tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24812981831195721772024-02-21T09:43:07.741-06:00 HMA News FeedRev. Todd Sloggett ~
P.O. Box 12 ~
Sapulpa, Ok. 74067 ~
(918)760-1048 ~
ToddSloggett@Holinessmissionstoamerica.comAWAKENEDNOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336455554116397918noreply@blogger.comBlogger190125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-66656319729486974272020-04-01T13:15:00.001-05:002020-04-01T13:15:37.302-05:00Corona Virus Response by Pastor Todd (Newspaper Article)<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivicQP0Ycow9kfcS-bKLpqo1HZilgCpxcMDmRv_JiZpLVMIiKRaR1eNZbA846Z3OVNQ2NLkzG1J012r-IP8lwuvn599cmXhA7o4VZyOdUZlFCO6RdDlRgxStfRWRlaX-9kgybr9ReUGIcE/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="157" data-original-width="321" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivicQP0Ycow9kfcS-bKLpqo1HZilgCpxcMDmRv_JiZpLVMIiKRaR1eNZbA846Z3OVNQ2NLkzG1J012r-IP8lwuvn599cmXhA7o4VZyOdUZlFCO6RdDlRgxStfRWRlaX-9kgybr9ReUGIcE/s320/images.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br /> COVID-19 Pandemic has, in some ways, caught the church and the nation off guard. BUT, in many ways, it has been responded to well. We here at HMA, of course, do not wish to see sickness, death or financial ruin of any kind, but I am very proud to be an American, a Christian and a ministry outreach leader at this moment in history. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The pandemic has “forced the issue” on so many levels. Yes, we are in the midst of the great toilet paper shortage of 2020 and people are improperly and wastefully using masks all over society but these things are based on fear and it is hard for me to fully condemn someone who acts out of fear because I too have been afraid. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So much more is happening though, above and beyond just the base fears and carnal instincts of men and women. The Church is being forced to remember what She was here for to begin with. Caring for the elderly, sick and at risk in our communities. Spreading the gospel message of hope, peace and strength through Christ and His perfect plan. The Bible is being quoted more, people are praying more and more people are caring than I have seen in a very long time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSY6jTcgVvYvrKiXGTxVR5ZAu8tDzyeXyVkspd_R7QWZmz3EiPsCmQyh7o3mzyqlTo5mY3ZshJM53cEiYPGL_ViI9pGCydT9SyptsvFX704rGcQn5He484l2gxstwCX5va1e9DqbjT19Y_/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSY6jTcgVvYvrKiXGTxVR5ZAu8tDzyeXyVkspd_R7QWZmz3EiPsCmQyh7o3mzyqlTo5mY3ZshJM53cEiYPGL_ViI9pGCydT9SyptsvFX704rGcQn5He484l2gxstwCX5va1e9DqbjT19Y_/s320/images.jpeg" width="320" /></a>Above and beyond all of that, great preaching and teaching is being recoded and archived on the internet for the global consumption of all future generations. Un-settled issues, such as, is an abortion going to be classified as a necessary and emergency procedure or not. Also, much political bickering has been put aside federally, locally and even in the church as much more important issues have risen to the forefront. Issues of health, life, welfare and strength of our financial structures. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I do have my concerns of just how far the “powers that be” are going to take things. If history repeats itself, and it usually does, they are going to take them as far as they can get away with. I am not much of one to be on the side of the federal government doing buyouts, stimulus or over generous welfare BUT in this exact situation I do see the need to not allow our economic system to implode. I realize that we need stimulus and a hand up through all of this. But we do not need Congress to use this as an opportunity to over-reach and create new and more powers for themselves. AND, I do not care for the fact that a new precedence has been set, for the sake of the health of the nation, that multiple government entities will now have used a “clause” that allows them to tell Churches, Mosques and Synagogues when and for how long they will be open or closed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWD9xUTfQ6uhGao9DoUZ1PtDiN7zSEelFaJeljWBYLY_rDN4kgZi2LiLtwn32F9Q9d65hJWZx50zeOSON0RVEWLlz7dqyqO4VTYO7Y5YHmH66sjxsV0LRVueDZac6z9RkHzW6_GMkTerx/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWD9xUTfQ6uhGao9DoUZ1PtDiN7zSEelFaJeljWBYLY_rDN4kgZi2LiLtwn32F9Q9d65hJWZx50zeOSON0RVEWLlz7dqyqO4VTYO7Y5YHmH66sjxsV0LRVueDZac6z9RkHzW6_GMkTerx/s320/images.jpeg" width="320" /></a>All in all, I see a lot of good coming from this in the short term and some fear for the long term. We will bounce back economically. America is very strong like that. Out system still works. We will defeat the virus. Our health care system is still the best in the world, period. But we cannot expect our politicians to step back after this is over. The pandemic will allow them to create new powers for themselves and they will not want to let them go. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Truth be told, how The Church, Christians and all good American people handle the normality of life coming back, will determine the total and final affects of COVID-19 on America. Will it just be a passing thing? We fed people and checked on folks and thought about how our actions affected others and watched our government…until everything got back to normal. Until we got our jobs back and our income came rolling back in and we were able to spend all day everyday selfishly worrying about all of our games and toys and hobbies again. Or are we going to use this frightening global health and economic crisis to “reset” some of our basic priorities. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8FXCr2pzcflB-IquuSD62D_-AkRbsbc5jpMZjUsw4T33y7Bsxn7bQz9suxRzDRNpXHdb9i1P1MICTnsK5yZk0MYCUga3SbO7vOcg24H6m2N8WnGroWxj8Qw3EokoGRqPXDTSxvXiDg9K/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8FXCr2pzcflB-IquuSD62D_-AkRbsbc5jpMZjUsw4T33y7Bsxn7bQz9suxRzDRNpXHdb9i1P1MICTnsK5yZk0MYCUga3SbO7vOcg24H6m2N8WnGroWxj8Qw3EokoGRqPXDTSxvXiDg9K/s320/images.jpeg" width="320" /></a>Then and only then will we know for sure what we are made of, what the final affects will be and what the future of this great nation will look like. God bless America, Oklahoma and Creek County. <o:p></o:p></div>
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-President and founder of HMA Ministries<o:p></o:p></div>
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Rev. D. Todd Sloggett<o:p></o:p></div>
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(To learn more about HMA Ministries, how to help, give and get involved in such local outreach ministries such as children’s feeding programs and drug addict placement groups, see HMAministires.com)</div>
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<o:p></o:p>Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-21181006639160995962020-04-01T13:05:00.001-05:002020-04-01T13:06:49.733-05:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 28pt;">COVID-19 PANDEMIC from Pastor Todd’s Current Perspective<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Several have asked where I am and what I am doing. What is HMA doing? Etc. Here are some answers to those questions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">When I very first started hearing about the Corona Virus outbreak being on anyone’s radar, my wife and I were planning a trip to California for our 30<sup>th</sup>wedding anniversary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Information was vague and distant. We flew from Tulsa and caught a connection in Dallas and on to Fresno. I preached that night in Fresno and we went on to spend our anniversary in the Monterey/Carmel costal area. Before flying back home we drove up the coast and attended a fellowship meeting Arbuckle, California. Then flew back out of Freson, reconnected in Dallas and came back to Tulsa. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">The first thing that I noticed upon landing in Tulsa were the trees blooming. Spring was obviously breaking while we were gone. From that time on I began to get sick. Allergies it felt like. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">We were only home for 3 days and then we drove through Arkansas to get to a camp meeting that I was preaching at in Louisiana. The few days that we were home and on the way to Louisiana, the news about the virus began to get more intense. I believe this is about the first time that I heard the term “social distancing”. While in Louisiana we could see and hear some of the first affects of the news of the virus on the culture. People were randomly talking about it, hand sanitizer was more prevalent, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">We left Louisiana late one night and drove through Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and into Ohio. This took a night and a day and I listened to the news the whole way there. It was very obvious now that this was going to be a major event. The stock market was wildly falling, circuit breakers were actually used on Wall Street for the first time in over 30 years. President Trump appointed Vice President Pence as the head of the Corona Virus Task Force and numbers of infected and eventually deaths began to roll in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Every day things intensified and have intensified up until this very moment. In a week and a half, we live in a completely different society. We spent 4 days in a Hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio and everything was touch and go. I preached in three churches that Sunday and we didn’t know until the last minute if each church was going to go ahead with service. That is the day that all Ohio restaurants were closed at 9pm and have never fully reopened since. Hotel services were shutting down, the hotel was running out of food. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Monday evening we went to State Representative Keller’s home “headquarters” to prepare to put out signs for the polling stations for the next day. I was getting very sick. Just as Junior Smith and I pulled up, the governor was “cancelling” the election. 12 hours before an official state election, one man decided to toss out millions of dollars and tens of thousands of votes and an unprecedented amount of effort, he said, because of the Corona Virus. (I don’t know but…It looked very political) By this time there were three candidates for public office that were at the house with their spouses along with Brother Junior, Sister Teresa and my wife, Niki. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Everyone was very distraught and upset, even angry. These people were about to win 3 very important races and the Governor was jerking the rug out from under them…Illegally. We gathered in the room and made a circle and held hands and prayed for God to open the right doors and close the wrong ones. Within 5 minutes a court had decided that the governor could not do what he was doing in the manner in which he was doing it. That meant that the election, now about 11 hours away was back on. Several of us loaded up and started putting our signs. Within a half hour or so, I was so sick, coughing, gaging, weak, I couldn’t continue. I was dropped off at my hotel while my wife and others tried to secure some medicine for me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">The next morning, the governor had finally taken “more legal and legitimate” steps and postponed the election. Everyone went there separate way and my wife helped me pack up and she began to drive me out of Ohio, through Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and back to Oklahoma. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">They were literally closing the country down all around us as we drove. Me wife got me home and by that time I was in horrible shape. At this time she was sick as well. We both, especially myself, take allergies and colds very harshly. No, we do not have COVID-19. But because I have asthma, a weak immune system, a tumor and was already sick, I have avoided almost all people for over a week now. Because of a bad cough and a very sore throat and the fact that I just don’t feel well, and the fact that I have been extremely busy (I will explain), and the fact that I have been seeking the Lord constantly for understanding…I haven’t answered very many calls, texts, emails or pm’s for several days. I think this has added to the questions about where I am and what I am doing. Just on March 20<sup>th, </sup>21<sup>st</sup> and 22<sup>nd</sup>, I missed hundreds of messages. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">At that point I had been praying, meditating and “seeking the face of the Lord” for several days and I asked God in a prayer to help me to at least have faith that He was hearing and answering my prayers in some way shape or form. Within the next several MINUTES, I received voicemails, texts and pm’s from 7 Pastors, 5 HMA ministry leaders, 2 old friends, several Bible school students from 2 different colleges, an old class mate and an old teacher from high school. All saying the same general thing. “The Lord has all of a sudden put you on my heart and impressed upon me to reach out to you and let you know that He is with you and is hearing your prayers.” At that point, I felt even more direction and peace than I previously had and I started working even harder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9TiNzs8LFbm6K8SSpBgKUMy2myBwWhPZF5MiBQNtaJeDqBBNrL8Z4vN1WShRtMfsg7gURAQeLk4jqi1nwOp360yjrI1oYp4wsjykINQCOIlJ7mnGKfnrxLplCmS8LLrpVErob0-KgLL3/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="299" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9TiNzs8LFbm6K8SSpBgKUMy2myBwWhPZF5MiBQNtaJeDqBBNrL8Z4vN1WShRtMfsg7gURAQeLk4jqi1nwOp360yjrI1oYp4wsjykINQCOIlJ7mnGKfnrxLplCmS8LLrpVErob0-KgLL3/s400/images.jpeg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9TiNzs8LFbm6K8SSpBgKUMy2myBwWhPZF5MiBQNtaJeDqBBNrL8Z4vN1WShRtMfsg7gURAQeLk4jqi1nwOp360yjrI1oYp4wsjykINQCOIlJ7mnGKfnrxLplCmS8LLrpVErob0-KgLL3/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Now, I am of course watching the stock market, the economy, trade through the borders, etc because I am a businessman that owns several companies and I need my income to do the things that we are doing.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Above and beyond that and more importantly than that, I am seeking God, praying for our people, our country and our ministries.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">I am also watching and learning much about “church” and American culture in general.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Some bad, some good.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Here are a few of them.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">When we got back to Oklahoma, we landed right in the middle of the great American toilet paper shortage of 2020. This of course let me know just how random, carnal and ignorant, the actions of the people were going to be through this pandemic and so far, they haven’t let me down. But it also started my wheels turning about missions, ministry and church. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">I had of course already heard many truck drivers, random people in stores and gas stations, Pastors and other church folks already putting their 2 cents worth in about the Corona virus. Trump did it, China did it, it’s a coordinated attack, it’s from Hilary to steal the election, the government will use it as a way to close down all the churches, we must buy guns and ammo, this is from the devil, this is the beginning of the end of time, the military is hoarding all of the anti-serum. Almost everybody that I generally “run with” falls somewhere in these general statements. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">But I began to consider something far different and the first couple of times that I expressed it, it was met with very harsh criticism….Should we automatically dismiss the fact that this could be the handy work of God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Approaching this from the way that I generally approach thought. It could be the devil, it could be man, it could be nature or in could be the direct action of Deity. Let’s see if there is very much substantiation for any of them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">The devil? Though it is causing the kind of confusion and pain that the devil likes to cause, in my opinion, he is the last one that I would put this on. The devil is very strong when directly attacking and tempting a person. Job, Jesus in the wilderness, Judas, me, you, etc. But where do we find him being capable of practicing a global attack? Personally, I do not like that theory. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Man, of course man is capable of doing this to ourselves and we basically have. The one thing about that though is the church should have the power…let me put it this way. The church was given the power and the authority to stop such things but doesn’t seem yet to be coming together against this. So there is something to the man theory here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Nature, now this one is one of the strongest cases. God created everything in the world, recorded in the first couple chapters of Genesis. He made rules. Laws. We call them laws of nature or natural laws. Laws that He put in place and He is the only one that can break them. The Law of gravity. Laws of the power created if you split an atom. Laws of, if the human body drinks lots of sugary drinks and eats lots of fatty food that it will get fat, weak and by certain other laws it can develop high blood pressure and heart problems. Laws that naturally state that certain chemical compounds like asbestos can cause lung cancer and mixing certain natural and harmless chemicals can cause something more harmful. These are laws of nature and it has always amazed me when humans basically ignore them and then claim Christian immunity or Biblical authority over them. For example: You don’t exercise, you don’t eat healthy and then you end up very overweight and then you end up with heart disease and then you call on the elders of the church to pray for a miracle. I’m quite certain that we are supposed to obey the laws of nature first and then exercise our Christian rights and Biblical authority over what is left. Because they are God’s laws. But that being said, could we as a race, have created such conditions that override natural law and done things in such a way that just the very laws of nature caused something like this to happen. Of course. That is precisely why so many of these global threat viruses such as sars, bird flu and corona virus originated in Wu Han. Because conditions in Wu Han province China attempt to defy the basic sanitary laws of nature. So there is that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Lastly, there is Deity. Now when I generally get to the topic of “Did God do it?” Many people want to quickly rule that out. God is love. God wants to help us not hurt us. Etc. Let me tell you what God wants. God wants you to miss hell and make heaven. He wants the blood of His son to not be wasted. That’s what God wants. If what you think about God doesn’t fit that, you may have gotten off somewhere. When thinking about if God did something I generally end up in the same place. #1 There is always a level of possibility so I can’t count it completely out and #2 I can’t come to a conclusion of certainty or prove anything substantial so I just kind of leave it on the bottom shelf. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">This time, once again, I can’t prove it, it isn’t absolute and definite and I will not conclude that it is so…but I will tell you this, there is a lot more substance to it than you might want to admit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Most of you know that, in some ways, I am here to say things that others won’t, so… As much as many won’t like this, let me just list a few things for you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">This current viral pandemic: Shut down multi-billion dollar Hollywood movie houses, stopped multi-billion dollar sports industries in their tracks. Greatly hurt these two industries that cause people to worship and idolize other humans. Shut down clubs and bars where much immorality stems from. Forced people to spend time at home with their families and loved ones. Put a huge damper on workaholics like myself. Put a lot of things into perspective. Crashed a false 11 year bull market. By forcing governments to close non-essential medical practices such as breast enlargements, liposuction, etc It created a legal battle over abortion clinics that we haven’t been able to win simply because we haven’t been willing to fight. Ultimately we won, at least part of that battle, in 1 week of this pandemic. And now that we are losing a few hundred very precious innocent lives a week to COVID-19, we are also saving tens of thousands of innocent lives a week by not murdering babies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9-M0XYJc8fXQkT9DdGgY8x07lOEXFiB6emyxWEU_eQyCTkKa9Vj3YMLTb7Vk7wZ0GmwZQ6iwPQuO8KM6nGipGO8PVIdcs810_NW_3woN0YyQcWhFlGCAr-t3dBFOqMvHps2ZCwFecQSO/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Churches that have been living in the dark ages by not broadcasting their gospel messages to the world at large are all of a sudden throwing up facebook pages and livestreaming for their members.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">This now a decade after 99% of all the other churches were already doing it. As a matter of fact, almost every preacher that I have ever heard preach against facebook…is now preaching on facebook.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Also, churches that have drug their feet for years and years over not having online giving, all of a sudden fixed 3, 4 or 5 years worth of internal church politics almost overnight and start having online giving and text to give, etc. because they have to have money.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Most of these things they could have been doing all along but they just weren’t important enough to them at the time.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">And I’m not saying that there wasn’t good reason some of the time.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">I just wish they would be a little more honest with themselves and transparent</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">about it with everyone else.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Almost as if corona virus is resetting priorities for the church, the family, politics and society in general.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Many preachers are taking their message outside and ministering in the parking lot or in the yard or broadcasting live without an audience.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">This I love.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">I have watched many of them.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">It stops them from being able to feed off of their people and allows me to see just how anointed they are and how much teaching they can do and if they really know what they are talking about instead of just getting people worked up.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Also, I dare you to do this.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Go find a church that has been broadcasting services for quite some time and listen to several sermons in a row then fast forward and listen to the last couple of sermons.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">You will notice that before the pandemic there was a lot more political speak and regional standards and stuff to slip in there.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Now all of sudden, not so much.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Now things are important, desperate.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Now the message matters and it is getting more solid and doctrinal.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Didn’t it matter before?</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Of course it did but we grew slack.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Times were too good.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Now all of sudden more people in the world are hearing a purer message.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Does anybody want to look me in the face and say…Rev. Sloggett, I just don’t see any way that God could have His hand in this?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Think about this also. As soon as the pandemic began to hit, churches that already had true new testament biblical outreach ministries were able to jump into action. They already had volunteers, the already had vehicles, the already had connections to food services, they already were in regular contact with the poor, the needy, the elderly, the troubled youth, the police, the shelters, etc. Churches that have talked about doing outreach for the last 10, 15, 20 years, found themselves trying to “put something together” and that is another good outcome. Now they will “have something together”. We will see if they will maintain and sustain it or if they will just let it fall back to the wayside and go back to worrying about appearance and numbers and who’s the boss. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">One of the first things that I heard in all of this was that if the government uses this to close down the churches, we are all doomed. I of course greatly disagree. If the government uses this to close down the churches, the only thing that is doomed is the comfortable local church structure and all that it entails. I doubt that anyone with any information what so ever would disagree with me that the most powerful church presence on planet earth today is the Illegal Chinese House churches in communist China. They have seen more converts, more miracles, produced more pure doctrine sustained more suffering for Christ than any other group alive….Oh, and they do not have churches, pastors, choirs, songbooks, instruments, pews, sound systems, bank accounts or political structures. Many of them do not even have whole Bibles at a time and yes…they are illegal. And by the way, wouldn’t it be ironic if the thing that forced the American Church back into the biblical pattern, came from that place in the world where the most powerful and prayerful part of the church is currently located…China. So, does not having regular services in a designated building constitute closing the church? Perhaps not having regular services in a designated building could constitute…re-opening THE CHURCH. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">I would like to also point out that some of the biggest problems that we all know that we have been having with our society is the lack of ability to get anything accomplished, specifically because of all of the political posturing from our “leadership”. And in all fairness, within the first several days of the most intense part of the pandemic so far, I witnessed some of the most partisan federal and state politicians as they began to stop posturing and seemingly do what they could to begin to get emergency things done. Even Trump, Schumer, Inhan Omar began to use far less mic time to push their agendas and just started attempted to push some things through. The first several times that I heard each of them speak, there was far less time for making political points and they were putting out sound information and being fair and realistic. Now to be fair, there were a few knuckle heads that couldn’t stop showing their true colors. These people need to be pointed out, shamed and voted out of office once and for all because they are dangerous animals. I saw such partisanship and political games that were literally playing with people’s lives out of New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Nancy Pelosi and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were some of the absolute most egregious offenders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Again, the church had this same reaction as well. Most church leaders that are even some of the top political problems on a regular basis, came together, made sense and got much better information out, using far less mic time to hammer their pet doctrines and political points. And, just like in the political realm, the were those church leaders that couldn’t help themselves but to use even these desperate times to garner power and pound their pet points. If you know of such, you would be foolish to not remove yourself from propping them up once and for good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7MnnESRWxsdt05Xi743dMl6fylPnNJt8XiCGdqBAoq5s9iPRWEC9D9jaZHA6Vh1k5-RQgkIOAoXcrCwRo8boQPU5CVImgiiz6eG-8WoqMAWFA5jy5750HO0kuZh-fGodBqWptZBcGw8T/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="139" data-original-width="363" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7MnnESRWxsdt05Xi743dMl6fylPnNJt8XiCGdqBAoq5s9iPRWEC9D9jaZHA6Vh1k5-RQgkIOAoXcrCwRo8boQPU5CVImgiiz6eG-8WoqMAWFA5jy5750HO0kuZh-fGodBqWptZBcGw8T/s400/images.jpeg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Now, it also goes both ways here. If you take this opportunity to trash a leader that is under great duress from such a horrible predicament, you are the shallow selfish one. I watch, talked to, prayed with many great men and women of God over the last many days as we struggled with what to do about lots of elements of daily life. Do we have church, change church, continue outreach, change outreach, keep the businesses open, spend the money that we have been saving, etc. I criticize no man for making the hard choices. Sometimes there just isn’t a known right answer. We do the best that we can and desperately need God for the rest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Now, to finally answer a little better about where have I been and what have I been doing. I have spent the last ALMOST 25 years of my life living, learning, studying, trying, perfecting (as best we can) church and ministry techniques. It is what HMA exists for. We work with ministries that are excellent at it and then pass it down to those who want to do better at it. Much of what we have created, Churches, ministry outreaches, missions works, funding platforms and booklets and starter packages have been created in house. Rather than trying to find things somewhere else in the world, we just went back to the source. The Bible. And re-built things from the ground up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">I say all of this because this is what we do, we work at building ministry programs and sharing them with others, etc. When times are fine, we work at expanding the churches ability to do more and do it more biblically. We have become ministry innovators and ministry funding entrepreneurs and Christian philanthropists, literally at our own expense. But it is working! As this pandemic hit, dozens of ministries that we have worked with, partnered with and affiliated with over the last 15 years or more swung into action. (Almost 100 of them that I have been in contact with in the last 10 to 12 days) They were already ready. They were already active. And they were already Biblical. Only God knows how much more help people are getting now than they would have if The Lord wouldn’t have helped us work with so many great people over the last many years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Also, because it was an emergency and the largest one that we have ever been involved in, I made the decision early, with much prayer and duress, (blame me and me alone if it proves to be wrong) To let the HMA Ministries and those connected with us, do their work. Let the last decade plus pay for itself. These are grown men and women that run homes, businesses, churches and non-profits. They do not need my thumb on them. They need to see me doing the right thing. We have talked the talk all of these years, now let’s see if we can walk the walk. I decided to try to go bigger and do more with larger entities and see what I can learn from all of this to be able to pass down more information to the rest of our works as time goes on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">I believe it is working. Our ministries responded all over this country almost simultaneously. Services continued to be live streamed and even larger crowds were garnered than usual. Calm, peace and faith were spread. Our feeding programs ramped up and fed many many more than usual. Nursing home services, jail services, kids programs, all were re-vamped and re-tooled for bigger and bitter impact. The homeless were checked on and cared for the pregnant and at risk were visited and counselled. Ladies sewed masks, money was strategically spent and the gospel continues to be taught in more ways than ever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">All the while, I was able to reach out to some bigger and better established entities and learn more and help more. I was able to be involved in securing a large sum of finances and spend in all…and then some on groups that are going into jails and calming fears and offering salvation at most critical moments. Doing the same in drug rehabs, nursing homes and mental facilities. I was able to work with 2 large conservative political groups to put pressure on the closing of abortion clinics and the passing of a heartbeat bill. I was able to finish a huge project of getting our Peanut Butter and Jesus community feeding program finally offered on a global level. It is now available anywhere in the world at HMAministries.com. I was able to learn that our 700+ total ministry connections that we have here at HMA carries more recognition that I realized and can do bigger things, faster than I even understood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpExHZchFtgTXiIcpJRUqshjhikcYhA1jJMhl48BmCLuA5dTooFXwHAPnvMHjuXV4Ht3-46dpBztaOazhpsQvnozoehhal_7XdJ4lPvTeJjKyr3omq7hBHzpCxwjVN_hlCLmXCULJfqSVk/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpExHZchFtgTXiIcpJRUqshjhikcYhA1jJMhl48BmCLuA5dTooFXwHAPnvMHjuXV4Ht3-46dpBztaOazhpsQvnozoehhal_7XdJ4lPvTeJjKyr3omq7hBHzpCxwjVN_hlCLmXCULJfqSVk/s400/images.jpeg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: 18pt;">In the last week we have worked with multiple missionaries from a least a half dozen different countries. Helping them to come home or stay in country and make their plans. We have helped a couple dozen Pastors get up and running on Facebook and Youtube. We have helped, I couldn’t tell you how many, churches to retro fit their services to fit the crisis. We have wired money to other countries to help secure the continued function of ministries through the crisis and on and on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Some of the things that I am learning from all of this, #1 the church has gotten far too slack and lazy. Even more so than I realized. #2 Much of the church finally actually believes that the establishment, is the church of the Bible. #3 The new testament Biblical Outreach pattern is even far more powerful than we understood it to be. #4 We can do way way way bigger things than we have ever tried to do…as long as Christ is our pattern. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Lastly, we WILL get past COVID-19. We WILL come all the way back and then some. And there WILL be something even scarier coming along at some point. Learn through this, grow through this, get less carnal and less selfish and more spiritual and more giving through this. And keep that growth, and build on it. We are going to need it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-87137905451879631362020-02-05T23:27:00.004-06:002020-02-05T23:27:41.913-06:00Brief Testimony of Todd Sloggett<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSLLqx28qCzov1X6ozBlsexLhYUdMoNOHpIOFkl3pS_AOm98D5BW4M8bR2zBmsNIi2yLSI16HCG_AimLibfZ08Xi3_6tSMiATOySPYD6spBGDZctbETNbAXT_IdSFMQtxKq3FOt8wEgyw/s1600/IMG_7790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSLLqx28qCzov1X6ozBlsexLhYUdMoNOHpIOFkl3pS_AOm98D5BW4M8bR2zBmsNIi2yLSI16HCG_AimLibfZ08Xi3_6tSMiATOySPYD6spBGDZctbETNbAXT_IdSFMQtxKq3FOt8wEgyw/s400/IMG_7790.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;">My name is Todd Sloggett. I had a very obscure past. My Mother left us when I was six and my other brothers were 8 and 2. By 10 years old, I was already bouncing around the west coast getting into all kinds of trouble. By 14 I had lived in multiple places in Oregon, Idaho and California and was now homeless and hopelessly addicted to just about every vice that I could get my hands on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I tried to act and live a “normal” life but found myself living a “double” life instead. I went to high school, played basketball, had a good girlfriend and even went to church some. All the while addicted to drugs, alcohol and partying and breaking laws. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I got away with it for almost 5 years. My freshman year of college, it all came crashing down. I dropped out of college, married my long-time girlfriend and got a full- time job. Once again, taking another shot at “normal” and once again just recreating a double life in a different place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">This time I ended up working for a respectable company, living in a house with my wife and even beginning to raise our 2 sons. And the whole time I was drugging, drinking and building up a small local gang. I had learned a lot about the gangs by running with them when I was on the streets of California. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Life spun out of control very quickly and it became so hard to tell what day it was, what time it was, which way was up and what hat I was supposed to be wearing at any given moment. I was losing it again, just like I did a few years earlier in college. During the first few years of being married and being a father, I did everything from grocery store manager to firefighter, from repo man to police officer, from salesman to bouncer to personal security. Still trying to break through in the gang world the entire time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Finally, as sin always does, it caught back up to me. I couldn’t take things the way they were anymore and I had to decide to straighten up and stay home with my wife and kids or go back to the streets. I of course made the wrong choice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XzIqfpG3Ta_MGvvcQw5jMfMotMZezLqr_lyOI-0o0sX80FvE8cu-vWeOr3rG99NJSCMyXbT3L4HybAudYhzptdyeky7tPfKbbgqc_GZqr15K5a5ZRtoJsdYm0BziubIsTd6CVbbiWM4P/s1600/fullsizeoutput_8f06.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XzIqfpG3Ta_MGvvcQw5jMfMotMZezLqr_lyOI-0o0sX80FvE8cu-vWeOr3rG99NJSCMyXbT3L4HybAudYhzptdyeky7tPfKbbgqc_GZqr15K5a5ZRtoJsdYm0BziubIsTd6CVbbiWM4P/s400/fullsizeoutput_8f06.jpeg" width="223" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I was probably never going to see my wife and 2 sons again…But God had different plans. After a few months of being on my own again and everything blowing up in my face over and over, I began to feel what I would later understand was nothing less than the wooing of The Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The only real churches that I knew much about were the Nazarene Church that my wife went to as a kid and a couple of Pentecostal Churches that a bunch of my relatives on my mom’s side went to. I ended up going to one of the Pentecostal churches with my older cousin on a Sunday morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">That morning, I got under the strongest of conviction. I went to the altar expecting to experience some miraculous change…or die. I was really messed up that morning. I had taken some bad stuff and wasn’t all together in my right mind. But when I got up from that altar, after about 2 and a half or 3 hours of prayer, repentance, bawling, asking questions and receiving instruction from the pastors; Todd Sloggett was a brand new man! I was clean, saved and sober and I have not drank or drugged since that moment. I have been serving the Lord with a clean and sober mind and body for 24 straight years as of this writing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">In less that 6 months I entered the ministry as a part time preacher of the gospel. For the next 11 plus years I was an Evangelist, an Assistant Pastor, a Sunday School teacher and a Missionary. What I learned was this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Church is comfortable being whatever definition of the church that it decides at the time. It bothered me so bad. I read, studied, prayed and fasted until it almost ruined me. Once I believed that I understood what I was supposed to be doing, I set out to do it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">With my wife and children and several others, we started a nursing home ministry in Oregon, a homeless mission ministry in Oklahoma, a national drug awareness program out of Texas that eventually spread to all states, an Affair Proofing Your Marriage seminar, a hard copy and online production company, a thrift store, a furniture company, an apparel company, an annual outreach retreat conference, we partnered with more than a dozen churches and more that 700 different ministries. Ministries from pregnancy centers to African missions to teenage run a way, rescue and return centers to women and baby’s homes to sex trafficking victim centers to Christian Podcasts and Blogs to community feeding and clothing programs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuFp6PRKARJWtJTy-NxjF7YgnnN4vohcHuDHOKwO8O1HYZDqvf12PnAJoKmUI79-kelo4z_ZB9p0nt0h9z-GqB6brRJoN8UJZL9fxpLM8mM8dffXoVl39NPwU3WJhlyVlqZ4ulbKciFU3/s1600/fullsizeoutput_8e63.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1334" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuFp6PRKARJWtJTy-NxjF7YgnnN4vohcHuDHOKwO8O1HYZDqvf12PnAJoKmUI79-kelo4z_ZB9p0nt0h9z-GqB6brRJoN8UJZL9fxpLM8mM8dffXoVl39NPwU3WJhlyVlqZ4ulbKciFU3/s400/fullsizeoutput_8e63.jpeg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;">We initially did it under the name of Sloggett Family Ministry. It was later changed to Holiness Missions to America and now we operate in 18 states and 5 Counties as HMA Ministries. Our ministry material is used in all 50 states and at least 10 countries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">These things were done by staying true to some very basic and Biblical tenants that I refuse to compromise on. Here are a few of them:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Bible is right, not men. Scripture doesn’t change, cultures do. Preach against sin, not things. People are allowed unlimited amounts of chances with God. So if we are going to represent Him, we must do so in a way that allows for those chances. Do not minister according to culture, religious dynamics, demographics or denominationalism. Minister according to truth. Think outside the box but inside the Bible. Make a life of reaching the Least, the Last and the Lost. Understand the spirit of the scripture, not just the words of it. Love people and use things, not the other way around. The Great Commission is the purpose of life. Once you are saved, your first calling is that of an Evangelist. You just have to figure out to who. Your children, your community, Budapest, bikers…? You can’t out preach your life. God can afford anything that is done in His will. All sins are rooted in selfishness. Addictions are pure selfishness. If you want to raise a generation for Christ, raise a generation of selfless people. If you must err, err on the side of mercy. Christ was the most selfless individual that ever lived. How do I live like Him in the light of that statement? Do not live by indoctrinated principles. Neither by stale traditions of men nor by stagnant denominationalism. Be brave, be bold and be Biblical. Most church problems stem from a lack of Biblical structure OR worship of money, men and movements. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">By following this course over the last quarter of a century, I have seen drunkards, drug addicts, divorces, pimps, prostitutes, gambling, anger, lust, hatred, pornography and many others chains, fail and fall at the feet of Jesus! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">-An EXTREMELY brief overview of the life of Todd Sloggett up to the age of 48</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p>Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-38408833818325636552020-01-03T15:30:00.002-06:002020-01-03T15:30:28.772-06:00A Salute to the Seconds in Command!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FO57Eje-tX9EzXl_yTwy-5iqSOYfmzHh-WEvGEYPXuvD99xWTxA5JGeu-jYyVluv6tsbKemS8tO8txivVthbwB3BgBuMb3F8HWDQ9ii2y0C6pG1_qIvoLKy1_mZ0hAmUJdKYphTfu-Xr/s1600/images+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="254" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FO57Eje-tX9EzXl_yTwy-5iqSOYfmzHh-WEvGEYPXuvD99xWTxA5JGeu-jYyVluv6tsbKemS8tO8txivVthbwB3BgBuMb3F8HWDQ9ii2y0C6pG1_qIvoLKy1_mZ0hAmUJdKYphTfu-Xr/s400/images+2.jpeg" width="400" /></a>Today I salute the Lieutenants of the world!! The “assistants”, the “second on commands”. It is one of the most complicated jobs out there. To be the Assistant Pastor, the Assistant Manager, the Vice President. You have to have everything that your leader has but don’t over-use it. A leader that doesn’t over lead. The highest ranking of the followers. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I have overlooked these positions for a very long time and lately they are what come to my mind most days. Think about it. The heads, the leaders, they are in charge. They are the buck stops here guys and gals. They run the most risk and have the most to gain. It is hard but it is exhilarating and pays the best. Everyone else is almost, along for the ride sometimes. They just either show up or they don’t. They just fill the seat or collect the check or do what they are told…but #2, he or she is running a risk too. There just isn’t quite as much to gain from it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I have spent a lot of time lately watching #2s. I have thought long and hard about them. Many people that I watched go through their #2 stage, taught me a lot. This is often where the skills are honed and developed to be a #1. The guys that are great at being #2, #3 and #4 are often times prime candidate to be excellent #1s. The folks that spend all of their time at #2, #3 or #4 just chomping at the bit so much to be #1 that they rarely develop all of the skills and attributes necessary to survive up there…Well, those are train wrecks waiting to happen sometimes. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Being part of the crowd has it’s share of difficulties and being at the top definitely has it’s heavy load, but I have just been pondering lately about watching those secondary leaders. Often times, that is where we pick our best leaders from. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I know a young Pastor right now that some might have questioned his leadership skills when a church began to look at voting him in. I didn’t. He once worked directly under me. He was more honest, more diligent, more on time, harder working, quicker thinking than almost anyone that I had ever met. When he worked in our business, he seemed to care as much or more about our things, our products, our property and our money as we did. When he worked in our ministry, he was so prayerful, careful and spiritual about it. And it didn’t matter if he was sweeping the warehouse, carrying chairs, preaching a sermon or checking on the elderly…He did every one of them with sincerity, accuracy and a sense of urgency. Nope, I didn’t have any doubt. He had the right character. Things mattered to him…whether anyone was watching or not. <o:p></o:p></div>
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He quickly moved up and on. I did not promote him. God did! Watch these types of 2nds. They are going places. They are going to be accomplishing things. They are going to be IN CHARGE of things.<o:p></o:p></div>
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They are the exact opposites of those that won’t give it their all until it “really counts”. There are plenty of those. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I remember when my wife and I got married and I dropped out of college. I desperately needed a job. And not just a job. I needed a good job. We had our first son that first year and we were still living at my dad’s house. But the only jobs that I could get were very low paying entry level jobs. I wasn’t educated enough to earn what I needed to. I was 19 years old and I spoke with a teacher and mentor of mine. He said, “Todd, take the first job you get and show them what you can do. They’ll catch on.” I applied at the grocery store down the street. They hired me immediately and made me a box boy. My job was to stock shelves and carry people’s groceries out. There were 7 box boys. They all worked there before me. I was a box boy for ONE DAY. The second day they trained me to be a cashier and gave me a raise. There were 9 cashiers. I was a cashier for about TWO WEEKS. After two weeks they trained me to be the backup night manager and gave me another raise. I was the backup night manager for a few months. The grocery store from the next town over needed a THIRD MAN (most grocery stores have three or four managers. This one was supposed to have three and only had two). They came and moved me over and gave me a BIG RAISE. At this point I probably hadn’t even been working for the company for anywhere near a year. Perhaps 7 or 8 months. I worked for that store for a couple years and the manager gave me several raises and then came to me one day and said that I should move on. That I was worth more than they could pay me. I stayed and learned all that I could and when I eventually left because of outside circumstances, I had to take another bottom of the rung low paying job in a different town. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Once again, I moved up several times very quickly, passing all of the people that worked there before I came and ended up getting my own retail store. Now I was #1. But something happened. Something that happens a lot. Something that I am ashamed of. Once I arrived, that was it. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I worked hard, treated their money like mine and all of that. But I had many opportunities there and other places to search out, bring in and raise up some really good #2s that would eventually, somewhere, make excellent #1s. Like others did for me…and I didn’t. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m really not sure where I am going with this right now except I just felt like I needed to get it off my chest. A few things I have learned. The best #2s generally make the best #1s. Some times a #2 is always going to be the best #2. If they move up and out, they don’t do as good and the organization that they moved from, suffers and realizes how important that #2 was. #2s, as a general rule, should watch their #1s. If he came from a #2 spot, he may very well be able to help you and train you and possibly even know when you are ready before you do. But regardless, some #2s come up under horrible #1s. It doesn’t matter. Life has a way of sorting out the best workers for the best positions. And there are so many things to garner from all of this. For example, sometimes it is far better to be #2 over something big and accomplishing than just go be #1 over some little something that will never amount to much. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The truth is, this entire thought process can be boiled down to this: You are not all of a sudden going to become diligent, hard working, honest and sincere when you get put into leadership. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, do it like you are running a fortune 500 company or like you are leading the largest ministry in your state or you are Pastoring the most important church in your county. God sees and that is ultimately what matters. But…sometimes…some of us see too. And sometimes God uses some of us to move you up. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As a captain over many, I humbly salute all the lieutenants that I encounter on a regular basis. Those in our ministries, those in our company, those at my home church and at all the other churches that we attend and minister at, those that we deal with in other companies…I see you and I appreciate your efforts. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And I have decided that my lot in life wasn’t just to become the top man of several companies and ministries. MY job is to search out, equip, help and promote many others into key positions that fulfil their God ordained destiny. And then someday I will sit back and watch a bunch of you go farther, faster than I ever could and I’ll take a sip of coffee and say, “I’m thrilled to have had a little something to do with that.” Then I’ll say, “Mmmmm, this is good coffee!”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Your humble servant,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p>Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-90424405221599525862019-09-05T11:05:00.000-05:002019-09-05T11:05:20.296-05:00We Need Real Men!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SPFhuMyD4naOLA3jOrqX6aJPuoxMarf4rwiQqcVUyrsc-LEFEyka_7T1wsM2IyxR5fWgZ_kAymLMubSzvJlUJicTLWCCAVhqwD2OzBEM3OqEIh4h-wSA-WbppOBHoPlHX5w7SSkV6p_6/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SPFhuMyD4naOLA3jOrqX6aJPuoxMarf4rwiQqcVUyrsc-LEFEyka_7T1wsM2IyxR5fWgZ_kAymLMubSzvJlUJicTLWCCAVhqwD2OzBEM3OqEIh4h-wSA-WbppOBHoPlHX5w7SSkV6p_6/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" /></a><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "applesystemuifont";">The world will go the way of the free countries within it. The free countries go the way of the greatest free country, America. America goes the way of her religious bodies. The religious bodies go the way of the families that make them up. The families go the way of the marriages and the marriages go the way of the men that lead them. If we do not get the manhood of the American fathers back...the whole world is doomed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "applesystemuifont";">Today men are soft, selfish, sculpt their bodies and wear designer sunglasses. They chase women like they are different types of cuisine at different restaurants and they raise their children like they are burdens OR toys to play with and put back on a shelf until later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "applesystemuifont";">More than anything, the world needs men again. Real men! Hard working, self-sacrificing, wife loving, women respecting, child raising, pickle jar opening, hand holding, money saving, walk taking, talk having, stay to the bitter end, never give up, back bone having men!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ScD9Rq4dKwJl8STEbhhd1LEMa0ffh0KVBnvkvA_qsrVPMssigkNOKEQGO5hUQ8_D76xITRgJVHrZSHmDV-ebr3YbyuHWOMdisKMJf1d-ZD7uN9X6U4ELIk_-qyJ0_mZ0mNgk4hGtytID/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ScD9Rq4dKwJl8STEbhhd1LEMa0ffh0KVBnvkvA_qsrVPMssigkNOKEQGO5hUQ8_D76xITRgJVHrZSHmDV-ebr3YbyuHWOMdisKMJf1d-ZD7uN9X6U4ELIk_-qyJ0_mZ0mNgk4hGtytID/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" /></a><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "applesystemuifont";">The majority of the evils that The Church is having to face today can be traced back to weak or absent men and Jesus already knew that it would come to this when He walked the Earth. He told the church from the beginning that a man was to keep his house in order and rule his family well. He also told the church in it’s inception that many of her continual efforts were specifically to be toward THE FATHERLESS, THE WIDOWS, THE ORPHANS....Those without real men in their lives!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "applesystemuifont";">Viable studies show that the majority of abortions are performed on women that have no “father of the baby” involved, the majority of federal prison inmates were raised without a father and the majority of rapists were raised without a father. We also have studies concluding that most prostitutes had no father in the home or were abused by their father or a father figure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "applesystemuifont";">One more. There is a study recently out, claiming that almost all mass shooters in the modern American era...were raised by a single parent…No father! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VfjnKHWpXrj3l8IRYwDqfFKi5SwJOkwHUgCboMnSdPiq_z2f9eMO2vVGS1yFRfJA__3M_Ao7qcwkhQoflndPxDMXP_00okpNCamk8Dkc1aYvv4Gfu8eNwdy426eugx7B5jXGa3tV6Svy/s1600/Unknown-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="164" data-original-width="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VfjnKHWpXrj3l8IRYwDqfFKi5SwJOkwHUgCboMnSdPiq_z2f9eMO2vVGS1yFRfJA__3M_Ao7qcwkhQoflndPxDMXP_00okpNCamk8Dkc1aYvv4Gfu8eNwdy426eugx7B5jXGa3tV6Svy/s1600/Unknown-2.jpeg" /></a><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "applesystemuifont";">Christ’s teachings were right from the beginning, they are still right. We had a stirring and a little preaching about this just a couple of months ago. Please don’t let it be just another fleeting thing. Lives, souls…our community, culture and society depend on us!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-80916248279609290082019-09-04T11:57:00.003-05:002019-09-04T12:08:51.055-05:00Witnessing 101<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="fgmle" data-offset-key="dnaf0-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">
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The center of the Christian life is loving God and the center of loving God is evangelism. The simplest and most effective way to evangelize (and the most common) is witnessing. Witnessing, like any other outreach, involves consistency. To be consistent in witnessing you must first have a lifestyle that consistently puts you around lost people. It is quite ineffective to attempt to “go find some lost people” at a designated time to witness. It works much better if they can get to know you. Of course, in order for this to happen, you must vulnerably be outside of your religious bubble on a regular basis. You must live and present yourself in a way that the lost perceive you to be both happy and kind. Nobody wants to put forth effort to go from their kind of misery to your kind of misery. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span data-offset-key="5jmuv-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Next, you need to consider them and their needs in order for them to believe that you are sincere in your efforts. If all you do is show up and do all of the talking, then they can easily decide that the interaction is really all about you. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2anr9-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"> Make sure that you are witnessing the truths of the gospel. Just telling about your own experiences, or worse yet, the experiences of others, isn’t good enough. You need to tell the facts of the gospel message to establish a foundation to build on. How God loved us and sent His son Jesus. How Jesus suffered all of the fleshly evils of this world so that He could experience them, carry them to the cross and die for us. Then how He rose again victorious over death, hell, the grave and such things as depression, anxiety and lust. That we owe Him our lives for doing all of this for us and He in turn promises us access to share in His victories over our hurts and our sins. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="8vah9-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">You may think that everyone knows all of this but they do not. And even the ones that have heard it, have usually only heard it through the skewed particular religious groups that presented it. The Baptist version, the Mormon version, the Holiness version, etc. You need to be the one that brings them the Gospel version!</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="ekvsf-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Once given opportunity through the open door of the power of truth, then tell what God has done for YOU. Do not exaggerate but do not fail to give the full glory for all that The Lord has really done for you. Be sure that in your testimony, God receives all the praise for what He has done and none of it is given to a man, an idea, a theology, a church or a doctrine. Be real and sincere and talk like you would at work or at home. Do not use a bunch of silly or strange religious terminology that the common unchurched person wouldn’t know or could easily get confused by. Avoid terms like trinitarian, oneness, holiness, fundamental, praying through, hitting the rock, sanctification, Calvinism and holy roller. Also avoid terms and phrases that would mean completely different things to different people. Like, old fashioned, standard, modern culture, charismatic. Instead use universal and profoundly Biblical terms like, love, power, strength, sin, freedom, evil, Savior, help, hope, prayer, faith and healing. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="buse0-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Do not complicate the basic power and beauty of the Gospel. Most people are hurting and sinning and would love to believe that they know someone who has found a way out and is willing to share it. It is your calling in this life to be that someone to as many people as possible. This is what Christians do and this is the most powerful way to show our love and appreciation to Jesus Christ.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="fe4vc-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Lastly, be dually prepared for good responses. #1 Always be prepared to pray with people. If we do not have faith in praying to the Lord and His promised responses to those prayers, there is no reason to expect others to believe either AND #2 Have a particular place, time, event and atmosphere that you already trust and are already prepared to invited them to. Don’t just witness to them and then leave them hanging, because after witnessing should come conversion and following conversion should always be discipleship. Discipleship is what the church structure is supposed to be about…but that’s another lesson... </span></div>
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Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-1693077276151904842018-11-26T12:07:00.000-06:002018-11-26T12:07:27.804-06:00Sneak Peak (Evangelism)I want to share with you a little back and forth "rough" email conversation between myself and some ministers from around the country. Hopefully this will encourage and inspire some of you as you see some of the behind the scenes communication that I am blessed to be a part of almost every day. I have added some graphics to help with the mundaneness of it all. Here you go:<br />
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #990000; font-family: "menlo";"><o:p><b> From Preacher 1:</b></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "menlo";">I ran a revival a little over a month ago for a Pastor friend of mine, Bro.</span><span style="font-family: "menlo";"><br /><span style="background-color: white;">B.L Horne. He pastors South Thompson Baptist Church near Vidalia Ga.( *I</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">caught some heat from teh Holiness Powers that Be for preaching at a</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Baptist Church but I have felt it heat for other stuff so I knew I would</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">survive it !)*</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">After the last service we were talking outside and I could see he had the</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">burning desire to reach out to folks but had not had success in the past.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Literally across the street was a large trailer park. I asked how often had</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">he and his church made contact with these folks.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Bro. Horne told me they had knocked on doors over and over and invited to</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">church but very little response. He said his church folks are not as</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">engaged in it as I would like them to be and they don't seem to enjoy the</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">experience of meeting strangers.</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">I told him about Holiness Missions to America, Bro. Todd Sloggett and I</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">also told him what I knew about Bro. Kevin Vickers outreach efforts in</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Waycross. I told him, " You know BL , my buddy Bro Todd Sloggett says, "</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Its Amazing what you can accomplish when you don't care who gets the</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">credit!" and He also says " Lets build the Kingdom of God first and</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">the Church Membership second."</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">I told him of all the things Bro Vickers and his church ws doing and the</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">impact it had made in his Church's community.</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">I thought to myself, What would Todd and Kevin say to this man!! So, I</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">asked him , Have you considered that you and your church folks could</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">establish a relationship with the neighbors in the trailer park and</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">minister to them even if they never came to South Thompson Baptist?</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">His face lit up..He said, We could fix Thanksgiving Dinner and go invite</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">them all to eat with us at the Social Hall! I said, Or you could just setup</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">a tent in the middle of the Trailer park where they live and bring the food</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">to them on their own turf?</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">I think it was the best sermon I preached the entire week and it was in the</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">parking lot to the pastor after the revival was over !</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Attached are the 2 photos he sent me this morning and I have copied his</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">texts into the 2 entries below for your reading pleasure:</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">We did it yesterday and it was awesome. We prepared smoked chicken plates</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">(150) and carried them out. We went door-to-door last Sunday and met with</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">108 people and told them what we would be doing yesterday. They came to a</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">central location in the trailer park to get the plates, many of our church</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">members were there to meet and greet, Some went door to door delivering</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">plates. The chicken we had left over was delivered afterwards to the Mel</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Blunt youth home Which is opening a completely new door of ministry for us</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">in December. The best is yet to come!</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">There is so much that has already come out of this that I just stand in</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">awe! The participation and turn out from going into the community and</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">surveying every house, To those that participated in preparing and cooking,</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">assembling the plates and what really blew me away those that went into the</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">trailer park to deliver from the STBC family. I realized last night after</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">reading some post that to some it was their very first trip into the</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">mission field and their eyes were opened and are excited. - Pastor B. L</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Horne</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">*Now throw your hands in the air and SHOUT HALLELUJAH and keep on keeping</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">on !! -BF*</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #990000; font-family: "menlo";"><o:p><b>Also from Preacher 1:</b></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #990000; font-family: "menlo";">I want to put you 3 guys together in this email. I have shared already with Todd and Kevin what I know about STBC outreach experience yesterday but Bro. B.L can tell it better himself .</span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "menlo";"><br /><br /><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">Bro BL told me so many positive things that has happened since the revival I cant name them all but he can. I'm just putting good folks together that share a love to help others in hopes y'all can compare notes.</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">Let me introduce yall:</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">Rev. B.L Horne, Pastor STBC </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/souththompson.baptistchurch.35" style="color: #954f72;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #36525d; font-family: "menlo";">https://www.facebook.com/souththompson.baptistchurch.35</span></a></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "menlo";"><br /><br /><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">Rev. Todd Sloggett, Evangelist and President of Holiness Missions to America</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://hmaministries.com/about/" style="color: #954f72;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #36525d; font-family: "menlo";">https://hmaministries.com/about/</span></a></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "menlo";"><br /><br /><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">Rev Kevin Vickers, Pastor Waycross Holiness Baptist Church</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "menlo";"><o:p><b>From Preacher 2:</b></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "menlo";">Bro Brian I want to thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and challenge to me when you didn’t even know you were challenging me. The Holy Ghost prompted you, convicted me and is now working in our church and community in an incredible way. Here are my thoughts. Excuse my rambling but my heart is just full of little things that God has done over the past few weeks. And I KNOW that He has more to come our way. Just keep us in your prayers.</span><span style="font-family: "menlo";"><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Bro. Todd and Bro. Kevin,</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Let me just take the time to introduce myself. I’m a nobody that became somebody because Jesus cared enough to call me to Himself. I have pastored Southern Baptist Churches for the past 21 years. I am not an evangelist but I have an evangelical heart. I thank you guys for what you do for our Lord. My goal is 2 fold. In all I do, bring Glory to His name and see lost people saved. Brian asked me about using our story of our recent outreach and you may under one condition. Give God Glory. It is not about me or South Thompson Baptist Church. Our story may seem really insignificant to many but I have seen Him work through this process and truly believe the Best is Yet to come! I look forward to hearing some more ideas from each of you and one day getting together. Here is what happened,</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">The last night of revival, Bro. Brian Fowler made the comment that we (South Thompson Baptist Church) had a gold mine across the road in a trailer park. I agreed and explained that we had set up a bounce house, slide, snow cone stand, door to door invitations to festivals, VBS visits, just about everything I could think of to reach the unchurched. Efforts had not been useless, we had seen some response, and a small number of salvations but over the 8 years that I had been at STBC, the community that we call John’s Trailer park, showed little to no interest in anything we attempted. In fact, the day we set up the bounce house, slide and treats, only one child came. </span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">But as Bro. Brian shared how another mission minded, gospel loving Brother had reached the low and lonely by feeding them, I felt inspired. Well it was more encouraged and conviction than inspiration. I felt like I had given up but God hadn’t. I all of a sudden became excited about a new direction, a new idea that God had delivered. I quickly assembled our Church Council and we began sharing ideas of how we could reach these people by feeding them. Not preaching to them or trying to get them into our church service, but just feeding them. After a couple of meetings and discussions, we decided to not invite them to a thanksgiving meal as we initially planned but take a plate of food to them. The idea popped into my mind to do it on a Sunday during regular worship time. To “Be” the church instead of “having” church. </span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">The idea was saturated in prayer, shared with the church and quickly developed into a plan. The plan was in 4 stages.</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">1.) Planning- Map the area and go to every house, not asking names or any private information. Just simply identify who we are and ask if they would like a smoked chicken plate at no charge. If they said yes, ask how many plates and invite them to pick them up at a central location under a white tent located in the middle of the trailer park. This was to be carried out by the council but I invited anyone to go. On Sunday November 11 we assembled and instead of 5 people, we had 18 people show up. We went out to 50 houses making 108 contacts and invited them and presented them with a card to remind them of the location and the time.</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">2.) Preparing – Each Sunday School class hand wrote cards with a personal scripture to be placed inside each chicken box. The men’s ministry gathered together early Sunday morning to prepare the food. A group peeled, cut and cooked potatoes for potato salad then mixed it. Other men sliced and bagged pieces of cake. Yet others smoked chicken and cooked green beans all while fellowshipping and eating breakfast together. At 10:30 others from the church joined the men to prepare the plates.</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">3.) Presenting – Once 150 plates were prepared, they were loaded into the church van which is marked with the church name on the side to identify who we are. We then took the plates to a designated area in the center of the park under a white tent. People were waiting when we arrived. Plates of food were distributed as people from the trailer park and surrounding area came. They were met and greeted by about 25 members of the church, both children and adults. I took the van, loaded with children and a few plates and went to houses that did not come to pick up plates.</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">4.) Pray, Pray, and Pray – Prayer surrounded every part of this mission. </span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Once we were finished, we gathered around the table as a church family to share a meal together and individually give thanks for God's provisions and gifts in this life, things we call blessings. Upon cleaning up, an abundance of chicken remained even after all had eaten, (like 12 baskets after Jesus fed 5K). One of our members, Jim, suggested that we give the chicken to a boys home a few miles away and he and his wife agreed to take it. A short time later I received a text from his wife that said “What a blessing. 20 more fed and praising God for His provision.” Later that night Jim called telling me of the experience and how each boy personally introduced himself and gave thanks for the food. Once Jim told me this, I began thinking of how we could minister to these boys. Plans are already underway. </span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Even though no one has come to the Lord since this took place yesterday, as we know of. God has already worked in this opportunity. First I saw the response of those willing to serve. It has opened people’s eyes. I was surprised at the turnout of STBC members. Some of them commented that they had doubts but were excited when they went into the community and saw the needs of others being met by our church. This caused me to realize that this was the very first mission trip that some of our members had ever been on and it was 500 feet from our church steps. Three people that live 2 counties away heard what we were planning and came to help. A hospital heard and volunteered to cook for us and only charge what it cost them. Secondly, I saw the response of the community. They came. Even if it was to get food, they came. Jesus met people’s physical needs first by developing a relationship. I feel for the first time in 8 ½ years that I have been there, that STBC has begun a relationship with our community. Thirdly, other opportunities have developed. We now have a foot in the door to minister to 20 teenage boys at a boys home that is only a few miles away, this was not in the scope of our mission area. (God is so good!!!) An elderly lady the stepped across missing boards on her back porch to come out to talk when we knocked on her door is willing to let us repair her porch. The last house that we took plates to, a Hispanic family of 6 wanted to know from another Hispanic lady that is a member, about our services, times, and child care. THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!!</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "menlo";"><span style="background-color: white;">I did have some back and forth in there with each of these ministers but I left my part out. Just wanted some of you to catch the raw dialogue of the beginning stages of what something like some of our ministries might have looked like as God began to spark a dry field. Please be in prayer for all that are involved that God's will and Holy work is done. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "menlo";"><span style="background-color: white;">While so many are arguing, fighting, splitting, building up power, wealth, influence and clout, we have worked with a couple hundred cases such as these and are in daily workings with about 50 of them right now. We have seen hundreds and hundreds of conversions in a little over a decade. To God be the glory. Fight, work, love and pray on!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "menlo";"><span style="background-color: white;">Your humble servant,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "menlo";"><span style="background-color: white;">Rev. D. Todd Sloggett</span></span></div>
Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-50480568370834627532018-06-18T12:50:00.000-05:002018-06-18T12:55:30.908-05:00Video Game Addicts are "Mentally Ill"?<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCN6STARnH7XkCYKcEY_wdsY_l_IHd25uG4feVqHvam0PiQYsXAaewiJJUzvmQqIdg0zocBo0DwJz-VQXIyApdoxLv235KyJqUwo6nO2_q9DWaR_9nbNlj8Of9LeGbmFrKuFO5FmxTSZo5/s1600/2-bigstock-Man-playing-video-games-while-27213056-615x410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="615" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCN6STARnH7XkCYKcEY_wdsY_l_IHd25uG4feVqHvam0PiQYsXAaewiJJUzvmQqIdg0zocBo0DwJz-VQXIyApdoxLv235KyJqUwo6nO2_q9DWaR_9nbNlj8Of9LeGbmFrKuFO5FmxTSZo5/s200/2-bigstock-Man-playing-video-games-while-27213056-615x410.jpg" width="200" /></a>Today Fox News released the findings of a medical group states that “constant and or continual video gaming is now officially labeled a mental health illness”. </div>
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Ok, I have been asked several times about this. </div>
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Yes, constant and or continually video gaming is now considered an actual mental health illness. </div>
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I hear people both praising this move and bashing it and I have very mixed feelings about it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPe3QopcPCbJCUqbyhXdjakRGI29v2EK0-lKVsCF6vqeUcxZaQP8b8VNMpKkJ_qoWyMgrglJTkWPS6ruJM-DOb7kZFzNRiMIVDoh_uX4S2MMRklRjMMm69aKw8g9J4qrbHWtESR1xhcUI/s1600/Cell-phone-addiction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPe3QopcPCbJCUqbyhXdjakRGI29v2EK0-lKVsCF6vqeUcxZaQP8b8VNMpKkJ_qoWyMgrglJTkWPS6ruJM-DOb7kZFzNRiMIVDoh_uX4S2MMRklRjMMm69aKw8g9J4qrbHWtESR1xhcUI/s200/Cell-phone-addiction.jpg" width="200" /></a>First of all, if you play a “video game” for 2 or more hours in a 24 hour period with any degree of consistency, regardless if it is on a console, TV or phone, and it requires no physical challenges and no mental intake, you have a serious reality problem. </div>
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I have a huge issue with that because a reality problem generally will equate into an eternity problem. If your mind has to escape into a world different than the real one, you will lose your concept of what the real one is about. Namely preparing for the after one. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuY-R8j6WTm9SyH_lEr4LVknDvWCl4kDXh5kChNDrCi202Sg3YkJdUyERYGe2MMFQA4H_qaVjFVTrdoLpGYIlLmIDodcJIS6Tkt7knxGssanzd0EbkHSNYcb69-J0hMYbd5EGDwjAcTK0/s1600/korea.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuY-R8j6WTm9SyH_lEr4LVknDvWCl4kDXh5kChNDrCi202Sg3YkJdUyERYGe2MMFQA4H_qaVjFVTrdoLpGYIlLmIDodcJIS6Tkt7knxGssanzd0EbkHSNYcb69-J0hMYbd5EGDwjAcTK0/s200/korea.gif" width="158" /></a>Now I made a statement about “no mental intake”. Some will say, “Oh but I am learning skills and developing hand eye coordination and memory”. That is not the same as mental intake. </div>
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Mental intake is learning useful information and or skills that are life applicable. How to save money, how to speak properly, how to build strong relationships, how to cultivate a garden, how to be a better person. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBkbrKaD00ritRhNzt4XXLowbmTAn6ehLuxF-AMM5dfCKKnAed9TflbH3aJlY-H_SmMkFE_1bhJViEUyPO_8vR9F2x90jTRmtavwTgvprOy6tjlEvsVdiBusq3uXYD9dnL62HKM98TAQi/s1600/Mobile-game-addiction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBkbrKaD00ritRhNzt4XXLowbmTAn6ehLuxF-AMM5dfCKKnAed9TflbH3aJlY-H_SmMkFE_1bhJViEUyPO_8vR9F2x90jTRmtavwTgvprOy6tjlEvsVdiBusq3uXYD9dnL62HKM98TAQi/s200/Mobile-game-addiction.jpg" width="200" /></a>It is the difference between reading a book or playing Life or Monopoly with your kids as opposed to watching a Harry Potter series. One has interaction, life skills, relationship building, knowledge imparting, etc. and the other has been proven to dumb down and shorten attention span. </div>
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So for reasons such as these, I am glad that it is finally being acknowledged just how bad this behavior is. BUT, I know our current culture and we as a society tend to always do similar things with issues like these. </div>
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Mark my words, there will eventually be tax dollars used to come up with a medication to treat this “new illness”. Remember Ritalin?!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcrCAE0irh4PCnZ_y6tDvrjqGGsZnDk5nob9CltnphgdSW86zp1UCJKtEs9RvwVdm3igxHSorNKNfz9vtSfRT5MaO_CW2SOfcftTiocNGsTN6glvmc7PobcApDfKq4ZzhQ_QjGF85utLY/s1600/th.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="176" data-original-width="247" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcrCAE0irh4PCnZ_y6tDvrjqGGsZnDk5nob9CltnphgdSW86zp1UCJKtEs9RvwVdm3igxHSorNKNfz9vtSfRT5MaO_CW2SOfcftTiocNGsTN6glvmc7PobcApDfKq4ZzhQ_QjGF85utLY/s200/th.jpeg" width="200" /></a>These people will actually end up getting “benefits” for their “debilitating condition”. They will then be able to go after the gaming companies in court. None of this will be good for the individual or society as a whole. </div>
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What I hope and pray happens to those who read this, is that you carefully and prayerfully stop and evaluate your personal leisure lifestyle and that which you allow and encourage in your children.</div>
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What are you watching? What are they watching? How much reality is involved? How much escapism? Is there useful knowledge gained?....or lost? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHY059bJngEEnDzS_NqeBD9-ofkfhvQV6mHGs2j6AVQH4DZXIEkXg7ZsmJe9WMHU_c9oJM8X-G-xQvcB4y1O_n8q8zIAGbyuNr0I1Ecf50jOkniDrssAMmCnKPzgsD0tFGUEy-z2q5LFy/s1600/video-games-addiction-canada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHY059bJngEEnDzS_NqeBD9-ofkfhvQV6mHGs2j6AVQH4DZXIEkXg7ZsmJe9WMHU_c9oJM8X-G-xQvcB4y1O_n8q8zIAGbyuNr0I1Ecf50jOkniDrssAMmCnKPzgsD0tFGUEy-z2q5LFy/s200/video-games-addiction-canada.jpg" width="200" /></a>Are the things that you do in your “spare time” loving to others, does it build your physical, mental, emotional or spiritual strength? Do you gain true rest and strength from doing it? OR Is it more of a way to just “pass time”? Would the world, YOUR world, be no better off if you did it or not? AND perhaps most importantly, who around you is missing out on your interaction while you are escaping? </div>
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In my humble opinion, too much of this type of gaming activity is a very selfish a self deteriorating thing to do. God bless you. I will be praying for all!</div>
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Your humble servant, </div>
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 12px;">Rev. D. Todd Sloggett </span><br />
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Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-48989876243796121202018-02-11T12:39:00.002-06:002018-02-11T12:39:44.769-06:00Treating DEPRESSION with PILLS or PURPOSE?<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxCwNqdzKqkMa7MS5i8ItnlOhfuArHAm5lX9gLuVYJwcDn9u_4e9hhwOU6RlT480j3h-YQQ-auSxQhd7MRiTddYJLlpydcYUz1yPvYFZXH9qoxkTlnq0Pv8Kd9Im65DKWyDMQ23Z38_So/s1600/th-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="151" data-original-width="198" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxCwNqdzKqkMa7MS5i8ItnlOhfuArHAm5lX9gLuVYJwcDn9u_4e9hhwOU6RlT480j3h-YQQ-auSxQhd7MRiTddYJLlpydcYUz1yPvYFZXH9qoxkTlnq0Pv8Kd9Im65DKWyDMQ23Z38_So/s320/th-1.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I had a
young minister ask me recently about what I believed as far as Christians
taking anti-depressants, etc. Here is my response:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">First and
foremost is this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THE CURE FOR
DEPRESSION IS <b>PURPOSE</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Sometimes
I refer to it as “GETTING A CAUSE”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When you get a RENEWED DRIVE, it “drives away depression”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may come back, but the feeling of
purposing to DO something, BE something or ACCOMLISH something is the human
beings natural anti-depressant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes the individual has to search diligently for that purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you like painting, raising a garden, would
you be into bicycling or volunteering at a daycare, etc. etc. etc. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Find your “reason”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ultimately one of the greatest “reasons” or
“purposes” for someone to get, is to help someone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feed the hungry, give coats to the cold,
raise money for missions, teach people a skill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hold babies, read a book to a kid, visit the shut ins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a CAUSE that rises up in someone
when they do for someone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that
cause comes purpose and that purpose drives away depression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Let’s look
at a few scriptures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I<b>saiah
61:1-3 (KJV)</b></span><span style="background: #F1F0F0; color: #4b4f56; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon
me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he
hath sent me to bind up the <u style="text-underline: black;">brokenhearted</u>,
to proclaim liberty to the <u style="text-underline: black;">captives</u>, and
the opening of the prison to them that are <u style="text-underline: black;">bound</u>;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">2 To proclaim the acceptable year of
the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that <u style="text-underline: black;">mourn</u>;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqCinw30QcTFdy2iWcMc2q1E_RDGGU2BQK-lwWI-FDOd7Sdcgx_DPMsHYe8iMuAVkOqvazkvvcOWSBuZBZqYWckTqBQaQNi8j1Gl4W_PdEXyNH8VxhW2O5ooTKv17KUHSDlIh5uQoYCXy/s1600/th-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="259" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqCinw30QcTFdy2iWcMc2q1E_RDGGU2BQK-lwWI-FDOd7Sdcgx_DPMsHYe8iMuAVkOqvazkvvcOWSBuZBZqYWckTqBQaQNi8j1Gl4W_PdEXyNH8VxhW2O5ooTKv17KUHSDlIh5uQoYCXy/s320/th-2.jpeg" width="320" /></a><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">3 To appoint unto them that mourn in
Zion, to give unto them beauty for <i><u style="text-underline: black;">ashes</u></i>,
the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the <u style="text-underline: black;">spirit of heaviness</u>; that they might be called trees of
righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">In these verses the term meek in verse one means- of low self
esteem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the term mourn means-
sorrowful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, the term heaviness
means- “being pushed down or held down; depressed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>DEPRESSED! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Depression is a very real, very legitimate crisis in the lives of
many men, women and children today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
biggest problem with it seems to be that many cannot agree on what causes it or
where it comes from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Let me ask a question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you had something very bad wrong with you, would you be more concerned about
the cause or the cure?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">When I was a boy I had fever and was very sick to my stomach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My parents ended up taking me to the
hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doctor ran some tests and
gave me some penicillin or something and within several hours I was better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doctor came in and said that my parents
could take me home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember asking,
“What was it that I had Doc?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said
that he didn’t know for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now do you
think that I slumped down in the hospital bed, folded my arms in defiance and
said, “I ain’t leaving until I know what I had”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NOOOOOO!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I didn’t care what it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
just thrilled that it was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbOdftMaNwpJYv_a6_f0MJLc_i80C8LcbwBYn6OuqxizF6plQ71-lt26KRIJTc1jwvYXDZNt62Un8-eDTP18BafQ2CH-071K-S1TE-OqRAnkvxOD8Qx7n13PxkH2RCRArvnUV0HV9Y32J/s1600/th-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="157" data-original-width="235" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbOdftMaNwpJYv_a6_f0MJLc_i80C8LcbwBYn6OuqxizF6plQ71-lt26KRIJTc1jwvYXDZNt62Un8-eDTP18BafQ2CH-071K-S1TE-OqRAnkvxOD8Qx7n13PxkH2RCRArvnUV0HV9Y32J/s320/th-3.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">I believe that there is too much guessing about what causes
depression and not enough understanding of what cures it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Millions of things can cause depression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what can cure it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read the verses at the top again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">In these verses there are three things that are always involved in
the “cure”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Action </b>(anointing, binding, sending, opening, proclaiming,
comforting, proclaiming), <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">something
positive</b>, (good tidings, liberation, comfort, acceptance, beauty, joy) and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">God</b>, (The spirit of God, The Lord, The
spirit of The Lord).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">There are people trying each of the three components or a
combination of two, without the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It helps at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it doesn’t
seem to give the breakthrough that they are needing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">If you look up some books or programs about depression you will
find many on excersize, activity, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You will find many on thinking positive, speaking positive, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you will find many about meditation,
positive energy, prayers, God, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
reason for all of these is because they all found a key ingredient to what God
says, cures depression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And each
ingredient is helpful in it’s own way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But any individual ingredient isn’t the cure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Sometimes depression is truly something physical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Possibly a chemical imbalance, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Primarily when this happens, it is diagnosed
as bipolar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the biggest problems
with that is that bipolar is probably one of the most diagnosed diagnosis in
history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it will most likely
continue to be because there is no test to prove if someone has bipolar or
not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They diagnose solely on symptoms
but the symptoms are never exclusive to bipolar. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvL7Cy15h4Cs-vhCCpqfyRfVHs2wlQiWm8z1nzbw92v1Wr19gCEMK0K-FLNsQUwm4r7O50vwDkwXC9YUdKgMC9E5nbHDVUK0eX-oUmU7iniZNo5KkNT19K52X568hxBnv54eJD2GNs-dFQ/s1600/th-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="267" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvL7Cy15h4Cs-vhCCpqfyRfVHs2wlQiWm8z1nzbw92v1Wr19gCEMK0K-FLNsQUwm4r7O50vwDkwXC9YUdKgMC9E5nbHDVUK0eX-oUmU7iniZNo5KkNT19K52X568hxBnv54eJD2GNs-dFQ/s320/th-4.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Let me give you a few radical, but realistic, examples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drug addiction has the same symptoms as
bipolar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You get a non-normal level of a
high that causes a mania that lasts for anywhere from a few minutes up to
several days and then you have an extremely abnormal depressive low that can
last up to a year per episode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
sounds like I was describing manic-depressive disorder or in modern terms,
bipolar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I wasn’t, I was describing
what it’s like to be on meth, crack or heroine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You wouldn’t believe the things that have the same symptoms as bipolar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Committing a crime and trying to cover it up, post partum
depression, cheating on your spouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These are all things that have an extreme chemical based high, that is
created in the brain and then a very low point that lasts much longer that the
high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This long low spot is a feeling
that occurs through a natural reaction between the brain chemicals and the
nervous system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">BUT, these things are not considered physical ailments as
such.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of these things are merely
natural course and others are more of a moral/conscience reaction to an abuse
of relations between man and God, man and man or man and nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course when you have a morality problem
and it causes a physical side affect and then you go to a doctor, a doctor will
not diagnose morality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he has to
diagnose you with something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
his/her job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what better thing to
diagnose you with than something that no one can prove them wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they diagnose you with depression and
prescribe:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxS__3JMQuTF5G-MqEj_D4W0LSMP3kxvMpqhBw12vTVi3SotZ5pvE-gLu4ergkzWmusHlHkS6qm_0rUmssOCPNBqKc8z5Ave8VEy68FROiiramMYb2xf0jId7sDveS2boRlkro7DB0XZjk/s1600/th-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="289" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxS__3JMQuTF5G-MqEj_D4W0LSMP3kxvMpqhBw12vTVi3SotZ5pvE-gLu4ergkzWmusHlHkS6qm_0rUmssOCPNBqKc8z5Ave8VEy68FROiiramMYb2xf0jId7sDveS2boRlkro7DB0XZjk/s320/th-5.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Zoloft, Xanax, Pristiq, Adavan, Buspar, Lithium, Celexa,
Clonozopam, Dilantin, Effexir, Haldol, Paxil, Prozac, Ritalin, valium
Wellbutrin….and many more!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">And by the way, there are two things that all of these drugs have
in common.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>#1 They are all used to treat
clinical cases of depression and #2 THEY ALL HAVE AS A PRIMARY SIDE EFFECT…<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">DEPRESSION!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">That’s right!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the primary
side affects of almost all depression medication is “can CAUSE
depression”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Here is the thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may
have done something in your life, or something may have been done to you or you
may have a temporary issue and you are excessively depressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you are prescribed something that can
cause depression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So let us say that
whatever caused your initial depression is removed as a stimulant in your life
over a period of six months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You go back
to the doctor for a check up and he wants to know if you are still
depressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You say yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps (unknown to you) not because of your
initial depression anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps now
you are depressed as a side effect to your meds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So because you are STILL depressed on the
lower dose, he/she decides to up the dosage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hello?!?! Is anyone following this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Truth be known, depression meds are supposed to be monitored very
carefully with many interactions between doctor, patient and people within the
life structure of the patient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
the only way that I would go along with their use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say, most doctors, patients,
parents, etc DO NOT monitor these meds enough for them to be able to be used
correctly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IbTTz2PpCMJ188PZDIUxE3lN-v-bdN3pJjbofjdNmbYA3GPNMH8SwQocDXh2Lebm4yXrShCnESKUUuV-iZkDpVEYR9RZwz9kS5jUAV9dUEpibC8xmI3DgcqihqHjJY6R7kOEsWsJijfd/s1600/th-6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="157" data-original-width="280" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IbTTz2PpCMJ188PZDIUxE3lN-v-bdN3pJjbofjdNmbYA3GPNMH8SwQocDXh2Lebm4yXrShCnESKUUuV-iZkDpVEYR9RZwz9kS5jUAV9dUEpibC8xmI3DgcqihqHjJY6R7kOEsWsJijfd/s320/th-6.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Ultimately Satan wants every one depressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Depressed people are not working people, are
not well functioning people, are more likely than any other people to worsen
the mood of everyone around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
opposite of depressed people are people that can be described with words like
happy, victorious, winners, friendly, excited, strong, stable, enduring…Read
the versed again at the top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(good
tidings, proclaim liberty, comfort, beauty, joy)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">I agree with many that there is a physical/chemical side and a
mental/emotional side to depression but there is also a spiritual/moral side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">One great psychiatrist said this: “With guilt, of a necessity,
comes depression.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to say that if
you are depressed that you are automatically guilty of something but according
to many top psychiatrists, lots of cases of depression are after affects of
long term feelings of guilt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Guilt comes in three forms-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">#1 Godly guilt, which is called <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">conviction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Convictions
causes repentance which empowers us to have true change in our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">#2 Another guilt is called <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">condemnation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Condemnation says things like, “You’ll
never get it right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re always going
to be like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll always be a
failure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are not cut out to succeed.
And, You aren’t a good enough person.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26HTS_vpiqPaXX24pbDc_92Vqp3f98xpVS_gbcWfGmIkhFhxfjhIrkoDLVY_5wf0IqF9Qf0b1FVALOWe7AeSMrEjllmNjmxxZa-9dStcQq_bdWiEgnam1v8wIMawvHkz0hUO0Db8qsGeR/s1600/th-7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="173" data-original-width="307" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26HTS_vpiqPaXX24pbDc_92Vqp3f98xpVS_gbcWfGmIkhFhxfjhIrkoDLVY_5wf0IqF9Qf0b1FVALOWe7AeSMrEjllmNjmxxZa-9dStcQq_bdWiEgnam1v8wIMawvHkz0hUO0Db8qsGeR/s320/th-7.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The difference between <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">conviction
</b>and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">condemnation </b>is simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Conviction has the power to draw you near and
condemnation has the power to push you away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">#3 The third and final guilt is a favorite tool of the Devil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is humanistic guilt or <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">self guilt</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of you are falling for it right
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Self guilt says things like, “When
I quit drinking I’m going to get right with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I quit doing drugs<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>am going to start attending church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I quit smoking, or buying pornography or
when I stop fighting or stop lying, then I am going to clean my life back up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">This thought process has some tremendous flaws in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of all it starts with the premise that
you have the power to make life better all by yourself…and you don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Secondly it imposes one of the greatest lies
Satan ever told.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That you have to be
good to get saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That you have to live
right to go to church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That you have to
earn God’s love and His forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>None of this is accurate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Bible says, “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Before I go on, let me say this, there is a word in the English
language that is always associated with depression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That word is loneliness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Loneliness is used as an attack against us but remember that
loneliness was instilled by God FOR OUR BENEFIT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is an auntomatic void, emptiness,
“loneliness” within us that is supposed to be filled by our quest for a
relationship with our maker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it is
not, then we must try to fill it with something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fame, fortune, popularity, sexuality, drugs,
intoxicants, lying, cheating, stealing, gambling, cruelty to animals or other
humans…anything to try to get a high good enough to forget that we are
miserable because of our loneliness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNEGq70t6PBgLi1OufBQQcKQBgtwnK5DFGLDGwoJqRIh897qrHMwCG4IpNW9Oc87p7pMsMkPT2f7U9-YY7N_tYKRMAx80GpP0W5Ou-YnidWsxsoKuDX682wHbkmOlpOs6t8x7ALyEb-vU/s1600/th-8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="227" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNEGq70t6PBgLi1OufBQQcKQBgtwnK5DFGLDGwoJqRIh897qrHMwCG4IpNW9Oc87p7pMsMkPT2f7U9-YY7N_tYKRMAx80GpP0W5Ou-YnidWsxsoKuDX682wHbkmOlpOs6t8x7ALyEb-vU/s320/th-8.jpeg" width="242" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Obviously, none of these things can replace God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because loneliness is “built in”, some people
can be in a perfectly crowded room with hundreds of people that are their
friends and loneliness can set in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
loneliness caused by depression is not necessarily a need to be with others but
a need to feel accepted, loved and ultimately to feel “right”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The amazing thing is…God offers all of that!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Now, all real “treatments” for depression have a common idea to
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">purpose </b>idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gut up, learn
something, believe something, do something, be something and become
something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All treatments...except
drugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">As far as the medications themselves are concerned I will say
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are 2 or 3 major
classifications of anti-depressants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
ones that are most commonly used are also the most dangerous. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">If someone is going to take anti-depressants, I personally, would
only agree to it if certain criteria was met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>First, find a physician that speaks clearly and communicates well and
often about the different classifications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A doctor that tries to avoid the more aggressive drugs, especially in
the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One who starts with low
doses and DISCONTINUES DRUGS BEFORE TRYING NEW ONES instead of just “adding”
meds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Also, I would not trust a doctor to treat anyone for depression
that did not do two very important things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>#1 Prescribe healthy activity/exercise as well as healthy and moderate
sleep and diet (and not follow through on drug treatment without following
through with these categories as well).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And #2 ALWAYS start with a short term plan of using the meds to get
through a “time in your life” and then back off of them for a long enough
period of time to see how you re-adjust before trying any other
prescriptions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">As most people that have been around depression know, these ideas
are EXACTLY how depression treatment is supposed to work AND, in most cases,
this is NOT how it is being done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">If you are reading this and have or do suffer with depression,
please understand something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Depression
is a part of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EVERYONE has battles
with depression at different times and to different degrees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are not bad or broken because you have
depression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are actually NORMAL if
you have depression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQbX5mojUmymMqe3yhh_V_rgxXOOwq_vdAnQDXklXOgduMJFTmCOydcUBMj-DY49EDom_8BmvDMgvAQy18a5x3QSzdgmz7GGndM-3YfaAmmHsU31pGEyVM6fw7FiX3zlGF129hUY5xDJn/s1600/th.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="244" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQbX5mojUmymMqe3yhh_V_rgxXOOwq_vdAnQDXklXOgduMJFTmCOydcUBMj-DY49EDom_8BmvDMgvAQy18a5x3QSzdgmz7GGndM-3YfaAmmHsU31pGEyVM6fw7FiX3zlGF129hUY5xDJn/s320/th.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Some of the greatest men in the Bible had severe bouts with
depression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t you see the signs of
horrible depression in 1<sup>st</sup> Kings Chapter 19 when the great and
accomplished Prophet of God, Elijah, requests to die?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Study the lives of Noah, David, Moses and
Jonah, just to name a few.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Study them,
thinking of two things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>#1 Were they
depressed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And #2 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The arch enemy of depression is PURPOSE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>You will be amazed at what you find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">SO!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get up, learn
something, believe something, do something and become something…FOR GOD!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Work for it, plan for it, push for it and
don’t settle for anything less.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your
plan, your path and your emotional prosperity doesn’t have to look like anyone
else’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just has to work and it must
keep you above helplessness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">You must make progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some form of progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There IS a
formula for you that will involve some level of positivity, a high degree of
action and activity and a full dose of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">I will note one other thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you take any of these depression meds and you feel “inspired” to get
off of them; You need to get off of them in a proper incremental manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quitting cold turkey is VERY DANGEROUS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though all doctors claim that these
drugs are classified as non-addictive, that is very deceptive. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same doctors that call these drugs
non-addictive will also strongly warn you to wean yourself off of them under
the supervision of a medical professional because of the harsh and even life
threatening side effects of stopping them all at once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">FULL DISCLOSURE:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
been diagnosed with Bipolar II-B for a couple of decades and I DID find a mild
dose of a natural salt substance that can be purchased in pill form that helps
me a lot in conjunction with good diet, exercise and sleep regimen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I continue all of them together I am
always much better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I struggled with
extreme manic depressive activity all of my life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have counseled many people that have gone
through similar trials and I have found that near 80% of them needed no
chemicals what so ever to have full health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have also found that ALL of them were capable of full or near full
health with no more than these practiced principles and ONE medication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The average 40 and under person in America
that is being treated with anxiety and or depression by a medical professional
is on SEVEN medications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the
latest ones that I have worked with is on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">nineteen
meds from 5 different doctors!</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
is a better way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">This is my answer to a question from a minister peer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a
life//relationships/conservative/Christian/Ministerial advice blog, not a
medical profession blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Your humble servant,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16pt;">Rev. D. Todd Sloggett</span></div>
Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-2495606256061473912017-12-18T12:18:00.002-06:002017-12-18T12:18:38.124-06:00DITCH THE DRAMA!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15gWvv32cQ9xUTtWQ_pUvh5FDIopOGR4GeKQwT1Mp5b3ItCI8e9Lsquoe1H0pc8cn4tnqSb6BjkQtcWurGu7dEH86857LbvvENetj_l-Gbo2g_pI_0oS64jKvb28TJzu_I15PWr4ufmea/s1600/th-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="397" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15gWvv32cQ9xUTtWQ_pUvh5FDIopOGR4GeKQwT1Mp5b3ItCI8e9Lsquoe1H0pc8cn4tnqSb6BjkQtcWurGu7dEH86857LbvvENetj_l-Gbo2g_pI_0oS64jKvb28TJzu_I15PWr4ufmea/s200/th-2.jpeg" width="200" /></a>By the time I was about a Sophomore in High School (15 yrs old) I had begun to pick up on somethings. I didn't enjoy meanness, negativity and drama. I didn't like when people were mean and aggressive toward me. I didn't like being around when people were mean to others. I didn't even enjoy the feelings that I had when I was mean to someone else. <br />
<br />
The easy part was deciding to avoid mean and aggressive people and all of their drama. Probably the next easiest part was trying to not be mean and negative anymore myself. But then things got a little complicated. I realized that sometimes people thought I was being mean when I wasn't. I also realized that sometimes I was negative when I wasn't intending to be. Lastly I picked up on the fact that there were times when I thought others were being mean or angry and in all reality they were not. Or at least not on purpose. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05dkCfkE99d-Z3GYO0u2tsnr-7Ssh7eppwj6l4_9BN5aW7vXgQvMlcOav0uSE0h1l7H5YzhnJUZ033nJvGGwMyAloNZVE3BdDhTYVSpNhLMi6Y9Qpbl7TEaZF5pRLx8W4HxqsbwGwCutQ/s1600/th-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="298" data-original-width="300" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05dkCfkE99d-Z3GYO0u2tsnr-7Ssh7eppwj6l4_9BN5aW7vXgQvMlcOav0uSE0h1l7H5YzhnJUZ033nJvGGwMyAloNZVE3BdDhTYVSpNhLMi6Y9Qpbl7TEaZF5pRLx8W4HxqsbwGwCutQ/s200/th-3.jpeg" width="200" /></a><br />
For about a decade of my life (16 years old until about 26 years old) I tried to isolate the main components of getting past this mean, negative and dramatic problem. I came to 2 major and many minor conclusions. Today I will only mention the 2 big ones, INTENTIONAL EFFORT and COMMUNICATION SKILLS. <br />
<br />
I learned that many people (myself included) have a natural negative disposition. If we just drift along in life and go with what comes natural, we will be very harsh and critical. But I also learned that with information and effort, this can be altered for the better. I began to read about the perils of being negative and read and listen to positive people and realize the affects that it had on me just hearing them and being around them. I remember saying out loud to myself in my truck. "I want to make people feel like these people make me feel." <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9uVW1qqYoi2Rz1u9XgtqnFA0ZSnZ85kfbRWtlUfg05nBVDUmI8PT2UbFD4pBXudpuw4igqS4Lv14j595fXfGGEwQhUV5Mba6AR9eCnc3XhqzKT4g91f9Hq1pepMfYJD7Sc4ZCbdIoG2i/s1600/th-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="151" data-original-width="287" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9uVW1qqYoi2Rz1u9XgtqnFA0ZSnZ85kfbRWtlUfg05nBVDUmI8PT2UbFD4pBXudpuw4igqS4Lv14j595fXfGGEwQhUV5Mba6AR9eCnc3XhqzKT4g91f9Hq1pepMfYJD7Sc4ZCbdIoG2i/s200/th-4.jpeg" width="200" /></a>One of the most unique tools that I have ever worked on has been learning to say something negative that has to be said but saying it in a positive way. I have not been wonderful at this but I have worked on it and over long periods of time, I believe I have done better.<br />
<br />
The other thing that I learned besides just seeking out information and putting forth effort, was this; Communication skills are probably the single most important element to not being mean, negative and condescending. Proper communication is key to not complicating other people's lives. The more you communicate, the better you tend to get at it. The more you communicate outside your normal comfort zone, the greater of a communicator you become. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fJhhyphenhyphenppo2PufYx24YvS2W05zfDfXxcyakIryOl2ZfrAw-WbR-lYos0FN70ylzRByaVvigNTJrn45zSFHS-PrJYHtS7QT75LzzGAhnwCR5FInO0qYrBXY6tRhJhXtx6MIoWbt-3g7FCBy/s1600/th-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="266" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fJhhyphenhyphenppo2PufYx24YvS2W05zfDfXxcyakIryOl2ZfrAw-WbR-lYos0FN70ylzRByaVvigNTJrn45zSFHS-PrJYHtS7QT75LzzGAhnwCR5FInO0qYrBXY6tRhJhXtx6MIoWbt-3g7FCBy/s200/th-5.jpeg" width="177" /></a><br />
I have probably excelled a lot more in my professional life in these areas than I have in my private life. Because of that, I have spent some time lately working specifically on better communication and more positive relations in my private life. <br />
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The reason that I write this today is this. I was driving around town last Saturday doing errands. (Nine days until Christmas). I was mailing packages, picking up donations, giving out little thank you gifts to people in the service industry, etc. And I noticed a pattern. I saw 4 people in line at Walmart, 3 of them were angry and complaining and the 4th was completely oblivious to everyone and everything. I stopped at McDonalds for coffee and there was a person at the counter yelling at the server. I drove about 20 blocks and during my drive I noticed 5 different people on cell phones, with angry expressions and yelling into their phones. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAf4B2BaMuslDL-tjksk14c4ZV4UyVDA-TEfrHhYanC1Kt8dr6wi-dkGj5SK9-LdgOs8AdULGwckJlvPatTnA0FQCuPdnjny1Ez2lkdOHWAtByjdVUUDaBOtJZVkHZPKV0Hwoo5Jw-s5N/s1600/th.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="165" data-original-width="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAf4B2BaMuslDL-tjksk14c4ZV4UyVDA-TEfrHhYanC1Kt8dr6wi-dkGj5SK9-LdgOs8AdULGwckJlvPatTnA0FQCuPdnjny1Ez2lkdOHWAtByjdVUUDaBOtJZVkHZPKV0Hwoo5Jw-s5N/s1600/th.jpeg" /></a>Right then I started praying for people. Just people in general. Then I started thanking God for my wife, kids, staff, church and friends. People that are much more positive than your average Americans. People that I attempt on a regular basis to communicate properly with and teach to communicate well with others. I also asked forgiveness for several times lately that I could think of where I wasn't kind and didn't communicate well. And then...I begged God for my ministry. I asked Him to somehow help us to spread better communication, more hope, less aggression, more stability in relationships and more truth.<br />
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My humble musings,<br />
Rev. D. Todd Sloggett<br />
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Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-12557966703602359792017-12-16T14:19:00.002-06:002017-12-18T11:12:02.101-06:00Why Do MEN Support Abortion?!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWewc3d1W8cLgaeUGxfI6P4lVlWPim98xYEAEIEXyBfteyP4styaLXhhX6rhkm7TwjWiTDDBaya4CbQmXRjq928cPgs1xGXz6kG9jLb6IufHQoLaGWWJdhLm-qmlyfb6JekBLNCRe6i4Z/s1600/th-6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWewc3d1W8cLgaeUGxfI6P4lVlWPim98xYEAEIEXyBfteyP4styaLXhhX6rhkm7TwjWiTDDBaya4CbQmXRjq928cPgs1xGXz6kG9jLb6IufHQoLaGWWJdhLm-qmlyfb6JekBLNCRe6i4Z/s200/th-6.jpeg" width="200" /></a>For the longest time I struggled with what kind of weird twisted thinking could possibly go through the minds of people that are not pro-life! I mean, just the fact that they were allowed to be born so that they could think about this concept should challenge their ideas. <br />
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I don't even understand how it became a woman's right issue or a health care issue. The facts, stats, science and social climate doesn't even support being non-pro-life. And then something happened. Something that only could have clicked if it came at just the right time under just the right set of seemingly unconnected circumstance. <br />
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I saw a statistic that said "77% of all pro-choice leaders are men". BAM!! A light came on. Now to be fair, if I had read this 9 months ago, 3 years ago....I would have most likely just skimmed right over it and moved on. BUT.......<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjdPcXNuuyopKEz9EyQBfq9eiQKXOjyko4wWrcU-i08TekPl0dPahNjYJ_H62Li305zaGzYrnmqd6Assoyv9TW1ekidyCANc_J2EaxB9ZmBJFhr8MsLv15dI2NX7jXppPHy4Bv41w-mLz/s1600/th.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="196" data-original-width="317" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjdPcXNuuyopKEz9EyQBfq9eiQKXOjyko4wWrcU-i08TekPl0dPahNjYJ_H62Li305zaGzYrnmqd6Assoyv9TW1ekidyCANc_J2EaxB9ZmBJFhr8MsLv15dI2NX7jXppPHy4Bv41w-mLz/s200/th.jpeg" width="200" /></a>I will do my very best to not convolute this and keep it simple and clear. Most of you will know exactly what I am talking about and some of you will pretend not to. But it will be too late. I will have already connected the dots for you. <br />
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If you take the facts that a) we probably live in the most selfish society and culture ever b) our culture and societal influences have brought us to the point where everyone is trying to get out of all possible responsibilities. It is always, my parent's fault, societies fault, the governments fault, the white man's fault, the Mexican's fault, the black people's fault, the Republican's fault, the Democrat's fault, big government's fault, big business's fault, Walmart's fault, the Oil executives fault..........a bad raising, a bad crowd that I got in with, the rules are prejudice against me, etc. etc. etc.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPJxAgsIG8Dq-GTpXPrMZdFiJxZ5oJiI0idbvMort3jsvz6OmOHhveYCAjJYZEgnonul8qw9Ik6CHSANaR785SQR1-cuRT1e5sASjR3Ot8iNYTz5HxX9oKuj-YgEYrEPscGpDIxdfeobM/s1600/th-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPJxAgsIG8Dq-GTpXPrMZdFiJxZ5oJiI0idbvMort3jsvz6OmOHhveYCAjJYZEgnonul8qw9Ik6CHSANaR785SQR1-cuRT1e5sASjR3Ot8iNYTz5HxX9oKuj-YgEYrEPscGpDIxdfeobM/s200/th-3.jpeg" width="200" /></a>Then you add c) the monopolizing, monetizing and sexualizing of women. As an adult male with three grown sons, a grown daughter, two daughters in law and a granddaughter, I can hardly go anywhere or do anything in America anymore without considering the sexuality factor. There are inappropriate men and women, sexual innuendoes and blatant sexuality in literally every aspect of life anymore. Sex sells so sex rules. <br />
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Now you add d). Male dominated abuse of power. (see my last blog about Harvey Weinstein). Over the last several months, it has been brought to light over and over and over again how men that have great power, wether through money, politics, fame or religion, can abuse and cover up their inappropriate sexual desires, dominance and abuse of women. <br />
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Now, you take these 4 factors of a belligerent and backslidden society and add one more little thing and you touch off a powder keg. The little thing....guilt. It crossed my mind that if you have a bunch of men that have learned to be selfish, taught to not take responsibility for their actions and they want to have inappropriate sex with women that they have power over.....OF COURSE THEY WOULD BE PRO-ABORTION! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ElblhWu5tuOvZfVEdittBQt_x4h1AGxtKfD_1NlFUMTfY7N7ueDvZajG7U1qkE6zRGxmR-BOzidrkLotrpXDmtWrNkj5nNy7hsGETGSakcAzBlTLUL1n-0e_onGhuJTn3F-ntScOZn_y/s1600/th-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="98" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ElblhWu5tuOvZfVEdittBQt_x4h1AGxtKfD_1NlFUMTfY7N7ueDvZajG7U1qkE6zRGxmR-BOzidrkLotrpXDmtWrNkj5nNy7hsGETGSakcAzBlTLUL1n-0e_onGhuJTn3F-ntScOZn_y/s1600/th-4.jpeg" /></a><br />
#1 It leaves a way to erase the damning life long evidence and #2 It makes them appear compassionate to all of the other women that they haven't abused yet. Consider this and you may finally realize why there is such a large percentage of men, driving the pro-choice movement and how that particular movement is still about men sexualizing and abusing women and having a legal and "compassionate" means to make some of their problems, burdens and guilt go away so that they don't have to own their responsibilities and they can continue their selfish ways. <br />
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My Humble Musings,<br />
Rev. D. Todd Sloggett<br />
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Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-51560735757645450512017-10-11T12:26:00.002-05:002017-10-11T12:38:03.603-05:00Abuse of Power….ANY Power. MY THOUGHTS ON HARVEY WEINSTEIN.<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWQo6DGB_FuxJ3IrGYgeDKkcihuKgN4iaGroLpZCezrphRfCS0E8RT_c4qB9ZVSlZAgZnwRutk39psyrRR-kNmwUb2cz_3lMuQRFv1PEy6qVzhEslIOQxkOXUs5x6gT0rTiSFipGlyAuM/s1600/schedulingsystempoweruser.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="699" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWQo6DGB_FuxJ3IrGYgeDKkcihuKgN4iaGroLpZCezrphRfCS0E8RT_c4qB9ZVSlZAgZnwRutk39psyrRR-kNmwUb2cz_3lMuQRFv1PEy6qVzhEslIOQxkOXUs5x6gT0rTiSFipGlyAuM/s320/schedulingsystempoweruser.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">The news of Harvey Weinstein
flooding the airwaves has once again started my wheels turning.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">And as always, I think things a little
different than most.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Something seems to be
happening in America and I am happy about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is no doubt that there are some dangerous waters ahead, but never
the less, it is better than staying where we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Over the last, who knows how
many decades, the powerful have grown more and more corrupt.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Of course this has ALWAYS happened throughout
history but it does seem to come in ebbs and tides.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bKpTu3mDUNPxbh0dywAvAJrtPZ5YDcAl5U88Cowu45zmUcYXVbPGaw2YyRjDxgBuahgCDcZo2jvajErodbXM2dPllr4uJbba9HBAVt4RDwOvH2hZsRwcqbqWDC8wmKuSKSqFNDYParGK/s1600/BWR622-e1442912368312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="600" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bKpTu3mDUNPxbh0dywAvAJrtPZ5YDcAl5U88Cowu45zmUcYXVbPGaw2YyRjDxgBuahgCDcZo2jvajErodbXM2dPllr4uJbba9HBAVt4RDwOvH2hZsRwcqbqWDC8wmKuSKSqFNDYParGK/s320/BWR622-e1442912368312.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">For a long time now America
has been the capitalistic market for people that hunger for power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are willing to pay the price, you can
get above the lazy, the common and the ignorant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once atop, you can have a better life of
luxury, feasting on grand food and feeding your other appetite as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your appetite to control people, to be right
and be in charge of things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To bless
those that bless you and hurt those that hurt you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the flesh at it’s greatest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is human nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">As these cycles go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People first don’t realize what is happening,
then they ignore it out of denial and laziness, a few try to stand up to abuses
of power and they are crushed by those with the power, then the people begin to
develop a system where abuses are over looked, considered baked into the game
and only the most egregious offenders are dealt with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually most of the power to abuse is
controlled at the very top by just a handful that are considered insulated and
almost un-touchable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is basically
true whether it be business, politics, family, church, gang or club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDC6KcXvrIWatNRCrFCYZ1M4zGBvMI_GnKj5BrYb_45KMJu9mdlwxteBalfFBUkeidOQRgOYt_M3kZebruncrRJk6Bg3KeQ7b8mrUjyEFDIHHlCcjs_Z6P9zz7WauGPlYPXVlpbmP7wqp/s1600/abuse-power-illustration-powerful-man-crushing-weaker-40461670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="800" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDC6KcXvrIWatNRCrFCYZ1M4zGBvMI_GnKj5BrYb_45KMJu9mdlwxteBalfFBUkeidOQRgOYt_M3kZebruncrRJk6Bg3KeQ7b8mrUjyEFDIHHlCcjs_Z6P9zz7WauGPlYPXVlpbmP7wqp/s320/abuse-power-illustration-powerful-man-crushing-weaker-40461670.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">If you look at the eventual
swell that has come from the people themselves over the last several years in
America, you can see where the anti-power is coming from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Roger Ailes, who built the
Fox News empire, was taken down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill
O’Reilly was taken out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Police are being
called into question all over the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some abuses are definitely being discovered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even terrorist groups like ANTIFA are
garnering their power to continue to influence our culture from the
anti-establishment ground swell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
boisterous, showman is in the White House pushing buttons and tweeting tweets.
All because the people have had enough of the abuses of power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">The strength of this ground
swell is what allows people to come forward against people like Harvey
Weinstein.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When most of the power is at
the top and the people are all basically sedated and in no mood to fight it,
then abuses of power are rampant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
the people begin to be agitated and win a few small victories here and there,
then power begins the process of leveling out again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDp9P2fYhttdrIZGF4c7UhyT8TRpjlpnPT0KfjTkzodjzu68B4CpPW78Zcz5f5FQ-9dVs3I-9r_C370X2I_04LITNgaPZrsjNDMypwdWTjuuObs4vuRup_d19Gb4oFLWqaY5GcumpL_40/s1600/abuse-of-power.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDp9P2fYhttdrIZGF4c7UhyT8TRpjlpnPT0KfjTkzodjzu68B4CpPW78Zcz5f5FQ-9dVs3I-9r_C370X2I_04LITNgaPZrsjNDMypwdWTjuuObs4vuRup_d19Gb4oFLWqaY5GcumpL_40/s320/abuse-of-power.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">There are many dangers of
this continued occurrence throughout the history of humanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One is that there will only be changes in
those who hold the power and not changes in the power structure, thus starting
the slow but sure cycle all over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Another fear is that good men
will be taken down with the bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
are always extra casualties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet another
danger is when the people rise up, they get caught up in taking down those that
are doing wrong and forget to focus on a better system of doing it right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They get more of a mob mentality and it
becomes all about hate and revenge and less about a correction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">In business, family and
ministry, I have learned my lessons the hard way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are basic rules to protect yourself
against being one who abuses power and or being an enabler of one who abuses
power. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxI9pYxCjK7PMeBgsYtbvUkcwdHvp-GaVhaXHMKpHY-rQ4RIMibr6ftwRg8wYMNeeSi3FV2vSTtX84bo3EVsDabtpv3QDt68jiaxxKuCjDPCUrM8OJk4ZoqGsdY2jUddVYU5n4Aopz4Sf/s1600/565882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="196" data-original-width="392" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxI9pYxCjK7PMeBgsYtbvUkcwdHvp-GaVhaXHMKpHY-rQ4RIMibr6ftwRg8wYMNeeSi3FV2vSTtX84bo3EVsDabtpv3QDt68jiaxxKuCjDPCUrM8OJk4ZoqGsdY2jUddVYU5n4Aopz4Sf/s320/565882.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">First, being an enabler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not let yourself get lazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not believe things because they were told
to you by good people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe them
because you found them to be true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not
allow yourself to worship men, places or ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is the greatest danger that most people will find themselves
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being in AWE of someone to the point
of attaching your worth to being attached to their worth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love great men, admire them, follow them and
have confidence in them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But judge for
yourself every single word, work and deed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When a man is right 50 times and then wrong twice, those two wrongs are
just as wrong as anyone else’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
greatly harm the youngest generation that is present, when you pretend that a
good man’s mistake is not a mistake because he was a good man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vnw5J_vbUumiRn_hfYft3j4b3BdFj6CYNkrWaxztcNshVm9c7MF3iP7gO7OyH0qgo383X11juLhikSK1Q0jr9_mITUVzZX8NwdO-91tOLbGrL0wBJBhgfP3d8eGc0o3ut72tc3fpokN4/s1600/Abuse-of-Power_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="848" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vnw5J_vbUumiRn_hfYft3j4b3BdFj6CYNkrWaxztcNshVm9c7MF3iP7gO7OyH0qgo383X11juLhikSK1Q0jr9_mITUVzZX8NwdO-91tOLbGrL0wBJBhgfP3d8eGc0o3ut72tc3fpokN4/s320/Abuse-of-Power_large.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">As far as abuse of power…two
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spread the authority and spread
the wealth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one man will always be
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nobody is so good at anything
that they won’t make mistakes at it from time to time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are at the very top of an entity with
no direct oversight you are in the greatest danger of abusing power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there are 2 or 3 of you at the top and you
get little to no input, oversight or corroborating with others, you too are in
jeopardy, perhaps not quite as much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Surrounding yourself with
peers, elders, oversight and constant input that you will listen to, is one of
the greatest things that you can do for your success, your chances at being
right and for the health of those under you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Lastly, no one ever needs a
10 bedroom house, 250,000 dollars worth of vehicles or to have a personal worth
of tens of millions of dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
had friends that meant well and tried to do good and great things with large
amounts of money but they ended up hoarding it, keeping total and complete
control of it and they ended up believing that they were the only ones that
knew best how to use it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of them
just slowly developed fancier and fancier lifestyles and absorbed much of the
wealth to themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One man had the
means to do great and incredible things with an abundance of wealth but the
people that he wanted to share it with wouldn’t “obey” him enough so he never
surrendered any of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He died a
wealthy, lonely and greatly mistaken man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMgb1_JLL903gb_DssIomAy2GBqdzXhOLW-JsXs8XdwpxT3dd00oo6VxbVfIreLwYvmuhbcA-L1YxKETaOHR52H3eaVyhPJAdVavNj1-QeiTmVqntjl1p8BY_wblvCR3NDikV0lzDu7zG/s1600/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAJYAAAAJDRhNGEwOTIyLTgyMmUtNDE3NC04MzY1LTBjNTllNmRmZGYyZA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="698" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMgb1_JLL903gb_DssIomAy2GBqdzXhOLW-JsXs8XdwpxT3dd00oo6VxbVfIreLwYvmuhbcA-L1YxKETaOHR52H3eaVyhPJAdVavNj1-QeiTmVqntjl1p8BY_wblvCR3NDikV0lzDu7zG/s320/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAJYAAAAJDRhNGEwOTIyLTgyMmUtNDE3NC04MzY1LTBjNTllNmRmZGYyZA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">When you have what you need,
find the best possible causes that you can and spread the rest around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Use wisdom, do some research, but get it out
there and give it a chance to do good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If mistakes are made it is not the end of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have found that the mistakes of the sincere
are often times more successful than the successes of the insincere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Ministry leaders, be wise and
beware.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This isn’t the good ol boys family
church days anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people are
coming back to their causes and their senses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It happened with Luther, it happened with Washington and the continentals,
it happened with Trump and if it keeps up…it will happen at the churches, in
the meetings and in the fellowships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is scary, but it is mostly a good thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Take head, make notes, use
wisdom young people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray through and
follow Christ and Christ alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brother
Todd is staking everything he has on you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-49730902517875618372017-08-18T15:42:00.000-05:002017-08-18T15:49:40.074-05:00Amazing Bethany IV<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLGhZ6kCiCJWOreXP0Pu-C2gvU-N_Ya0obz0U9cfmylEboH2UQBpbfUfWWyp1VHg6T7y2f99qBtoAHVrY-oDfBUBm66atOXmNpjLfIlzs2hQkTAZHC-N-8bfnBqEK9Tkkc57xijM0TYuR/s1600/IMG_5371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLGhZ6kCiCJWOreXP0Pu-C2gvU-N_Ya0obz0U9cfmylEboH2UQBpbfUfWWyp1VHg6T7y2f99qBtoAHVrY-oDfBUBm66atOXmNpjLfIlzs2hQkTAZHC-N-8bfnBqEK9Tkkc57xijM0TYuR/s320/IMG_5371.JPG" width="320" /></a>I have written quite extensively about my home church and I suppose that you would just have to be there sometime to really understand why. In writing about Bethany Holiness Church in Sand Springs, OK, my intentions are not just to brag on and show my thankfulness and admiration for these people, but also to hopefully inspire others to strive to be ever more like them.<br />
<br />
The amount of ministry that is done on and from this place is exhaustive...and exhausting. HaHa! But it is not just the activity and action in and of itself that is so impressive. It is often the hidden talents of so many people that only a true need will sometimes bring out. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMeuR937ZERatn3cKgLUX-fingdjm2tQzr_5wz_nNoE36q6OBDzqLyYfXZD3XR0xohfMSNU8imyfpUFU-4NbGPlOIxM9A5JnUU5t5YNvnXQHA24vwyVsTICoPhmdA5r_gpz7Hj6Tt8QS0/s1600/IMG_0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMeuR937ZERatn3cKgLUX-fingdjm2tQzr_5wz_nNoE36q6OBDzqLyYfXZD3XR0xohfMSNU8imyfpUFU-4NbGPlOIxM9A5JnUU5t5YNvnXQHA24vwyVsTICoPhmdA5r_gpz7Hj6Tt8QS0/s320/IMG_0576.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Many places that I go, and they are many, have the talents of all of their people on full display at each event, happening or occurrence. The best singers will be singing, the best preachers will be preaching, the best leaders will be leading, etc. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But amazingly enough, I see more and more incredible strengths and talents in our people just by accident. Or I at least seem to find out about them by happening upon them, because they are not on display. <br />
<br />
<br />
Incredible cleaners, amazing organizers, those that are great with children and problem solvers, cooks, meal planners, handymen. Ask any Pastor or leader and they will tell you that these are the things that they need most! And these seem to be the types of people that we are overwhelmingly blessed with.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1bxRo7h9BSXpfIDUAlxgCeynMm6WrRzhkzQ5pLyaDLVp3PzKgvR93yaJHagi2RS-IF3E8dwNaP8adj3zhuzgwu6CujTYowmVq54JIgrjho2rfwtpuUd_oxnQiSPMBy2fKQqJA9ii5yBo/s1600/IMG_0562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1bxRo7h9BSXpfIDUAlxgCeynMm6WrRzhkzQ5pLyaDLVp3PzKgvR93yaJHagi2RS-IF3E8dwNaP8adj3zhuzgwu6CujTYowmVq54JIgrjho2rfwtpuUd_oxnQiSPMBy2fKQqJA9ii5yBo/s320/IMG_0562.JPG" width="320" /></a>I thought that I realized this completely until very recently. I am of course the President of HMA and we put on an annual Outreach Conference. This year, for the first time, we held the conference at Bethany. The 4 previous years we had it at Revival Tabernacle in Richmond, KY and Pastor David Lamb's staff did outstanding. I always made my phone calls, sent my money and showed up for the conference like everyone else. It was so incredibly easy for me because Revival Tabernacle did almost all of the heavy lifting. <br />
<br />
This year I prepared for a much different experience. My local Oklahoma staff and I (many of which already attend Bethany) were geared up for putting on this conference without the hands on help of many of the Revival Tabernacle people that we had grown so accustomed to. We had a meeting about a month out from conference and I asked for volunteers and took down names.....THAT WAS IT! The next thing that I knew, it was as if the conference was putting itself on. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fGURH5rW2GNPVdgjUes27POBySYuy1zMriyjFWwsLu0rUWHkS0lQfDbfvlpLGZzvtdArg3VQkGggzHeAT1dAVG2u044u8E3-hbp7Nlw13VOz1_3M1nuF_bRIvW7VH35UtaDn_fNsIeoB/s1600/IMG_5473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fGURH5rW2GNPVdgjUes27POBySYuy1zMriyjFWwsLu0rUWHkS0lQfDbfvlpLGZzvtdArg3VQkGggzHeAT1dAVG2u044u8E3-hbp7Nlw13VOz1_3M1nuF_bRIvW7VH35UtaDn_fNsIeoB/s320/IMG_5473.JPG" width="240" /></a>Our Bethany family has worked events, prepared meals for homeless people, hosted funerals, weddings and showers, put on fellowship meetings and done outreach and Vacation Bible School to the point that everyone knows who is good at what, who does what, where each other's strengths are and where the weak spots are AND.....THEY KNOW HOW TO "JUST DO IT". They do not have to be seen, heard, told or given the credit. It is an amazing testimony to the leadership, the leadership style and the type of people that are willing (and not willing) to attend church here. <br />
<br />
I will give you an example: As soon as the meeting was over and everyone had their subsequent jobs to do, a young lady approached me and said, "Pastor Todd, I am just making a suggestion, but I noticed that people will be coming form all around the country and there will be day and evening services and you do not have a specific plan for children. Is there a need for something for the children to do while the parents are in these intense study sessions?"<br />
<br />
I immediately realized that there could be such a need and I just didn't think about it. I told here that something for the children to do could become an issue and I would get back to her. THE NEXT WEEK, a couple called from Kentucky and said that they intended to come for conference but they ended up not having anything to do with their three children and were just checking for options. I called the lady that I had spoken with and asked her if she could put something together. She then informed me that a children's church plan had been put in place, there were activities that were built around Bible stories that had been planned and that there were young workers for each activity as well as adults to oversee the whole thing already prepared to be there.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhde6IT4cyDLCzcFX0nJj6qhUmtIIWEKGZMcPc8rnZLaDCvJU7ENSJx-0j0M-xpJBM4o9ain0cYdmoIYJKXAjlPAZEYtyqwot2xcxYEtMoYg78ZtgSkNcIJNuiterd2Lnfi5GsA-l6s1Ege/s1600/IMG_0405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhde6IT4cyDLCzcFX0nJj6qhUmtIIWEKGZMcPc8rnZLaDCvJU7ENSJx-0j0M-xpJBM4o9ain0cYdmoIYJKXAjlPAZEYtyqwot2xcxYEtMoYg78ZtgSkNcIJNuiterd2Lnfi5GsA-l6s1Ege/s320/IMG_0405.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
These people are just does, that's all there is to it! They help, they work, they plan, they are flexible and they do not have to be micro-managed.<br />
<br />
After conference was over, the parents of the children came to me and bragged and bragged on the children's group and thanked me for it being possible. I tried to explain to them the entire situation and they just kept thanking me. I was embarrassed for getting any kind of credit for it. I later found out that there had been 24 to 29 children in the kid's activities almost every session. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6Cgr_LDOqYmmvdCJqaMfry_XnViT1lHxPARdB1W62iZJ7N3ZX_u6C7Gzs_9DS09NBKGUvR2qDzAciA2PyHXMNVprFe8buAkMkRl4gs7VJgHlCL7ZK-Q4TUx65hHf9mHQznMOOUXKPKf6/s1600/IMG_0558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6Cgr_LDOqYmmvdCJqaMfry_XnViT1lHxPARdB1W62iZJ7N3ZX_u6C7Gzs_9DS09NBKGUvR2qDzAciA2PyHXMNVprFe8buAkMkRl4gs7VJgHlCL7ZK-Q4TUx65hHf9mHQznMOOUXKPKf6/s320/IMG_0558.JPG" width="240" /></a>This is just one of many examples that I could use to show how it was just GETTING DONE in the background almost literally while I slept. All week long people were fueling vehicles, preparing food, cleaning up until 1 and 2 in the morning. Coming in early before morning sessions and picking up after us all, praying in the sanctuary between services and on and on and on.....<br />
<br />
Listen closely, THIS DOESN'T JUST HAPPEN! This environment is developed...over time...on purpose...with great effort and great intent.<br />
<br />
God has been so good to my family and our ministry and one of the best things that He ever did for us was guide to a real home church. A church full of people that love, work, strive for unity, solutions and Godly behavior. God bless Bethany Holiness Church!<br />
<br />
Your humble servant,<br />
Rev. D. Todd SloggettRev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-24872428620878561062017-05-31T14:38:00.001-05:002017-05-31T14:51:50.584-05:00Dealing with mental, suicidal, emotional homeless people. <div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1TE8hd_Xp60QIozzvpjPfWhJ8gBXvHO_VMzwYd1M8kaM8lBKRql-KBz9jbVXRywoR9JXiJhUqLk2S7LrrYQoRpv32PDFEigi2mkmbWDmNKZWDLIawiJEqH1nuMWgqwPZ482EUnxxRAIk/s1600/01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="500" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1TE8hd_Xp60QIozzvpjPfWhJ8gBXvHO_VMzwYd1M8kaM8lBKRql-KBz9jbVXRywoR9JXiJhUqLk2S7LrrYQoRpv32PDFEigi2mkmbWDmNKZWDLIawiJEqH1nuMWgqwPZ482EUnxxRAIk/s320/01.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">This is another response to a
Pastor that we are working with that has asked questions about working with
homeless people in Arkansas and running into a lot a mental
instability/suicidal stuff:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Finally getting around to
your question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to admit that this is such a broad
question that there is no complete and right answer to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every situation is different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many general rules to use as guide
lines but none of them work every time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Except the ones that you already know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Get them to Jesus is first
and foremost, BUT how, is another story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If they will come to church great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Have the best JESUS services that you can and let them absorb that over
time until they surrender to The Lord and His will. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBHLWzoJAvsJAsRdQA3wZdlkFxygRjYplk_wE4w4z3ylWf2DKWmxsskEDkcr-GvtSwD-4RQC0NY3wRHdJADPv8ON15-4mQPM-t2OKe4ZWeBBq6rME70Sh7wzkBBY11tx2YNmL-M7UGHl8/s1600/1673225-inline-750-homeless3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="640" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBHLWzoJAvsJAsRdQA3wZdlkFxygRjYplk_wE4w4z3ylWf2DKWmxsskEDkcr-GvtSwD-4RQC0NY3wRHdJADPv8ON15-4mQPM-t2OKe4ZWeBBq6rME70Sh7wzkBBY11tx2YNmL-M7UGHl8/s320/1673225-inline-750-homeless3.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Constant interaction with
saints is another basic but pure response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>People that love unconditionally, correct carefully and don’t sin or
approve of sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is generally a side
of God’s humanity that they are not very familiar with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is refreshing and often life changing for
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">After that, it gets
tricky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be very leery of over medicated
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are more of them than the
ones that are not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Study
medications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not just on google and Facebook and shallow stuff like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really
study them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t start telling people
to flush their meds if you don’t know what you are talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t just quote something from the pulpit
that you heard on the Drudge Report or something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are going to be an expert, the first
thing you must do is become one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Suicide is also very careful
business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most suicide “attempts” are
for attention purposes only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you
better know what you are doing because one mistake can cost an eternity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD57Df5ppMBMSFfysJKNilwF3ormYKZUWbwMxNoijPYZm52GGA0wPj1zYF-HAgNJTHz_ySA5iYPhcqLAMxVVZVXCSfjTqRHkNDrVJE8u5gxDszr92BKfg6x588REXV12UOKkbDA4CXG_c3/s1600/helping-the-homeless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="600" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD57Df5ppMBMSFfysJKNilwF3ormYKZUWbwMxNoijPYZm52GGA0wPj1zYF-HAgNJTHz_ySA5iYPhcqLAMxVVZVXCSfjTqRHkNDrVJE8u5gxDszr92BKfg6x588REXV12UOKkbDA4CXG_c3/s320/helping-the-homeless.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">For example:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some suicide attempts that are
almost never genuine, there are some that are rarely genuine, there are some
that are often genuine and there are some that must be assumed to be genuine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">ie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wrist cutting is the most commonly talked
about and “attempted” form of suicide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I will let you in on a little secret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have dealt with dozens, probably hundreds
of suicide attempts and I do not know of anyone who has “successfully” killed
themselves by cutting their wrists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Zero!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is almost always a sign
of emotional attention problems and it is almost never a serious attempt at
taking ones own life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Things like overdosing on
pills, taking poisons and attempting to drink oneself to death are a little more
serious and a little more commonly successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLurmYTGVRByttNDVTP4F14hGUFCdU_aw09u5ADeFayaapUBaEjdprsGJdrue_xB6aUJHXT5Qg0bWxbRxcMwU9pR_whL0x5ixvqX6PdgjK4EIW-lZYD6UuxRZFbRalmpR2uPNRsldki5Pw/s1600/Suicide-cutting-razor-blade-140474725-Credit-Mikael-Damkier-iStock-630x401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="630" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLurmYTGVRByttNDVTP4F14hGUFCdU_aw09u5ADeFayaapUBaEjdprsGJdrue_xB6aUJHXT5Qg0bWxbRxcMwU9pR_whL0x5ixvqX6PdgjK4EIW-lZYD6UuxRZFbRalmpR2uPNRsldki5Pw/s320/Suicide-cutting-razor-blade-140474725-Credit-Mikael-Damkier-iStock-630x401.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Jumping out in front of a
train, shooting oneself, jumping off a bridge, etc. these are even more serious
and even more commonly successful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">The number one successful
form of suicide that must be taken gravely serious is hanging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">You must also remember that
when dealing with American homeless people, almost every one of them is
homeless because of an addiction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
will talk about their job problems, family problems, society, government,
etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but they are homeless because they
have an addiction and can’t obey rules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">The ones that do not fit this
category are the ones that you suggested in your question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mentally unstable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">This category is broken up
into 3 groups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those that are clinical,
which is most likely the smallest group. (Though the doctors and the government
treat them as the largest group). Those that are mentally unstable because of
the medications that they take, abuse or are mis-prescribed to them (This
probably being far and away the largest group). And those that are possessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And of course do not forget the possibility
of many of them being a combination of these groups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdvpD2MZeuDdxYqTWsP4ICI7voBW-O2Qe-dM00-i_8lmfDa5_yYIwEJWcBCASmOkTc4oZC9_R0OkQWhVWRVVVS6tu5JBN94795p3LGbZFrNc_D571d3Q7PCv6Las7J_D267fKe1UNSAx-/s1600/black-male-suicide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdvpD2MZeuDdxYqTWsP4ICI7voBW-O2Qe-dM00-i_8lmfDa5_yYIwEJWcBCASmOkTc4oZC9_R0OkQWhVWRVVVS6tu5JBN94795p3LGbZFrNc_D571d3Q7PCv6Las7J_D267fKe1UNSAx-/s320/black-male-suicide.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">So, to answer your
question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you deal with
these.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will take them one category at
a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">If they are addicts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then you deal with them based on our
addiction teachings that are on our website, in our teachings, all over the
web, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Addicts are the most selfish
amongst us and the selfish cycle must be broken by helping them get to rock
bottom as soon as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This of
course is done by removing all of the enabling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they hit their real rock bottom, then
they have a choice that has to be made and hopefully they choose Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, hopefully, you have been Christ like
enough and around them enough that when they need help being discipled on HOW
to serve Him, they contact you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">If they are possessed, and
you continue to follow the Biblical rules of engagement and you and your
ministry are filled with the Holy Spirit of God, they will manifest and it is a
matter of taking authority over them and casting them out, thus freeing the
individual to choose a new master.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Again, Christ, with your help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjn9ej3jDZAMvbnwXL9jDNc-ySXnPPMJX0ji452DiXu_PqWBLRlHjufChMKnnDG0D5LqJfLS0l5WqQ8ELkXsIfLs2aaryvnZUdkQm_HEToMI6OGZ40xH1FZpSbaiodebBzXnJzKXJvkus/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjn9ej3jDZAMvbnwXL9jDNc-ySXnPPMJX0ji452DiXu_PqWBLRlHjufChMKnnDG0D5LqJfLS0l5WqQ8ELkXsIfLs2aaryvnZUdkQm_HEToMI6OGZ40xH1FZpSbaiodebBzXnJzKXJvkus/s320/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">If they are truly mentally
unstable, with a retardation or brain damage or something, all you can do
sometimes is love them, befriend them and make sure that they get the needed
services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are God’s special
children and they should not be homeless and they are generally very abused
when they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God will bless you for
caring for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">If they are temporarily
mentally unfit due primarily to abuse and over prescribing of medications….this
is the hard one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Primarily you can love
them, befriend them and gain some trust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Next you want to advise about<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and
possibly even call into question certain aspects of their medical and
medication history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Informing them with
the best and most accurate facts that you can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Knowing that at some point you are going to cross their doctor, case
worker, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(So you better be
right).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the while trying to love
them and continue to gain their confidence because if they are coming around
saints, services, etc there are always chances for them to get saved and or
delivered from their prescription abuse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then you have a whole new person on your hands to work with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3AB-0AzEAAU_mxHOdDCfHLMWwqExG89iUn08wniyRUscREI-8_jjj9a86ZjoVwl0XjkEseFxkJHpTuSmpxa0aQCBrlWH5Xsrlo0K28VtkmDaE36eu_d5Jrh3n_boxbiyhD9naij77fww/s1600/UUMC+Open+Door+line.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3AB-0AzEAAU_mxHOdDCfHLMWwqExG89iUn08wniyRUscREI-8_jjj9a86ZjoVwl0XjkEseFxkJHpTuSmpxa0aQCBrlWH5Xsrlo0K28VtkmDaE36eu_d5Jrh3n_boxbiyhD9naij77fww/s320/UUMC+Open+Door+line.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Warning:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many will get saved and still be addicted to
their prescriptions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a very
delicate balance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You need to seek to be
in contact and even know personally the doctors, clinical nurses, EMT’s, parole
officers, judges, etc in your area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is something that we always teach here at HMA for reasons just like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t want to send them to any doctor,
therapist, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of them are the
type of person that helped get your new convert hooked in the first place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">I cannot stress this
enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YOU NEED TO KNOW YOUR STUFF!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want to be in the ministry in 2017,
not just have a pulpit and belong to a fellowship or a denomination, Pastor a
church, preach some meetings…..But be involved in real new testament Biblical
ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You need to apply effort to
learn the tools of the trade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bible, Bible
application, counseling, relationship studies, drugs, addictions, and on and on
and on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Too often I hear, “I don’t
know about these things Brother Sloggett, can you take care of this for
us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just don’t understand.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is one thing to BE ignorant of something,
it is another thing to STAY ignorant of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The information is available but you have to want it more that you want
to play video games, have parties and attend events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is no reflection of you personally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are actually doing the right thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I am answering in general of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">I hope this is helpful my
friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have anything more
specific, I can probably get a little more detailed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God bless you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Your humble servant,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Rev. D. Todd Sloggett</span>Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-41921828903408067392017-05-09T10:47:00.001-05:002017-05-09T10:47:18.533-05:00Inter-COLOR-marriage <div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VKBs3Sv4DhyphenhyphensJ_VxaZNvsmXtirS_DoYMCL-uJW9G-t8lVEX3m7ug0HfR6nLWMcCsC9CogreuDvecRbDfuIs0dCm9cqkLAAdSczabCPOgttHMcejq93zyZ17wjat9lJ_o9N0QGuHpjMtK/s1600/interracial-couples-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VKBs3Sv4DhyphenhyphensJ_VxaZNvsmXtirS_DoYMCL-uJW9G-t8lVEX3m7ug0HfR6nLWMcCsC9CogreuDvecRbDfuIs0dCm9cqkLAAdSczabCPOgttHMcejq93zyZ17wjat9lJ_o9N0QGuHpjMtK/s400/interracial-couples-1.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I have, once again, been
asked to attempt some Biblical clarification and perspective on an EXREMELY
sensitive and volatile topic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope
everyone that reads this prays as much about it as I did while writing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The question this time came
from a young couple in Tulsa, a Bible college student and an elderly Pastor in
North Carolina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of them basically
confused about the Church’s stance on so called “Interracial Marriage”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I am willing to admit this
much right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t seen where the
Church has much of any kind of a credible doctrine on this issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have traveled the country over, preached in
many churches and held meetings and conferences for two decades and in most
cases:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The leadership is against it
about 70/30 and the masses of the people are for it about 70/30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people that are against it often twist
and misquote scriptures and it is usually fairly obvious that they have more of
a Knee jerk reaction/Social prejudice/Emotional response to it than they do
most other doctrines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people that
are for it generally use social injustices and hypocrisies in the doctrines of
those that are against it, as their main points and arguments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nowpvr3OHdFnXLPDQ-BucYIc36go4M1_vdvls5s8jMVesgrdBrQFSTMS1DU5NhkGHDX0vzG5uee6fLfKHUpHRPCSWl8d3qwaipiQgoGcunVvZxgY88Jk-gDZhqp4kDr9OFxbD8Ey27-w/s1600/th-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nowpvr3OHdFnXLPDQ-BucYIc36go4M1_vdvls5s8jMVesgrdBrQFSTMS1DU5NhkGHDX0vzG5uee6fLfKHUpHRPCSWl8d3qwaipiQgoGcunVvZxgY88Jk-gDZhqp4kDr9OFxbD8Ey27-w/s400/th-2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I have some reservations
myself but they are NON-Biblical in nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is NOTHING in the Bible that would cause me to question that type
of a relationship based on nothing but color of skin or origin of birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is one of my big problems with it as a
doctrine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is EXTREMELY
inconsistent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost ALL men that I have
ever spoken to are not really against interRACIAL marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are against interCOLOR marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a matter of fact, they are not just against
two different colors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are more
against it if the two colors are further apart in shade than if they were closer
together in shade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example if a
“white” person married an “Asian” person, that is not as radical “bad” as if a
“white” person married a “black” person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The same is true, that if a “black” person married an “Asian” person,
that is no where near as “bad” as if a “black” person married a “white”
person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This gives an extraordinary
appearance of a doctrine based on social behaviors and learned prejudices.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">If the argument is about the
old testament and God not wanting the Israelites to marry the Canaanites, etc,
there are some issues there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of
all, if you want to use that and have pure doctrine that is consistent and not
hypocritical then:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is “unbiblical”
for Germans to marry the French and Spaniards to marry the Ecuadorians and so
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that is not a problem for almost
all people that are against so called “interracial marriage”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But those are interracial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is almost always acceptable…..because the
colors match. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZOt6091Lb0MG3VIPFl7KO5PdrFkLJvGmtXzn-BpvCKNnXUMqN-_FztQA2eIpgAtVHkkyK-yk0t2Ji-X8y9etJTcCaUa4sUcxan7yvQl20FcafCPMZbVv5pvpN4sZiEHZ1lvI4XYObLN-/s1600/th-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZOt6091Lb0MG3VIPFl7KO5PdrFkLJvGmtXzn-BpvCKNnXUMqN-_FztQA2eIpgAtVHkkyK-yk0t2Ji-X8y9etJTcCaUa4sUcxan7yvQl20FcafCPMZbVv5pvpN4sZiEHZ1lvI4XYObLN-/s400/th-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Something else, according to
the letter of the law in the Old Testament, Israelites were not supposed to
allow Canaanites to marry into their lineages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But in the New Testament it is revealed that Rahab (a Canaanite woman)
is in the lineage, not just of AN ISRAELITE, but THE ISRAELITE, JESUS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s ok though, because it is actually
consistent with ALL scripture if it is all taken in context.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most Bible scholars say that the reason Rahab
was allowed into the family of Israelites is because she was “converted” at
Jericho in Joshua chapter 2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
conversion was signified by her faith in Jehovah, her covenant with the two
spies and the saving of her and her household during the battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This agrees also with the New Testament where
2 Corinthians 14 says <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Be ye not
unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with
darkness?”</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This verse is about
Christians not binding together (marriage, business, etc) with non-Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Rahab was of the “race” that wasn’t
allowed into the “Christian” lineage UNTIL she was converted and then it was
allowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a type and shadow of
the spiritual understanding that would later come in 2 Corinthians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXszLo9vliGHWnMc1otpb0xSAstS6-S_y1n-aElGkWVNj-Xf4ZozodjQ09RE0AMVjtmgkMH5GmldPcFmnEGIbSOTgyd2tGPZ02c5lZqnr99RZ_FoHvBDM1iBlxYWKDb25SPXgZbnpdZdQ/s1600/th.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXszLo9vliGHWnMc1otpb0xSAstS6-S_y1n-aElGkWVNj-Xf4ZozodjQ09RE0AMVjtmgkMH5GmldPcFmnEGIbSOTgyd2tGPZ02c5lZqnr99RZ_FoHvBDM1iBlxYWKDb25SPXgZbnpdZdQ/s400/th.jpeg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">My reservations are bases on
peer pressure, societal discrimination and the mental and emotional welfare of
children that would be born into such marriages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think if a couple that were of different
“colors” were considering marriage, they should seek wise and Godly counsel
about the social issues and peer pressures that they could face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They should also think well ahead and prepare
a plan for raising children in such an environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I would say the same thing about a young
person from a very affluent family marrying a mate from very meager means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would say the same thing about a person from
a very strict and rigorous religious family marrying a person from a
conservative but less rigid religious family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Now, I am not going to make a
shadowy demi-doctrine to cause people to believe that I don’t think God would
approve of rich people marrying poor people or a more conservative individual
marrying a less conservative person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
would just point out the difficulties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If said type of people did marry said type of people, it wouldn’t bring
a stigma with it……would it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or is that
just somehow reserved for color?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">From a STRICLTY BIBLICAL
perspective, all humans are descendants of one man and one woman-Adam and Eve
(1 Corinthians 15:45; Genesis 3:20).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thus, if the Bible’s history is accurate, biologically, only one race of
human beings exists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christians need to
examine such matters from a Biblical perspective, instead of blindly following
their cultural programming or geographical prejudices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From a spiritual perspective, the only two
“races” are those who are of the kingdom of light and those who are of the
kingdom of darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible
emphatically declares this by stating that a Christian should never knowingly
marry a non-Christian in 2 Corinthians 6:14.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is also implied in Ephesians 5:21-33 and Matthew 19:4-7.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFNwPU6A54jKTrBjKavGSQmKBZBuFdAuiGG4E1HH0Zk7hFXgCVN7UzgPUi2hFOsW7-Y-KtcgG_Ne4aaQNoJ8n4-Agm2uarNDmGxsUosVOkLjJImBZaiiICTzycQuQCIjZhRIUrO0tc_yA/s1600/tumblr_mbnjkxyG2b1qh5srko1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFNwPU6A54jKTrBjKavGSQmKBZBuFdAuiGG4E1HH0Zk7hFXgCVN7UzgPUi2hFOsW7-Y-KtcgG_Ne4aaQNoJ8n4-Agm2uarNDmGxsUosVOkLjJImBZaiiICTzycQuQCIjZhRIUrO0tc_yA/s400/tumblr_mbnjkxyG2b1qh5srko1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">So the only “interracial”
marriage that I can find that the Bible warns humans against is between 2
opposing spiritual races, a believer and a non-believer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This again is best shown in the story of
Rahab.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It is important that
Christians think about marriage as God thinks about each one of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the prophet Samuel went to anoint the
next king of Israel, he thought the oldest of Jesse’s sons was the obvious
choice due to his outward appearance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, we read in 1 Samuel 16:7, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“But
the Lord said unto Samuel, look not on his countenance, or on the height of his
stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for
man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">There is so much to teach
each generation about God and his ways and the Church is losing more of each
generation, I don’t understand why we are not spending more time spiritualizing
every day life for them and teaching and preaching about morality, prayer life,
giving, forgiving, Godly duties of parents to children and spouses to each
other and the jobs that the Holy Ghost empowers people to do and…………But I do
understand one reason why we are not doing all of that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is because it is so difficult and so time
consuming to teach and preach indoctrinations that are not provable or not plainly
stated in scripture and then even more difficult and even more time consuming
to try to keep people convinced to believe what they have been taught in a
world full of mass communication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
there isn’t enough time to teach all the true Bible basics if you have to
indoctrinate also. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This article, of course, is
not exhaustive for several reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>First and foremost, I do not like to pit one scripture against another
as some do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Secondly, this is one of the
few subjects that is almost always purely emotionally charged and lastly, it is
one of the last standing emotionally charged doctrines, as such, that really
has no pure argument for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot
believe that it is even still around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To be fair to this article, I
asked 3 prominent Pastors in our movement, that I know are against interracial
marriage, to give me 5 minutes of their time on why it was Biblically
inappropriate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they misquoted
scriptures, I pointed it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they
twisted meanings, I pointed it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
asked a question or two or three and they tried to answer them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ALL THREE OF THEM CONCLUDED THE SAME THING
WITH ME!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We do not really have a
“biblical” stance against it but it just causes confusion, hurt and there will
be problems that are not being considered.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">In turn, I agreed with them
that, there are cultural, local, regional and emotional issues that should be
considered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But GOD should not be used
as a tool to dissuade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is disingenuous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>Cultures, barriers,
presuppositions, philosophies, prejudices, beliefs and religions, form vast
chasms between the message of Christ and the mind of man. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>-Ravi Zacharias</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Your humble servant,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Rev. D. Todd Sloggett</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span>Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-7205757292684394112017-03-29T16:32:00.000-05:002017-03-29T16:32:08.709-05:00Beware of the Bashers<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpFjzpjJLN-ZGv2IeE_yZUrV65tNpIyQsMCCWX33cvTrZfUzvmdchmKJTCHgupik8XV5ZBl2WqW3qw9oZxDEtoJRv79pwb1jTJKnDCuwPlW74tuXbxI0hd8KZGXs_fSl0DdS2dFfYKoIG/s1600/th-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpFjzpjJLN-ZGv2IeE_yZUrV65tNpIyQsMCCWX33cvTrZfUzvmdchmKJTCHgupik8XV5ZBl2WqW3qw9oZxDEtoJRv79pwb1jTJKnDCuwPlW74tuXbxI0hd8KZGXs_fSl0DdS2dFfYKoIG/s320/th-3.jpeg" width="320" /></a>When ministers bash, trash and blast things it should raise a red flag. A minister is sent by God to love, help, spread truth, defend truth, preach and proclaim. And in all of that comes a lot of standing against evil. But standing against evil and “bashing things and people”, are two different things. </div>
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To be fair, some good preaching is called bashing by haters of good preaching. And some bashing is called good preaching by haters of whatever is being bashed. But if ministers are not careful they will fall more into the category of cult leader than preacher. </div>
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When we preach and people do not respond as well as we want them to then we feel pressure to “do more about it”. Then we try to get it a little tighter and tell it a little more plain. If they still don’t respond well enough we can choose to single them out or even run them off to “clean up” the atmosphere of our ministry. </div>
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Listen friend, you cannot choose for an individual, you can only love them, tell them the truth and live a good example before them. If you live good and preach truth and stand against evil, you will not have to worry too much about being surrounded with those that love evil. </div>
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But I’ll tell you what is bothering me. The idea that if you bash, you are deep and spiritual because “you don’t care what anybody thinks” OR if you say anything about anything that is evil or wrong then you are automatically a basher. Since we are on facebook let me use it as an example: </div>
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If you get up in your pulpit and say, “everyone that is on facebook is going to hell”, then you my friend are an idiot. That is the most broad and blanket ignorant statement that you can make. But if you are a spiritual leader and you do not constantly remind your people of the pitfalls and evils that lurk on facebook, you are foolish. </div>
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The predators, curse words, lewd conversations and pictures that are on some people’s facebook pages are appalling. If you have a minister that does not warn parents to have an age limit or ask parents to consider not letting children get on it until they are of age or give examples of problems with it, then I would question that minister’s sincerity. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg381pXzmaZyuIAgxXfx5dH9kbOQZo4pV5Tcw3exzDBF62R12iLuHXg_6V2OK2gob-lmJV8p-sJ821_pcVLzsCB1wtm1t-HXsp8d1w5mfySbvqE3cuEIXsTLZFor0tsN_DO3jNbxVjWenfX/s1600/th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg381pXzmaZyuIAgxXfx5dH9kbOQZo4pV5Tcw3exzDBF62R12iLuHXg_6V2OK2gob-lmJV8p-sJ821_pcVLzsCB1wtm1t-HXsp8d1w5mfySbvqE3cuEIXsTLZFor0tsN_DO3jNbxVjWenfX/s320/th.jpg" width="320" /></a>But if you have a minister that blasts any and all who would be on it as non-christians or people that should not be a member of his congregation then I would question his allegiance. Is it to God, the lover of the soul, or himself, the Icon of the local church, or the fellowship, the controllers of the people, or.....??? </div>
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Look at it this way, I am no great defender of facebook, that is not my point, but I can easily see why it is one of the hottest topics to “bash”. I have been in and out of cultic leaning ministries and movements all my saved life and one thing that you must have in order to have a cult is control of the conversation. The last thing in the world you would want is people openly talking to other people outside of where you have any ultimate say so about it. </div>
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In a cult, control is the key, in Christianity free will is the key. Those that “do right” in a cult are well controlled by their leaders. Those that “do right” in Christianity are well submitted to their faith. I know many great and Godly men that don’t believe in facebook at all but I don’t know any that would just bash and slam everyone that has it, as if they are more shallow, more worldly or more ignorant than themselves. Those just aren’t the attributes of a Godly man. </div>
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I love the “Holiness Way” and I am a very conservative minister but when a preacher’s preaching starts “telling” you what you are and are not allowed to do in your house, on your job, with your loved ones. I get concerned. Even when it is a good thing. </div>
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Why can’t they take the time to TEACH the people and EXPLAIN their reasoning and USE SCRIPTURES, If they have any, instead of just saying things like, “If you have a television in your home, you are going to HELL.” Believe it or not, I heard that again last summer at a big campmeeting by one of the most used preachers in a particular part of our movement. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_EJXoFQJSGEIgtMCdCwKCkhB3lQVfjac97pAPXAE5JB9w-mk6mYiy8CVJrZeQeBAD8cUHJSBCzzCzYk0v2Ur-MkIdQo1qFDgNsEXmCn7-X2Jv4dC-vITr9sVwhDMOiSDJP7w8qU2Aqgd/s1600/th-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_EJXoFQJSGEIgtMCdCwKCkhB3lQVfjac97pAPXAE5JB9w-mk6mYiy8CVJrZeQeBAD8cUHJSBCzzCzYk0v2Ur-MkIdQo1qFDgNsEXmCn7-X2Jv4dC-vITr9sVwhDMOiSDJP7w8qU2Aqgd/s320/th-1.jpeg" width="320" /></a>I don’t have a TV and I wouldn’t have one and I have some very sane and challenging arguments against them but how do I know who is going to hell? It’s like the mayor of New York city banning all soda drinks over 16 ounces. </div>
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“When some debated him he said, “Your are for cancer and early death and children with rotting teeth. You hate children and you want the people to die.” Then you had the knuckleheads on the other side saying, “If I want to drink 10 gallons of mountain dew while bathing in a tub full of red bull I should be able to." Yes, you should have that choice but you are an imbecile if you take it. </div>
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Don’t be silly people. Of course we are drinking too many sugary drinks and of course it is causing problems and the City of New York should have had a huge advertising and educational campaign to “help” the people that want to be helped, but nooo, they wanted to just force their control over the people by “outlawing” pop? Get a grip. So, some of the same “great conservatives” that want the mayor of New York to be impeached for imposing “his will” on the people, also want to “make” their congregation members do or don’t do certain things instead of educating and filling with doctrine and flooding with prayer, thus helping the people that want help. </div>
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And if anyone debates them they might just say, “You are for sin and you hate Jesus and you want all of our children to die and go to hell.” And then they put you, the reasonable saint, in the category of rank evil. Why? Normally it is either a greed for power and you are in the way of it or a laziness of study and they can’t answer you clearly, logically and biblically. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxzpRAXZzQFX3ald8lsj5uLDUGXbCMeUeSwuOfpVFw6AOIumjIj-qoW4IOl5IRMnpvqUvx9GVyQHLyArSsU01OYzL8ilD8ECgjLNYbKbYP84ucIv1O2Rx4d6Z8HkR0wHB4eeRBfwRodP6/s1600/th-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxzpRAXZzQFX3ald8lsj5uLDUGXbCMeUeSwuOfpVFw6AOIumjIj-qoW4IOl5IRMnpvqUvx9GVyQHLyArSsU01OYzL8ilD8ECgjLNYbKbYP84ucIv1O2Rx4d6Z8HkR0wHB4eeRBfwRodP6/s320/th-2.jpeg" width="232" /></a>I hate to say it but most preachers that I hear anymore are just repeating things that they heard “popular” preachers say or they are just saying things that they know will gain them influence in certain groups. </div>
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I do not like TV, I think we drink, (and eat), way too much garbage, I am for standing against evil, I don’t want the government being my big brother, I believe in submitting to Godly leadership and I see no reason what so ever to not stand up to cultic indoctrination. In my humble opinion one of the easiest ways to tell the difference between sound doctrine, that should be submitted to, and cultic practices, that should be ran from, is this test.....</div>
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Are they sincerely trying to teach “us” for our own good and God’s glory or are they bashing “things” for their own power and influence? Am I a soul that they shepherd over for Christ and His kingdom or am I cattle that has their “brand” on it and makes them look like a big shot if I “do right”? </div>
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LISTEN TO THE PREACHER, BE LEARY OF THE BASHER. This is merely my own humble opinion.</div>
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Rev. Todd</div>
Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-9222255133736886212017-03-16T11:37:00.000-05:002017-03-16T11:37:01.440-05:00Christian Parents Struggling with Wayward Homosexual Children<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzlxg69T1Jyavrd_uJRYs7aEp5FHfaeFpkbdlBrjdv_C0v7CNQAsp5_QZuTIVtD8G8f8-c_bhHS1acsVOGSqEd8EYYp8Xt-8851fmKa1F-esPbYewnUPRnJL_clWUd7ZkC1vk73V-xXL6/s1600/th.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzlxg69T1Jyavrd_uJRYs7aEp5FHfaeFpkbdlBrjdv_C0v7CNQAsp5_QZuTIVtD8G8f8-c_bhHS1acsVOGSqEd8EYYp8Xt-8851fmKa1F-esPbYewnUPRnJL_clWUd7ZkC1vk73V-xXL6/s320/th.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I have spent the last several
days praying and contemplating this article.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is one of the few that I have written lately that I was not exited
about doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a matter of fact I would
just as soon leave this alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, it
is too important and too devastating to not attempt to tackle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also am not that enthusiastic at the fact
that I have less Biblical facts than usual and I’m sure there will be lots of
controversy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Contrary to what many
believe, I do not thrive on controversy)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Never the less, here we
go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The topic this time that I have
received a couple dozen calls and emails on already just this year, it is now
March 1<sup>st</sup>, is:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do
Christian parents do about a homosexual son or daughter’s “partner”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most Christian parents that I am working with
do not let their child’s “partner” over to the house and they won’t meet with
them and some of them won’t even meet with their own child as long as they are
in that type of a relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
feel that there must be a line drawn and their child must know, at any cost,
that they 100% disapprove of such a sinful relationship, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The only alternative answer
that has come out of some of our groups lately is a much more merciful and
liberal point of view from the “outtreachers” camp (full disclosure:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am supposedly considered one of the leaders
of the “outreachers”)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This “doctrine”
says that you cannot single the homosexuals out like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will never reach them that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A sin is a sin and you wouldn’t treat an
alcoholic that way or even a fornicator that way, etc. etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Once again, I kind of agree
with some points on both sides and kind of disagree with some points on both
sides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(No surprise, huh?)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, to be fair, this is more of a thought
process than a doctrine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I am trying
to help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m trying to plug this
scenario into the life of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
what I always do when I don’t have a clear answer on something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJT5HtSE0tPc_9Bfplikji5mHKz4zb49tMcqsYn6gD1pmDrE0n9v2SEB9LTy_kfQD0Uz-UVWa-uGI4y5cQvHLIIKAvJu6aftuU7fF06MVcis7GJePtt80BcfGniRqTe7dAXtFHYBkEduS/s1600/th.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJT5HtSE0tPc_9Bfplikji5mHKz4zb49tMcqsYn6gD1pmDrE0n9v2SEB9LTy_kfQD0Uz-UVWa-uGI4y5cQvHLIIKAvJu6aftuU7fF06MVcis7GJePtt80BcfGniRqTe7dAXtFHYBkEduS/s320/th.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">One thing is for sure clear
to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sodomy, the biblical term for
homosexuality, is a far worse sin than most other sins of humanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I said that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read it again if you must.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are different sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of you that have read my writing for
years will think I am contradicting myself because some of my past teachings on
homelessness and drug addiction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Church society has tried to categorized
people like drug addicts into some far out there, crazy strange category that
no body can understand or help or deal with and it has made a mess and I have
taught that an addict is the same as a liar or a thief, etc. and if you can
deal with one of them, then you can deal with an addict.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this is different.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">God has basic rules of
creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rules that He balances the
universe on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rules that regulate the
existence of man and the principals of society and the structure of the
building blocks of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus the
structure of the building blocks of relations with Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And a two sex society is one of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you know nothing of God or eternity or
religion or anything and you learn how to read and read the Bible all the way
through for the first time, you can see certain patterns of truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One would be God’s emphasis on
relationships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God to man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Man to women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Parents to children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Family to
church, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you sin the sin of
sodomy, you pervert, disrupt and exasperate the whole plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">God’s ways are not acceptable
to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have burnt the bridge to
mercy, to faith, to morality, to……….Sure you can have your own kind of mercy
and be a merciful person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can have
your own kind of faith and be a faithful person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can even have your own kind of morality
and be a “moral person”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you cannot
have the faith, mercy and morality the Bible speaks of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You cannot because you rejected the basic
pattern of how it all works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrKLc6_JeT9AvhJvuyfb7FqmB-3l8ePBXGlYg3xsI7zxGv_gpa8VJuZaUkv6zCSjUscpFr5a6ohBr6CaiW874GaD4KtlzAjI3BzZ2Jl1o0vqJvvAiHFX0QUvNvQQ4ifr3hugblFQgPh4j/s1600/th.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrKLc6_JeT9AvhJvuyfb7FqmB-3l8ePBXGlYg3xsI7zxGv_gpa8VJuZaUkv6zCSjUscpFr5a6ohBr6CaiW874GaD4KtlzAjI3BzZ2Jl1o0vqJvvAiHFX0QUvNvQQ4ifr3hugblFQgPh4j/s320/th.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">You are not saying, “I see
where we should meet on Saturday instead of Sunday.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are not saying, “I think the 3 are 1 or
the one are 3”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are not saying, “He
said we can have a little wine but not get drunk.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are saying, “God, your master plan that
allows me to even be in existence, that is the foundational blueprint that lets
me be me and you be God…I REJECT THAT IN THE MOST PERVERSE OF TERMS.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That, my friends, is very different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">So in that sense, I agree
with the hardliners that say that a line must be drawn on this issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AND it is not the same as everything
else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ON THE OTHER HAND, I cannot
reconcile scripture, the life of Christ, mercy, grace and or holiness to the
idea of “boxing them out”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far in
most of our fellowships the answer is normally, “You can come around but they
can’t.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which almost always leads to
hardly ever seeing your child again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Now what I am about to say is
obviously going to begin the feather ruffling process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow I am working on a well thought
through response that isn’t cookie cutter but has basic principles that can be
adjusted here and there to fit most of all of the diverse situations that they
will be applied to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Of course you can come over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We love you and you know that we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But don’t do this in a off the cuff kind of
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t show up over here acting like
everything is “worked out now”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may
want to let him or her know what they are walking into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is only fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We love you, we love them, we stand firmly
that your relationship is in open and perverse rebellion to God and we pray and
beg the Lord for your souls everyday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
are not going to try to force a “church service” or “Bible study” every time we
see you two but you know that if there was an opening we would try to take
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You also know that if you or your
“partner” attempted to “enlighten us” or “justify yourselves” at any given
point, that we would constitute that to a challenge to our faith and an attack
on God’s Holy Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCU9AJaXYHN_geb9hAfOt0jHnt4KEgXq66rAsH3nJ0BLmLeVrrvlGs3rrK0nzpuv2WcUAkUL7eIihlLMXz54cTSHRIkbM_O-TGwxbnilAkxkkZPLuBV9WTgaIA_-_Qk-hOwQXLmsKUEnEy/s1600/th.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCU9AJaXYHN_geb9hAfOt0jHnt4KEgXq66rAsH3nJ0BLmLeVrrvlGs3rrK0nzpuv2WcUAkUL7eIihlLMXz54cTSHRIkbM_O-TGwxbnilAkxkkZPLuBV9WTgaIA_-_Qk-hOwQXLmsKUEnEy/s320/th.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">That being said, if you guys
came over for chicken salad sandwiches and a few games of bad mitten, there is
no reason why that couldn’t work as long as you respected us, your
parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are holding hands under
the table, patting each other on the backside or giggling in the bathroom
together we would take that as a sign that you did not just want to “be around
our family” but that you were trying to normalize homosexual relations in a
household that does not believe that there is anything normal about
homosexuality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Once again, I could write a
book on all of the different scenarios that I have been asked and been involved
in lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Allow me to address a few of
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">MY DAUGHTER WANTS TO BRING
HER PARTNER TO CHRISTMAS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WE ALWAYS HAVE
THE ENTIRE FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS AT OUR HOME FOR BREAKFAST AND GIFTS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ALWAYS GET ALL OF THE KIDS AND THEIR MATES
MATCHING CLOTHING ITEMS, ETC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I REFUSE
TO BUY THAT PERSON A GIFT AND INCLUDE THEM SO NOW MY DAUGHTER IS NOT EVEN
COMING.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IT WILL BE THE FIRST YEAR THAT
WE EVER HAD CHRISTMAS WITHOUT ALL THE FAMILY. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE HAD BACKSLIDDEN CHILDREN
BEFORE, WE HAVE NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>MY WIFE SAYS THAT IT IS PROBABLY FOR THE BEST THAT THEY JUST STAY
AWAY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This was part of a real question that I received last
year and here is some of my real response.:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It is your right to have whomsoever into your home
that you desire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And to keep whomsoever
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it is also you who must deal
with all of the ramifications thereof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This action taken by your child and then reacted to by yourselves has
ended in a Christmas without an intact family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think it was a horrific decision by her, a “not so great” reaction by
you and a terrible outcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just what
if:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You asked her to please come to
Christmas and don’t skip it and she said that she was only coming if she brings
her ‘partner”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you explained that
her “partner” was a person and a soul and you knew that it would be
uncomfortable and awkward but you wanted her (your daughter) at Christmas
regardless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If bringing here “partner”
was the only way she would come, you would do your best to accommodate that but
that you were only willing to accommodate the person and not the relationship
and you think that is only fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIdlWB81m-ZmDEsRGdHqD6tcF3XwO3e45C5zaCQGKmc0a2-yctbjoisgLzmud03ilZqr8XYHwZUwsmZ9YeMGikUFgbxvxMOK2lB2x5IJVFGjVZkxx-jNRMeXUSA85WFpoiHsn4OBVa38f/s1600/th.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIdlWB81m-ZmDEsRGdHqD6tcF3XwO3e45C5zaCQGKmc0a2-yctbjoisgLzmud03ilZqr8XYHwZUwsmZ9YeMGikUFgbxvxMOK2lB2x5IJVFGjVZkxx-jNRMeXUSA85WFpoiHsn4OBVa38f/s320/th.jpeg" width="320" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We acknowledge her coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will have enough food for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will talk to her about what she does for a
living, who her family is, where she was raised, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I ask that you both respect the parenting
and the beliefs that have always ruled this house and refrain from acting out
your relationship, especially in from of the younger generation, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get all of your
children and their legitimate mates matching clothing and things for Christmas
AND have a nice card with a scripture on it and a gift card inside it or
something for your daughter’s “partner”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Now, this is VERY COMPLEX.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The complexity of it as well as the vulgar
aspects of the sin is why most people end up resorting to “no coming over while
you are with that person”!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But raising
kids isn’t easy and there are other things that people are dealing with in child
rearing that are just as complicated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Catching your child with pornography, finding out that the “wrong
person” is pregnant, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When these
things happen we find out who the adults in the room are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We find out who the spiritual ones are and we
find out how much people really love, because they will take on the grueling
process of WORKING through things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Lines must be drawn,
communication must be made and conversations must be had, in order for this to
work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it is my humble opinion that
it is the best possible solution for several reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will it be easy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will it be harder than just making them stay
away?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe or maybe not but this isn’t
about what is hard, it is about what is right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And before you start “laying down the law” on what is right or not (God
hates homosexuality, He destroyed Sodom and Gamorah, etc) Let me tell you a
couple things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of all, your job in
the Sodom and Gomarah story is not to BE GOD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Your job, is to BE ABRAHAM!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was the one pleading with God to not destroy them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second of all, the most right thing to do is
always to give as many of the people involved in any given situation, as many
chances as possible, to get right with The Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I feel like the situation
that I described does just that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if
being around your family and realizing that your family is willing to suffer
and be uncomfortable for them, actually wins your child’s heart back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if (This will drive some of you crazy)
the “partner” is the one that is ultimately affected by your Christ like spirit
and the “partner” is won to Christ and gets saved and gives up your child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How well do you think either of these
scenarios would play out if they were just told to “don’t come around”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Another part of the
analogy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you set up rules, such
as:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can come over anytime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You shouldn’t plan on spending the night
unless you are alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not attempt to
indoctrinate any of the other kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do
not show direct physical touching of each other while around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Let me just say that our children were not
allowed to do this with their boyfriends and girlfriends around us until they
had a wedding date, if you are too lose with your kids already and try this on
the homosexual ones, then you will have a hard time overcoming the “hypocrisy”
in their eyes) This could work very much in your favor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen it happen where they are not
allowed to act as a couple in front of people that they love and respect and it
makes them feel uncomfortable (convicted) to then leave and do it elsewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes that is a step in the right
direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, something that
couldn’t happen if they just couldn’t come around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmdkJTrfkDf8zUh5cXch_LDfuBPpN6bRoF0IfnZprx1DqVQWWb-3zpbfthZ5CgAydbzHg6BZ82QLrRwNaQiuTdjBh_odpqEVaZG2nF1FLKD4sU3tGAPzMtGEJYwdALnxmJloEvnfRaYbm/s1600/extended-family-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmdkJTrfkDf8zUh5cXch_LDfuBPpN6bRoF0IfnZprx1DqVQWWb-3zpbfthZ5CgAydbzHg6BZ82QLrRwNaQiuTdjBh_odpqEVaZG2nF1FLKD4sU3tGAPzMtGEJYwdALnxmJloEvnfRaYbm/s320/extended-family-2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">When I describe this idea to
some, they say, “My son or my daughter, would NEVER go along with that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then tell them that is ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You made some fair rules and bent over
backwards to allow them to be a part of the family and home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they can’t do it, then they chose to stay
away as apposed to you not letting them come around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have spoken to some homosexuals for the
family and in counseling and explained to them, when they didn’t like these
types of rules, that, Did you really think that you could do something so far
out, so anti-culture, so against history, so non-traditional Christian and all
of a sudden there would be no consequences what so ever?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is very gullible and quite selfish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life doesn’t work that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can chose anything you want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there will be ramifications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have told them that I think that the
parents were doing an amazing job trying to accommodate them and if the
homosexual child tries to railroad the situation and force the family to accept
the relationship and not just the people in it, I will give them advice to the
contrary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I also want you to see one
more thing about all of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything
that I try to write on, I usually start with The Life of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t see Jesus in direct contact with a
homosexual so it is kind of tricky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
actually heard a man use this in his argument against having anything to do
with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, Jesus left us
examples on how to deal with all kinds of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His example with homosexually was obviously
to not mess with them, because He didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please don’t fall for this kind of simple ignorance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus didn’t leave us exact direct examples
for all kinds of things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t imagine
what a religion would look like If we just swept<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>them all under the rug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">As in several other
situations, we must take what we do know about Christ and apply it, as best we
can, to what we don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
precisely what I have tried to do in answering this question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would Jesus just accept them and not have a
standard of conduct that they would need to measure up to?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t believe He would.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would He just rebuke them and run them
off?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t believe He would. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would He love them and accept them as human
beings but make sure that they understood where the line of truth was and allow
them to make up their own minds of how well they will adhere or not adhere and
ultimately bless them with the benefits or punish them with the consequences of
their actions?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that is very
likely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">So, in doing this there are a
million and one scenarios to look at and I cannot possible think of them all,
let alone address them all BUT, you can start with the ones that you know and
prayerfully and logically and Biblically approach the others without knee jerk
religious emotional reactions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe
that if you do this, the chances of you helping your wayward child to
ultimately choose to come back to sanity, back to morality and back to CHRIST
are higher than the other options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>DO
NOT overlook, go along with or condone blatant obscenities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But DO NOT make wild, broad sweeping, self
righteous, emotional rules and reactions just based on the fact that you know
such obscenities exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there is
anyway to keep the family unit as close as possible without sinning or
condoning sin…….IT MUST BE DONE AT ANY OTHER COST.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This is my humble
opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sure it is not 100%
correct and I am sure there will be much scrutiny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not write it in hopes of avoiding
criticism, nor did I write it attempting to be exhaustive and all
encompassingly accurate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wrote it to
try to help some Holiness families that are struggling and don’t feel like they
are getting any answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this gives
them hope, a chance, peace or courage to try again, then I have accomplished my
goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have better answers, then
please, by all means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do what I have
done and spend the hours and hours of study and prayer and tears and then share
you heart!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">God bless you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Your humble servant,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Rev. D. Todd Sloggett <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-24864265475077831612017-03-06T13:37:00.002-06:002017-03-06T13:37:48.731-06:00AMAZING BETHANY PART IIII want to brag again on the way that God blesses and uses our home church. Bethany Holiness Church in Sand Springs, OK. Pastor Darrell Toliver and his wife Sister April. The rigorous and growing schedule of ministry events taking place on and from this property never ceases to amaze me. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every week, every month, day in and day out it is non-stop and endless. Just regular schedules involve Sundays of 9:30 am "Ministry Sharing", 10:00am Sunday School classes, 11:00am Worship service, 6:00pm prayer meeting, 6:30pm traditional service. Then there is Wednesday night midweek service at 7:30pm. There is Monday through Friday pre-K through 12th grade private Christian Education system going on. Certain Monday nights of the month are designated for extra prayer meetings. Secret Sisters women's group, work nights, work days, field trips, fund raisers, choir practices, board meetings and on and on and on. AND I LOVE IT!!!</div>
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BUT, the activities, schedules and vigor that they are performed with are NOT the most amazing parts by far. What is so incredible is the intended outcome that they produce in individuals to affect communities. This highly intentional schedule of events that is ever morphing and ever evolving is supposed to AND IS equipping people that respond to it in a way that causes them to GO OUT, REACH OUT.....From the schedule of events that happens "At Church" flows a whole other schedule of events that happens "Away From Church". </div>
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Weekly jail services, counseling sessions, piano lessons, sign language classes, grief recovery training, financial support events, women's and babies lifestyle support and housing volunteers, Court Appointed Special Advocates for children, Bid Brothers and Big Sisters!!! If the on site schedule produces the off site schedule then there is proof of progress and that is what Bethany does. </div>
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The opposite of this correct inside/out system of Christians gathering to strengthen and support and teach each other to go out, reach out and change the family, the town, the county, the state.......comes in two different and opposing forms. There is a highly introverted version and a highly extroverted version. One is more exciting than the other but they are both extreme failures. One is the dying on site schedule where less and less people are involved so less and less people come so eventually a smaller and smaller schedule is needed until there is one or two services a week and a whole complex that was once dedicated for Christ and His gospel message is used maybe 3 to 5 hours a week and it basically sits and rots. The other version is the thriving on site schedule that is all about itself. More services, games, programs, dinners, teaching, banners and balloons than ever but the entire push for funds, push for bodies in seats, push for upgrades and designs is to promote THE PLACE. The local church building with the local church name with the local church people going there and the local Pastor running it and........Sometimes it looks very similar to the right thing and even more active and creative than the right thing but never actually gets around to producing the right thing. </div>
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The right thing is the active Christians going out into the streets, communities and whole world and changing it for Christ with their money, their votes, their time, their relationships, their ideas and their empowerment that they received at places like Bethany Holiness Church. </div>
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This is part III of a random ongoing series that I just wake up one day and decide needs to be added to. I remember after part II someone asked me, "Do you think you can brag on your church TOO much?" I said, "Before I answer that let me ask you a couple of questions. Do you go to church? Where is it? and Do you like it?" They said, "Those are strange questions to ask. Why do you ask those questions?" I said......."Because even though I have known you for a few years now, I don't know the answer to them." He said, "Never mind." In other words, I think that the far worse problem going on is not too much bragging on the Church, but not enough! </div>
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Your humble servant, </div>
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Rev. D. Todd Sloggett</div>
Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-4655968168710469032017-02-15T12:59:00.002-06:002017-02-15T13:02:39.422-06:00Keeping the Balance Between the Rest of Life and Helping an Addict<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoUQ2mLZ0GVXzRPe9eZ45wls_c-iq9RPOr1o89jyromWdfB_Q3WDfIKofh94VknbFByTwZyr2xCGONUvptIHfkKeYHIQNqlDttF6mA9jxJ0JeQ_z1iqzkrs0a4i3weka3Qx3Yf3s7mV_7/s1600/Addiction-Fact-Sheet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoUQ2mLZ0GVXzRPe9eZ45wls_c-iq9RPOr1o89jyromWdfB_Q3WDfIKofh94VknbFByTwZyr2xCGONUvptIHfkKeYHIQNqlDttF6mA9jxJ0JeQ_z1iqzkrs0a4i3weka3Qx3Yf3s7mV_7/s400/Addiction-Fact-Sheet.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I had a Pastor contact me a
few days ago asking for some advice about dealing with some friends of his that
had been on drugs and were slipping back and were becoming a problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They aren’t heeding advice and won’t listen
to council, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following is my LENGTHY
response to his question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All he really
asked for, was advice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is probably
not what he was looking for but I have been doing this for long enough that I feel
like ultimately this WILL BE what he is looking for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And hopefully by posting it on here, it will
help some others as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God bless you
Pastor and I hope this helps you my friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">My advice is more TO YOU than
it is FOR THEM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone that we deal
with is a free moral agent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no
magic words or secret codes that can make anybody do anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your job is to love them, tell them the truth
and reach for them in a way that is consistent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If The Lord win’s them in a week, a month, a year or 5 decades, you are
to be consistent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your loving, teaching
and reaching must also be done in a way that helps them understand and receive
correction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">When they call at 2am because
they are awake and freaking out, when they need a ride to the court house in
the middle of your work day because they forgot or put it off, when they need
you to help them find that special someone that ran out on them when they were
high or angry and now they want to make up…..If you jump and do it for them “every
time”, then you are teaching them to live from emergency to emergency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are teaching them to depend on the
resources of others and you are teaching them that procrastination is ok
because you can always scramble and make it up for them at the last
minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lesson here is:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>An emergency for an addict does not
constitute an emergency for you</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">You and the addicted, live
two different lives and one must teach the other and it must be the right
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They lay around, don’t get out of
bed, sleep all day, up all night, won’t go to work, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until something is an emergency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then they act only because they have to and
they need you to act with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have
a job, responsibilities, have a consistent work habit and morals and
ethics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is two different worlds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people trying to “help” an addict, JUMP
every time the addict has an emergency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That would be an addict “teaching” YOU how to live from emergency to
emergency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The right thing is every time
an addict has an emergency, for you to tell them things like:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will help you when I get off of work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, It is very late, we will deal with this
in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, ask questions
like:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you called your Dad?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you check with the court clerk?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do you think it is ok to always call me
at 2am?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is when most people are
sleeping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh141zHazLQ_fZnljAnySIB2A19DTTdC1bwk797Wb51ZrEF5Sre-xt-uqR58YA6ORC7DccpHw9y48bZFg15GMEdm4e0MH0QD3kEQ_mWskhNpGHFhI_Q0lBSpCRMRBoLbuMnsQfOM9hPu97b/s1600/argue01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh141zHazLQ_fZnljAnySIB2A19DTTdC1bwk797Wb51ZrEF5Sre-xt-uqR58YA6ORC7DccpHw9y48bZFg15GMEdm4e0MH0QD3kEQ_mWskhNpGHFhI_Q0lBSpCRMRBoLbuMnsQfOM9hPu97b/s400/argue01.jpg" width="281" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Yes, deal with the problem
and help the person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But use the problem
to teach the person to stop living this middle of the night, walking the edge,
emergency to emergency lifestyle and trying to pull everyone else into it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know this scares some people but
listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they have been living out
there on the edge for 4 or 5 years, the odds of you being able to help them
right this very second but not be able to help them in 4 or 5 hours, is very
slim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>they are helpable now, they will most likely be helpable in a few
hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they are not helpable in a few
hours, they were most likely not helpable when they called.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t put them off JUST TO PUT THEM OFF.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you cannot let them destroy your life
just because they destroyed theirs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
are doing this for everybody’s best interest, including theirs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Something else I have learned
to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the other principle
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only give them time but give
them something to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It helps find out
how serious they are and it continues to teach them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people that have ever dealt with a loved
one that is an addict has gotten sick and tired of them doing all the bad stuff
for weeks, months even years and then coming back and saying they area sorry
and they give up and they just want help and they have bottomed out…so you help
them and they just burn you again and are gone in no time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">PUT THE RESPONSIBILITY ON
THEM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are really at rock bottom
at 4am on Tuesday, and then you don’t want the same help at 6pm on Wednesday,
guess what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were not really at rock
bottom at 4am on Tuesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More than
likely you were high or out of drugs and very sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither one makes you ready to get help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Time shows truth</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AND <u>something to do shows sincerity</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they call and say, “I need you right
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pick me up at the corner of 8<sup>th</sup>
and Pine in 5 minutes, hurry.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You say,
“I am having dinner with my family and I will be able to leave in about 30
minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why don’t you walk down to 11<sup>th</sup>
and Pine where it will be easier for me to get to you and I will be there in 45
minutes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they argue and won’t relent
or say never mind or hang up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is a
bitter sweet moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bitter because you
really hoped this was it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chance to
really help them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But sweet because at
least you can be confident that they weren’t that sincere, so you didn’t have
to waste your effort and get let down again this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Lastly, once someone has been
told the truth about a situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
does you no good to argue or try to beat it into their heads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they start in with, “I don’t understand
why I am here” and “God doesn’t understand my situation” or “You are not even
trying to help me”, etc. etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you
have already explained that they are there because of poor decisions and
regardless of what they think or say, God understands everything according to
the Holy Bible and you are trying to help them more than anybody else, even
themselves and you prove it with your actions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>DO NOT SIT THERE AND GO OVER IT 57 MORE TIMES!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are playing you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have a life to lead and sermons to write
and loved ones to be with and sleep to get and prayers to pray and people to
help that want help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are bored and
are arguing with you when they know that you are probably right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And do not discount the fact
that some addicts get multiple levels of highs from many different things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One high that many ex-addicts talk about is
the slight high of just telling my problems over and over again to people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During counseling I have heard different
ex-addicts talk about the frustration that they would get when trying to get
that little high and some parent or preacher or counselor would keep giving
them solutions and making them frustrated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Solutions would end me talking about my issues and cause me to start
resolving them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That wouldn’t give me
any kicks”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone that has dealt with
addicts for very long can spot this situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I first read your comments Pastor, this is what I thought of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I am not asking anyone to
ignore addicts or brush them off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust
me, I know plenty of people like that and it is so sad because if more people
would get involved then more people could get help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have spent the majority of my adult life
helping addicts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have worked with
thousands of them and seen hundreds of them get Saved and delivered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you must be above their games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they get loud, you stay calm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the make it an emergency, you put it
off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they want you to do it, you
give them some part of it to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
they want to argue, you state the facts and move on with life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These things are in THE ADDICTS best interest
as well as yours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To summarize. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">*You’ve got time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">*Give them something to do<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">*Fight all the “emergencies”
with the structures of normal life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">*Time shows truth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">*Giving them something to do
shows sincerity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">*If they can’t do it within
the structures of real life and if they can’t put forth a little effort
too…They weren’t ready anyway<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">There are many other elements
of dealing with an addict like the “treat them like they are 5 years old”
recovery element and the “I love you, I’m for you, I want to help you but I don’t
trust you” element…but they will have to wait for another day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m sure that this doesn’t
EXACTLY answer your direct question but I hope this generally summarizes a
philosophy that will help you with these friends and others as you grow and
continue to work with such.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all honesty,
without being there and knowing enough details to fill up 20 pages, I can’t
give you exact and direct advice anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every situation is so specific and unique.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Love them, pray for
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be prepared in advance how to help
and be ready to deal with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plan to
act not just react. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do NOT be driven by
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If anything, you drive them…toward
Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you cannot, then there isn’t
much that you can do anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every
moment is a teaching moment with an addict.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Love, mercy, friendship, structure, rules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teach with your words, teach with your
actions, teach with your lack of either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I will probably be posting
this on my fb page for others to read as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For all of you that may read this and want me to go into even more
detail on some of these elements of dealing with addicts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am literally running out of time almost
every single day to do the things that I need to do and still get all of these
questions answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took me 3 or 4
days to answer this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a couple
of suggestions for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7wzQtuoBBL826EdRJZFVQDZwzqNk8ggrwddpP8phMcl7qWccRCkDiu-1wsM1MzRq-9odETXzaVMX2I5k9pyTZ0zPMCokLAZO3fBZwbGa_RXxuNvu78T0EmNobRJ8tHqmyXkQizQhqS8t/s1600/th.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7wzQtuoBBL826EdRJZFVQDZwzqNk8ggrwddpP8phMcl7qWccRCkDiu-1wsM1MzRq-9odETXzaVMX2I5k9pyTZ0zPMCokLAZO3fBZwbGa_RXxuNvu78T0EmNobRJ8tHqmyXkQizQhqS8t/s400/th.jpeg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">#1 Get a church or two or
three or an organization together and schedule a time that I can come and talk
to as many people at one time so that we can get all of this information out
faster (at least a couple hours) OR #2 You may wait a few months and we at HMA
are going to be partnering with some at OBI and be putting out a “Dealing with
Addicts” DVD similar to the “Questions People Ask” DVD that we put out a few
years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">God bless everyone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray for us at HMA and if you would like to
help sponsor these projects and the reaching of the Least, the Last and the Lost,
send donations and correspondence to HMA PO Box 12 Sapulpa, OK. 74067 or check
us out at HolinessMissionsToAmerica.com.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Your humble servant,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Rev. D. Todd Sloggett</span>Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-75194408933427627232017-01-23T19:18:00.000-06:002017-01-23T19:18:00.029-06:00Defining Ministry<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'San Francisco', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAX6FInGLshkV_ptEBdpPPk5hs5FIItcibw5bJmJ1IkOa60KQgLTZO5dTwmTiAVh-WK-SLHv_4N5S68yVTU_heUc4a_2KCzmbZ_b_YRn4Sa-uOFATcmzVZErw-mnBE2wIhvJ44BYO8ECdk/s1600/IMG_3564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAX6FInGLshkV_ptEBdpPPk5hs5FIItcibw5bJmJ1IkOa60KQgLTZO5dTwmTiAVh-WK-SLHv_4N5S68yVTU_heUc4a_2KCzmbZ_b_YRn4Sa-uOFATcmzVZErw-mnBE2wIhvJ44BYO8ECdk/s320/IMG_3564.JPG" width="240" /></a>This is one amazing lady!!! She has many beautiful and wonderful attributes but she is also very shy, timid and introverted. She often considers herself "Reverend Sloggett's wife" as if I am the minister and she is just there. What many fail to recognize is just how multifaceted ministry really is. </div>
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For example. I preached the weekend in Arkansas. I did it wearing my brand new 35.00 suit. That's right. I am 6'8" tall and only weigh 220 lbs. Suits for me are rare and EXPENSIVE! But I got a brand new name brand suit, completely recut to fit me for 35.00!!! I went and got this suit all by myself but the reason I got it was the influence of my wife. She is extremely frugal and can make a dollar go farther than anyone I know. </div>
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She takes the time to study things out, she does her shopping and her homework. She is positive and faithful about finding a good deal. She believes in good deals and knows that they exist. She also understands the value of finding them. A dollar is worth more when it can purchase more. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmaPEu21QyUgrn85Obw73bbn_P1RGHNQGgfC7m20iM9Wvah1l4g33hMMj1Ekt84-sWbQs6EKOPGQM278ADCl-jdcxPM1GX3Zho5fILicGZLYLJqZSgZr8bxeOh5KBheXMzf9HgTmJ7yh3/s1600/IMG_3178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmaPEu21QyUgrn85Obw73bbn_P1RGHNQGgfC7m20iM9Wvah1l4g33hMMj1Ekt84-sWbQs6EKOPGQM278ADCl-jdcxPM1GX3Zho5fILicGZLYLJqZSgZr8bxeOh5KBheXMzf9HgTmJ7yh3/s200/IMG_3178.jpg" width="200" /></a>This is a part of Sister Niki's ministry. A portion of her influence on people all across the country. She has taught hundreds of young people, married couple, new wives, new moms, our children and even me; how to be diligent and faithful with the income the God blesses us with. </div>
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I can afford a 500.00 suit. But the fact that I found a 500.00 suit for 35.00 is extremely important. I can give more to missionaries, I can provide more for my family, I can preach for more churches that don't think they have the finances to call me in. It is not about can you afford it, it is about should you spend it? The answer is: Not if you can get same and similar for a little more effort and a lot less money. </div>
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Many of the ministries that we have built over the years owe a huge amount of gratitude to the ministry of my wife. We were able to afford to start those ministries because she was able to spend so little money on so much stuff. We are finally going to attempt to build a house this year, mostly because my wife has spend the last several years being so frugal with our finances. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LlmMsi1Y2WNLMb9eHMFYs4H_6QU1DD6rxXPvprkfcg03v2krVJlf-mfk93Qr32i6a4NPohLKn_C_lyANT5TeQFxawpi8KPpeNUXzGwd9vQAoztKZ4C4PDY12OPAgP6JC0jh2d4pIVKeW/s1600/IMG_2732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LlmMsi1Y2WNLMb9eHMFYs4H_6QU1DD6rxXPvprkfcg03v2krVJlf-mfk93Qr32i6a4NPohLKn_C_lyANT5TeQFxawpi8KPpeNUXzGwd9vQAoztKZ4C4PDY12OPAgP6JC0jh2d4pIVKeW/s320/IMG_2732.JPG" width="240" /></a>MINISTRY is a huge thing. It has many avenues of blessings. Look for your ministry. Work at it. Cherish it. Perfect it and Thank God for it!!</div>
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<b>Pro 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. </b></div>
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<b>Pro 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.<br />Pro 31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.<br />Pro 31:13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.<br />Pro 31:14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.<br />Pro 31:15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.<br />Pro 31:16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.<br />Pro 31:17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.<br />Pro 31:18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.<br />Pro 31:19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.<br />Pro 31:20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.<br />Pro 31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.<br />Pro 31:22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.<br />Pro 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.<br />Pro 31:24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.<br />Pro 31:25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.<br />Pro 31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.<br />Pro 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.<br />Pro 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.<br />Pro 31:29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.<br />Pro 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.<br />Pro 31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.</b></div>
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Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-3240834458659324782017-01-23T18:11:00.004-06:002017-01-23T18:15:39.972-06:00 Pentecostal Youth Pastor Needs To Know What To Do About Feminine Boys????<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'San Francisco', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcq2skeor-PD9jtTCUhko5tpRwU3Ma6NAhpIgjMaeeqVkbbcVYAjY4m0M28fXA4dfNy8rwwFZUeHMKZUkJGJFs-nRfwD5xpfWDmyjUJrpMd8JxBM_mPSGbupm-2jhIZT5hJfb0h7k2OZk/s1600/th-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcq2skeor-PD9jtTCUhko5tpRwU3Ma6NAhpIgjMaeeqVkbbcVYAjY4m0M28fXA4dfNy8rwwFZUeHMKZUkJGJFs-nRfwD5xpfWDmyjUJrpMd8JxBM_mPSGbupm-2jhIZT5hJfb0h7k2OZk/s400/th-1.jpeg" width="300" /></a>I receive dozens of questions about ministry, addictions, relationships, etc. every week. Many of them are just repeats over and over from different sections of the country. I have posted a lot of my answers on fb and my blog but haven’t had time to post a lot of them lately. Here is a very unique one that got started when a Preacher that I met at our home fellowship meeting, several years ago, contacted me this week. </div>
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Hello Bro Sloggett,</div>
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You probably don't know who I am. My name is ********************. I've spoken with you on the phone once when I was pastoring in ****************. Since then I have moved back home to *********** and my wife and I are youth leaders in a local church. </div>
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I have listened to several of your messages and heard you preach a few times in person. Often times you say things that I've often thought but never verbalized. Your posts usually resonate strongly with my own thoughts regarding our movement. Thank you for your ministry and all the great teachings!</div>
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I have a topic/series of questions that I cannot find answers on and was wondering if you've ever dealt with it. I have asked pastors, looked for books, called focus on the family, called family talk and have found very little advice or literature available.</div>
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As a youth leader I have several young men in our church that I am doing my best to disciple. Please understand that our youth group is not the typical children of the holiness parents that go to that church. Many of our youth come from broken homes and abusive pasts. Many of their home lives are a wreck and the filth they live in on a daily basis is quite sad. </div>
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With that said our church and my family have been working with these kids and have seen them genuinely make many changes in their lives. I believe, even though they have a long ways to go, they have started their journey in serving the Lord.</div>
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I apologize for being so wordy but I wanted you to understand the background. A few of these young men have feminine tendencies, some a little more severe than others. I've heard all the preaching against homosexuality and all the remarks about "if you walk like a duck and you talk like a duck.... I have heard much teaching/preaching regarding what not to do but literally nothing on what to do or how to help. I have preached and taught in our Sunday School about how feminism and homosexuality are sin and how the mind and our thoughts are the enemies largest battleground but I have never addressed any of the young men individually. </div>
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When I say feminine tendencies I'm not just harping on our youth about wearing the latest clothing. I have one young man that has worn female perfume and had carried a purse in the past. I have another young man that has Facebook friends of other men in very inappropriate underclothes. </div>
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Also as a disclaimer I am careful about keeping these young men in groups and not allowing them be alone with other youth and especially younger children. I am very very cautious.</div>
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I do not believe these boys have acted physically on any of these homosexual tendencies and hope to redirect them while we have a window of opportunity.</div>
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I'm reaching out to you to ask if you've worked with young men like this before and if so what did you do? </div>
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Do you speak to them directly and let them know you have noticed the things that are not natural or do you continue to involve them and mentor them giving them a Godly masculine example and pray they change? </div>
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It has taken some time and much work but I know our youth trust, respect and love us. I don't want to do or say anything that would make us lose ground but I also want to address things that will destroy their lives if go un-dealt with. </div>
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Thank you so much for your time!</div>
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God Bless </div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "san francisco" , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">Reverend *****************. I remember you. God bless you and good to hear from you. I have so much to say I could write a book on it but don’t have the time right now. First of all I am thrilled that you and your church are working with such a group of troubled youth. Many churches wouldn’t even go as far as you have already. Even the ones that say they will or say they want to, really can’t. They have too many traditions of men that hinder them from doing the right kind of outreach OR are too confusing for un-churched people to be able to figure out if they did come. </span><br />
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I have sat in many many services and listened to saints and ministers testify and preach about how bad they want to see souls saved and how hard they are working to get sinners in but then I listen to the rest of what is said in the service and I realize that if the lost do come…they won’t make it here! </div>
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Outreach from a “Holiness” church must be a two edged sword. First, you must practice and perform true New Testament Biblical Outreach and second you must bring your converts to a true New Testament Bible Church Environment. Many churches have neither and they are rapidly dying. Quite a few over the last 10 to 15 years have developed the first, but still greatly lack in the second. I am very excited to see churches at least getting some of the outreach right but it is still a far cry from what Christ wanted. Look around and notice how many un-churched, horrible sinners, adulterers, drug addicts, etc, etc. that have been in contact with people that you know from churches that we would fellowship and God touched them! Delivered them! Saved them! Even perhaps through outreach and contact with OUR people. BUT…..THEY DO NOT ATTEND AT OUR CHURCHES. Often times that is because we had “the first part right”. God was able to use us to REACH them. Praise God. But we didn’t have the second part right. So God was un-able to use us to RAISE them. This breaks my heart in almost every church service that I attend. But we have made progress and must continue. </div>
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This being said, it sounds to me like you are at least doing the first part right. Glory to God!! Now, can you get the second part right? I agree with you in what you have done so far in the sense that you have worked with these young men long enough for them to gain some confidence in you. This is extremely important. Because at some point you must counsel with them and counseling is worthless if it is not done by someone that is trusted by the one being counseled. </div>
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Doing all of the things that you are doing is great and should continue and I would add a couple other things. Number one, if indeed they respect you at this point, you need to talk to them one on one. DO NOT talk to them with the end in mind idea of “fixing them” or “convincing them”. Talk to them with the idea of “loving them”! You can intend to fix them without loving them and caring about their ultimate end. But you cannot intend to love them without wanting to see them fixed and helped. Often times ministers DECIDE what is wrong and counsel to correct it. Often times ministers are wrong. First FIND OUT then FIX. If not, you can waste precious time trying to fix something that isn’t broken and never helping the thing that is actually hurting. For example: You may have a young man wearing high heels and carrying a purse and set out to “convince” him against homosexuality. All along he may be a purely straight young man that likes girls but has a female role complex or is possessed of a feminine spirit. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvuRxj6lYbNvykCDOaLYHxz6kaMq_XxBOLaIsqy6QYRXf4r5RKmliotrDfwq6hAKSmbzMQahyphenhyphenu6O5FigWDJT6i1CO8_3ayKYxLkQ8WOlJXqN-a9GFKKJ7KbEWffbt_8Wh23Aq1gRz0wla1/s1600/th-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvuRxj6lYbNvykCDOaLYHxz6kaMq_XxBOLaIsqy6QYRXf4r5RKmliotrDfwq6hAKSmbzMQahyphenhyphenu6O5FigWDJT6i1CO8_3ayKYxLkQ8WOlJXqN-a9GFKKJ7KbEWffbt_8Wh23Aq1gRz0wla1/s400/th-2.jpeg" width="400" /></a>There are only two real ways to “find out”. Talk to them, ask them, listen to them and get to know them well enough to read their actions correctly OR pray and seek God until He reveals it to you through the Holy Ghost. Of course The Holy Ghost is the most accurate but I often find that advising people to attempt the first way is best in many cases. Oh don’t get me wrong, I trust The Holy Ghost….I just don’t trust a lot of people that claim to have it. <span class="_5mfr _47e3" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" aria-hidden="1" class="img" height="16" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v7/ffb/1/16/263a.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">☺</span></span>. </div>
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Having the conversations after trust is developed is tremendously important for a couple reasons. First of all it gives you valuable information that you can use to guide and give resources. ie. Read this chapter. Listen to this sermon lesson. I’ll be there for you in this area. Etc. Secondly and at least as importantly, you do not want the young person doing something against their God given conscience, that society has possibly told them is ok, without a check and balance. They may very well still be questioning the “rightness” or “wrongness” of their actions. But no one, that they have confidence in, has yet challenged them on it. If they are allowed to go to church and pray and hang out in the youth group, etc and never be challenged on it….sometimes that equates with acceptance and approval. </div>
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I know that you and I have seen A LOT of stupidity flow from across pulpits in the name of standing against sin. But sin should still be stood against, just without the ignorance. Not explaining to them what is wrong with it in a rational, reasonable and Biblical way, is just as destructive to them as the “if it walks like a duck” bashing and smashing. Sin must be confronted. But with facts, love, righteousness and truth. Not anger, fear, self righteousness and traditions. </div>
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I will add something else while I am right here. TEACHING and RELATIONSHIPS are the key to fix a lot of these problems. You came up in a preaching and preacher worshipping religious society. There are many amazing, Godly and wonderful people amongst us but that is no reason to not work on our faults, do better and keep growing. If you and many others will draw a line in the sand and start now, we can change things for the better and it will have a ripple effect across your youth groups, into your church fellowships and literally across the world. </div>
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Emphasize teaching more than preaching. Emphasize learning more than feeling. Emphasize how people live day to day rather that how good your services are. You will know that this is working by watching the transformation of a few tell tale signs. When you preach you will “talk” to the people and “read” to the people and you will be more emphatic on the points that they need to “LEARN”….as apposed to, “screaming” the verses as you read them and being emphatic on the rhymes and rhythms. Also, over time you will notice that your people that you are ministering to are living more consistent and Biblical lives at school, at home and at work….as apposed to frustrating the ministry by dressing right, acting right, looking right and sounding right AT THE CHURCH SERVICES and yet still living “separate”, more carnal lives elsewhere. </div>
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The other point was relationships. The church has far too many Pastors, staff members and ministry members that “do their job” but are not in relationships with the people that they are supposedly “doing their job to”. Ministry members should be the most spiritual people on the planet. But NOT THE MOST UNTOUCHABLE. I’ll give you an example of either or. A Pastor or evangelist that is a great preacher, an orator, a polished speaker. He “runs” the show well. A master manager. BUT he is so busy running things and having meetings and pushing the process that a member would have a hard time meeting with him, getting a call through to him, getting a word in edge wise with him, etc. He is in some ways untouchable. This means that he risks becoming disconnected with the people that he is supposed to be helping and serving. If they begin to have a problem he will only notice it from a distance and he may “guess” at what it is and attempt a wasted opportunity at resolving the wrong thing. </div>
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Next we have the staff member that is “busy” working for the kingdom to the point that they are no being a true servant of the King. If you have people working in the sound booth, playing the instruments, running around the service “doing things” for and about the service…those people better be some of your folks that pray the most, study the most, listen the best, are humble, kind and deep, etc. etc. IF NOT, you will have what many end up having. Workers that are your workers because they were willing so you let them or they just started doing it and you let them…..These are huge risks for your converts. If a convert is struggling, the devil will take the easy pickings and point out the hypocrisy and inconsistency of people that you have “approved of” elsewhere. These, sometimes carnal, staff members can have relationships with your converts or at least be looked up to by your converts, because they “hold positions” and it could do the very opposite of what you want done. </div>
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So, the ministers not having time or desire to have relationships with the young souls and then having shallow staff members that do have relationships with the young souls, can spell disaster. </div>
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I also would like to point out some doctrinal material that may be of long term assistance. Teaching, preaching and living very broad and basic Biblical doctrines is extremely helpful to new converts. Just hammering pin pointed, named things to avoid, not do or are “bad”, is nowhere near as substantive. Example. Consistently bringing up and pointing out in scripture such things as “The Two Sex Society” and how it works and why it works and that God MADE it, etc. etc. Helps combat societal and generational sins. Bringing up that God created a two sex society and used it to plan the first family, the first community. When sin entered in to the human race God gave two sets of punishments to humans because there was two kinds of humans. Male and Female. When talking about abortion remember to memtion that two thirds of all of the victims are female. Half of the babies and all of the mothers. Thus making a distinction between male and female. When talking about sodomy and homosexuality, do not fail to point out that besides the spiritual and moral failures of it there is a huge elephant in the room because no one is talking about the societal failure of it. Plainly stated, if all were homosexual, they would be the last generation of humans because humanity can’t continue without the two sex society. Doing ministry this way puts bullets in the guns of the convert. Gives them things to think about and wrestle with. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggULxXKQyXP9i16t1-lUlw_3RjLp14bTTCszyVnAsuobyD4C2thWDBMPD2mAeN4vv4XOOI1FpUBsQGNQlA-ahombo6VGwPekwmwSrQ9S5oRaSFW6Q1h3rlxVsvKgGlDeRuUxC7muTztpqr/s1600/th.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggULxXKQyXP9i16t1-lUlw_3RjLp14bTTCszyVnAsuobyD4C2thWDBMPD2mAeN4vv4XOOI1FpUBsQGNQlA-ahombo6VGwPekwmwSrQ9S5oRaSFW6Q1h3rlxVsvKgGlDeRuUxC7muTztpqr/s400/th.jpeg" width="366" /></a>The opposite of this of course is preaching that “If you wear a pink shirt, you are a faggot” or “If you spike your hair or buy your pants too tight it means………” This doesn’t work for soooooo many reasons. Allow me to list a few. It is generational and it will change, it has not scriptural basis so it can’t be taught, oh did I mention that we have hypocritical doctrines that contradict it?! We have ministers out there yelling things across our pulpits like, “Be a man you bunch of sissies! Hunt, fish, arm wrestle, do things that only men can do. That’s why God made you that way!!!” (Yes I actually heard that preached) “Oh, by the way….DON’T WEAR A BEARD, IT’S WORLDLY!” Ummm, but that is something that only a man can do and….God made you that way. Right? <span class="_5mfr _47e3" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" aria-hidden="1" class="img" height="16" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v7/ffb/1/16/263a.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">☺</span></span>. </div>
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I know, I know. There are a bunch of “in your face” BEARD PUSHERS out there now a days. I am not one of them, I don’t wear a beard, never have, never thought about growing one….but I might….That is not the point. The point is that is an easy easy target to point out how arrogantly inconsistent we have been and if we don’t start cleaning some of this stuff up, we are going to have a bunch of good Holiness/Pentecostal/Whatever churches out there that have got the “outreach” part right but they haven’t got the environment part right. So praise God at least we may finally be allowed to help REACH THEM but I also want to be able to help RAISE THEM! </div>
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So, your question was “Do you speak to them directly and let them know you have noticed the things that are not natural or do you continue to involve them and mentor them giving them a Godly masculine example and pray they change?” The answer is BOTH BUT…You must have the right approach and the right environment or your efforts may be mostly in vain. God bless you my friend and we pray earnestly for you and those that you are attempting to win for Christ!!! </div>
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I realize that this may very well be far more answer than you anticipated but these things can be quite complicated when being approached from such a scattered religious background as ours. I thought that you would appreciate the extra information. If you need anything else just reach out. </div>
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Also, would you mind if I removed your name and the places that you speak of and include your question and my answer in my blog for other ministers and saints to learn from? </div>
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Your humble servant,<br />
Rev. D. Todd Sloggett</div>
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Bro Sloggett,</div>
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You don't know how much I appreciate your response. Thank you for giving me time out of your schedule. I've already read your reply twice and am sure I will be referring back to it many times more. </div>
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Feel free to post the question and response anywhere you'd like.</div>
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Thank you for the extra's in your email as well. One of the things you had mentioned was to move towards teaching/preaching rather than screaming/preaching. This really hit home and has been the subject of many thoughts and prayers. Recently I have been re-evaluating my (for lack of a better term) preaching style. I have felt somewhat convicted and have been asking myself "Have I been preaching to lift ME up or have I been preaching to lift up the broken, hurting, discouraged and bound?" I pray that God can use me to reach someone that needs him and for no other reason. </div>
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Thank you again<br />
God Bless<br />
*********************</div>
Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-63169203800453468762016-11-12T12:40:00.002-06:002016-11-12T12:40:39.514-06:00AM I A CHAUVINIST?<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQ5uIfhl8O0KTuS4wkVQklkd8dnuZvrEUKvV8rZfrRk-fzXMrVxXuzqYwvmRyhdihSSoUaNvT1Z3RIInDC8hVuxZ2Agl2SuFO3PlKRAwaR2_vaMfmZHZj2JGZSPApYYkVa-JgpZvaX-Mb/s1600/th-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQ5uIfhl8O0KTuS4wkVQklkd8dnuZvrEUKvV8rZfrRk-fzXMrVxXuzqYwvmRyhdihSSoUaNvT1Z3RIInDC8hVuxZ2Agl2SuFO3PlKRAwaR2_vaMfmZHZj2JGZSPApYYkVa-JgpZvaX-Mb/s400/th-4.jpeg" width="400" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have ended up
in several similar conversations lately that came to a head when one person
called me a chauvinist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just to make
sure, I went and looked it up again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
means a person displaying aggressive or exaggerated prejudice toward one group or
gender.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this case I am sure they
meant I was a “male” chauvinist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By
exact definition, I’m not sure if I can say that I am or am not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a fine line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am positive that I am not one in the sense
that they meant it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But allow me to
share what I was attempting to explain to the different people involved. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>American society
is in quite disarray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I submit that few
would disagree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There should be an
attempt to “fix” as much of it as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many are trying in their own unique ways to do just that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you have ever tried to fix a car,
computer, plumbing system, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
thing is true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very difficult to
fix anything until you understand how it works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, how does our society work?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you believe in God and the Holy Bible such as I do, you know that God created
society by creating a man, then a marriage, then a family and then a society
with culture, habits and so forth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if we look at
God’s design “backwards” we see this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The society is a reflection of all of the families within it, the
families are reflections of the marriages that make them up and the marriages
are reflections of how each individual woman relates to each individual man and
vice versa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And of course the church is
a reciprocal reflection of them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This all being said, you cannot fix the society without fixing the
families and you will not fix the families without fixing the marriages and the
marriages cannot be fixed until the woman and the man understand and perform
their appropriate parts of the relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So rather than
always trying to start from the top and work our way down, (passing laws to try
to legislate morality, etc), why don’t we start at the bottom and work our way
up with a strong enough foundation that can sustain the change?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With all of this in mind, I have counseled a
lot of couples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Young couples, middle
age couples, couples raised in church, couples out of church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some definite issues that I have noticed
about them are large deficiencies in the Biblical concepts of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">respect</b>, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">protection</b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">chain of
command</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One at a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Respect</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When one spouse disrespects the other by arguing with them in public or
in front of their children it leaves a tremendous negative mark on both of
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither of you should be correcting
the other in front of other people, especially your children or HIS peers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman should especially not be seen as an
arguer, debater or corrector of her husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Regardless of what current culture dictates, the Bible is extremely
plain about who is the leader of the family and the head of the household.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as that premise begins to erode, the
rest of society erodes with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ladies,
if you have a man that provides a decent living, is willing to work, on the
job, around the house, etc, does not abuse you verbally, mentally or
emotionally and is not an addict of such things as drugs, alcohol, pornography
or gambling…<u>you have a man that 75% of all of your peers wish they had</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should respect him openly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0y0bnsO0zYHr8N_nb-B2N856HAexIO3EbTwVnB9mv3cvrLLotR35vf2YyfNr6J7C2X9QV4nh3dkNWOW-g4LMv4cyotBUKa870wsHGhPWvjJApRV1IXJ9dVnYgY-taJ-j9KLNYTNkHw9ok/s1600/th.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0y0bnsO0zYHr8N_nb-B2N856HAexIO3EbTwVnB9mv3cvrLLotR35vf2YyfNr6J7C2X9QV4nh3dkNWOW-g4LMv4cyotBUKa870wsHGhPWvjJApRV1IXJ9dVnYgY-taJ-j9KLNYTNkHw9ok/s400/th.jpeg" width="400" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Protection</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Men, you were given very clear objectives as
to your role in a marital relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You are the lover and protector of your wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Notice in scripture she is not commanded to
“love” you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is commanded to “submit”
to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You, on the other hand, are
commanded to LOVE her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This perfect
balance is ideal when done correctly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
good woman will generally submit with ease to a man that truly loves and
protects her and a good man will generally, with ease, love and protect a woman
that is submitted unto him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you do
not think so it might be because you don’t understand the depth of what is
being asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Submission in all
areas of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two cannot become one
without an agreement to follow one path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The path has to be determined and instead of flipping a coin or leaving
it to chance, God chose for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The path
is the path of the man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this is not
understood in advance then there will likely by trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wife is to submit to the general
direction of where to live, what types of activities to grow the family around,
who will be involved in the family fellowship, and even submit to
specifics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As specific as what he likes
you to wear, when intimacy occurs, how many children you will have and what
types of foods are to be eaten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
probably sounds VERY EXTREME to a lot of you but it is because you don’t
realize how it is all supposed to work together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay with me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love and
PROTECT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you add protection to love
it emphasizes a particular quadrant of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The overseeing responsibility of preserving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is far, far more than just beating
someone up if they hurt her or the like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, you are to physically protect or “preserve” her by giving her a
home to live in, providing for heat, health, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you are to preserve HER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything about her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are to protect and preserve her ideas,
her desires, her honor, her integrity, her womanhood, her reputation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ahhhhh, now we are getting somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A man that merely bosses his wife around and
makes a paycheck and expects dinner on the table, blah, blah, blah, degrades
her in public, corrects her in front of her children, does not provide for her
to chase her goals and dreams….is not a good protector.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are leaving her reputation unprotected,
her heart unprotected, her motherhood unprotected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now someone is going to say, “Wait a
minute!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What dreams?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What goals?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She gave those up to become one with him, didn’t she?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YES.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is what I meant by “how it is supposed to all work together”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She can easily surrender her need to
forcefully push wholly for his, if he is at the same time “preserving and
protecting” hers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_f8SxV0GM-I0lXJPHOYcranxPLPu899YZ1MFGPb4zl0vLskb5z5lA4dVS6BQlw2I31Jtt5_6dXvft6mChNFhND6TOY7FW-3puBcDtGYuAYlB7R_eEEOCFHyu-IPUWFXBGnkmlsYkEbGOv/s1600/th-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_f8SxV0GM-I0lXJPHOYcranxPLPu899YZ1MFGPb4zl0vLskb5z5lA4dVS6BQlw2I31Jtt5_6dXvft6mChNFhND6TOY7FW-3puBcDtGYuAYlB7R_eEEOCFHyu-IPUWFXBGnkmlsYkEbGOv/s400/th-2.jpeg" width="400" /></a>Let’s take an easy example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He likes steak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He eats red
meat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A dead cow man!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She prefers fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have a shallow, carnal couple that
will probably end up in trouble, it will look something like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will want steak, she will try to assert to
cook fish, he will scold her and belittle her, mocking her for not eating “real
meat”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you see this turning out very
well?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me neither.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is trying to assert her ways, he is
giving no concern what so ever to her ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now, “pretend Biblical followers” at this point just say, “She is
supposed to submit and obey him, period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She is out of line.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But watch
what happens when you have a true Biblical relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He likes steak and she submits to that and
learns how to make it just the way he likes it and cooks it for him 2 or 3
times a week, as much as they can afford it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Period, end of story on her part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He in turn, loving and protecting her, thus her desires and tastes,
takes it upon himself to make plans to get off a little early and call ahead
for reservations to a nice seafood restaurant every so many days as he can
afford it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her only response
to him was to submit and obey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
response to her was to love and preserve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You Christians will realize the basic doctrine of how we as humans must
die out to self in Christ but in turn we end up receiving new life in
Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This doctrine is alive and well
in the marriage relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wife
is to surrender herself to her husband, in turn the husband is to preserve the
individuality of the wife in response to her willingness to become one with
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Men, if you have
a woman that surrenders to you and you goals and dreams, listens to you, takes
care of you and meets your needs, physically, mentally and emotionally to the
best of her ability…<u>you have something that 80-90% of your peers long to
have</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should cherish and
PRESERVE her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Biblically speaking, she
is not supposed to strive to have her own identity, but that is because you are
supposed to strive to let her have her own identity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her reputation should be lovely because you
spread it that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She should be known
to be a good cook and a beautiful person and talented at her hobbies, etc…..Because
you let it be known that it is so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chain of command</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A business, a ministry, a social event, any
group of humans functions at it’s peak when there is a chain of command.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In marriage, NOBODY chose the chain of
command but God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have been
involved in cultures of corruption, dictatorships, dysfunctional groups full of
politics and gossip, then you will not have a frame of reference for this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A good leader, surrounded by good followers,
are some of the greatest people to be around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The top of the chain realizes how much he needs those working for him,
the next level under him understand that it is their job to work for the goal
of their leader and they are appreciative of how the leader understands his
need for them, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is comforting and
accomplishing for everyone to have a part and a secure setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To know what is expected, where the
boundaries are and that there is an open line of communication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdxf7kOrje8lt64hGxIruKK9UYjucSPz8sBSiVbolq5SPRw2fpv6M72aCKchyphenhyphenmlzhlERMjI49uLCrVKUfx95A7vwwDumi9hINZEhNRmVvMEXeUU4XnNp12zPh_L-XO8s9D9O7h4kaiVsm/s1600/th-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdxf7kOrje8lt64hGxIruKK9UYjucSPz8sBSiVbolq5SPRw2fpv6M72aCKchyphenhyphenmlzhlERMjI49uLCrVKUfx95A7vwwDumi9hINZEhNRmVvMEXeUU4XnNp12zPh_L-XO8s9D9O7h4kaiVsm/s400/th-3.jpeg" width="400" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the
regularly overlooked benefits of such a Biblical union is the meeting of the psychological
needs of the children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When children
know that their father loves and adores their mother and that their mother
trusts and believes in their father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When they see true compassion from dad to mom, true allegiance from mom
to dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they believe that mom
wouldn’t undermine dad and dad won’t let you disrespect mom and they have an
intimacy that is beyond our grasp at this age….It raises children into adults
that are less anxious, less nervous, less prone to try the wrong things and
rebel and have fears and doubts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because they see a living example
right before their faces every single day of unity, leadership, submission,
respect, love, tenderness, trust and peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They now have something to strive for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But if dad will tell the kids about mom’s weaknesses to get a laugh out
of them and dad makes a plan but mom says it’s all wrong in front of them, then
it becomes up to them to experiment on “something better”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So wives, do not boss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Accept or suggest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not
argue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wait and discuss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are so smart that you have a better
plan then you should be smart enough to convince your husband to take it on
without over stepping your bounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your
husband will seldom be any more admired, respected or followed by anyone else
than he is by you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>You have the power
to make him or break him</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Men, you
should be your wife’s greatest fan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>People that know you should know of her beauty, her ability and her
strengths<u>, because you let them know</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My last point is
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people that I have counseled
have a general understanding and at least a percentage of agreement with what I
have here to fore described.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as
humans we are always amateurs at finding our own faults and professionals at
discovering those of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
simplest way to make your relationship better with your spouse, REGARDLESS OF
WHO IS WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE PROBLEM, is for you to do your part better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This works because it is also human nature
that a woman would struggle less to submit to a man that is loving and
protecting her and her attributes and a man would struggle less to love and
preserve a woman that is busy being on his side and helping accomplish his
goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this makes me
a chauvinist…so be it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God bless.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your humble servant, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rev. D. Todd Slogett<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-86792552347852173162016-11-05T11:26:00.002-05:002016-11-05T11:26:31.113-05:00Generation NEXT!!!<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'San Francisco', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtBk9YzsbXsq2JRblkWNzUOF3pfNSq9-bfTXRn0aaBjivGYsz3c3h_8knDDOySUuT8qvlgMhyDMzjuFnql3OieheSmOYkBtzUbhLaCRy_O0Bkf6qG78csbcqmZ1vgrYfqoluKl3vl9Tq_/s1600/IMG_2783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtBk9YzsbXsq2JRblkWNzUOF3pfNSq9-bfTXRn0aaBjivGYsz3c3h_8knDDOySUuT8qvlgMhyDMzjuFnql3OieheSmOYkBtzUbhLaCRy_O0Bkf6qG78csbcqmZ1vgrYfqoluKl3vl9Tq_/s200/IMG_2783.JPG" width="200" /></a>Something amazing is happening on "The Wall"! When it first started several years ago it was a few pictures and postcards from several homeless people that we had helped. Some had gotten medical attention, some apartments, some even saved! So we put their pictures and notes of gratitude on the wall for others to see and enjoy. </div>
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As the wall (and our ministry) grew, we ended up "specializing" in meth addictions and the problems that surround such lifestyles. I noticed at <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">one point that the wall began to focus less on homeless people and more on addicts. There is a large section of the second wall that is mostly pictures, notes, letters and even poems from ex-addicts. </span></div>
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Of course as we have expanded our ministries even more, travelled to more places and added support of more affiliates...the look of the wall has followed those trends. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8FTXBqLx0Cab73NN8gfzwfZnhwpWVtkbUeSJXbiQbXZ7kqArK3j1eZoIAInBeRUBSC2zgb8y1qnEombABQ7XGz2qCm9EkR5xh3dMBy_yhTJh-ksZy9czIQdYL-Kg4v1zzn5WbJ5hpZRe/s1600/IMG_2787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8FTXBqLx0Cab73NN8gfzwfZnhwpWVtkbUeSJXbiQbXZ7kqArK3j1eZoIAInBeRUBSC2zgb8y1qnEombABQ7XGz2qCm9EkR5xh3dMBy_yhTJh-ksZy9czIQdYL-Kg4v1zzn5WbJ5hpZRe/s200/IMG_2787.JPG" width="200" /></a>There are spots on the wall where we worked with orphans, prisoners, preached in Israel, taught at Colleges and High Schools, put on seminars and preached meetings, etc.</div>
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But the latest trend makes my heart full! I have recently noticed that more and more of the newest part of the wall has to do with us being contacted A LOT lately by high school graduates, college graduates, newly engaged, newlyweds, parents of new borns, young ministers and first time Pastors. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBpZga_WoxARYdWBfRTIUgntdplYyxW-RFjBdMVhT7jqR33UIONg5UuhMFumx_qNyVC16HtwpMIeoPDZBW8ixUhdZSX1YuFkZNEimAqSGXPck4mqWf6OS_vtVWDPSo9fydZ1Vm5i6yhlD/s1600/IMG_2788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBpZga_WoxARYdWBfRTIUgntdplYyxW-RFjBdMVhT7jqR33UIONg5UuhMFumx_qNyVC16HtwpMIeoPDZBW8ixUhdZSX1YuFkZNEimAqSGXPck4mqWf6OS_vtVWDPSo9fydZ1Vm5i6yhlD/s200/IMG_2788.JPG" width="200" /></a>THIS IS SOOOO EXCITING!!! It means that our message is getting through to the next generation. It means that this won't just be about us. It means that when I and our original team begin to fade off the scene someday...the vision and the work won't fade with us!!!!!!!! It means that it's not about us, it's about HIM!</div>
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Young people trying to reach the Least, the Last and the Lost, with more Outreach, more Discipleship, more Church Growth, more Scriptural Truth and Understanding, less Church Politics, less Culticism and less In-fighting....WE ARE FOR YOU!</div>
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Your humble servant,<br />Rev. D. Todd Sloggett<br />Pres. HMA</div>
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Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-16356727291116542782016-10-24T11:50:00.001-05:002016-10-24T11:50:12.580-05:00Amazing Bethany Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A year or so ago I wrote an article titled "Amazing Bethany". I want to follow up. This place, this property, this people called Bethany Holiness Church never cease to amaze me. There are not a lot of us. Maybe 300 if we were really all in one place at one time. But it seems to me that the impact is always much greater. There are so many things getting done here. So much being accomplished here and so many being touched from here. <br />
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I am the kind of guy that is always trying to put things into perspective. I like to see the "whole picture". And here is just a glimpse. In a matter of just a few short days. Our Pastor, Darrell Toliver, our Assistant Pastor, James Burgess and some other ministers have preached some of the most incredible sermons from theses premises. Understand what makes them so incredible is not necessarily their intellectual level, their charisma, their rhythm and rhyme or their persuasive power to control and cause people to see it their way. Rather it was the spirit behind the men and messages that was so great. Humble, Godly, praying men with clean hands, right spirits and intentions to present a pure gospel. One where the sweet Holy Ghost of Heaven would be allowed to use them and do his marvelous works in the hearts of men, women and children. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwn2skwpxBvXXKvUI5jhPRlWEOiD7lVPzcdYC1U0ECij4X0xi66gsjtBt28QLcwWJjEu0n6a6n8q5Z2ToPp5w_aTmndDcaz97oligpugz_R8iZlG4HNnQkjBuNwYG5PvDcQ0tQ7LvMBY4/s1600/IMG_2605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwn2skwpxBvXXKvUI5jhPRlWEOiD7lVPzcdYC1U0ECij4X0xi66gsjtBt28QLcwWJjEu0n6a6n8q5Z2ToPp5w_aTmndDcaz97oligpugz_R8iZlG4HNnQkjBuNwYG5PvDcQ0tQ7LvMBY4/s320/IMG_2605.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Many of these sermons were broadcast literally around the world by the sound booth staff, live as they were being preached and archived for future listening. Broadcast to regular followers and those whom the Lord might lead to "randomly" intersect with. All the while this is happening there are wives, children, co-laboreres and faithful followers listening, gleaning, absorbing and praying in the wings. <br />
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During the same days there are about 60 students from pre-K to 12th grade that are attending full time accredited Christian Schooling on the premises. Board members, principal, teachers, teachers aides, cooks, etc all doing their part to further the education of another generation in a way much more fitting to a once great and Godly nation than what the federal government is currently providing. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkhMYH_H7I5aZS_ZuSe9Mb5IZ1qy7ThZfvgIKI7Rtfh-r3qntdrkHiPHBfO2ZiujY6oN2qeQIYSLswaMZvJ_y0bUkhTbPZABD5M25cQwwZ6Y0inC3T_meRTEIbajr_qhidstQr16zkK3c/s1600/IMG_2577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkhMYH_H7I5aZS_ZuSe9Mb5IZ1qy7ThZfvgIKI7Rtfh-r3qntdrkHiPHBfO2ZiujY6oN2qeQIYSLswaMZvJ_y0bUkhTbPZABD5M25cQwwZ6Y0inC3T_meRTEIbajr_qhidstQr16zkK3c/s320/IMG_2577.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
While this is happening we are in a complete remodel of our primary sanctuary with new carpet, paint, pews, fixtures, pulpit, sound booth, entry, classes and offices all being redone. Men are coming in through out the day and staying up to all hours of the night doing their part and donating their expertise. The saints are meeting in a very nice make shift sanctuary set up in our gymnasium and the school is having to alter it's daily routine to conform to not being able to use the gym or the full kitchen facilities. <br />
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As this all goes on there are special guests being brought in to teach and preach Chapel services during the day to further the well rounded Christian education of our youth. This is all compounded by the fact that some awesome young men and women of our faith spend hundreds of man hours putting on a Fall Harvest Party Fundraiser to generate money for our school, Bethany Christian Academy. Many of the people that were involved in the Harvest Party are doing double time or even triple time at the school and at full time jobs and other outside affiliated ministries. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphen_9ER5RMp2MBvd3UTiqwsp-aav4e1GJpgCWRGiLEA7lOJNb2r_tnsnpINGoVrjZWy0KTbEhyphenhyphenaDEyOUWKFXgHqts1lk06SfsZvzjgQlqOJDw-F5nSo4028dC4URM6a03hwiOL9MkiHi43/s1600/IMG_2574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphen_9ER5RMp2MBvd3UTiqwsp-aav4e1GJpgCWRGiLEA7lOJNb2r_tnsnpINGoVrjZWy0KTbEhyphenhyphenaDEyOUWKFXgHqts1lk06SfsZvzjgQlqOJDw-F5nSo4028dC4URM6a03hwiOL9MkiHi43/s320/IMG_2574.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
While all of this continued our church raised almost 4,000.00 this weekend for our Pastor to take on a trip with him to Panama this week. He is the President of an international mission organization that is sponsoring a large Pastors meeting in Panama right now. While most in the home church were having church in our evening service last night, several were with my family and I in Tulsa where I was preaching for Full Gospel World Mission Church. We had many representatives from churches all around the United States in the form of Bible College student from Ozark Bible Institute. They were traveling with Servant's Heart Outreach and stopped to be in service with us. <br />
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Some of the ladies that were in that service were from Bethany, visiting Full Gospel and work at our HMA affiliate women's and babies home Martha's Heart. Others that were in the service attend church regularly at Landmark Tabernacle in Sand Springs, OK, have direct ties with Bethany and work full time at The Saving Place where they help generate income for MANY MANY outreach ministry projects and support me and my family to do our ministries. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlaMZ7dXJI8ise3mozDm6yl56LBHrId6rhOsJFXz-gXqcUzTTkAqDIo5r03OCsgA5GgqU569LEF7VWdHcJzhuTxdSDBQ5eDzerOFzEIy0I-DtDUWb7D7Dy_MDGzTza3o15a6qwJnJ2kQ3/s1600/IMG_2590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlaMZ7dXJI8ise3mozDm6yl56LBHrId6rhOsJFXz-gXqcUzTTkAqDIo5r03OCsgA5GgqU569LEF7VWdHcJzhuTxdSDBQ5eDzerOFzEIy0I-DtDUWb7D7Dy_MDGzTza3o15a6qwJnJ2kQ3/s320/IMG_2590.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
There are ladies going into jail services and making contact with women that have horrible life struggles and these ladies are advised by myself about how to help the women. We provide food, counseling, shelter, jobs, prayer, etc for people getting out of jail, struggling with addictions and much much more. Much of which is financed by the regular weekly and monthly donations from families all around the country including a large number of the families from Bethany Holiness Church. <br />
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There is a weekly county jail service put on by our Pastors brother, David Toliver that is also the county chaplain. Many different men from the home church have attended these services regularly or at least from time to time when they can. They also take a group at intervals into a state correction facility to present the gospel there.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaphpF2MHF2Z3wU3PNDdWlkXzdh5Fa5pVvulTTmrYL-KSD49hs_Rf-55eTyA50CndVlN4MsMaXOMQ57s7N5AAyOAElL_safrjH9vMWxWP-ydcRJLF_-tdeQ13USmON6MdOAm7-cQqwWFF/s1600/IMG_2630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaphpF2MHF2Z3wU3PNDdWlkXzdh5Fa5pVvulTTmrYL-KSD49hs_Rf-55eTyA50CndVlN4MsMaXOMQ57s7N5AAyOAElL_safrjH9vMWxWP-ydcRJLF_-tdeQ13USmON6MdOAm7-cQqwWFF/s320/IMG_2630.jpg" width="320" /></a> During this exact same time frame we have been raising money to fix up some churches, vans, buses and outreach buildings across the country. We are attempting to distribute outreach, discipleship, church growth, addiction and biblical marriage material all around the United States. We have partnered with some people to help us reproduce these materials in Spanish so that we can begin to distribute them into South America. We are moving a Sister from Virginia to Sapulpa, OK during all of this. She is going to help in multiple outreach programs and attend church at Bethany. We had a minister move to Sapulpa this week from Texas to begin the process of integrating back into the "Body Bethany". We are daily on the phone and the computer with young pastors, currently from 17 states, working with them on their doctrine, outreach, discipleship, fellowship and church growth.<br />
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ARE YOU GETTING THE PICTURE?!?! We have missionaries, evangelist, preachers, teachers, organizers, helpers, financiers, workers, followers, parents, leaders, business owners, prayer warriors and educators all hailing from Bethany. Some work here full time, some come and go from here, some base out of other places but purpose to stop and spend what time they can here. It is a testament to the leadership, the leadership styles, the history and especially the diligence to being like Christ that the men and women that worship here belong to!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwfewJvbu_a8b3D2Q1b9LNsf0ENgHAlgiRwpp0QYeL0Jw8vM5qSDdRzJRJ_TGZGDTxKRjHJ2zE4sd9lpVzQH2RUPEaoMGbaqEJNgD0cVKHTrZCtLr4pWkbSburTY0Q3am0xuM1c7l_fS4/s1600/IMG_2644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwfewJvbu_a8b3D2Q1b9LNsf0ENgHAlgiRwpp0QYeL0Jw8vM5qSDdRzJRJ_TGZGDTxKRjHJ2zE4sd9lpVzQH2RUPEaoMGbaqEJNgD0cVKHTrZCtLr4pWkbSburTY0Q3am0xuM1c7l_fS4/s320/IMG_2644.jpg" width="320" /></a> I have been asked at least 100 times in the last decade. What makes Bethany like that? Why is it working like that? Tell us the key, etc? First of all. I have only been here for 10 years or so and I am only one small part of it all. So for me to answer for Bethany as a whole would be ridiculous. But this much I know. People at Bethany tend to think before they speak, more than a lot of places that I know. In the leadership for sure. There seem to be less chips on shoulders, more big picture thinkers and more time and room to let things go before having to make a big deal out of them. Bethany people tend to be "benefit of the doubt" people. Less cultic and more cultural. Less "my way or the highway" and more inclusive. They are the kind of people that would often be described as easier going, sweet spirited, kind, helping, "real". Bethany has not traditionally been a safe sanctuary for people that want to tell tales, gossip, crank it down and make people toe the line. It is a place of refuge. A place to learn, to better, to grow to pull up.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Wm4U0l4e-IsWSHaTW8M4nsTHiFeCkHubeghkUuY2KuA6aeAIr2zvt6r9EEQEP6x2yTUmoFmh6_DDNC0lC8LZPiiMbG_6ws3KwxgR8pf5aNV5HAbJMyBasyzUiX_BZunhhlzekk31Tq6U/s1600/IMG_2646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Wm4U0l4e-IsWSHaTW8M4nsTHiFeCkHubeghkUuY2KuA6aeAIr2zvt6r9EEQEP6x2yTUmoFmh6_DDNC0lC8LZPiiMbG_6ws3KwxgR8pf5aNV5HAbJMyBasyzUiX_BZunhhlzekk31Tq6U/s320/IMG_2646.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Bethany, as always, I muse...YOU AMAZE ME!!!<br />
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Your humble servant,<br />
Rev. D. Todd Sloggett<br />
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Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298183119572177.post-90575959296691567952016-10-19T16:47:00.003-05:002016-10-19T16:47:42.279-05:00Full Circle <div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'San Francisco', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2WsZ2DOBIs3p8xIVWNOaBFa3HGk2MzmHbjjxELwgILYdW0HK2Oo3WL-FsJA8ezhfPxsEjERKE-Zd8mYrr-RDkLiFWRX-dA8OZMt3k3gubn6rc9XbR9y5cXLRU5z-1ElGMwXj9lNeLj72/s1600/IMG_9216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2WsZ2DOBIs3p8xIVWNOaBFa3HGk2MzmHbjjxELwgILYdW0HK2Oo3WL-FsJA8ezhfPxsEjERKE-Zd8mYrr-RDkLiFWRX-dA8OZMt3k3gubn6rc9XbR9y5cXLRU5z-1ElGMwXj9lNeLj72/s320/IMG_9216.jpg" width="240" /></a>This is my Father. Donald Ray Sloggett. I left him when I was 10 and didn't come back home until I was almost 15. Even then I was in and out of the house for several years. My Dad was always there for me and helped take care of my family all the way up until I left to evangelize full time when I was about 32 years old. </div>
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Last year, my Dad went through some very rough times and ended up at rock bottom. After working very hard all of his life and amassing a good living and nest egg, he ended up basically homeless. He had his dog and some clothes and was living in his car, talking about going to a homeless shelter. My Dad has done more for more people than almost any person I have ever met and here he was with nothing and he had all but given up. </div>
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Through the help of all of the saints and sponsors of HMA, we were able to help him in an amazing way. We took him in and took him to church and helped sort out his difficulties. One of the HMA ministry partners provided the platform that we were able to re-launch my Dad's life from. At 77 years old, he is starting over. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nGvHAmwxFWB3dzp8prUKpyOU6JdO7kXWpmQBouIoeVlx3YMQIjOzNgh3hzdJnw3C-zE5fWZ16p0mW4wukTjB1lYKCKmMj_FG9t-sj90zj_ENLnOfFoomqAvRF9nlXa0XY5YtAuoVXUL6/s1600/IMG_8933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nGvHAmwxFWB3dzp8prUKpyOU6JdO7kXWpmQBouIoeVlx3YMQIjOzNgh3hzdJnw3C-zE5fWZ16p0mW4wukTjB1lYKCKmMj_FG9t-sj90zj_ENLnOfFoomqAvRF9nlXa0XY5YtAuoVXUL6/s320/IMG_8933.jpg" width="320" /></a>My Dad came to Bethany and listened to the preaching of Pastor Darrel <a aria-controls="js_c" aria-describedby="js_d" aria-haspopup="true" class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=699468185" href="https://www.facebook.com/april.l.toliver" id="js_e" role="null" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">T</a>oliver and myself and prayed and sought the Lord and his counsel. He would come to my office and ask advice and debate what to do or not do. We were able to re-work his finances and he was able to work through his thoughts and feelings. He was able to keep his dog and his car, both of which he was sure that he had to give up. </div>
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Many of the saints would encourage him and give to him and it touched him very deeply. My Dad had lost his home, his business, his income, nearly his emotional stability and nearly his sanity. But today things are different. </div>
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He left Oklahoma to go back to Idaho where he is from. He is re-opening his business, moving into an apartment and has all his ducks back in a row. The whole process took 8 months. THIS IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT!!! I weep as I type this post. I am sooooo incredibly blessed to get to help addicts, give hope to the hopeless, see God fix the broken and bless the undeserving, etc. etc. But to be able to do what we do...for my own FATHER is more than this mortal heart can hardly stand. </div>
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I know some of you don't get it. You don't understand what we are doing or why we are doing it or how it works or how it can be done through goof balls like us. But this thing called HMA is a network of preachers, teachers, counsellors, businessmen, Pastors, Saints, prayer warrior and workers, that are finding new ways everyday to reach the Least, the Last and the Lost. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMZXoCvp5xDCB4XlvDO4kyzNVxmVZsQ5wJZJ-4mf46ANJ0o1xncbmeUcx6WFO_KGlFHAUUXfVk5PcjpIpcWsf6wFh_-V5Qs8qdRIpO58ahmBxepfVT0fI9ttm7sJhjCnG64-VCo0clZhs/s1600/IMG_9934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMZXoCvp5xDCB4XlvDO4kyzNVxmVZsQ5wJZJ-4mf46ANJ0o1xncbmeUcx6WFO_KGlFHAUUXfVk5PcjpIpcWsf6wFh_-V5Qs8qdRIpO58ahmBxepfVT0fI9ttm7sJhjCnG64-VCo0clZhs/s320/IMG_9934.jpg" width="240" /></a>There are not enough hours in the day for me to tell you all of the stories of those that are receiving help through your efforts in supporting us and working with us, but this one was too special to go untold. </div>
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Special, special thanks to The Dustin Toliver family, Pastor Darrell Toliver and the wonderful saints at Bethany Holiness Church, The Hugh <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1796587075" href="https://www.facebook.com/janan.henegar" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">H</a>eneger family, The Mathew Castleberry</div>
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family and my precious, loving wife and children for making this possible. Also a very special thank you to the regular financial donors of HMA. God bless each and every one of you.<br />
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This is the real Church, this is true Christianity, this is Biblical Holiness.</div>
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Your humble servant,<br />Rev. D. Todd Sloggett</div>
Rev. Todd Sloggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022752006568096459noreply@blogger.com0