Did you go to church yesterday? I did. I really enjoyed myself. Living in Columbus, GA, home of one of the largest military post, fosters such an eclectic group of people that attend the church I go to. Yesterday, for the first time I heard the youth pastor preach. He is Mexican. He was fabulous. He wasn’t the best speaker I have ever heard. He wasn’t the most charismatic I have witnessed. He wasn’t the most gifted I have observed. But what he did better than anyone I have seen in a long is, get his message across without leaving any bases uncovered or any grey areas left to question.

He used a prop. He used a flashlight. He kept saying, this is a simple illustration and it was. A flashlight. He showed us how a flashlight was a flashlight but could not do what it was created to do without having batteries in it. He told us we were created by God but could not do what we were specifically designed to do by God with having Him in us. He stopped to put batteries in. You know the metal coiled spring inside? It gave him a little problem. He had a little fight with it. He got the top half way on and the flashlight didn’t work. Then he got the batteries in it and it still didn’t work. Why? There were two possible reasons: #1. He could have been using the wrong batteries (power source) or #2. He didn’t have them in the right way!

He knew eventually the flashlight would work. He knew eventually the flashlight would do what it was designed to do. He knew eventually the flashlight would have POWER! And it did! But not until he put in the right batteries and not until he put them in the right way! That is what we have to do! We have to put the right thing into our souls and spirit in order to have the power we were each customized to have! There is a plan and method to what God instructs us to do and empowers us to do! Once we follow that plan and have sought the power only He can bestow upon us, we will work!

Just like the flashlight, there are many things in our lives and in our core spirit that work against getting that power instilled within us. We might have family, friends, jobs, co-workers, husbands, wives, children, addictions, preoccupations, etc. that are like that spring in the flashlight! Things that won’t allow easy insertion of the device needed to make the flashlight function properly. Identically we have things that fight and hinder a quick and easy infilling of the holy-spirit into our vessel. The outside part of the flashlight we hold in our hand and see with our eyes is only a pretty case. Nothing on the outside is capable of enabling power. Nothing we do to that flashlight on the outside can make it work and bring light into darkness without the necessary power within! With us, no matter how good we think we are and how well we look or are put together on the outside, until we have the proper mechanism (Jesus) on the inside, we have no power! We have no power! We have no power!

The flashlight is one of the most powerful things you can have in the house when the electricity goes out and everything around you is pitch black. But what happens if you don’t periodically check the power/batteries? What happens if you don’t occasionally change the power/batteries? What happens if you don’t continually use the power/batteries? Acid/ugliness builds up! The light/witness goes dim! And eventually the flashlight no longer works/you are backslidden!

Once you get your flashlight to work/once we have the power within, just like the flashlight, we have got to renew, refresh, maintain and give due diligence to our power within, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

I don’t know about you, but I enjoyed myself at church yesterday, did you?

Holla back!

So here’s the thing… why is it that we as people who say we love the Lord and are Christians, actually disbelieve God so much? That was a generalization and blanket statement, I know. Let me break it down.

Yes, most believe a Christian person should be a good person. Most believe if you don’t: rob a bank, murder somebody, steal from your job, drink alcohol (oops…), cuss people out (oops), do drugs (a baby oops), cheat on your taxes and a variety of the more obvious sins/wrongdoings, we are good! However…

My girlfriend and I hold the same conversation periodically. We talk about how we ignore and live against the parts of the bible we don’t like. We exclude God’s word from our lives if it goes against the prick. An example is: she had a coworker who had children but always put her husband before her children. My girlfriend couldn’t fathom that because her way is to put her children first. Since this thought just came to me and I began typing and am not with my study bible, I can’t tell you where, but I am pretty sure there is scripture to back her friend. But how many of us women would publicly admit, our babies are number one and everybody else comes after that? (except Jesus!!!) (I said that in a preacher’s voice. The one he uses when he has gone to the mountaintop portion of his sermon/message )

Example #2: The bible tells us how to handle a situation if someone has offended us.  Matthew 18:15-18 – “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church”. Have you ever seen this plan followed by an offended Christian? I haven’t.  Instead we swivel our necks and talk big time trash to this person and that person, (third parties who ain’t got nothing to do with it!) compounding the issue, and obscuring what could just be a misunderstanding, that is now blown out of proportion. All because we didn’t follow the plan and our character is not the character God outlined.

These might not be good examples but my point is; what in the world are we doing when we do that? Although I might not want to put my husband first because I think my kids will feel neglected or if I don’t want to go to my brother with my ought because I am scare of his reaction; neither displays full belief in God. If we fully believe, regardless of how the situation appears, we can’t ever go wrong, even in apprehension, doing what God wants us to do.

EVERYTHING that God has promised is within our reach and capable of being an integral part of our life. But we have to believe Him enough to follow all of His words and not just the cozy “feel good” ones. The bible says you reap what you sow. We love to place that on obvious indiscretions and outward offenses and clearly visible disobedience to God’s word. How often do we see people who we deem good, upright and a “living the word” Christian, struggling through life? Have you ever asked yourself, Lord if they are going through that and they – come to church, pay their tithes, teach Sunday School, have no tattoos (lol), don’t drink, don’t cuss, sweet as a piece of pie – how will I ever survive as many mistakes as I make! But the question is; are they applying all of God’s word to their life or only the part that fits their personality and carnal character?

This is a hard question for me. I struggle with this. I know there are parts of God word that are easy to obey and there are parts of His word my integrity and dignity make me obey but then there are parts I am oblivious too because it doesn’t fit me. And just because it is not one of those more visible “going against God’s word” things, it is still going against His word. So… just like I rob a bank and face the consequences, not conforming to Him/His word completely will also bring about consequences and repercussions. He is good to be patient with us as we grow up and into Him but when we know to do better, we must do better. I am challenging myself to do better. I am challenging myself to live the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God! I know ignoring parts of God’s word and not working with the whole truth in all aspects of me, I will suffer consequences! What do you think?

Holla back!

Today I am reposting comments from Larry W. Robinson’s Facebook page. My Pastor, Bishop John Fonzer, shared this with me and encouraged me to share this with my kleverkathy readers. Honestly, it didn’t take much convincing as I, a PK and church goer all my life, have heard every single one of these statements, and have experienced each and every one of the thoughts and emotions regarding the hyped up, sparkling promises preachers make to their eager audiences that Larry W. Robinson speaks about. I’m sure this will spark controversy as we all come to revelation and faith different ways and at different times in our walk. Sometimes popcorn and pink shoelace dreams are all that gets us through the hard times and valleys, but when reality of God, His methods and fulfillment of His promises sinks in, maybe we will all jump on the Larry W. Robinson bandwagon and require more of ourselves and less of God! (don’t take that the wrong way. Read on and you’ll understand what I mean)

Has this Preacher been “Seducing the Flock”? By Larry W. Robinson
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 9:46am
Ok, is it just me or are we hearing the same old sermons with different titles. Recently, and reluctantly, I went to a revival and for 5 nights I felt as though I’d heard the same sermon, but with different speakers and titles. And like clockwork people danced and shouted at these same old phrases:

“Your breakthrough is coming”

“You are next in line”

“Deliverance is on the way”

“You are going to the next level”

“Your blessing is on the way”

“Your money is coming”

“Your miracle is on the way”

“God is about to bring you out”

“Your delay is not a denial”

“God is getting ready to turn it around”

“We are getting ready to take back everything the devil stole from us”

Now don’t get me wrong, I love good preaching just like the next person, but my question is WHEN!!!!!!!!!!!!! Exactly WHEN will God do all that? I have been to literally thousands of conferences, crusades, revivals and breakthrough services; and truthfully, I felt as if they were all the same.

Now is it me, or hasn’t God already DONE what He said He was going to do? Could it be that WE are holding back our own progress? Could it be that WE have been in the wilderness because of our own disobedience, poor planning, and not being a good manager of the gifts, talents and resources that God has given us?

Most recently I was invited to a breakthrough service, and I declined the invitation. When the person inviting me wanted to know why, I simply said, “I am ALREADY blessed! And if you really want to know the truth God has already blessed YOU! Now the question is what are YOU going to do with the blessing?”

But hey, these are just my thoughts. What do you think?

Striving to please an Audience of ONE,

Larry W. Robinson

PS. I am not saying that “every preacher” is doing this. I am just stating my experiences. And of course this is my face book page, so I thought I had the freedom to express myself. LOL. Thank you for your feed back. And remember you are ALREADY blessed, now walk it out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What do you think about this?  We’d LOVE to hear how you react to being told over and over your blessings are around the corner and no matter which way you go, life continues status quo.  You ask yourself, was I on the wrong street to begin with or are MY blessing avoiding me for a reason?  Holla Back!

This is our first “series” week. Let’s start out with something close to home, Family. This is Family week. Let’s talk.

The first thing that comes to my mind when I say family is my mother. As many of you know, she is gone. 10 years, 7 months and 22 days. (sigh) It still hurts and I can still give you detail by detail and blow by blow of the events surrounding her passing and how everything unfolded. Well… as I sit here and think, I guess some of it has faded away but it is still pretty fresh in my mind. Just the other day I told my girlfriend, if my mother was here, blah blah blah. I can concretely say, you never stop wanting or needing your mom!

Are you like me, when you think of family is your mother usually the first thing that comes to your mind? Don’t get me wrong, I take nothing away from fathers, or brother, or sisters, or kids or Aunts and Uncles. We all have our place within the structure, but for some reason (actually I know it is God’s plan) the mother/matriarch is the one who, at least emotionally, bring the family together and hold them together.

As we start this week long discussion about family, let me say how sorry I am that the original “family unit” that God intended has taken on a whole new look! I am not saying that completely negatively, because good can still triumph in the abnormal or diverse family makeup. I just say it because in some cases, it is sad to see the consequences and repercussions that arise from veering from God’s plan within the family unit. To clarify, when I say the family unit that God intended, I am speaking about: a man and woman meeting, getting married, having children together, just the two of them (and not with anybody other than that one spouse) and staying married until one of them dies. Rarely, is life that simple anymore. We deal with baby mamma drama, combined families, stepmothers, stepfathers and step brothers and sisters. But at the end of the day, it is all still family!

But it all starts with mom. As mother’s day swiftly approaches, it is a time when I am always reflective on my mother and myself as a mother. I strive to do my best but don’t we all question if our best is good enough? You never know if what you are doing is: helping or hurting, teaching or creating resentments, overprotecting or underprotecting, being too hard or being too lenient, displaying a good role model or being an embarrassment, giving too much or giving too little. You just never know. All any of us can ever do is our best!

I don’t know about other mothers but I absolutely love/d being a mom; the good, bad and ugly! I remember sitting and picking at Kourtney for hours; just holding her when she was sleep or awake, staring at her, combing her hair relentlessly and matching rubber band and hair bows to her clothes. If she got dirty I changed her clothes. If the rubber bands and hair bows didn’t match the new outfit, I redid her hair! Wow. (Kourtney if you read this, I’m sorry about that!) And poor Kendall. I was so happy to have a little boy! He got treated like a girl although I prayed for an all masculine little fella. One thing I look back on and say, oh that was no big deal was my determination to have him represent when he went to church and not wear tennis shoes! He always had on dress shoes and only twice in those pre adult years did he wear tennis shoes to church. One time was when his dress shoes were too little and I hadn’t made it to Neff and Nusbaum/Esmonds by Sunday. The other time was when we went to visit my aunt in Columbus and forgot them. Yikes! But he didn’t die and he was no worse for the wear. If I had it to do over, I still prefer the dress shoes but guess what? I have taken my grandson to church in tennis shoes! He gets the break Kendall didn’t! lol.

Now about my mother, let me just say, she was all that! Martha Ann Sawyer had the “it factor” and made an impact wherever she went. Still today people that knew her tear up when they talk to me about her. That’s saying a lot 10 years, 7 months and 22 days later. Really and truly, I can’t find another woman in the world like her! Her style and class are undeniable by anyone that knew her. She was the epitome of a classic and classy “First Lady”. I’ve seen many try to emulate her graceful style, but no one comes close! Her First Lady status remains intact! She didn’t overdo it (as so many do) yet she wasn’t understated either. She donned the perfect church hat and the perfect church suit/dress. I’ve tried and I can’t even match her timeless elegance. She owned it and she was my mom. Hmmmm….let me move on.

Tell me about you mother and your own experiences as a mother. Fathers please jump in too! Your day comes very shortly after ours and we want to honor you and your contribution to the family as well. We couldn’t do it without you!

As we begin Family Week, holla back!

This is the first of our Christianity 101 series.

He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.  Psalm 101:7 (King James Version)

I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence.  Psalm 101:7 (New Living Translation)
 
… and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone…  Revelation 21:8 (King James Version)

Recently I was asked the question, what would make me tell a lie? I was a bit taken aback, I mean, being a Christian, is there any reasonable answer for that question other than: nothing? More than once I have been considered prudish because I view lying as detrimental to a Christian’s walk with God. I am not saying I am perfect nor am I saying I have never lied, but I do work very hard at telling the truth! Lying is still considered wrong, isn’t it?

The other day somebody told me that they fear God when it came to adultery and fornication but He understands lying! Kid you not!!! Why does lying come so easy to Christians? Let me ask you. Is it wrong to be at work and a caller to be told I am in a meeting just because I don’t want to talk? Is it wrong for a bill collector to be told I am not home because I don’t want to deal with them? Is it wrong for me to tell someone I haven’t seen in years that they look 10 years younger than they are; when in reality they look like the last rose of summer just to make them feel good? Does it not matter what the scripture/s (there are many) says about lying? Is it one of those things we see in the bible and ignore because certainly God could not have meant for us to tell the truth when lying comes so easy?

Here’s the thing, most of the time for me, when I have a personal relationship or daily contact with a person who lies, I get to the place where one of two things happen, #1. I can tell when they are lying and it makes me mad that they do it so often, FOR NO REASON or #2. I don’t know when to believe them because they do lie so often, therefore I have no trust in anything they say and that becomes a hard relationship to maintain. Once any relationship becomes contaminated with lies, for me, it is not really a relationship. And if they are a liar, I have found, no one is exempt from their dishonesty.

Apparently for many, heaven is not predicated on truth and honesty. A dear sweet woman I have known my entire life, that recently passed, would declare: if you’ll lie, you’ll steal and if you’ll steal, you’ll lie! Why are so many Christians liars and thieves!

One more thing, is deceit the same as a lie? I grew up witnessing, and in essence being taught, the art of deceiving. It was literally part of the course on “How To Be a Christian and Lie Without Actually Lying”. Is letting a person walk away believing something different than what is actually the truth deceit or a lie or both?

Can you tell I am troubled today? The magnitude of lying that goes on around me on a daily basis is monumental! What can I say? Isn’t telling the truth Christianity 101???

Holla back and tell me your TRUE feelings on this subject! Please don’t lie to me…

I went to church today!  The choir was good. They sang “My Name Is Victory”. Remember last Sunday’s spotlight on Jonathan Nelson? His song. And the preacher was excellent! He spoke about obedience and the difference between being obedient because we were taught to and know we should be, and growing to the place where we are willing to be obedient because we want to. I’m convinced that not only is he a preacher but a standup comedian as well! He was so funny and so down to earth! Have you witnessed the new thing today of people sowing a seed (giving money) into the life of the preacher while he is preaching (walking up to the front and laying it on the table or alter) if he says something that deeply ministers to you? Well today, was a first for me! On many occasions I have witnessed people doing this, been a sower myself and even experienced being a recipient of seeds that were sowed when I spoke, but today was different! I have never seen so many people go up and sow into the preacher as I did today! They were literally bumping into each other! And his message was on obedience! Can you believe it! That is usually a hard pill for Christians to swallow, obedience.  Today was a great testament that God can get any message – no matter how difficult – across to his people! Some how, some way, through somebody, the message will be delivered!

God is so good! So did you go to church today? Did you communicate with God today? Did you read His word today? Holla back and tell me what God has done for you, what scripture resonated with your spirit today and anything else to bless us and give us spirit fuel for the week!