Lasciviousness Was the Charge That They Gave Me

Dear Friends,

I want to start by saying I apologize if I had spoke with you about coming into the modern dance realm if you are not married. I had started feeling discomfort in my spirit about Salsa dancing as I had felt when I was doing Hip Hop and Jazz dancing. I found myself finding ways to justify why it was right and it made me kind of forget about what the discomfort I felt. This all started when someone asked if something was in God’s Will or not (the thing I do not remember). I prayed about it and this is what came to me: If Jesus was to come back and see the thing/action you do or perform, would He be pleased with it?

It came to a point were I sat down and listened to the words of the songs, and they even have the same theme as Hip Hop and other club music. Therefore I looked for a gospel alternative. It was then that it was brought to my attention that mixing Salsa/ Bachata/Merengue with church music will be wrong. It will bring sensual movements in the church. Then I remember how one person told me that, “They trusted that someone knew what the artists of the songs were saying”. I tried to justify it more and more, but the more I tried to justify it the guiltier I felt, till the point I just decided to stop. It was then that I decided to spend more time in His word and research while asking the Lord why I felt this guilt. Therefore I looked at different sources about dancing and the life of a Christian. I will consider dances like Salsa, Jazz (Swing), Hip Hop, and other dances done in the club as Modern Dances.

As of Friday, after reading many sources, The Lord revealed that the guilt I was feeling is me being convicted of Lasciviousness. I had an idea of what Lasciviousness was but I did not know exactly what it was. Therefore I looked up the definition of this big word:

Lascivious – 1. Given to or expressing lust; inordinate indulgence in sexual activity (lecherous).

2. Exciting sexual desires; arousing or appealing to sexual desire or imagination (salacious).

Wanton; Lust (Merriam Webster)

(King James Version dictionary)

1. Looseness; irregular indulgence of animal desires; wantonness; lustfulness.

Who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lasciviousness. (Eph. 4)

2. Tendency to excite lust, and promote irregular indulgences.

I was like okay what do wanton mean:

Wanton - 1 a: one given to self-indulgent flirtation or trifling —used especially in the phrase play the wanton b: a lewd or lascivious person

And Lewd:

Lewd - sexually unchaste or lacking legal or moral restraints; especially : disregarding sexual restraints (licentious); obscene, vulgar

I can go on and on but Lasciviousness is also come from the Greek word aselgeia, which is any excess of any form of evil one indulges. Which can deal with more than sexual or sensual acts, but other sinful deeds as well?

Examples of Lasciviousness come from a site that I got the definition of aselgeia, http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/read/what_is_lasciviousness

· The use of sexually explicit media materials is a form of lasciviousness. This would include pornographic visuals, such as live productions, books or magazines, movies or videos, audio tapes, etc. This is a growing problem in American society—even among some who profess Christianity.

Counselors affirm that porn material is highly addictive, and numerous marriages have been ruined by people who have indulged in sexually explicit filth.

Too, statistical evidence indicates that sexual predators, child molesters, and even some murderers (e.g., Ted Bundy) have begun their careers of crime by ingesting a diet of salacious materials.

· Lasciviousness occurs frequently in work places where men and women are constantly thrown together in close contact. Flirting, suggestive touching, language containing sexual innuendo, sex humor, provocative dress (skin tight apparel, the display of cleavage, thigh-revealing skirts, etc.) are forms of lascivious conduct that very often lead to fornication and adultery.

· Lascivious communications are common on some web sites. One of the more prominent used by youngsters is known as “My Space.” It is prolifically punctuated with the vilest forms of language and salacious photographs. Amazingly, these frequently are employed by those who identify themselves as “Christians,” though they obviously have no understanding of the significance of that term. Some teens use the site innocently, but they are in a “mine field” of danger and evil influence. Christian parents should supervise carefully what their youngsters are viewing, as they spend hours of their leisure time on the “net.”

Another site, http://home.att.net/~jackthompson/page166.htm , goes into how Lasciviousness and most of our dancing today are tied to together.

Yes, Lasciviousness is a sin and it appears in the bible nine times, most noted is Gal. 5:19 where is it described as the fruit of the flesh. The other eight times Mark 7:22, Romans 13:13, II Corinthians 12:21, Ephesians 4:19, I Peter 4:3, II Peter 2:7, II Peter 2:18, and Jude 1:4.

So are you saying is dancing wrong?

No, as the sites that support the modern dances they use that David danced. However David was not dancing on a female or a male. Second he was dancing to praise God so that throw their credibility out the window. It is okay to dance but make sure it does not have any sexual/sensual acts in it. Also if it is a dance you do not feel right do in church, there is a strong chance it is wrong. If you really like doing that type of dances (Modern Dances), then take you a wife or husband and do it with them. It will still not be good to do it in church though.

Again I would like to apologize to those with whom I recruited or danced the modern dances. I did not know the error of my ways but as a way of atonement (ask forgiveness from you) I tried to inform you about the revelation I have received. Therefore you will not be in the dark as I was. Eventhough I was found guilty, through the blood of Jesus I know the Lord forgives me but please do not let the actions I had performed make the words void.

God loves you and I believe He gave me this revelation to give to you all. I pray that when you hear His voice, harden not your hearts. Sit down and ask yourself honestly, If Jesus was to come back and see me doing a certain thing, would He be pleased with me? May the Lord of our salvation grant you grace, mercy, and His Spirit with you.

Take care and be blessed,

Greg Stargell

The Right One? Part 2

I did not expect to come up with a part 2 when I wrote the first one. However one friend from Iowa State, Dr. Jefferies made a comment on the first one on the lines of the following, what did the people who marriage did not work do. I asked different people and pondered from previous observations (I have seen a much significant amount of marriages that had failed or at least one of the party is not happy in the marriage than happy marriages). It was not really that when I got to Iowa I really start seeing a better number of people that are married and actually like each other. Especially when I became active in the church. However sorry about the tangent but the question at hand is what not to do when looking for the right one. I used the observation, divorce records (data about divorces from lawyers), etc to answer this question. I have seen numerous things however it took an article from Gillis Triplett Ministries to some of the reasons to the following:

1. They become the wrong mate
2. They chose the wrong mate
3. Their marriage was established on a weak foundation, (i.e. sex, unplanned pregnancy, her biological clock, his need to control women)
4. They didn’t properly get to know each other
5. They were unequally yoked
6. Their past relationships/marriages came back to haunt them
7. One or both spouses:
o Made false assumptions about the other
o Brought harmful baggage or unresolved issues into their union
o Had soul ties with past: spouses, lovers or sex partners
o Did not know the “Art of Communication”
o Were too immature to marry
o Could not accept the other’s child(ren)
o Entered the union infected the HIV/AIDS virus or some other STD
o Harbored bitterness toward the opposite sex prior to their wedding
o Had a defective/bad character
o Married for the wrong reason(s)
o Were bound by a generational curse of divorce
o Had an improper vision for the family
o Had unrealistic marital expectations
o Didn’t comprehend the financial responsibilities or marriage
o Never had proper marital role models
o Never submitted to pre-marital training, counseling of mentoring
o Didn’t know, understand or comprehend what “True Love” is
o Didn’t know or understand what commitment is
o Didn’t know, understand or respect the sacredness of the marriage covenant
http://www.gillistriplett.com/rel101/articles/marriages_fail.html

When you think of it reason 1, 2, and 3 are the result of 4. All these reasons could be solved with CCG (Communication, Compromise, and God). What about Love, you might ask. Well if God is in both parties life then they will have love for is written that God is Love. I have written a note earlier titled “What is Love”, explaining the three types of love. However the love that is giving by God is considered to be AGAPE (unconditional) Love. Also based on I Corinthians 13: 4-7 is a summary of that love:

Love is patient
Love is kind
Love is not jealous
Love is not boastful
Love is not arrogant
Love is not rude
Love is not self seeking
Love is not easily angered
Love does not hold grudges
Love does not delight in evil
Love rejoices in the truth
Love protects
Love trusts
Love hopes
Love preserves

For those who are worried about the biological clock or who is planning on getting married in the future, I beseech you to take the Love list and everywhere the Love is located place your name( and your pattern if possible) there for the one which is carried out. Whatever one that you cannot put your name by, then it can be an eye opener to what is needed to be worked on. I believe that the more attributes that a couple possess the better there chances a having a successful marriage.

I hope this has been beneficial and enlightening for you. I pray that the Lord that the words will at least be taken to heart. Also as usual questions, comments and concerns are welcome. Take care and may the Lord bless you. Remember God loves you and I do too.

DISCLAIMER: I do not claim to be an expert or a know-it-all. I am going off of observations and other support material for the following message.

The Right One?

I had went to a Convergence Event. This is where the women and the men came together and talked about different issues eventhough the issues mainly dealt with relationship between a man and woman. I am glad to see so many men and women with their head on straight. The Dean of Student and his wife got up and talked about marriage. I ended up asking them the question I had been asking just about every successful Christian marriage I see (Not only been married for long amount of years but happy as well). The Question is: “How did you know that the person you are married to was the one?”. I even read an article by Bishop T.D. Jakes which should be something I had posted in 2006. As you can imagine I have received many different answers but they a common base which is they Trusted God. There may be different things that brought them together but all in all they trusted God. This makes sense looking at Matthew 6:33, along with the verses before it explains that if you seek God first and his will, he will take care of the rest. The following are some of the answers I have received.

Men

- She remind me of my mother
- She was everything I was looking for
- We had a spiritual connection
- I was able to bring my defenses down around her
- She helped me to be a better person
- I could not help but to love her eventhough I tried not to
- Both sides of our family get along
- We had been through so much together anyways

Women

- He helped me be a better person
- He showed me Christ-like love
- He had the characteristics of a good father
- He is able to communicate well
- He remind me of my daddy
- I feel real comfortable around him
- He has a heart of gold
- He was able to treat me the same when he is around his friends like he would when we are alone

I hope this observation will help you in your search for the mate that you want to marry. Also as always any questions, comments, etc. are welcomed. Take Care and Be Blessed.

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS AN OBSERVATION, I AM NOT CLAIMING THIS WHAT IS NEEDED TO GET MARRIED BUT THIS IS BASED ON MY EXPERIMENT THAT I MADE.

Enough Is Enough

“Go ahead and have sex, you can always ask God for forgiveness afterwards, God know our hearts”
“I can’t help it”.
“I went before the church to be saved and I was told once saved will stayed saved”
“I do not need to go to church; I can praise Him at home”
“Well at least I am not as bad as others”

These comments are comments I heard while growing up. What is interesting is that these are some comments by people who profess to be saved at least 10 or more years. So what is the problem, you ask? These comments are expected from a person in the world or just got saved. (Stop, see you are judging people, you are not God) I know I am not God, but I am stating fact, if you had a child that was 10 years old and he had not learned to walk, talk, or any other things a child should learn by the age of 2 then you would think there is a problem. (Well the child could be a slow learner) If that is so then probably the child may be classified as mentally retarded or special to be politically correct. That is the same way with some of the Christians in the world, they are spiritually retarded. What is sad, these Christians end up being evangelist, deacons, choir members, and even preachers. No wander when people from the world look at the church they say look at those hypocrites. These spiritual retarded people we will call them the Carnal Man. These people confess Jesus to be in their life and maybe at the head but their life states differently. For actions speaks louder than words as I heard many times, so if a person living the same way as the world live then there is a problem. Not only would a carnal man not heed to sound doctrine but will give some of their own. Therefore they will tell people doctrine or twist God’s word to make a loop hole to accommodate their lifestyle, hence the quotes above.

“Go ahead and have sex, you or we can always ask God for forgiveness afterwards, God knows our hearts”
I personally have been guilty of a quote similar to this in the past. I was not informed of Romans 6:1-3 at the time:

1-3So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we've left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Or didn't you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace—a new life in a new land! (Message Bible)

We got to recognize that Jesus paid the debt so that we do not have to live under the slavery of sin. I do not remember hearing about any slaves after they escaped and obtain freedom, came back and said, Master I want to be a slave again. However that is what we do when we make these comments like these, it is like saying to Satan I want to be a slave of sin again. (I believe would be on my side if I say I can’t help it) Oh really, the bible states differently ( Matt. 5: 17-20; 29-30).

29And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
This does not mean to dismember your body literally. This mean whatever you are weak in try to do all you can to get away to be put in the situation. Let us take Superman, his weakness is Kryptonite. It would not be wise for Superman to fight villains in a Kryptonite Warehouse. Same for us, if we have a weakness of fornicating, it does not make sense spiritually to be alone with a female or male you are attracted to in your room or house especially at times you should not be alone. Now think about it, who calls someone to come or go to their house at 1:00 A.M under normal circumstances just to talk. Therefore in the example if someone causes you to fornicate then you have three choices: Stay with the person and sin, Get married to the person, or cut them off. The same with all sin: stealing, backbiting, gossiping, hatred. The Lord gives you choices, He will not force you to choose the right one, but He will help you to do right if you choose the right way.
“I went before the church to be saved and I was told once saved will stayed saved”
“I do not need to go to church; I can praise Him at home”
These phrases I heard from people that I just randomly spoke with at different times. Some of them had said they had been saved for numerable years and can quote scriptures out of the bible. However ask them what the scripture mean you either get a blank stare or an outrageous meaning. The common one is Romans 3:23. I heard some interesting meanings like on the path of “since we all had sin. I can sin all I want to and God will forgive me.” Unfortunately people forget the keyword, repent, you have to repent of your sins in order to be forgiven.

Repent is defined as:
1: to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life
2: to feel regret or contrition; to change one's mind

So if you repent, you are turning yourself away from the unclean thing. Once you get saved, there are two parts you go through which are simultaneous to each other.
1) Justification: You are pardoned of your sins
2) Sanctification: You are in the process of being made holy.
What people miss out is the Sanctification part, which includes letting the Holy Spirit inside and working the inside. Then there is some who let the Holy Spirit in but do not deny the flesh DAILY. Therefore, they backslide and thinking that living anyway is okay because they eventually become reprobate. If you don’t believe me, look at Romans 1:28, II Timothy 3:8, and Titus 1:16 and reprobate mean to condemn strongly as unworthy, unacceptable, or evil. Also it is interesting to hear saints say that they don’t need to go to church. Sometimes it you will downtrodden and weak spiritually, and when you get the word of God it refreshes you and you can out to battle again. I doubt anyone would go on a road trip in a country town and pass by a gas station with the gas hand on the car at a quarter tank, because you do not know where the next gas station will be and risking running out of gas. Same thing is true with a church with a preacher that preaches the REAL Word of God, not what makes you happy all the time. I can understand that it can be hard choosing a church because of False Teachers. However read my not note titled Salvation on some tips. As Christians we are needed in the church because when new believers come then can learn how to live in Christ’s way. I like how Rev. Knight says,” You may be the only bible that anyone would ever read”

“Well at least I am not as bad as others”
What is funny is that this was a reoccurring phrase one week during my time in Iowa. I mean it seem like I was hearing this from everyone I spoke with that week. Sometimes I do not know how it fit into some of the conversations. It is interesting how we get on the Phelps family about judging others when we do it ourselves. Maybe not like they do it, but that phrase is a perfect example of it. People remember sin is sin and the wages of sin is death, Romans 6:23. It does not matter if you steal a million dollars or a stick of gum. If you do not repent you are in debt to the same wages, death. So comparing yourself to another person is kind of useless since they are flesh like you. I would think it would be better to compare oneself to Jesus especially if we are CHRISTians. I know some of you may just be starting off in the faith, so I will give you a starting point, put yourself in the Pastor’s shoes. If your pastor did a particular thing like commit have sex with women in your church would you follow them. If the pastor preaches a sermon drunk or high (not to mention smelling like alcohol) would you come for Bible Study. People naturally put high standards on a Pastor, those similar standards one should make for themselves as well to reach, since the Pastor should be following Christ.

I did not write this note to judge anyone, just to give truth and from that truth you examine yourself. So I encourage you to keep growing in Christ. I hope these words will help anyone to open their eyes if they are not living in God’s Will.

Stay blessed and remember to that God loves you and I do too,
Greg "Da Spokesman" Stargell

Salvation

Hello Friends,

I had asked random people, what do you believe you have to do in order to obtain Salvation? I had received answers that went across the spectrum. Also I had went to a church where they told them that if they need to work in the church because their salvation depend upon it. Working the church is nice but they were missing an important part. So let us explore this question, “How do I obtain Salvation?”

It is useless to know how to obtain something you don’t know what it is. Therefore lets us look at the meaning of Salvation:
1: deliverance from the power and effects of sin.
3: preservation from destruction or failure
I had posted two definitions because they are pretty much the same. Sin came to the world by way of Adam, because of we all are born into sin. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:23), however we can be made righteous through Jesus Christ (Romans 5: 11-20). That is the reason Jesus came and die on the Christ to be the perfect sacrifice for those that receive him..

So how can we obtain Salvation? Some gave me answers like if:
I just live right I will be saved: God Forbid, for there is none that is righteous, no not one (Romans 3:10-12) and we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23 and I John 1:8-9).

I work in the church, volunteer to a cause, or help others: Sorry that will not save you either, Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. (Titus 3:5) Also read (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Paul had to explain the same thing to the Jews in the book of Romans because the based their salvation on being the seed of Abraham, being circumcised, and having the law. However it is through Jesus they we can be saved. The condition to being saved is in, Romans 10:9-10 (this scripture is just about as important as John 3:16):
9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
That is all it takes to be saved, if a church, preacher, or person proclaiming to be in the name of the Lord says differently you can either run or tell them about Romans 10:9-10.

Now I have a question for you. From reading on how to obtain salvation, are you saved? If not, I am going to ask you the question that Jesus asked the man at the pool at Bethesda (John 5:1-9). Do you want to be made whole(well)? If so I ask that you find a good church home that preaches the gospel. Please I am serious when I state this, that you go to a church that the gospel is being preached (the full truth) and not what you want to hear. As stated in Romans 10:13-15:
13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Some suggestions I can make are:

Huntsville:
The Fountain of Life Ministries and Covenant Ministries

Ames (Iowa):
Friendship Baptist Church, New Birth Baptist Church, and BCC
I have spoke with the pastors of each one those churches and have seen them walk after the way of the Lord. The pastors of these churches are great men of God and I believe they will not lead you wrong because they are following Christ as well. There may be others but I actually had communication one on one with each of the pastors of the churches I had recommended. I pray that at these words you hardened not your heart, and to God be the glory and honor forever, Amen.

May God continue to bless you,
Gregory "Da Spokesman" Stargell

Where is your faith?

Hello Friends,


I thought about a song that was made by the late Rev. James Cleveland called, “Where is Your Faith?” The song is about a Christian that is speaking with another Christian who had back-slide (had turned away from the way of the Lord’s Will). The Back slider spoke about how the world around him is going wrong. Therefore the Christian continually asking the same question after every time the back slider thought of all the bad things that happen to him, the question was, “where is your faith?” .

What is faith you may ask? Well according to Hebrew 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” I like how the message bible states it,
The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.

Ok so why is faith so important? I am glad you ask. As stated in Hebrews 11:6, it is impossible to please the Lord without it. Also as Jesus told the 12 disciples in Matt 17:20 and Luke 17:6, that if we have the faith of the size of a mustard seed, that if you say to the mountain move then the mountain will move (Matt. Version) and the sycamore tree to be uproot and go the sea it will obey (Luke Version). If we can do such marvelous things with the size of a mustard seed then imagine how much more can be done with more faith.

In other words, we can limit how much God can work in our lives by our faith. A good example of this is when David fought Goliath. Many people know the story but they step the very important part of the story which were the words he had said (I Samuel 17:45-47). Instead of David telling God how big his situation was, he told his situation how big his God was. Another one would be the woman with the issue of blood (Matt. 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, and Luke 8:43-48). I like the version stated in Luke where Jesus asked the question, “Who touched me?”. Can’t you imagine how the people may had looked at him when he said that. One of the disciples asked him a question that many people would had asked. Which is “What do you mean by saying who touched you?” Since they all were in the midst of a crowd with people trying to get close to Jesus. However out of all the people touching him, he acknowledges the woman. I believe the reason Jesus acknowledged her instead of the people around is because they were touching Jesus with their problems but the woman touched him with her faith.

I want to ask you, “Where is your faith?” This is a new year, 2008 can be a good or bad year for you. Assuming that you are obedient to God’s Will and he is the head of your life, God can and will do great things in your life because he can do all things.. Look to the examples of David and the woman with the issue of blood, Touch God with your faith and tell your obstacles how big your God is. I challenge you to try your faith because you limit what God will do in your life by the amount of faith you have.

I hope as you read the words that you harden not your heart, and may the Lord bless you to have a blessed New Year!

Thank you for reading,
Gregory "Da Spokesman" Stargell

Death Penalty?

Hello friends,

As stated in one of my previous note, I was talking with some people about the death penalty. I told them who would have the right to kill someone for the deeds they have done. One good point was brought up, It states in the bible if a man commits murder he should be put to death. This person was basing off the law Moses received from God which goes from part of Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. I said that is a good point but if we go into the Old Testament and the law. Alot of people should be put to death as well for just one of the law not to say how many should be put to death in respect to all. The person looked at me strange and said How? I said, " Most people do not observe the Sabbath" so by Exodus 31 they should be put to death.

My question to those who are in favor of the death penalty. Who on earth is worthy of judging someone to death. In the bible, Jesus healed the man with the bad hand. The Jews had the nerve to want to stone him because he healed the man on the Sabbath. Jesus told them who among you would not save your livestock( I forgot which one he said, I think it was sheep or cow) if it was not trapped in a pit. In simple terms. how are you going to judge me for something you don't do yourselves.

What is sad none of us upheld the law as stated in Romans 3:23. However Jesus came to be that sacrifice for us, because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Now we may have life and life more abundantly because God gave us HIS Son. Therefore if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus died for you, you shall be saved(Romans 10:9-10). Therefore your faith would maintain your salvation not your works.

But my mother was an evangelist, granny was the State Mother, and also I come from a long line of preachers and I work diligently in the church, therefore I am saved because they are?
God Forbid, because Romans 10: 9-10 states:

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Therefore you have to know Christ for yourself and not by others merit which is also what Paul had to explain to the Jews because they were going of the fact that they were seeds of Abraham, have the Law, and circumcised so they considered they were saved. (Romans Ch. 2-5). Also Titus 3:5 tells us:

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

So because Jesus died from us and faith and not our works keep us saved, therefore the Law is made Void and I can do what I want?
God Forbid, because Christ send us a guide in the form of the Holy Spirit to give us grace to carry out the Law while also sanctifying you. The purpose of the Law was to be a flashlight to sin, and to be used to show where one was wrong.

In conclusion, the death penalty should not be support because if Jesus did not die for us, the ability to be pardoned from God's death penalty would be impossible. So instead of trying to kill off people try getting them to know Christ. As Ephesians 6:12 states:
12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Therefore Christ can fight the spirit that is in the person. (directly or through a willing vessel for the Lord)

Please do not harden your heart to these words, and may continue to bless you,
Greg "Da Spokesman" Stargell

Facts of Life

Dear Friend,

When I was at Iowa State, I was in the MU one day and a young lady came to the table I was sitting. She told me her name and that she was with the school paper. I remember it was around the time of the Virginia Tech shooting and she asked me, “What did I think of the recent shooting at schools?” I thought about the cases with the other instances, and the major characters in each one. Also I remembered an answer a young lady gave a news reporter about 9/11. I gave that same answer. The answer I gave was, “because we as Americans refuse to acknowledge God in our lives and accept responsibility for our actions.” The young lady looked at me kind of surprised and I gave her some facts. When we took prayer out of school, the number of shootings in school (violence in school) increased. The number of latch key children (children that come home from school to a parentless house due to work) has increased every since 1960. I gave more but I concluded that we as Americans tend to want the T.V, music, and yes video games to raise our kids. What is wrong with that system is that they are in a market for a profit, therefore they tend to want produce something that sells. So I’m sorry educational material do not sell as much as sex and violence in the free market. I was surprised that the young lady actually wrote everything down. We converse for almost 10 minutes. This comes to the inspiration for this blog along with an issue that with some of the older community about the death penalty.

I remember an instance where Jesus was in the church preaching and the church was full. However there was a man was sick with the palsy (paralyzed) and they could not get to Jesus because of the multitude. The men then decided just to lowering the man but the ceiling. Seeing their faith Jesus said, “Thy sins are forgiven” But look at this, the scribes sat and talk amongst themselves and was like who he think he is. However Jesus went on to say it is easier for me to say yours are forgiven or take up your bed and walk. Jesus chose the harder one which was take up your bed and walk. Sure enough the man got up and walked. This is in Mark 2:1-12 for those who don’t believe me or want to read the story for themselves other instances are Matthew 9:1-8 and Luke 5:17-24. So you say what this has to do with school shootings and such. Remember I said we as Americans refuse to acknowledge God in our life. You may say how is that I got to church; some may say I not only go to church but I am an active church member (choir, usher, deacon, pastor, etc.). Okay that is good and all but how many people at Virginia Tech could say the same thing. That is harsh you may say but hear me out. One thing that the shooter said that stuck with me is, “This all could have been avoided.” I actually believe him. Lets look at the fact that this person was mentally unstable. How can you say that you might think the fact that he has an instance where he at least one suicide attempt; I am not a psychologist but there has to be some unstability to bring a person to take there own life. For example, a man kills himself because his wife leaves him. There is some mental and probably emotion issues that lead him to be unstable to the point where the thought of ended it all seem to be the best solution. Okay Greg he was unstable mentally but that is the psychologist or even his parents now that sound harsh in my opinion. I would like to ask where the Christians were. (Awwww there he goes again) Yeah that is why I said we refuse to acknowledge God in our life because we are too wrapped up in our own problems that we refuse to help others that may be in need. If we acknowledge that we are in Christ and Christ in us, we would be willing at least to attempt to help one. (But you don’t understand I am a very busy person, I just don’t have time) Let me ask you, how long does it take to tell your spouse or parents, I love you or I thank God he blessed me with you; how long does it take to say a friendly hello to someone you cross paths with; how long does it take to give a friendly smile; how long does it take to tell a friend I appreciate you as a friend and your fellowship. (How does that help?) You do not know how much a smile could mean to someone that could make one’s day not seem so bad. Just imagine yourself in worst case scenario, you would want someone to show compassion towards you, so why not do the same for others. The good thing about it is the God cannot help but to bless you if you do because you are planting a seed when you give a friendly hello, a smile, or just your time, etc. Therefore, when you help others God would put someone to help you with yours or probably help in another way. Also it is easy to walk by the person, but it take some effort to smile at them, a little more effort, to say hello, some more to take time and ask them how is their day and actively listen and so forth. Who knows you may be put in a position where you may be someone’s last resort and you may not know it.

The point is try to do the most you can do consistently, but Jesus had gave us as an example and we as Christian should strive to do the same since that is the goal outside of getting to heaven is to be Christ-like. I am not perfect myself therefore I am working on these things as well. Just as Paul would say in Philippians 3:13-14, everyday I press toward the mark, in other words, everyday in every way I’m working to get better and better. I pray that these words will touch your heart because we as Christians may be the only bible that some may ever read.


Stay blessed and may the Lord get honor out of your life,
Greg "Da Spokesman" Stargell

What is Love?

Dear Friend,

As I have read different people’s pages/notes, I noticed in the midst of their poems, comments, questions, etc. one thing stood out a lot. That is the question of (what is love?). I have taken time and actually looked into this thing called love. Some say it is an emotion, state of being, or even a choice. Therefore I ask that you explore with me this over occurring question. I noticed that love have been separated into three types: Eros, Philo, and Agape.

Eros: This is the love that you experience when you feel like you are floating in the clouds. This can also be seen as either lust or affactuation. Nothing is wrong with this love really. However in this state one can be very susceptible to heart break, divorce, even death. Yes, divorce, usually married couples did not let their relationship get out of period of affactuation. Usually couples who take the time to get past this stage and examine each other in real life situations like how they handle his/her finances, how they take care of things they own, or how they interact with other people, etc. have a better chance of lasting in marriage than those who don’t. As stated nothing is wrong with Eros, however it is an emotional state. As the bible had pointed out that it is pretty dangerous if we let our emotions be the driving force in whatever we do. So be careful not to let this be the leading force or you will be falling in “love” or other things as well.

Philo: This love is probably the most common of the three types. This love usually lead to one being betrayed especially if that person had invested a good amount of time or more. This love is known as Conditional or Worldly Love. With this love, one loves the other on the condition of what that person can do for them. This can be seen with majority of the time with people with a lot of friends (so they call them). However when something goes wrong or the condition is not met then the “friends” would be no where to be found. Not only do they disappear usually end up being the starter of rumors against you. This love would be the worse one to have in a relationship, not to say a marriage. This goes back to what I was telling you about couples who do not get out of the affactuation stage. The marriage end up having this type of love because emotions lead and eventually emotions will run out of gas. Also loneliness can also lead to this type of love because a person would tend to try to buy someone’s friendship, affection, or companionship. Any friendship that comes with a price is majority of the time an expensive one that can lead to buyer’s remorse.

Agape: In my opinion the greatest love of all (Sorry, Mrs. Houston-Brown), this love known as unconditional love. So how would I spot this love? Good question, I am glad you asked. Remember these three words, God is Love. It took me a while to understand it growing up until I read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. God came to earth in the form of Jesus to show us the way. Why only those four books? Well those books gave me majority of my understanding along with other scriptures like I Corinthians 13 (if you really want the other scriptures send me a message and I can give it to you). Anyways through the life of Jesus even the time he was crucified, Jesus showed us how to love unconditionally (Agape). From his life, I learned that if you can make this comment in your heart (and not verbally say it) one is showing unconditional love. That statement is: “I don’t have to, but I will do it anyhow”. Think about God did not have to come down to earth but he did it anyhow. Jesus did not have to feed the two sets of multitude, but he feed them all anyhow and had some left over in both cases. Jesus did not have to go to jail, get beaten, and die on the cross, but he did it anyhow and I personally glad he did so that the price for salvation is already paid in full. I remember a story of a man who had a flat tire and did not have a jack on a rainy day. A man pulled up and asked the man what was the problem and he got his jack and took off the tire but neither one of them had a spare. In a state of disappointment, the man who had the flat tire sat on the curb in the rain. Feeling sorry for the man the stranger sat next with the man. See the stranger didn’t have to sit with the man but he did it anyhow. He could have easily drove off and left the person there. However this type of love is pretty hard to do (may seem impossible to most) and is ideal for a marriage to flourish. Like scripture says whatever is impossible for man is possible for me. Therefore this love is a God given love, which means it is a choice. If you do not choose to accept God it would be pretty impossible to without his strengthen us. Now Eros would be a pretty good companion to follow Agape in a marriage or relationship, if both parties have and show Agape love. You do not have to have or express Agape love, but I challenge everyone to do it anyhow.

I hope that your mind and heart was open while reading. Also I pray this had cleared up any questions you may have about love or at least give you a good start on your journey to know more. As normal if you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them.


Thank you for reading and may God continue to Bless You,
Greg " Da Spokesman" Stargell

Natural, Carnal, and Spirtual Man (Woman)

I noticed alot of people seem to getting the wrong impression of where they are in Christ. This note hopefully will help you to know where you are. Whether you have a natural mind, carnal mind, or spirtual mind.

Natural Man: This is a person that does not have Christ in their life. This may have heard something about Christ but do not acknowledge him. Since Christ is not in his life the things in their life or themselves is on the throne.

The next two are people you will find in the church, you are either Carnal minded or Spirtual minded.

Carnal Man: This is a person that just so happen to have Christ in their life. They even go to church when they want to, give to church or charity, and probably can quote any scripture in the bible at will. However the Carnal man is nothing more than the Natural Man who goes to church and acknowledge Christ. This is the person that will party all night in the clubs Friday and Saturday, and not only come to church, but may be an usher, in the choir, or even in the pulpit.
This person is a person that god dislike, no this person is an abomination to him.

Revelations 3:15-16, speak of a church of carnal minded people. They are called Lukewarm Christians.
Proverbs 6:16-19, speak of the six things God hate with the seventh being what is an abomination to him.

Sowing Seed of Discord is an abomination of God. The reason this ties in with the Carnal Man is because eventhough this person is in church. They are doing the same thing as the natural man. Therefore the Carnal Man is sowing seeds of discord because the natural man look at the Carnal Man and see that they are doing the same thing they are doing and would either think that it is okay to do the same things or they would think why waste my time coming to church when I can get my rest from clubbing, and plus they be in service too long.

Now finally
The Spirit Man: This person is the person who attends church with the Carnal Man. However the Carnal is frustrated because of this person. The reason is because in hard times God can give the spirt man joy and peace. This person has Christ in their life. However the difference between the Spirit Man and the carnal Man is the God is actually on the throne or is actually the head of their life. The Spirit Man learned something that the Carnal Man had not and that is humility. This person did not only go through the process of going in front of the church and went through the motions of getting saved, you know the motion where the Pastor ask who want to be saved, come to the altar and so and so. You can confess it but the one thing people miss in Rom 10:9-10 is that you have to believe it in your heart.
Another thing is that the Spirit Man has went through the regeneration process or have been converted. As Jesus told Peter in Luke 22:32, "When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." This will be another note being converted, TBA

A person can become any of the three minds.
Natural Man to Spirit Man: By Salvation and Conversion
Natural to Carnal Man: By just having Christ in your life
Carnal to Spirit: By Conversion. If not saved then salvation as well
Spirit to Carnal : Put self first
Spirit/'Carnal to Natural : Deny Christ or just back slide.

Going from Spirit to Natural because would give you a reprobate mind. Romans 1:28

In Summary, The Carnal Man is the person that hinder the natural man to come to Christ. So if you love Christ, make sure that Christ is the head of your life and he gets the glory for it.

Any questions, comments, concerns, or if anything is unclear or need me to expound more let me know.

May the these words bring thee closer to God and that you will be blessed