed the overall design and potential function of that little girl and he never realizes any of his overall purposes or fulfillments which mean that he needs to find another little girl to satisfy his confused desires over his naturally designed desires. If we think about it how can a still developing little girl give a fully develop man the mental, physical, philosophical and spiritual fulfillment that can only be found in a fully developed woman? We can all agree that this is impossible, immoral and illogical and just plan disturbing. If we recall what we discussed early in the book about the hierarchy of needs we realize that a pedophile will never reach any of those needs and this is why they are predators because they are in constant search of those needs but they are looking to fulfill them in direct conflict of their fully developed design and functioning purposes. As we did throughout the entire book we are looking pass the external design and looking at the internal design and function and thinking to ourselves what is the purpose of the female ovaries and the male sperm? For instance the female breast is looked at as being for sexual pleasure or as what makes a woman sexy, but the design of the female breast by its function fulfills the purpose of nurturing new life and allowing for that new life to survive.

Design and Function they should never contradict each other, but they do by their very nature define the other in purpose. Whenever someone says that they were born a homosexual they are declaring that the function/behavior for which they display is as a direct result of their biological and psychological design, however; this is not possible because of what we discussed as the definition of design and function; how can one be born with a design that functions for a totally different purpose, this is just like the corvette scenario. If you are a male organism born as you say gay why then does your body produce sperm? It serves no purpose in the function/behavior of the homosexual design, the same is true with the female organisms breast, why are they needed if they are not to nourish new life, a female is still a female beautiful and distinguishable if she has breast or not. I am talking about design and function and how they never contradict but always complement each other. We have determined that if an organism or product is disturbed during its developmental stages that it can and does have a long term effect on how that organism or product will function or behave in the market or its environment. I want to point out that function is no more than behavior if we look at the definition of behavior which holds in its simplest definition: the way in which something functions or operates. http://www.merriam-webster.com

Let’s connect the dots, we design something for the purpose of it functioning or behaving to fulfill a purpose, we put in place the ability for a period of development, so that it can reach the maturity or realization of what we had in mind for this design. We put in all the parts that are necessary for our design to work properly an exclude anything that is not design friendly or may cause confusion about the purpose of the design if it does not function as we have said it would. If something is not functioning as it was designed this as we discussed in the book can and does call for distressful, dysfunctional, dangerous and deviant lifestyle which are the four elements that exist with respect to abnormal psychological behaviors or functions. Why or how could a human organism think they were born to be with a child, an animal or with the same sex in an intimate and sexual way? If one does then we can conclude according to all that we know as it relates to our Design and Function that such functioning or behaviors are in the plainest explanation wrong, immoral and unjustified.

Before I close this discussion lets reexamine the definition of function where we are told that function is: the normal and specific contribution of a bodily part to the economy of a living organism. http://www.merriam-webster.com the use of the word economy which means the mode of operation of a thing. The reason why the thing is what it is by its design explains the purpose of its function or behavior. Its parts compliment its functioning or behaving design all for the outcome which is its purpose. Design and Function, our behavior is held by our creation and when we act opposite of that we fall into a life that is filled with chaos and confusion.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Minstries©2010

My Love

2010-03-04T07:16:00.000-08:00

My Love, you have never done me wrong you have never left me alone you gave me children you gave me breath to breathe you never let me go hungry

you never let me be cold you always forgive me when I was wrong you told me in your own special way even when I closed my mind to your thoughts and words you kept me in your heart you have given me more than I deserve or have been able to give you you saved me from myself that day on the ledge and when I was in the wrong place at the wrong time you walked with me when no one else can, will or wants to you love me unconditionally you have never doubted me once, even though I constantly doubt you

you always listen to me no matter how much I want to talk, anytime of day or night you are never too busy for me even though you have so many things to do and places to be you always seem to know when to give me the right gift when I needed not to late or early but always right on time you have never yelled at me or called me out my name you didn‟t leave me when I doubted you or when I turned my back on you when I get angry at you for not appearing to be there at my beck and call you let me vent and when I‟m done you embrace me with all your love you sat with me when I was kicking that drug habit

all while my father was sick and dying you stood with me and my family you forgave me over and over again even when I did wrong or did you wrong by forgetting all of the above things in this letter my love my love thank you for always embracing me Real talk: I‟m sure those of you reading this can relate to some of what I am trying to say. Some- where in here you see yourself. The definition of love is “tender, passionate affection, strong personal liking.

We all have someone who has made us feel this way imagine putting their name in place of the word love, it could be; Mom, Dad, Sam or Jan. Ask yourself does this person do all these things and more that I have written, all the time everyday all day?

Now instead of a person replace the word love with God. Love [God] suffers long and is kind; Love [God] does not envy; Love [God] does not parade itself[Himself],is not puffed up,does not behave rudely,does not seek its own,is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love [God] never fails.
1Corinthians 13:4-8

copy written material

from the book "Inspirations Spiritual Strength Courage and Wisdom"
by:LaVaughn R. Carter

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter

Patient Perseverance Ministries

Do you wish and live by hope? or Do you Pray and Walk in Faith

2010-01-29T07:47:00.000-08:00

The definition of wish is to express a hope or desire for, hope is defined as the feeling that something desired is possible.
People say "I wish I could or I wish they would", by the same token they say "I hope they do such and such or I’m hoping or hopeful." Neither wishing nor hoping is a 100% no doubt sure thing.

Faith is defined as confidence or trust, loyalty
(confidence-full trust, assurance) no doubts
(loyalty-faithful, reliable) never fails
Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promise offered up his only begotten son. Here Abraham shows his confidence in God and remains loyal and trusts that God will not fail him. By remaining faithful not hopeful or wishful the Abrahmaic covenant was fulfilled

Prayer is defined as a petition or devout petition to God
(Devout-devoted, petition-formal request submitted to a higher authority)
1Sam1:12-13, 17 And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth. Now it Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Then Eli answered and said go in peace and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him. Here is Hannah a woman who could have no children praying deeply within her self for no words were spoken out loud this was for God to hear because God knows your heart. Hannah taking her prayer (devout petition) to God, she was asking him for a child (Samuel) which she would then devote to Him. Do you see her wishing and saying I hope you give me a child Lord no you don’t, she prayed from her heart not her mouth and God heard her and answered her with the birth of Samuel.

You can wish, hope and complain all day and nothing ever happens but until you speak from the heart by prayer (petitioning God) and remain faithful in His works you will never get to where you are trying to go.
So again, Do you wish and live by hope? or Do you Pray and walk in Faith?

God Bless

Pastor LaVaughn Carter Patient
Perseverance Ministries ©06-24-2007

Anger

2010-01-20T09:18:00.000-08:00

From the Book Inspirations Spiritual Strength Courage and Wisdom:

You are a very hard worker. You show up on time or a few minutes before and once you clock in you believe in giving your all to the work day. However like most work places today you may have one or two co-workers or possibly even your boss, who has the worst work ethics you have ever seen. They show up late, are not productive when they are there, they always try to leave early or call off sick at least ten days a month, always want to gossip, misuse company resources and are just flat out bad team players. Now here you are seeing them milk the system and leaving you to do more work, this has now begun to boil over to the point where you want to either curse them out (tell them off), slap the taste out of their mouth (beat them up), try and get them fired or demoted (revenge), cry (hold it in) or all of this and more. Have you felt this way or been in this situation?

Let’s take a look at two words the first is Temperament which means “your usual mood” In psychology it is the innate aspect of an individual’s personality. The second word is Anger which is defined as “a strong emotion, a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supported grievance” A physiological and psychological response to a perceived threat to self or important others present, past, or future. The threat may appear to be real, discussed or imagined. What, you may be asking, do these two words have to do with my lazy co-workers? The point I’m working toward is that people and situations in your life can allow for you to lose your temperament (temper) and move you toward and into destructive anger. Sure your co-workers or those you may or may not know do a lot of inappropriate and irritating things but this is never a reason for you to do or say mean, hurtful dangerous things to them. Don’t allow for your anger born out of a loss of your temperament (temper) to make a bad situation worse.
We see every day in the news the results of people losing their temper and taking action out of destructive anger. Anger can be constructive – (the Civil Rights Movement), angry over the years of mistreatment, Black Americans without losing their temperament gained equal rights. What you have to know is that God will deliver you out of any situation that is not healthy for your mind, body and spirit. If your temperament determines who you are, never lose it because that’s how you fall further and further away from God and into un-Godly actions.

UNJUST ANGER CANNOT BE
JUSTIFIED, FOR ANGER TIPS THE SCALE TO ONE’S RUIN. THOSE WHO ARE PATIENT STAY CALM UNTIL THE RIGHT MOMENT AND THEN CHEERFULNESS COMES BACK TO THEM. Sirach 1:22-23 the Apocrypha

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries©2007

from the book Inspirations Spiritual Strength Courage and Wisdom.

What is Your Red Sea?

2010-01-09T22:27:00.000-08:00

In the Bible the parting of the Red Sea is one of the most spectacular miracles by God. I could talk about all the Biblical miracles from now until the cows return home, but today I want to focus on the Red Sea for the foundation of this message.

Occupying a part of the Great Rift Valley, the Red Sea has a surface area of about 174,000 square miles (450,000 km²). It is roughly 1,200 miles (1,900 km) long and, at its widest point, over 190 miles (300 km) wide. It has a maximum depth of 8,200 feet (2,500 m) in the central median trench and an average depth of 1,640 feet (500 m), but there are also extensive shallow shelves, noted for their marine life and corals. The sea is the habitat of over 1,000 invertebrate species and 200 soft and hard corals and is the world's most northern tropical sea.

The children of Israel who after 400 years of oppression, mistreatment, hostility, abuse, enslavement and hardship at the hands of the Egyptians were finally released by Pharaoh after God through Moses defeated all ten of the false god’s of Egypt with plagues: 1) Water to blood vs Osiris the god of nature 2) Frogs vs Hekt the goddess of growth and fertility 3) Gnats vs. Sed the god of earth (land) 4) Flies vs. Kephera the beatle god 5) Cattle vs Apis & Hathor the cow gods 6) Boils vs. Typhon the god of healing 7) Hail vs. Shu the god of weather 8) Locusts vs. Serap is the god of vegetation 9) Darkness vs. Ra the sun god 10) Death vs. Ptah the god of life. This showed that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was the one true and all powerful God. Now the voyage begins for the Exodus out of the provisional land and into Land of Promise which would flow with milk and honey. Here the chosen nation standing on the banks of the Red Sea with no boats, canoes, rafts, dingy, or bridges and to add to this Pharaoh and his army are in pursuit and are closing in. We read above about the dimensions and particulars of the Red Sea, it is here we see the children of Israel do what we all seem to do when we can’t see God’s way through for us, “START COMPLAINING, DOUBTING, WORRYING AND BECOMING FILLED WITH FEAR”. Consider here the chosen nation are facing the problem of getting across a sea with no boats of any kind and an Army with a very bitter and revenge filled Pharaoh who has just lost his first born, his son. Panic has set in and the children of Israel are not happy and wonder why did they leave the complacence of pain and suffering for a promise and a blessing? Yet here they were at this Red Sea, why had they gone this way? If we read Exodus 13:17; then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; God said , “ lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” God new that they were not prepared for any battles so why expose them to that knowing they would turn in doubt and fear for the familiarity of Egypt.
We like the children of Israel often come to place and wonder, worry, doubt and fear if we will get through the thing which is holding us back, all while being scared about what’s behind us so we stand frozen, frozen and dumbfounded not able to see God’s way through. Yet here we stand at the Red Sea. Standing and wanting to return to the provisional land, because its known to you, convincing yourself that you can pull through all that pain, abuse, sadness and despair, your use to it, it’s a part of the life you have lived for so long why change for a promise and a blessing. Yet here we stand at this Red Sea. We stand there forgetting that we prayed to be freed from the situation or land we were just in and God our God delivered us, when we woke up we were not in that situation anymore. Yet here we stand at this Red Sea. We are not praising, were complaining, we are not rejoicing, we are sorrowful. Were free but now what, I finally have a job, no paycheck, no money in the bank and I still have bills so now what? How, how do we get over to the other side? Can’t swim, no boat, no bridge! What good are a promise and a blessing if you can’t get to it? The best thing we think that we can do is turn around and return to the embrace of hardship and despair in the provisional land.
How soon we forget what God has done for us, we ought to remember that God is not a provisional God for He is the Provision. “Surely my cup runneth over” Why? Because God is the provider, providing that which is being poured into the cup and when God provides it is always exceedingly more abundant than you or I can imagine. Yet here we are standing at this Red Sea... And the LORD said to Moses, “ why do you cry to me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.” I know your saying but what about the nagging issue of the pursuing Army? We see were God in His divine salvation turned day to night on the Egyptians and night to day for the children of Israel, so that the Army would rest and thus allow the children of Israel to move forward into the land of promise and the blessing and leaving the army of Pharaoh buried in the Red Sea, problems solved Exodus 14:15-30. We see that if you just move and not just stand frozen at the sea but begin to move forward God will and shall divide and conquer any army, obstacle or sea in your way. God won’t bring you to a place of calm so you can gather yourself without His providence to see you reach the other side. A lot of people say yeah but God doesn’t do those types of miracles anymore, oh really, think for a second what is your Red Sea...? What is it that has kept you from moving forward? If you can remember a time when it seemed impossible and going back was not a good option and suddenly you found yourself on the side of the sea delivered from hopelessness then you have walked through your Red Sea!!
If God has not had to deliver you then remember this on the day you are standing on your shore of the Red Sea on the verge of your Exodus (redemption from bondage) remember that which stands in your way or is behind you is not more powerful than God who has brought you to the sea of escape.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
February 20, 2008
Patient Perseverance Publishing/Ministries©2008

Guess What? I am a Christian, I am not Perfect or Better than You

2009-12-20T20:16:00.000-08:00

I am a Christian and I am not a perfect person. I am not without sin. There is not a day that goes by that I don't have to pray for forgiveness. I have not lived within all the commandments given by God. I do not deny my sins of the past, present or future. I am a Christian who has broken God's law, I am guilty of being a sinner.

Does this mean that I am surely doomed to die, and just be a immoral creature continually? No and yes because I am a Christian and human and the two fight for control but each day I become a Christian who is human rather than a human who is Christian.

I am a Christian and I ask for mercy to be shown to me for all the selfish things I have done; yeah I admit that doing all of them was a lot of fun. I am a Christian and I recognize sin , I humbly seek a way to stop being what I've been. I am a Christian and this is not a synonym for perfection and greater than all. I am a Christian I am the reason for my fall.

I am a reflection of all the wrong in my life. I can continue to blame myself or I can accept the help from the pain of my self afflictions and be saved from myself. I am a Christian who has accepted salvation.

I am a Christian walking a walk of faith that leads me from temptations and painful self afflictions following a Vicar for my spiritual crucifixion. So that I could sin less with each passing day moving away from where I was and get where I need to be; free from the ego of myself which will lead to a painful physical and spiritual death.

'Hear a just cause, O LORD, Attend to my cry; Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips. Let my vindication come from Your presence; Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.'
{Psalm 17:1-2} suggest reading all Psalm 17

God Bless

Pastor LaVaughn Carter

http://www.Biblestudy101.ning.com

They Attack Us Because We Are Their Worse Fear, The Truth

2009-12-04T14:43:00.000-08:00

It was once said that a racist white man's worse fear was an educated black man. It was this idealism that lead to Black/ Negros or slaves not being able to learn or educate themselves in this new world or society. This fear caused for attacks on anyone who dared to educate a Negro in the skills and knowledge of this new world. All kinds of attacks and lies were placed on the Negros from they are too lazy to learn, savages lack the ability to be educated, they never desired to learn that's in their blood, they are cursed from God, etc.... All of which we know are untrue. Spoken and practiced but not true.
You can tell when someone is afraid of another they are supposed to be superior over. That person always attacks the character and abilities of the other out of fear. Fear that the more superior abilities, ambition and motivation will outshine and reveal who and what they are. Look at your job and your supervisor, if you have more to offer than him/her how is that relationship going? Character attacks show a sign of weakness, lack of intelligence, morals, desire to achieve, and personal flaws.
If you spend so much time attacking the person and what they have achieved and become this shows in some degree that you are jealous and your pride will not let you accept the truth of what that person represents. Your individual pride in being a legend in your own mind does not allow for you to see that the whole of something or someone is greater than one part {Gestalt psychology}, (Ormrod, 2008). So what you do is focus in on one thing and make that your perception on the whole.
Day after day the attacks keep coming never different just the same things, as my pop would say same ole {369} just a different day. All out of fear that the person or persons under attack will somehow become greater than them. This inability to be humble or realize that someone or something is greater than them cause the attacker to find those in the fields of psychology, sociology, anthropology, and the likes to help define the attacked in terms suitable to them.
I ask are you a daily attacker?
How often do you attack?
Who or what do you attack?
Why do you attack?
I see attacks on God, the Bible, Jesus and Christians and I wonder, what has either ever done to the attacker?
Why is it so important for the attacker to succeed at showing, that the center of their attacks is unworthy, untruthful, and unacceptable.
I wonder what you are trying to project. When an internal impulse provokes too much anxiety, thus causing the ego {mind} to attempt reducing this anxiety by attributing the unwanted impulse to an external object, usually another person. This defense mechanism if you will, known as projection is when the attacker sees unacceptable feelings, thoughts and tendencies that are actually apart of their own unconscious, in other’s (Feist & Feist , 2009). Ask yourself do you attack the character of the same thing or person everyday at least half a dozen times every day? If yes, then this is projection and is borderline paranoia.
Paranoia, a mental disorder characterized by powerful delusions of jealousy and persecution.(Feist et al, 2009) I say this because if all you do on a daily basis is seek new ways to attack for instance God, Christ, the Bible and anyone who follows them, as the sole purpose of your existence it gives pause for great concern! I am writing this message for a post on Black Planet but I will share it with others. This question is for those in the faith, religious forums; how many post have you made in the past 24 hours that were about something other than an attack on another?
I offer this, chosen to be king from pleas of the people; Saul would show the true side of how projection becomes paranoia. Sure he was not who God wanted that was David, who was not perfect but knew he was to serve God and the people not the other way around. Saul if you noticed spent his days being jealous and critical of David. David as we know never caused him harm or said a word of resentment towards him. This did not stop Saul from his persecution and jealously towards David over God’s favor of David. David marching to the beat of the God, blessed, humbled imperfect but meek was still attacked for having love for God and being loved by God.
Observe what you are saying about the person that is at the center of your attacks, for example the slave master who said that the Negro is lazy, yet it was the Negro slave who worked the fields that slave master’s could not or would not, why because of laziness. If you look over what has been said and who it has been said by you can tell a lot about your attackers. Just look at those who attacked the validity and character of Jesus in His time and all up through the present and the same things are being said and yet the Word has remained constant.
But this happened that the Word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, “They hated Me without a cause’….. John 15:25 {NKJV}

Feist, J & Feist, G (2009), Theories of personality, New York, NY: McGraw-Hill
MacArthur, J (1997), The MacArthur study Bible NKJV, Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Ormord, Jeanne Ellis (2008), Human learning, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall

God Bless
By: Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries ©2009-05-04

What is the Desire of Women? Genesis 3:16

2009-12-04T14:26:00.000-08:00

In Young’s concordance the Hebrew word for desire or longing is teshuqah, so this would mean that the longing of the woman shall be for her husband or ish which means man in Hebrew (Young’s Concordance). There are only three times that the Hebrew word teshuqah appears, the first is Genesis 3:16, then in Genesis 4:7 and the final time is in the Song of Solomon 7:10. Let’s take a look at all three of these so that we can gain a better or more complete understanding for the desire of women. Turn first to the Song of Solomon chapter 7 verse 10; where the Shulamite woman is speaking and she says, “I am my beloved’s and his desire is toward me” John MacArthur Study Bible NKJV. Some will read that and say this must be a physical desire, but remember in the Hebrew this word is teshuquah which again means longing, could this be longing for a physical connection? Before you answer let’s take a look at Genesis chapter 4 verse 7; here God is speaking to Cain, and we are told, “And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it” NKJV. Now this scripture use dispels that teshuquah has anything to do with a physical connection or sexual desire. The first use of this word as I said is in Genesis chapter 3 verse 16 and again God is speaking but this time to Eve; and what He says is, “your desire shall be for your husband” NKJV, knowing what we know about the Hebrew word teshuquah we know that this is not sexual or physical so what is it? Many say that this desire is for a woman to be ruled by her man or to have freedom to do as she pleases aside from her man.
The word desire is defined as to long or hope for; while longing means a strong desire especially for something unattainable, but we must ask what since the fall has become unattainable for a woman with regards to men? If we break down the word unattainable and focus on attainable which is defined as to come or arrive by motion, growth, or effort, httt://www.merriam-webster.com. This would mean that a woman is now because of sin unable to arrive by movement, growth or effort with man to what God first ordained and that was together in His image be fruitful, multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth rf Genesis 1:28.
If we were to ask any wife if she feels her husband is on the same page and pace with the same goal in mind as her and most will say no or not all the time. This is what most women will say is missing in their marriage, its equivalent to a lack of communication or understanding. The man is seen as wanting to or tries to rule or he is moving left when she is trying to move right. They seem to reach a point and can never get beyond or through that point. Remember man is doing or does everything by the might of his muscle or his physical strength, so much so that man thinks all things can be done by his physical labor, there are not too many men who do not feel they can’t fix everything including and not limited to a car and emotions. Men try and lead by their physical attributes instead of being lead by their spiritual nature. We are told in the Bible in Genesis 2:24, Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, King James Version. Cleave means to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly, http://www.merriam-webster.com I have said this before this can only be done by the spirit. This is a man giving his self first to God then when he leaves home, he connects spiritually with his woman; this is just another way of saying, that before you run off and away from home make sure you both know God and live for Him because if you both are living for God then are living for each other, again this only happens by the spirit.

The desire of a woman is a return to a spiritual guided life where man and woman were not ashamed of each other, saw no blame in each other and were nestled in God’s image. Think about it for a second, who outnumbers who in the church. Who goes to Bible study while the other stays at home watching T.V.? Who claims they are physically tired on Sunday and stays sleep while the other and the kids go on ahead to Sunday school and Worship Service? I am talking about the higher percentage, is it men or women?
Men have the tendency to think that all their woman needs is that physical attention and some knuckle heads think it’s that which is between their legs that keeps a woman satisfied, forgetting that your physical self begins to fade over time and if that is your greatest attribute to your woman, this will not fulfill her true desire, a life where both man and woman walk together, not one behind the other. Side by side walking behind the Glory and Grace of God.
In proverbs 31:30 we are told; Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD shall be praised NKJV. This has nothing to do with what we normally are told about a woman or a wife, this is not about being a homemaker this is about her spiritual life, if we look in Luke chapter 10 verse 42 and Jesus says; “But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” NKJV. Christ is referring to how Martha is more concerned with the guest, or the house and its details and how to make everything come together, while Mary has decided to stop, and listen to the Word of God and let Him guide her. Mary has chosen the spirit over the physical; this again shows the true desire of a woman.

I will close with four scriptures and these scriptures are for men to embrace and women to understand and they are; Proverbs 12:4 A virtuous and worthy wife [earnest and strong in character] is a crowning joy to her husband, Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a [true] wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord, Proverbs 19:14 House and riches are the inheritance from fathers, but a wise, understanding, and prudent wife is from the Lord and finally Proverbs 31:10, A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman--who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls, Amplified Bible.
By: Pastor LaVaughn Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries©2009
http://www.Biblestudy101.ning.com

The Value of Education is Priceless

2009-10-08T13:18:00.000-07:00

Education should never be viewed as a punishment but more as a found priceless heirloom. Imagine a still developing young mind being guided on the premise that for every new thing they learn they will have the best and most valuable treasure chest around. The contents of this chest are endless, as each piece leads to even more valuable pieces. The possibilities are infinite.
There can be no discussion on education if the basis for it is not involved. Mankind has always wanted to know or learn and in doing so this develop a thirst for wisdom or the search for the unknown or the; who, what, when, where, why, and how of a things. This quest to answer questions gives birth to a love of wisdom, which just so happens to be the definition of philosophy. The term philosophy was used for the first time in 600 B.C. by the Greek thinker Pythagoras (Miller and Jensen 3). It is the love of wisdom that opens the door to the purpose of an education in a wide range of subjects from math to science to biology and mental processes. This love present in all of us but not for the same subjects or reasons is internally there. While some may want an education in science another may want one in automobile repair or lawn care. There is no one kind of education there may be debate on what’s a good education or a higher education but that would be a matter of the environment the student lives in and what is of importance for survival.
Humans are born with an amazing ability to learn, some faster and more precisely than others. This ability is different for every individual but for the most part all human minds learn in one of four learning styles which help them in processing and absorbing each new piece of data or information. This information ranges from how to chew food, brushing ones teeth, walking or not to run while holding scissors. This information was taught to us in some way and as each new piece of data does become a valuable part of an individual’s education or treasure chest. In order find and place an item in the treasure chest the individual’s unique learning style must be recognized, nourished and allowed to develop. The four styles that most fall under are: imaginative, dynamic, common sense, and analytic. Attached to each of these learning styles are questions such as; why do I need to know this? (imaginative), what can this become? (dynamic), how does this work? (common sense), and what do I need to know? (analytic), (LeFever 25). It is from these learning styles and questions that a subject should be taught so that it more acceptable to and reaches each individual learner. This goes back to the original love of wisdom born out of the questions who, what, when, where, why, and how of information.
There cannot be a complete discussion or debate about education if the role of cognition is not reviewed. The gift of cognition gives humans the ability to think logically and be aware of their mental process or thoughts and their needs. It is here that we find stand on the doorsteps of the psychological view applied to an education. If there is no learning there is no education no treasure which means a lack of individual needs being met. Humans have according to Abraham Maslow five essential needs that must be met along the life span. These needs are: psychological needs which are needs related to immediate physical survival, safety needs or a secure and somewhat predictable environment, love and belongingness or acceptance as part of a group, esteem needs or feeling good about who they are and lastly need for self-actualization or becoming all they are capable of becoming (Ormrod 458-459). These five basic needs cannot be met without some type of learning which develops into an education which allows for survival. If a student in the seventh grade does not see that learning math will allow for him or her to calculate the tax on a pair of Nike gym shoes, hand bag and jeans and ultimately the total amount due. What about the student who claims they are going to become a rock star well imagine not being able to read the terms of the contract or the percentage that goes to each party from their manager and promoter to them the performer. It goes back to helping a student understand that for every missing piece from the treasure chest that is an education the needs described above will not be completely met. An education is like money in the bank, which can be withdrawn to purchase what is needed for survival to include paying household bills like heat and water.
In my personal life I always felt that the education I had would be enough to insure that I would always be able to earn enough money to take care of my family and myself. I had all the training and skills of a car salesman but unfortunately in the state of Michigan the home of the auto industry this is no longer enough. I found myself going through my treasure chest or bank account of education and not having enough to fulfill and meet those five basic human needs. What’s great about having cognitive abilities is that I was able to call upon the most valuable piece in my treasure chest, the desire and ability to learn and obtain wisdom or new information. This is why I am a student at Liberty University seeking a degree in both psychology and religion.
In an essay by Jane Smiley she points out that good work is not work we assign children but the work they want to do (Muller and Wiener 275). This is true in all we do, if it does not seem fun, important, or inclusive then the normal behavior is to shy away or resent what we are ask to participate in. This goes back to a core characteristic of humans and that is everything must be of value to an individual and what’s of value to one may not register important to another but wisdom as a whole is as necessary as the air we breathe. In the Bible we are told; “For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, but the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it” (New King James Version, Eccles. 7.12).
In closing I offer this, learning is a never ending process that extends throughout the lifespan. It is over this lifespan that what we have learned will allow for us to realize our basic needs and a few of our wants. This can only be done with a treasure chest filled with the priceless pieces of information that are the rare heirlooms of our life.

By: Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries ©2009
http://www.Biblestudy101.ning.com

Curators For God

2009-09-25T05:27:00.000-07:00

Curators for God
In my mind I can remember my very first car, it was a two toned tan and four door Mercury Lynx. I was not given this car, I earned this car through hard work, maintaining good grades in school and staying out of trouble. My father told me the first day I saw what would be my car; “you need to put a new gasket set on it and change the oil and then show me if you can keep up the maintenance.” I was so excited and nervous all at the same time but I was sure that I was ready for this seemingly daunting responsibility. I treated that car like it might have been the most valuable item in this world. I washed it every weekend, vacuumed it at least twice a week and would not let anyone of my irresponsible bus token carrying friends eat in it or ride for free because gas was cheap not free back then. Yes I did all I could to care for that car as if no other car existed or was ever possible to be had by me. This made me think as Christians what we can do to care for God’s first responsibility to mankind the care of earth.
I am sure we can all remember something so auspicious as our first car, or perhaps just our first opportunity at real responsibility. Some of us handled it within the best of our abilities, many of us failed but still more of us were successful. These challenges are what life is about; overcoming what seems impossible and unknown for the chance at some degree of greatness.
In each of us we have those things that we feel more drawn to perhaps by instinct or just plain physiologically. Abram Maslow noted in his hierarchy of needs that “food, water, fresh air and shelter are shared basic needs of human organisms” (Myers 472). This seems simple enough after all we are on a planet which has what seems to be an endless supply of food {fruits, vegetables, grain, wheat, and various meat choices}, water all over the planet estimated to make up some 70 percent of the earth’s surface, good ole oxygen and the raw materials to make humble and secure homes. It is therefore astonishing to me that the world we live on and in suffers at the hands of those who need its resources the most. We seem to care more for the material things that we create that do not yield anything necessary for our survival. For example, curators (sometimes referred to as archivists in libraries) assemble, display, understand, preserve, and care for objects of historical and aesthetic importance primarily in museums, libraries, and private collections. According to Princeton Review.com, “curators are responsible for the safety and proper presentation of the works. A connection to the motion and beauty of history as expressed through objects is something that a curator experiences daily. Satisfaction and responsibility are usually high in this profession at all levels, with the exception of those curators who find that they are unable to spend enough time with the art they love because of their obligations to do publicity, fund-raising, and grant writing” (http://www.princetonreview.com/careers). If we look at all the attention to detail and love that an individual must show and have for this position it makes one think, about being a curator to God for the planet we all call home.
Do we show the same responsibility that we displayed for our first car, bike, game system and music player for what is essentially our first and only home, earth? Are we because of our want to become great become irresponsible in being great curators of this planet? According to Melissa McNamara, “carbon monoxide an odorless, colorless gas and is formed when the carbon in fuels does not completely burn. Automobile exhaust contributes roughly 60 percent of all carbon monoxide emissions nationwide, and up to 95 percent in cities.” This gives rise to air pollution which is a problem according to the Environmental Protection Agency because the average adult breathes over 3,000 gallons of air every day. Children breathe even more air per pound of body weight and are more susceptible to air pollution. This threatens the health of all human beings and other living things on our planet. These seemingly invisible pollutants in the air create smog and acid rain causes cancer or other serious health effects, diminish the protective ozone layer in the upper atmosphere, and contribute to the potential for world climate change (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories). This would make us part of the problem in our own home because cars, factories, and manmade technologies were not here originally. These inventions or modern machines were to make our lives easier.
If we once again revisit the career of a curator and ask the most important question, would a great curator to make his or her job easier bring in machines that have the potentiality to cause long term effects on those priceless artifacts that they esteem so highly? Would a curator bring in or dumped harmful items within the sacred walls that hold the most rare and valued treasures? This is done we when discard or trash irresponsibly, for instance illegal dumping is a serious problem in Montgomery County. Each year, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) investigates more than 450 incidents of illegal dumping and spends more than $100,000 for clean-up and enforcement. As the Montgomery County website explains, “farmers suffer because fields and crops are destroyed, fences are cut, livestock is disturbed, and trash is dumped and must be removed. Entire neighborhoods suffer because of illegal dumping. Not only is trash unsightly, but it harbors rats and other vermin, and can lead to a decline in property values and a loss of community self-respect. And trash is a magnet for trash – once dumping begins, it attracts additional trash, and more” (http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/deptmpl ).
In closing I would just like to say that while this planet is not a man’s planet, a woman’s planet, a Jewish planet, Arabic, Asian, or Christian planet, it is a living planet and a planet of the living. The organisms that call it home all have a purpose for existing but none more specifically spelled out and revealed than that of mankind. In the book of Genesis God explains; “Be fruitful, and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (New King James Version, Gen.1.28). God is saying be my great curators of life and of each other, so to answer the question what can a Christian do to preserve and restore the environment; by being curators not just of God’s Word and Will but all of His Works as well.
By Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries ©2009
http://www.Biblestudy101.ning.com

A Brief Discussion of the Name Jesus and the Prophecy of Yeshuah

2009-08-28T16:25:00.000-07:00

Etymology, the history of a linguistic form (as a word) shown by tracing its development since its earliest recorded occurrence in the language where it is found, by tracing its transmission from one language to another, by analyzing it into its component parts, by identifying its cognates in other languages, or by tracing it and its cognates to a common ancestral form in an ancestral language http://www.merriam-webster.com/

In Hebrew horse is –sus
In Greek horse is –hippos
In Latin horse is – equus

In Hebrew pig/swine/sow/boar is –chazir
In Greek pig/hog is –xoipos choiros
In Latin pig is –sus suis

In Hebrew earth is – adamah, ara, erets, arqa, cheres, yabbesheth, aphar,
In the Greek earth is –yn, ge, oikounene, epigeios, ostrakinos, katachthonios
In the Latin earth is –terra, humus

In the Hebrew hail is –barad this is not praise or lifting up but actual hail from the sky
In the Greek hail is –xaipw chariot, this is to rejoice
In the Latin there is no word for hail but rather raise is –erigo, tollo sustuli, tollo sustuli sublatum, summitto se, libero, suscipio, everto, this is to raise up rejoice
In the Hebrew raise is –salal this is to exalt or praise

In Hebrew saviour is – yasha, it means to save
In the Greek saviour is –soter, it means preserver
In Latin save is –servo, salvifco, / safety is –salus

In Hebrew the is –illen
In the Greek the is –tauta or tauten
Latin has no translation for this word

In the Hebrew God is –El, Elohim, Eloah, Yahweh
In the Greek God is –theos
In the Latin God is –deus

In the Hebrew anointed is –Messiah
In the Greek anointed is –Christ
In the Latin anointed is –Inunguere

Your name is not your position or purpose.
His name is Jesus, He is the Messiah, Christ, Inungure, Anointed of Yahweh, Theos, Deus, God, His purpose is to be Yasha, Soter, Servo, Saviour, Save mankind because He is the fulfilled prophecy of promise of God’s Yeshuah, Salvation.
Jesus is the Christ, this makes Him the Yasha, and this makes Him Yeshuah.
This is the truth of the name and person Jesus, not some lie that His name is zeus, earth pig, or hesus.

God Bless
Pastor LaVaughn Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries ©2009-08-28

http://www.Biblestudy101.ning.com

Love and Relationship is there a difference?

2009-08-19T13:04:00.000-07:00

Consider this, people always ask; “do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?”

It should be known that having a personal relationship with Christ is not the same as being, “In Love with Christ”

For example: you can hang out with someone, break bread with someone, walk with someone, play pool, fish and not love them and yet you still have a personal relationship with them.

If we look at the word Philia we would come to understand a little better, Philia means a personal nonsexual friendship between two people which can never be rushed. It does not require for a person to do anything for the other person but accept them, be with them and enjoy them, this equates to a friendship/ relationship. (Feist& Feist 2009)

Many relationships only reach Philia and are completely based on this and never reach a more fulfilling reality. There are many men and women who date and marry each and build a relationship just on their mutual Philia for each other. This is part of the reason so many couples break up and because Philia is not enough to make someone stay with you and never deny you.

In the book of John Jesus has a conversation with Peter that I think we should look at; So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love [agape] Me more than these?” he {Simon} said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love {philo/Philia} you.” He said to him feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love [agape] Me?” he {Simon} said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love {philo/Philia} you.” He said to him, “tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love {philo/Philia} Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love {philo/ Philia} Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord you know all things; You know I love {philo/Philia} You.” John 21:15-17 John MacArthur Study Bible NKJV.

We hear Jesus asking Simon Peter if he loves {agape} Him, not just accepts Him and knows Him which we know is only a personal relationship. Jesus knew that Peter had yet to graduate from Philia, as Peter had denied Christ three times before His trial and crucifixion, rf. Matthew 26:69-75. Peter who walked with Christ and broke bread with Him denied Christ and as I stated earlier Love would never do this. If we think a little harder Judas also had a personal relationship with Christ and yet he betrayed Him, why lack of agape {love}. Going from Philia to Agape takes time but once realized it is unmovable, and undeniable.

The word Agape means esteem for the other, the concern for other’s welfare beyond any gain that one can get out of it, it’s unconditional, and this is the love that God has for mankind. (Feist et al)

Imagine if God only had a personal relationship with us {Philia} instead of Agape. He could break His bond and commitment to us just as many of us do every day in our marriages/ relationships. I combine these two because most marriages are no more than a relationship built on deep Philia with an absence of Agape; hence the high divorce and relationship break up rates.

Far too many build their lives on Philia, Eros and sex instead of Agape. The first three have everything to do with what is seen and felt physically the last is strictly held in the spirit and this is where God lives. All roads of your life should lead to Agape.

Too many will have the physical connection of sex and think that this is love and confuse it with Eros. Eros is built on care and tenderness it longs to establish an enduring union with the other person so that both experience delight and passion and are broadened and deepened by the experience. Eros seeks the realization of sex. (Feist et al)

We should never have sex with someone if it’s not for the fulfillment of Eros, built on a solid ground of Philia and manifested in the Agape of God. Far too many have sex, friendship and think this relationship is the true love of the Spirit of God, which should be seen in each other.

In a relationship people will deny, hurt, disbelieve, humiliate, shutout, be scornful, deflating, confrontational, argumentative and constantly blame and accuse. People will do this because it’s so easy to find another relationship or what they perceive as love yet they end up with the same results over and over again.
People in love {Agape} will follow the image from which we are all made and that’s the image of God rf Genesis 1:26. Then we know that God is love {Agape} and that all roads must lead to God. A relationship is all about what a person can do for you or give you or bring to the table, this again goes back to the physical and materialistic desires we all have. What happens is we allow ourselves to be fooled into thinking that we have love {Agape} by the things held in the relationship, but when the relationship does not seem to have any benefits anymore it ends, which we have to ask how can something that is built in Agape or the trueness of God end? It can’t.

Let’s look at what the scripture says about love: Love {Agape or God} suffers long and is kind; Love {Agape or God} does not envy; Love {Agape or God} does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love {Agape or God} never fails 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. John MacArthur Study Bible NKJV. Love- Agape-God lives in each of us and we can go around from relationship to relationship but until each person is living for Agape-Love-God there will always be break ups and divorces. People say they don’t want the marriage or the relationship they will give all kind of reasons but the same reasons they give to end the relationship is mute to those in God-Agape-Love. Once you are in God with somebody you do not have any of the horrors of a relationship or marriage that can end, understanding that many people are legally married but void of God and therefore absent of true love or spiritual togetherness.

I close with this just as God understands and knows that we will make mistakes and say or do some downright stupid things, He continues to Love us and in that Love He is able to show how we are to treat those whom we truly Love. This is why people in Love may have a disagreement or a misunderstanding but through the Love they have for each other that comes from God they know how to come together and let that Love/ Agape/ God mend all hearts/ spirits.

There is a difference, it is better to be in love than in a relationship.

God Bless
By: Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries©2009

No, God did not Ordain Slavery

2009-07-28T21:59:00.000-07:00

No God did not ordain Slavery; Please know the truth

Exodus 21:26-27; ‘if a man strikes the eye of his male or female servant, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for the sake of his eye. And if he knocks out the tooth of his male or female servant, he shall let him go free for the sake of his tooth.’ John MacArthur Study Bible [New King James Version]

Yet the slaves in America were beaten with whips, hammers, thick tree branches etc., they were hung, mutilated {eyes were gouged out, feet/hands were chopped off and tongues were cut off.

How can anyone compare a person who was a servant as explained in the Bible to early American slavery? If a person is going to claim that the brutality that was exacted on slaves not servants in early America we should see this doctrine in the commandments, yet we do not.

Leviticus 25:10; ‘And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family.’ John MacArthur Study Bible [New King James Version]

All bound by a contract bondmen and bondmaid, and indentured servants were to be released from their contract/ obligations during this time.

How can anyone say that the injustice and malicious treatment in early America of Africans is remotely similar to what is explained in the Bible? There was no freedom or release in America and there sure was not a Jubilee or even a contract that would have an end of service.

Deuteronomy 23:25-16; ‘You shall not give back to his master the slave who has escaped from his master to you. He may dwell with you in your midst, in the place which he chooses within one of your gates, where it seems best to him; you shall not oppress him.’ John MacArthur Study Bible [New King James Version]

Hmmm, this is very interesting, why if a slave escaped would they run to another slave master would they not stay away from everyone? It sounds like if you were being treated harshly you ran to the children of Israel since they were not slave masters, as they would not abuse you or return you to slavery but give you a place to live that you choose and allow you to be a servant until the time of Jubilee.
How can anyone conceive that what occurred in early America is even in the same context of what is being discussed in the Bible? We all know that if a slave in early America escaped he/she if caught would be returned and beaten and they certainly would not ever be allowed to choose the patch of land or room to sleep in that they find to their liking. And oppression was the main focus of the slave doctrine in early America.

The Bible says:
"Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow..." Isaiah 1:17 John MacArthur Study Bible [New King James Version]

Does this not describe every African who was on those slave ships and their descendants?

How could anyone who has read the Bible ever think that God said to oppress any group black, white, Jew or Gentile with instructions like the above scripture revealed to us through the Bible? Compare what was done in early America to what the scriptures say and no way can a person say that the evil enslavement of Africans in early America was as a result of what was written in the Bible.

Consider this as I live in the City of Detroit there exists the underground railroad tunnels that were used by the slaves these tunnels are under historic Christian churches and what was once the homes of Christians who stood up for these oppressed people. It was the Christians and Jews who fought side by side to get civil rights for the descendents of the enslaved Africans. Keep in mind the Jews have been oppressed and discriminated against by people who claimed to be Christians but did not follow what was the Word of God. Do you ever here the Jewish people blame God for the iniquities of man who falsely insert the name of God as the justification for these injustices.

My point is man’s interpretation of what is written does not constitute the truth, we have to apply what is written as it is written for the purpose and intention it was written, hence Biblical application not interpretation.
I will say again that No, God did not ordain slavery. Just check His doctrines.

God Bless

Pastor LaVaughn Carter

Patient Perseverance Ministries ©2009

The MacArthur Study Bible. New King James Version. MacArthur, J. Thomas Nelson Inc. Nashville,Tennessee: 1997

The Media and it's Role

2009-07-17T12:57:00.000-07:00

All Should Follow God

The media’s role in society is to inform the public about events that are happening or unfolding within the communities locally and around the world. This is a very important role to fill and should not be undertaken irresponsibly. The media should also remember that everyone should follow God in everything we do. The media which includes, newspapers, magazines, radio, television and internet outlets are all competing for the ears and eyes of the people. This is what the media originally started out to be, the eyes and ears of people who were not there when something happened. If a fire happened in the town of Allendale the folks five hundred miles away in Alvindale should be informed just in case they had friends or a property that could have been involved in the fire. These two towns of citizens would want to know the answers to six important questions: who, what, when, where, why and how. For example; who started the fire? Who was hurt? What was damaged? These are all possible questions that a newspaper could provide to readers in a distance town.

The media as a whole can be a great resource of information, if it is kept to its core purpose, provider of pure information. The dilemma that arises is what will be the information that a given media source will provide. Most argue that the media is biased, others say that its pure entertainment, I feel that it has become strictly business, no different than any other for profit company. The goal for media outlets is to make a profit; this cannot be achieved by newspaper sales alone or from viewers tuning in; after all studio workers must be paid. The ability to reach millions through print, radio, television, internet and movie theaters is the juggernaut that is advertising in media. Advertising dollars allow for media sources to compete and possibly dominate the market share. The competition that exists between rival media outlets is what causes for some biasness, shock value for entertainment, and information just to keep it balanced. However; the facts seem to get lost in all the hoopla and desire for ad dollars.

What should the public do? Are we helpless victims to the giant that is the media? We can always refuse to buy the papers, magazines but then we won’t know if our favorite actor is cheating on his wife. If we turn off the radio we might not hear the opinion of talk show host who likes or dislikes a certain political party and we won’t be able to cheer or jeer. Are we the public the fuel that feeds the media fire? Think about the amount of time and users of social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube, and Blackplanet. Just as we log into our social sites we tune in to our favorite television show so that we can be a part of what is happening. This desire does contribute to the media’s ability to obtain money from advertisers, advertisers who want to reach the public in large volumes at one time. The viewers, listeners, and readers of the main stream media are a diverse group and each person within a group has their own views. It should be noted that not every media source is suited for each person or group’s views. The easy solution would be to not take part in that particular brand of media information; yeah right, the thought of missing the chance of yelling directly at the television while watching CNN, Fox News Channel or MSNBC. What must be considered by all is; “do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools” (New King James Version, Eccles. 7.9).

With so much information to digest a person could become overwhelmed and not know who or what to trust. It has become so easy with the emergence of the internet and political blogs for information to be leaked, picked up and spread all over without a single source every being checked for the validity of the information being shared. It is then the responsibility of the public to do their own due diligence about what they are viewing, reading or listening to. Just because the information being shared is being reported by an anchor on a large media source does not make that story truthful or correct. If that anchor declares that the country does not like dogs, just as Fido barks, the viewer would be quit foolish not to question this assessment of a fact that is not entirely true. This could also work in the reverse with a newspaper article proclaiming that all Americans hate cats just as Whiskers nestles next to that papers reader for a gentle hug. Without doing any research for truthfulness or accuracy a person can be mislead or misinformed. Without taking the responsibility to see what the truth of any story from any source is leaving the door open for half truths to walk in. The Bible tells us; “For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” Eccles. 12.14.

Without trying, irresponsible media sharing can cause tempers to flare and for disagreements leading to a division in a household, community or political party. This is especially a risk in young impressionable minds that are seeking approval and the chance to fit it with peers. Do not forget that media sources are not just the accepted main stream ones there are some that have an agenda of hate and mistrust in anyone or thing that goes against that agenda. The media would be best served if they would reflect on the following; “Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow” Isa.1.17. If these basic Biblical ideas were followed, then those irresponsible media stories will be blinded by the true light of the Word of God.

In all that anyone does they should remember to put God first and do for His Glory. No amount of money or fame is worth defiling one’s spirit. Dr. Martin Luther King jr. makes this point simply but brilliantly when he said, “It’s better to have a scarred body than a scarred spirit” Dr. King to me was echoing what was declared by Christ in the Beatitudes; “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” Matt. 5.10. These words are powerful when we apply them to every person rather in the media or novice blogger to keep the basic thing that makes us who we are; the spirit of God.

In closing the media is a part of everyday life and the public does need the communications that these outlets provide. This does not mean that the media should be excluded from being held to the Word, Will and Way of God and neither should those who support the information contrary to Biblical teachings.

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
Patient Perseverance Ministries©2009

Physical Marriage or Spirtual Covenant

2009-07-10T10:42:00.000-07:00

With regards to marriage lets look at it in this way:

Marriage is a covenant not a contract, the problem is we think of it as a contract that can be broken and that one party does not have to hold up their part if the other party is not perfect or acting the way they should. What if we had a contract instead of a covenant with God where would we be? Divorced from salvation and in hell instead of our home of marriage in Heaven.

Marriage is under God when a man and woman decide they want to live in all the aspects of what marriage is through God this means being a Godly husband/man and Godly wife/woman
Genesis 2:24 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh'
again under the eyes of God so marriage first begins with God
and His Blessings through a man and woman saying to Him they are one.

Marriage is a ceremony for the families to come together to become an extended loving family by this covenant of God's marriage to this man and woman through a wedding and blessing by the priest and this family.

Marriage has become a legal formality in that you don't need the above things you just need a license, certificate, blood test, two witnesses, and someone who by man's law can perform a ceremony.

Marriage has become that's my boo, my shorty, my man, my girl and not one of the above mentioned aspects exist. Just a physical connection but no spiritual togetherness in God, each other or family. Living together is the part of marriage that everyone wants to do, only to see it fall apart because the important and yes hard parts of marriage do not exist.

God Bless
Pastor Lavaughn Carter

A Conversation with an atheist

2009-06-24T01:03:00.000-07:00

A conversation with an atheist

You said:

And as far as science and the development of life being in the bible...That's a total crock of Bullshytttte and You know it.

Pastor Carter responded:

Is not medicine considered science then why does the Bible mention physicians in 10 texts and the discipline of philosophy? Sure the Bible never says biology, or physics but it had to be around just was not a big discussion made of it. This was not the purpose of the Bible to deny or affirm science.

You said:
Women from the rib of a man...BULLLLshytteee

Pastor Carter responded

Divine power something that man cannot possess or completely understands. I just know that there is something that is greater than the finite person that is me and all of mankind.

You said:
An actual talking snake in the garden of eden....Bulllshyttte

Pastor Carter responded:

An animal can talk have you ever heard of Alex the African Grey parrot that appeared on good morning America- http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Books/story?id=6115068&page=1 or perhaps Odie the talking pug who appeared on David Letterman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEtvcsqGipo

This proves that anything is possible

You said:
A virgin birth.....Total crap!!!!!!!! Genetically impossible with humans.

Pastor Carter responded:

Divine power something that man can never possess or completely understands.

You said:

Noah's arc...2 of every life form???....Bullshyttte!!! Then he must have brought ebola, HIV, and swine flu onboard with him since viruses are life forms too.

Pastor Carter responded:

The Orgin of viruses come from filthy, nasty, unsanitary conditions and not washing and keeping one’s body clean. Plus the Bible does speak about sickness and dieses some of which killed people.
You said:

Dinosaurs that could eat people...Never mentioned in the history of earth in your bible but definitely found by scientists...Guess God is just fvkin' with us huh?

Pastor Carter said:

The earth is still being explored and just about every day a new species is discovered or rediscovered after being thought extinct. We do not know everything and no one claims this and The Bible is not a book to tell everything, any theologian will tell you that the Bible is a revealing of things that we could not have known about God and His relationship to man. The Bible does not mention gorillas so I guess Christians should deny that they exist, just because it’s not in the Bible?

You said:

All what you just claimed about science being in the bible is total bunk. That's why the Roman church drug Galileo to heresy court in 1633. Your supposed scripture had been long written by then and the interpreters claimed the earth to be flat via the bible. Galileo used math and physics to prove it to be round and them sumbytchin' religious freaks almost snuffed out one of the greatest minds in mankind.....All over religious bulllshytttte that people like you say is noted in the bible as science.

Pastor Carter said:

Did the Bible ever say in text or scripture that the earth was round or flat? No, once again man with his own agenda proclaims these things. This is not a topic in the Bible. I only know what the Bible says not what someone interprets to make it fit their purpose.

You said:
Lack of common sense and reasoning skills to me,

Pastor Carter said:

So all Christians lack common sense and the ability to reason well, our President is a Christian do you feel this way about Him, many of our troops are Christians do you feel that way about them, many of our fire fighters and police officers are Christians do you feel that way about them, or the doctors who perform historic and ground breaking surgeries those like Dr. Ben Carson, and what about the advancement and discoveries made from a peanut by George Washington Carver also a devoted Christian.

Pastor LaVaughn Carter

http://www.patientperseveranceministries.com

These are Words to Live By !!!!!!!!!

2009-06-18T21:16:00.000-07:00

"Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow..." Isaiah 1:17 (NKJV)

The MacArthur Study Bible. New King James Version. MacArthur, J. Thomas Nelson Inc. Nashville,Tennessee: 1997

If these words were said to you and not attached to a post by a Christian Pastor would you say these are words that all people should live by?

If these words were read by you on a piece of paper and not from the Holy Bible would you agree with the meaning in them?

Would you not tell your children or a young person who is headed in the wrong direction with the wrong crowd words of advice like these?

99 % of the Bible is about applying common sense to our daily situations the other 1% shows and tells about people who did not follow words of wisdom like this. +/- but I am sure you all get my point.

There is an old saying; 'those who do not learn from history are doomed/ destined to repeat it"

Pastor LaVaughn R. Carter
http://www.patientperseveranceministries.com

God Bless

Lebron James and the no hand shake

2009-06-02T00:42:00.000-07:00

Oh ok so Lebron did not shake hands on the court in front of the cameras. No he needed to gather himself and calm his nerves from such a grueling and hard faught battle I mean after all he is no more than a person, flawed and imperfect. In this day and age of email and 3am texting, if he sent a congrats to the captain of the magic and a stern promise to see them next year then I ask what is the problem. We make such a big deal about him not shaking hands but not about the way he scolded his mother a few years ago on camera and was seen saying with his lips, moma sit your $#$^ down. Nor do we have a problem with the speeding incident that could have killed him or someone else. No we focus on the hand shake and then say he has no class. Tell me this by what stick are we using to measure what is proper moral character or should we remember that he like all humans are imperfect and prone to make mistakes?

just a thought

Pastor Lavaughn Carter

God Bless