REPENTANCE??

WHAT DOES TRUE REPENTANCE LOOK LIKE?

Time and time again, we are being faced with news story after another where individuals appear to be "repentant" - on the surface -- or at least while the cameras are rolling -- then later we are left to wonder? Where they really repentant at all?

It's human nature to react to a sudden event with shock and a sense of feeling "sorry" --- but feeling sorry is NOT repentance at all!

Three cases in point!

Just a few days ago we heard here in Atlanta that Bishop Eddie Long had "settled out of court" with five young men who had accused him of sexual misconduct.  When the Pastor was first accused, he stood before his congregation and vowed to fight and air his side of the story in a court of law, not a court of opinion.  What happened?

According to his spokesperson, Long "settled" so that his ministry could continue and not be hampered by a court proceeding.  Many in his congregation were anxiously and loyally awaiting his defense.....awaiting his assurance of his innocence.  Now all they have are questions? What is Bishop Long hiding?  What did he really do with those five young men?  Why did he pay them money? Was the money "hush money?"
Did the money come from him, or the church coffers?

Only God, Long, and the five young men know the answers!!

Is Bishop Eddie Long worthy of being called "Bishop" any longer?

Has there been any signs of true repentance?

I'll let God be the judge of that one!!!

Case # 2 -  This past week, another man who calls himself, "Bishop" -- opened a new branch of his Church in the Now in Midtown Atlanta.... home of the gay community of Atlanta.

Jim Swilley hasn't even tried to "repent", believing he has nothing to repent from.....

Instead, he goes on ... and moves forward, as if nothing is wrong or out of place!

Before all this "revelation" was made public -- that Swilley was homosexual -- and in his mind, "made that way" -- his church was in financial straits .... now I wonder .... all he lost in "straight" members -- is he making up for it with "gay" members???

I'll leave that question to God!

Case # 3 -  Just a few days ago, another man who carried a title, "Bishop" -- was arrested in Tampa for Driving Under the Influence --  Randy White!

Randy divorced his second wife, Paula, a while back .... stepped down from being Senior Pastor of Church Without Walls in Tampa, stating he has "health issues", and invited his former wife, Paul White, to return as Pastor.  Now he's arrested for DUI??


Am I the only one who sees a pattern of inconsistency here??


What is repentance?  Feeling sorry?  Getting caught or arrested?  
Being embarrassed in pubic?
Or does it have everything to do with your heart and God?


I believe that true repentance means you CHANGE!  You change your mind -- you change your ways -- you change your actions -- you become humble, realizing that only God can really change you!




I, FOR ONE, HAVE "HAD IT" WITH FAKE PREACHERS -- PHONY BISHOPS -- AND MEN WHO GLOSS OVER TRUE REPENTANCE!
IT'S TIME FOR AN OLD-FASHION REVIVAL OF REPENTANCE IN THE CHURCH!


What do you think??

Change

We're are nearing the FALL season here in Chicago. The temperatures are already cooler - and the trees are already beginning to change. This brings to my mind the subject of "Change". I don't know a lot of people who get excited when the word 'change' comes up in conversation. The old joke says, 'the only people who love change are babies.' But, one thing is for sure, we are in a season of change in America. Perhaps you are in a season of change personally. I know I am. The question is, "How do you DEAL with change?" One of the common reactions is to DENY the change. So many spend so much of their time denying to themselves that anything around them is changing. I think they believe that if they do not admit it, it isn't so. If they don't admit their marriage is falling apart, then it must not be. If they don't admit that things are changing at work, then it isn't so. If they don't admit that they are getting older, then they aren't. If they don't admit things are changing at church, then everything will remain the same. But, it doesn't. So the first step in dealing with change, is to stop denying it. As sure as summer leads to fall - change is coming to your life. The second step is to EXPECT it. That's healthy. Yes, expect your job to change, and change with it. Expect your relationships to change, and make adjustments. Expect things at church will be constantly changing and embrace as many as you can. The third step is ACCEPT it. Even the 12 step programs teach people to "accept what they cannot change, and change what they can". Acceptance isn't approval, it's reality. Life is changing - accept it. Jobs change - accept it. Churches change - accept it. Relationships change - accept it. With God's grace, you can accept what comes in the spirit of faith, and look forward to each day. The fourth step is to LOVE it -- yes, love change. Change can be exciting - opening new doors of opportunity for you. Learn to love what God allows to come into your life -- because you know that "all things work together for your good" because you love God and are His child. How do you deal with change? DENY or EXPECT, ACCEPT, and LOVE it. That's the D.E.A.L. ! Think about it!