You and Your Daughter are Prostitutes...Of The Flesh (Pt.1)

It is an ever growing trend that many are well aware of. This trend not only is openly accepted and widely encouraged, but it is also fiercely lethal and increasingly growing out of control. What we do not know is that this poison that is deadly in all it's capacities also has the ability to masquerade and disguise itself. What could something so inherently fatal disguise itself as? I'll tell you what it's facade is. It's facade is known as a social norm.

Social norms are rules that are socially enforced. This enforcement usually occurs when society's general consensus and opinion determine that something is socially acceptable and passes as a "norm". These norms often result in a higher and more lethal strain of this poison when it develops itself into what is known as a more (morr-ay). A more derives from a socially practiced custom instead of a culture's laws or "commandments".

Now that you know what it is that I am discussing here let me answer your question of what it is being labeled. While it would be interesting to go into an exhaustive dissertation on the many things that conflict with my worldview in this area of discussion, I won't. I believe I just might save that for a school assignment. Nonetheless, the main point of concern I would like to address is the young female population (and their parents).

I will save you the runaround tail-chasing blame game that we tend to place on the media and other popular paparazzi influences (I'm not saying they are exempt) and go directly to my personal experience. In Romans 7:13, Paul the Apostle noted in that knowledge of sin made sin exceedingly sinful. This by knowledge of the commandments would cause one much guilt for committing such deeds. While the war wages on and the light of Christ reflects in the soul of the redeemed, the enemy shores up his strongholds with the deterioration of self-respect and value. The nation's tolerance and consumption of smut, vulgarity, pornography, and half-naked celebutants is setting a bad example. If you happen to be a member of the male sex you can't help but notice that we may as well equip ourselves with blinders and a cane, hoping someone will help us cross the street.

The "norm" has been whatever makes you happy is what you should do. This is exhibited in the youth of our nation doing exactly that and becoming enslaved by their ignorance, inexperience, outside influence, and out of control lustful desires. In doing so they are shedding more clothing and donning more erotic, revealing, and filthy rags. These young women who are partaking in this norm mostly unaware are not being warned or instructed by their parents, as their parents are endorsing and encouraging the behavior with their own. So now this "norm" is mutating into an out of control monster known as a "more". This more is now acceptable regardless of the opinion of the law, church, or other sensible forms known as morals. Now that the "more" is setting itself in for a long winter's hibernation we as a society and those who are Christians (especially) are having less influence as time goes on. This in part is also greatly compounded by the role being played by the church, and that a large portion of the demographic we have just discussed attends every Sunday and Wednesday.

When will we say something to them? Since when is it Ok for a half-naked teenage girl to hug and hang on her grand-daddy youth leader? Why is it tolerable for church youth to give each other full-frontal hugs and bear hugs that allow the young man to be completely aware of the younger lady's body? Why does it feel wrong that you may be the only person who finds it unacceptable in a place supposedly devoted to worshiping a Just and Holy Creator? Why do female mothers, professed believers, and sisters who stand by silently, think it is acceptable for women to wear shirts that reveal as much cleavage as a porn mag brazenly left out for us to see in our local gas stations in the fellowship of saints? Worse yet why allow their pre-teen daughters to wear skirts that are shorter than most, and I say MOST prostitutes walking the stroll on West Jefferson? They show skin for heroin and crack, why is your daughter (or you) showing hers?

Part 2 will post 12:00 AM Midnight, ET.

Broken Church Windows, Discipline, and A Little Faith

Arthur Sido at his Blog has commented on an article posted on World Magazine's Website. The article was stumbled upon just moments after a conversation related to the very topic we had shared about for quite a few hours. It is one of utmost importance. There is something to be learned from all of this, and realistically, it is tied to Church Discipline in the body moreso than any other thing.

Arthur Writes...

It is easy to poke at the problems, it is harder to get back to the Word and be part of the solution. The whole house church movement is dedicated to tossing rocks at the church and smugly feeling pious because they are not "steeplehouse people". You can’t reform the church from the outside, throwing rocks at the church building and breaking more windows. If it is true that the vast majority of those attending and in membership in local churches are unregenerate, then preach the Gospel to them! Confront them with their sin and point them to the cross. Why will some preach the Gospel everywhere BUT the church?! Does the Holy Spirit stop at the church door? Do the unregenerate in the church frighten and cow the fearless evangelist?

Check out his post to read more, and if you like, here is a back link to posts on the same topic here at Deliver Detroit.

Hit The Road Jack

Three and 1/2 years. Honestly, is the longest I've ever held one single job in one single place. There was a time when I was in the Union and moved from company to company, but was with the Union for a considerable amount of time. Other than that, it's safe to say that my career has been one of many trades and I've become a handy man with enough experience in everything to seriously mess things up, or luck out and do an incredible job.

But, lately I've been dabbling as a Manager at a McDonald's Restaurant in the Metro-Detroit area. This job is far harder than many think it may be, and customers don't give simple humane respect to any of it's employees, this just seems to be the normative manner accepted by our culture. Then again, I would say McDonald's is guilty of creating this perspective for individuals by harnessing the fast food service industry and maxing it to it's fullest potential. Seriously, McDonald's has got it down to a science, and they get better and better every day. If you are curious about how it feels to work behind the counter of McD's, check out this Dilbert cartoon on YouTube. While it has been a great experience learning how to micro manage many different personalities, the payoff just doesn't seem like it's worth it. Then again, for a convicted felon coming out of Jail and in need of a job, I was fortunate they even gave me a shot, let alone that I still hold the record for most write-ups in the store's history and made it to Management. That's irony. But, I'm glad for the resume reference it provides, the life experience it's provided, and the perceptional paradigm shift that is experienced when you are humbled by a "Big Breakfast" being hurled at you because it's not the right order. Seriously, people forget that statistically speaking, one out of the thousands of orders in a single shift served are going to probably be an error and need correction. But it's my fault anyway, so smile, and have a nice day!

Now, moving on to the intent of this post. At the time of this posting, it is officially my last day of employment with McDonald's restaurant. I am moving on down the road. I've actually taken a slight pay cut in the hopes of receiving training that will prove more valuable down the road. How this fit's in with my Social Work education and ministry I am not sure yet, but this opportunity is much more promising than McDonald's. It also will provide me with a place to excercise the gifts and talents I enjoy using while in an atmosphere that is not as insane as Airport Restaurant traffic and $1500.00 hour rushes that make you want to fall over and die. Did I also mention the relief that I may have some sense of dignity when I'm in the company of co-workers that MIGHT respect you as a human being? Enticing to say the least.

I am grateful, McDonald's has provided many witnessing opportunities, great relationships with me fellow managers, and bonds that were developed through team work that showed it's strengths when the rubber hit the road. Unfortunately, McDonald's as an organization is making some corporate moves that are respite with immoral endorsements of the homosexual agenda and not something I would willfully affiliate with If I were to have a choice in the matter. And forntualtely enough, the Lord has provided an unsolicited chance for me to move on quietly and comfortably. Check out this video that just shows the tip of the iceberg. It is fresh from the island of Dr. Moreau (California). And they said they were culturally neutral, not anymore! Guilt by association anyone?

Oh well. Life is life, please pray for my new job, and give praise to the name of Jesus for His provision in all things, blessing or not. Amen!

Yes, I Once Used A Rotary Phone!

Believe it or not, I don't think I talk much about myself here. This is purposeful and definitely deliberate, I like to keep the focus on Christ. However, because I came across this picture in a trunk down in the basement some time ago. As I rummaged through childhood photos I thought ever so quickly at how blessed I was to be given a Mother who gave all she could for me to have a good life, even when it involved her having less. She is still like that to this day. Please, pray for her (Jean) and that she comes to know the Lord and his magnificent mercy and grace, what a great Saint she would make!

"Mom! Please excuse me....I'm on the phone!"

Ya'll Got Cable TeeVee?

I'll bet that you didn't know Deliver Detroit sponsors a local Cable Access Television program on Wednesday nights at 7:30 PM. Did you also know that it airs Way Of The Master Season 1 and 2 (3 is coming soon). In the past Paul Washer sermons have been broadcast locally in hopes of reaching the local viewing area with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

While much of the videos planned for airing require editing and prepping for 30 minute segments, there are many in the works. This requires resources such as time, blank DVD's, and software that assists in the process. This is all funded by personal contributions of all the above named resources. If you are willing to participate in this endeavor, please let me know through email how you can help and if you have any ideas for future programming!

This Cable Access is utilized to proclaim the glory of God through it's programming and outreach. The programming scheduled for the next two weeks will be the DVD version of the 2002 Youth Evangelism Conference of Alabama. It features Paul Washer delivering what has become known as the "Shocking Youth Message." Part 1 is scheduled to air August 6th and Part 2 on the 13th.

If you are a resident or cable subscriber in the Romulus, Belleville, Taylor, and Van Buren viewing area, you can see these programs on the community channel 18 on Wednesday's at 7:30 PM.

Minus Wisdom Teeth = No Wisdom?

The most annoying sound in the world. Ever heard it? Maybe you have. If you've ever had dental work done, I think the resonating sound of a drill grinding your teeth in your head will top the chart. What's worse is being under a local anesthetic and not feeling a thing except your face being stretched and expanded beyond it's normal elasticity while dwelling on how much pain you will be in the following day. I can't help but think that whenever you receive dental work of this nature that the sympathetically toned "I'm Sorry" from the Dental staff should be outlawed from their vocabulary. Are they really sorry? Poke, sorry! Stab, sorry! Ohhhh, I know it hurts, sorry. YANK SORRY, OUCH SORRY.

Someone explain to me why we have wisdom teeth again? What is so wise about embedded, impacted thousand dollar oral surgeries anyway?

Oh well, what's the use complaining anyway. What's done is done. Now I have an excuse for not being wise. I left it at the dentist's office in a pool of blood. Can I sue for that?

True Witness and True Fellowship

Aristides, a 2nd Century Christian Apologist writes (interpreted from the Syriac Version) in observation of Christian behaviors in the early Church. Also, listen to an awesome sermon by Dr. John MacArthur of Grace Community Church, CA.

"They abstain from all impurity in the hope of the recompense that is to come in another world. As for their servants or handmaids or children, they persuade them to become Christians by the love they have for them; and when they become so, they call them without distinction, brothers. They do not worship strange gods; and they walk in all humility and kindness, and falsehood is not found among them; and they love one another. When they see the stranger they bring him to their homes and rejoice over him as over a true brother; for they do not call those who are after the flesh, but those who are in the Spirit and in God.

"And there is among them a man that is poor and needy and if they have not an abundance of necessities, they fast two or three days, that they may supply the needy with the necessary food. "They observe scrupulously the commandment of their Messiah; they live honestly and soberly as the Lord their God commanded them. Every morning and all hours on account of the goodness of God toward them, they render praise and laud Him over their food and their drink; they render Him thanks.

"And if any righteous person of their number passes away from this world, they rejoice and give thanks to God and they follow his body as though he were moving from one place to another. And when a child is born to them, they praise God, and if again it chances to die in its infancy, they praise God mightily, as for one who has passed through the world without sins.

"Such is the law of the Christians and such is their conduct."

Paul Washer at Berean Baptist Church - Missionary Conference (Livonia, MI.)

In October of 2006, the same year I had begun to learn about true missions, prayer, and justification by faith, I was fortunate enough to learn the Paul Washer (Heartcry Missionary Society) was preaching at a local church in Metro-Detroit. Berean Baptist Church of Livonia, MI. hosted a conference that was packed with Paul's powerful preaching. Right-Click the file description and "Save As" to download these awesome MP3's. These files will only be available for download via this post temporarily. After this coming Sunday, August 3rd. They will only be available through SermonAudio or Email.