(MN: It’s probably operator error [I’m the operator], but I was wrong. I still can’t quite get into my e-mails. Continue to make your requests through the comments. I won’t publish any of your addresses. We’re up to forty-five, by the way. )
(MN: Mail’s up! My VOWM says I have a back-up of 400 e-mails. Most of it is spam, but I’m sure some of it is requests for the book. By the way - we are up to about forty books so far. I should be mailing the majority of them out this week end. Once the supply is gone, I’ll start saving up some money to buy some more. I buy them in lots of 72 so I can get a slight cut on the price. )
(MN: Special note - The Pimp-mail is still down. My VOWM is working it, but the fact is it’s taking a while. If you want a book, go ahead and send me a comment. I will cull the addresses and delete the comments. )
(MN: After a week and a half hiatus, I am again making the offer of a free book - free, as in it doesn’t cost you anything, not even postage. Free, as in you don’t have to spend a dime. I still have 72. Neither the site nor e-mail were available to receive requests. Oh, if you give me the mailing address in the comments, I will make sure the address doesn’t get posted.
Hurry. Supply is, as they say, limited. )
One of the things this site attempts to do is warn you about the pimps out there waiting to take your money, shipwreck your faith, and build a huge monument to their egos. I constantly point out the indicators of their pimpishness. I give you examples, from their own sites and their own mouths, of their pimping ways. And I make it a point to name names so you can avoid them.
I’d like to start a second phase to this operation. And that phase is to let you know what you should look for in a healthy church. And what to look for really isn’t that hard to spot. Most of the time you can see the signs (or their lack) with one or two visits to the typical church.
A fellow by the name of Mark Dever has written a book entitled “What is a Healthy Church” previously “Nine Marks of a Healthy Church.” And in this book, he lays out some of the more important, and not always intuitively obvious, characteristics a church should have. Many of you have asked “Can you tell me where there is a church that isn’t pimping people?” The information in this book allows you to equip yourself to go out and identify the environment you need to grow in Christ.
Since this is not associated with the Melvinite Temple of Higher Happenings and Magnificent Structures organization or events, I’m not even going to charge you for shipping and handling.
In order to get this book into your hands, in order to equip you to defend yourself - and even guide you if you are with a group “evolving” into a church, I’m want to send you a copy of the book, free. That’s right - free. Send me an e-mail (click on the “Contact” link to see the e-mail address) with your address/PO box/whatever you feel comfortable supplying, and I will send you a copy of the book - for free. Of course, if God tells you to send me a thousand dollars, no wait - if he tells you to send me five thousand dollars, then ignore what I just said, send the money on in and get ready for your breakthrough as you watch God - - Oops. Sorry, I got carried away.
The book is a quick, easy read. But I suggest you read it through and then go back and read it more slowly a second or even third time. It will make you look at what you consider to be the characteristics of a healthy church. And it will let you see the challenge that every Christian is called to face with respect to the Gospel, the Body, and Christian living. Oh, and right now, I only have 72 of the books. I will make shipments every Saturday until I run out of books. Then I will have to scrape up the money to buy some more for mailing.
Once this posting has run its course here, I will make it a page so that it will stay somewhat visible. If you like, I will also attempt to keep a running total of the number of books I have sent out.
And remember, Melvin; your blessing is on it’s way. Gawd is so pleeeeaaased with your gift, I can feel Money Comin to you for your love seed of giv’n way free books. Gawd blessha, Gawd blesssha!
Your behind the curve Mel. The Pimps are already pushing the number 8 (2008) as the year to be GREAT.
my boss is into the Temple of Praise/Bishop Staples. She wants me to go. Is it a healthy church?
(MN: At first take, I’d say “no.” Look at their website. Here are a couple of things to consider.
1. He calls himself a bishop. It seems somewhat presumptuous.
2. They use “apostles”
3. They have apparently ordained several women as elders: Stephanie Hilton, Cheryl Gaines, Monique Pressly, Maria Singleton, Jaqueline Stevenson, and Sandra Swann.
4. I watched a video from the church. The bishop spent 6:36 telling us that he is working on something - getting your joy back, your riches, etc.
4. It’s a 12,000 member church
5. It APPEARS to be about emotion and not teaching and maturing.
Me, I’d stay away. )
Add to the list, he was ordained by T.Dexter himself
wow–you actually can answer that question without even visiting the church. very very sad.
I don’t have to visit a mosque to know they’re heretics. A simple perusal of the website will do. If they can’t resist spouting heresy on their website, which is generally far more low-key than the actual doctrine preached, it’s probably best to KIM.
paisano, KIM? keep in mind?
Angela,
Perhaps GaryV means “Keep It Movin’”???…But I don’t wanna answer for the Minister of Monikers…It is apparent that he’s quite capable of doing that on his own…(smile GV!!!) :)…
BTW, I’ve been enjoying some of the comments you’ve been putting out lately…good to get a fresh perspective sometimes…Also, I’m in Conneticut, which I don’t think is too far from you and Derrick’s neck of the woods…I’ll come over for dinner on two conditions…One, you need to really know how to burn, and two tell Derrick we can speak nothing about preterism, as my eschatology views are still “under construction”…LOL!!!!…Have a great day sister!!!!
Solus Christus,
R4C
Mrs. Mav.
KIM in this context means “Keep it Moving!” LOL!!!
ok, now i’ve updated my internet shorthand- thanx brethen.
r4c, i would enjoy fellowshipping with you and kimmiboo! i’m so glad you guys are closer. i look forward to getting together and meeting your wife and children. please send me an e-mail so i can chit chat with you.
Yup R4C…….”Keep It Movin” it is my brother!!
BTW, where in CT are you?? How I miss it there!!
R4C,
I may end up crashing the party you and Angela/D may have should you hook up, seeing that you still owe me one from when you were near my side of the woods (lol, lol, lol). Apart from that, pray you’re doing well and count on me making a bus-ride to see you…
So, based on the information available, what do you think of the church? Does any of the facts about it say anything to you.
Hey, Actually… I’d like to get a copy of that book. I’m not going to be at Mission Baptist Church here in South Korea, so… when I go back stateside, I’d like to know what to look for. Is there a staff discount?
Sure. Because of your outstanding work, I will grant you a 50% discount on the book. I’ll also cut shipping in half.
I just sent a request to you. Thank you very much for the book. God bless.
(MN: Got it and five others. )
Good on you Melvin for giving out the Mark Dever Books.
Can I recommend them to anyone who is interested, nothing fancy in them, but clear and scriptural teaching on how churches should be…
Good to see the site back too.
Colin
Hey William, thanks again for all the hard work getting the site back up and running!! I’m sending along an anointed Holy Hankie with the book, which you should put inside your wallet. Then send the full wallet and hankie back to me as a sign of your honoring of the Prophet,,,I mean Profit.
BTW Mel………..this is some Bizarro Pimpin’ you got going here. Paying for the website yourself and now sending out a bunch of books without even charging folks for a stamp or nothin’.
You’re never going to get to meet Charles Grassley THIS way.
(MN: All I can say is: “Life am good!” )
Thank you for your dedication to exposing pimps in the pulpit. I was beginning to have serious withdrawal symptoms when i couldn’t get your site. I was beginning to have the “shakes”. God is blessing you and i am serious about that.
Melvin, it looks like your hard work is paying off. You are a baddddddddddddddd brother.
An article on Creflo - click here.
Melvin, I sent an e-mail to get a copy of this book, after I had a chance to go on amazon.com to read the reviews.
I am very much anticipating this book….thanks again!
(MN: E-mail is still down. Post your address and stuff [I won’t publish it], and I’ll get it to you this weekend.
Any who want to read a review of the book, go here . )
Hi, I’d like a copy of that book.
(MN: Done. It should go in the mail this weekend. )
Thanks a bunch! Blessings and peace to you.
I thank God for you and G. Craige Lewis (I wish I could talk to him or at least email him). However, you all are a blessing, I thank you cause if it were not for people like you being the Paul’s and the Peter’s and exposing the mess in the church; I do not know what I would do! You all have blessed me.
As you can tell I am “still healing” from the pimps in the pulpit that beat and manipulate the saints! Man, God is delivering me from a lot of things…I have had preachers manipulate me to the point I wanted to kill myself…I had preachers make me give and feel bad about giving a certain amount or the lack thereof…So man I thank God for you all standing in the Gap! Continue cause people like me need it!
BTW-I’d like a copy of the book as well
Hi,I’d like a copy of that book
FYI, you may want to probe further into G. Craige Lewis’ ministry before you endorse him as a “blessing”. This is the same guy that said that he drove out over 40 demons from the former singer of Color Me Badd on his video exposing hip-hop. Of course there is no proof to substantiate such a claim, but I guess who needs one when you are the one who speaks for God.
I think G Craige is doing and good job at what he does, He was very instrumental in getting this anti-hip hop message out. Of course he has a charasmatic flavor to his message but here again, we can’ throw the baby out with the bathwater on this one. I can find error in most people who occupy the pulpit. I would say don’t get to the point to where we follow ANYBODY let alone a televangelist. I subscribe to G Craige’s daily word(although I don’t read them all) but for the most part, he is one point. A few disagreements here and there though, but hey, some of the posters here are in the same boat.
I totally disagree with you Al on this one. Do you think Satan & his imps ALWAYS speak lies and NEVER speak the truth (Mark 1:23-24)? What makes a false teacher isn’t just what a person says, but the conduct, character, and conversation of who they are! Remember Al, by their FRUIT we are to recognize them (Matt. 7:15-20) and Craige Lewis is not a person that I would recommend to someone who is new in the faith or lacks the discernment to detect otherwise. And lastly, not ALL hip-hop is sinful, just as ALL other forms of music isn’t sinful as well. It is based on the content of the message, not just the beat regardless of what Craige Lewis may say.
Saiko, I remember you and I going toe to toe with a WOFer that lives in my city regarding the segment on BET. And I have spoken with you ver the phone and believe you are doctrinally sound. Now let me ask you a question. Who do you know that is on point in everything they say?
It’s not a matter of anyone being on point in everything. It’s a matter of the primacy of the issues in question.
For example, RC Sproul teaches infant baptism and tithing. IMO, both are Biblically unfounded. Does that render him a pimp?? Nope. Does that earn him a place on these pages amongst Cashflo and Hinn?? Nope.
To ask that question assumes you already know the answer, so no answer will be given concerning that. That isn’t the issue. The issue is we are called to test all things and to hold fast to that which is true (1 Thes. 5:21). But it doesn’t mean that just because a person may have some good things to say that he should be endorsed as a biblical expositor of Scripture like your man Craige. Overall his doctrine is off and he isn’t sound on alot of points and that is my issue concerning him and anyone else who promotes what he teaches.
Ok Saiko, what does he teach in the message, “The truth behind Hip Hop” that is unbiblical? Now, as I have stated, I do not follow WOF doctrine, been there, done that, but I need one or two references. Does Hip Hop belong in the church? Should those that call themselves christian artist share the stage and microphone with hip hop artist. Let’s stick to his original message because we know he is WOF already By he way, he is not “my man” as I have stated already, i do not follow him, I got his first three videos and the INFORMATION was well received by me and several others that have viewed it, We are not looking to “follow” any man. Been there, done that already.
Okay Al you want one, I’ll give you one. He states that he casted over 40 demons from the lead singer of Color Me Badd. Now if you want to debate that, then I suggest you call me b/c I’m not gonna send 10 pages of blogspace to discuss this issue of Christians and casting out devils. But I’ll say this: Nowhere does the Bible tell us as New Testament Christians that we have the authority to cast out devils/demons. And anyone that wants to use Mark 16:17-18 as a proof-text to support this practice may want to check out the historical context and grammar before using that as their basis for promoting this. But that is my short answer to this question.
Ok Saiko, you win. I know the issues with Mark 16:17-18 and it’s original text. If you don’t believe God can use us to cast out demons(notice I said GOD) then that’s your right. A lot of people don’t believe that people(familiar spirits) can tell you things either (Acts:16) but I have seen this first hand and cannot be convinced otherwise. You choose not to believe GOD can use us to drive out demons, I choose to believe this. Can man do it? NO!!! Some things you will not believe until you experience it Saiko, Have I ever seen someone used to cast out demons? NO!! Have I ever seen Jesus face to face? NO. Do I believe he exist? But of course. I see no need to debate you or anyone else on this blog. When someone claim THEY have the power to do this on a regular basis (even if Craige says he can do this) whenever THEY want to, I have a problem with that. Whether Craige’s story is true, I don’t know, was not there. Next subject!!!
Al, first off, I was not there when you saw what you saw first hand and therefore you “cannot be convinced otherwise.” What you saw and experienced may very well have been real and I am not questioning it at all. But I must say that when we see and experience a lot of these types of occurances, we must use a healthy dose of skepticism in considering their source. I have seen and experienced some amazing things too, but since I left the WoF, NOTHING, (and I mean nothing!) is beyond question … I used to say that I would not be convinced otherwise on issues dealing with my personal experiences before too. After all, I saw what I saw and my experiences were very real! But another thing I have learned is “NEVER say never!” Even on things that “I would not be convinced otherwise” on, I have been humbled enough by subsequent experiences to admit that I WOULD be convinced otherwise, if warranted. But that’s just me … I’m not implying what you’ve seen or experienced wasn’t real, but even very real experiences shouldn’t be accepted on that basis alone. We MUST consider the source! A miracle should not be accepted just because it is a miracle … in the future there is a man, whose coming is after the works of Satan, with all power and lying wonders, and the “miraculous” things that I have seen happen in Word of Faith churches are preparing the sheeple to wholeheartedly accept those “miracles” as if they were from God. Unfortunately for many of them, they will not know the truth of what they saw and experienced until it is too late! (2 Thess. 2:9-12)
Aljonathan, I apologize for this post. After going back over what you guys were talking about, I see that this post is irrelevant to what you were saying. It’s true, but it’s out of place in the context of your conversation. Alot of people don’t believe that familiar spirits can talk to them, but many times some of those same people will take something they heard in church as coming from God when it didn’t. People (familiar spirits) can and do talk to people … especially in church, on that we agree, but all too often (especially in church) when a person receives “a word from god” from their pastor or someone who prophecies over them, what was said or done, seen or experienced, is attributed to God and people are deceived into believing in a miracle, when God had nothing to do with it. My only point was considering the source, but I spoke too soon, as I see this isn’t the issue here and doesn’t belong. My bad!
Righter agrees
What makes a false teacher isn’t just what a person says, but the conduct, character, and conversation of who they are! Remember Al, by their FRUIT we are to recognize them (Matt. 7:15-20)
Yeah Aljonathan like Saiko already said-Craige Lewis is off bro. Melvin had a blog about this a couple of months ago with the evidence. Maybe you can provide the link Melvin. This brother is straight word of faith. I also used to get his daily words and they are off. He is not a bible expositor-he does a good job at pointing out sin but then again so does Kenneth Copeland and we all know he is a charlatan. Do some research on him bro… Even his information about hip hop is off and it is not truth. He even bashes some of the theologically sound Holy Hip Hop. But I can go on and on, this is an old issue. Just check it out bro. In Christ
You are correct, this is an old issue, I have researched the issues. Guess I should not rehash an issue on this site that I thought was closed. Saiko, I will agree to disagree on this one. And yes, his Daily word is a little off base at times and he IS Word of Faith. But, from what I research for myself, he speaks the truth about the issues of Hip Hop in the church. Now do I follow his teachings certain biblical issue? NO. (example: Tithing). Do I take what he teaches about the hip hop genre as being bad for the body of Christ? YES!!! Although I disagree on him looking on a CD and finding secular artist listed in the credits on Christian artist CDs becuase if they work for a secular label, THE SECULAR ARTIST WILL BE LISTED IN THE CREDITS, just as most of us work for secular companies, we work with non christians. I do not believe that they should sing a Christian song alongside certain secular artists, ie Yolanda and Bone thugs and Harmony, or a lot of what Kirk Franklin does. If you can’t see this for yourself, go ahead and blast Craige. Listen to Hip Hop in your church, condone the antics of Tonex, Kirk Franklin and the likes, I choose not to. And if you choose to not listen to anything Craige says, that is your right. Be blessed
Wait aminute!!! What is Holy Hip HOP? Before Craige even hit the scene, I knew this stuff was off base. When I worked Christan radio a few years back, I saw a lot of stuff and often wonder why I could no longer work in that industry. I won’t say that God moved me out of there but I believe my steps are ordered by God, so say what you will. We had this segment in the afternoon called “Jammin for Jesus” and we used to try and mix hip hop with gospel. We would even support the local “christian nightclub” and support youth activity that I see now as not being christian at all. I remember listening to a song by Tonex that he remade from a secular song and I told my sister in law and aunt (from my former Word of Faith church mind you) that something was wrong with this guy. I REPEAT, I HAD NEVER HEARD OF G CRAIGE LEWIS THEN. I now see why I could no longer work at that station (no matter how hard I tried) as I believe this stuff is NOT OF GOD. LISTEN TO ME ON THIS!!! No matter what you may think of G Craige Lewis or the likes, THIS HOLY HIP HOP STUFF IS NOT FOR THE CHURCH!!!!! And I also will say this, I DO NOT POINT PEOPLE TO FOLLOW G CRAIGE LEWIS, I POINT ONLY TO THAT HIP HOP MESSAGE. I would not attend his church, travel across the country to see him, invite him to preach at a service I was in, or ask anyone to sit under his teachings. So let’s get that clear.
I will say this and blast me if you will Melvin, gary V, Saiko and anyone else. I have been blasted for even frequenting Melvin’s site, Pasor John’s( and have even emailed pastor John to clear up a matter of misunderstanding), but I think they are doing good in what they are doing. Do I condone everything Melvin says? No!! Do I condone everything pastor John says? No. I believe Mevin and Pastor John are biblically sound in their teaching whether I agree with some of their methods or not and will continue frequenting their sites.
Now where I part ways with G Craige is when he attempts to bring his doctrine of WOF in some of his daily word ( I no longer read them)but he calls them(wolves) out just as Pastor John and Melvin does. I think he should have just stuck with HIP HOP but he chose to bring his WOF doctrine and harbor too much homosexuality(AND IT IS AN ABOMINATION AND DETESTABLE I MIGHT ADD SO DON’T GO THERE) which cause me to wonder why he harbors on it a lot when he said himself he was called to the hip hop generation. I believe he went beyond what he said he was called to do. I guess once the hip hop message was exposed he had nowhere to go. He did say his part 3 would be his last but I guess the spotlight was fading.
As for as G Craige goes, I use the principle that Jesus used in Mark 9:38-40. Be blessed.
Hey Al Johnathan. I will make a deal with you. I will send you some CD’s of these Holy Hip Hoppers and I want you to find one song, that isn’t gospel saturated, as a matter of fact I want you to put the songs up next to the preaching of Edwards, Sproul, Piper, Spurgeon or someone of that level. Then come back and give a NON-BIAS assessment of the lyrics you heard.
I will also send you the work they are doing on the mission field in China, Zambia, South Africa, and Honduras. Not to mention the discipleship programs and church planting organization. I will also like you to look at these sites and if you find something wrong with them let everyone know.
BTW, Tonex is a strawman and a oneness pentecostal heretic. Please don’t eveyone who music may sound similar in the same pot and cook them. Tonex, T-Bone, Gospel Gangsters, Canton Jones, Lil I-Roc, and others who closely affiliate with them are in the same category as, Creflo Dollar, Fred Price, Eddie Long, Juanita Bynum and other such heretics. Just because they preach do you put them in the same category you do, Luther, Calvin, Edwards, Wheatley, Moon, Mohler, Dever, Piper, Sproul and othes. Both groups preach correct.
What I am saying is to put everyone in the same group is stereotyping and as I stated earlier no music (rythem, beat, percussion, chord, sound) is sinful in and of itself. It is always the lyrics and hearts intent behind making the music. 50 Cents isn’t sinful because of his musics but because of his lyrics and what he attempts to glorify in them. Anyway here are the sites.
http://www.reachrecords.com
http://www.lampmoderecords.com
http://www.crossmovementrecords.com
Search for the lyrics and see what these young men are doing for the kingdom. If you don’t like what they are doing then fine, but please and I do mean please, don’t be the one saying “God isn’t glorified in this” if you do, you are diving head first into legalism and that is sinful my dear friend.
Hey Al, if I may chime in for a sec. People (in their fleshly thinking) are always trying to keep a hold of things from the world that they like while trying to live for Christ. Things that tend to be amoral in their purpose usually can be used (i.e. chairs, organs, multimedia equipment). But there are some things that Christians try to bring over that have no business being associated with Christ (i.e. holy hip hop, Jesus is my homeboy t-shirts and thongs). Now hip hop of itself was started by rallying around the flesh (parties with drinking, smoking, sex) then grew and out of the gatherings came the rapping (as we know it today), beats, graffiti and breakdancing. But that was another cultural shift back in the days. Secular Hip hop is what is and it won’t change. I don’t think that adding “holy” to it makes it any better or sanctifies it. I don’t think that one can sanctify a culture. Now those in the culture can be sanctified- only if they are in Christ. They as Christians can do good works with the means that they have (ie rap music, dance, artistry).
As far as G Craige goes, he does tend to over do it with his aggression on hip hop and almost hyper-pentecostalism. Sure, we need to limit our desires for this world, but that includes all things not just our music. Furthermore, I don’t believe demons are waiting (literally sitting upon) on cd disks to be played so that they can jump into us. He gives too much credence and power to the enemy and not enough to God (to keep the Christian). But in all this I think all of the brothers are of the same understanding. Craig’s intentions are good (to help people to live holy) but his foundation is off, sort of like a box over the edge of a table. Sooner or later if the table gets rocked the box will come crashing down. What I think my brothers are trying to convey is that sentiment of the box. Craig believes in Christ, but how he functions after that knowledge can do harm to a weaker believer, and that is what all of us should want to avoid. True indeed all men err somewhere, but if we know someone is erring more than another, should we encourage folk to go to him? God forbid. Now if there is atruly biblically sound teacher that says something that we might not neccessarily be agreed with, we can overcome that. Its just that sometimes you have to know when to say enough is enough-and G Craige is past enough.
All I’m saying Al is that we need to be very careful of calling something that God hasn’t called unholy “unholy”. You’ve given YOUR VIEW concerning hip-hop and that cool, but remember what Scripture says in Romans 14 concerning this issue. If it’s not sin or causing someone to stumble Al, then we are called not to be the judge of someone else’s liberty and listening to music that’s not glorifying satan, sin, or self (including hip-hop) isn’t a sin issue, it is a issue of conscience.
JOG, you get no argument from me on this one. Bottom line, GOD, and not music (hip hop or any other) will draw men to Himself. Kids are not stupid, They know the real from the fake. If they want Hip Hop, they will listen to the real Hip Hop of the streets, where it originated. As for as Craige, I stopped at CD # 3 as it began to rehash and get rhetoric, but like this site, I still frequent from time to time for his EXCASTS.
AJ,
If you’re cool, would you mind emailing me so that I could sincerly ask you about some things?
Ggreaves103@comcast.net
ggreave1@students.kennesaw.edu
Though not 100% aggreable on the issue regarding Brother Lewis, I Definately feel where you’re coming from on the issue….and much of what you said is how I’ve felt the same way for awhile….though on the issue of HOLY HIP HOP, I do disagree with you 4 a myriad of reasons…..but if interested, I’d love to be able to dialouge with you in-depth/humbly wrestle together for the sake of TRUTH (Proverbs, 18:13-17 James 3:13-18)
Proverbs 27:17
Proverbs 24:3-6
Again, only if interested……
Anonymous
Thank you for “telling it as it is” If people want Hip Hop, they can go to the local druggie store… sorry I meant record store to get the latest tripe.
Whatever has happened to our faith?; somehow the message has changed, now if we put the word “Christian” in front of things, well somehow it’s justified… Christian Hip Hop, Christian Jungle, Christian Pimps - care to add to the list?….
(MN: I forgot to mention it when Anonymous posted, but always include a tag of some kind or another. Otherwise we end up with three or four Anonymii. Very confusing and frustrating. )
It was me on my sister in law’s laptop. Sorry.
Allow me to clear up any misunderstandings of how I feel(as if it realy matters) about Hip Hop in the church. Like I stated on yesterday, if a teenager wanted to listed to Hip hop, LISTEN TO HIP HOP, and don’t try and disguise it under Christian rap or “Holy Hip Hop”. If Yolanda Adams or kirk Franklin wants to sing secular, SING SECULAR and stop trying to add a christian flavor to it. IT IS WHAT IT IS, SIMPLY PUT.
We as Christians think just because God gave the ability to sing, we have to sing Christian music and you have to ask yourself this question: Does God call all who are gifted with the voice to sing to gospel music? DON’T PUT GOD IN A BOX LIKE THAT. Just as any of us that work a 9-5 or self employed we are called to glorify God in our work. I don’t see a Christian actor’s genre, but we all watch TV and movies with liberty. We see actors that happen to be Christians glorifying God IN THEIR PROFESSION. We don’t expect to see them doing nude scenes, demonic movies and using profanity, but they choose their work carefully. Now why do we act differently when it comes to music? There are countless songs out there that we label “secular”(only because someone who havent confess Christ sing them or they don’t mention God) that does speak of the things of God. Here is one example: Luther Vandross recorded “Here and now” which talks about BEING TRUE TO YOUR WIFE, but we say that is not a good song. People wake up!!!
Now as far as secular and hip hop, if you want to listen to it, LISTEN TO IT!! You have your rights under Roman 14, (though it may not be wise to do so) and stop trying to win christian kids with the false “Holy Hip Hop, What next, Holy drug dealers, Holy gangbanging? I know a guy in our city that had a program called God’s gangsters and as now they are defunct and our city is as violent as ever. But please, Oh Please, stop trying to justify it in the church to win souls. WE CAN’T WIN SOULS, WE ARE ONLY TO PREACH THE GOSPEL AND GOD WILL DO THE REST!!(1 Cor 3:6).
hi jog, just need a lil’ clarification on something. are you saying that there are thongs with the slogan “jesus is my homeboy” on them- or are you saying, one (and i’m presuming you mean women, uh, at least i hope so) should not bring thongs over once they become a Christian. i got lost there for a sec. i understand your point about some people “secularizing jesus” but you threw me with the mention of thongs. what did that have to do with anything? if this is too silly a question for you to answer, i understand. i just found the grouping of things you mentioned kind of odd. sorry, but odd things attract my attention. :o)
Hi mrs Mav! I have become more enlightened over the past few years and I am seeing more and more people trying to make Christ more socially acceptable. In essence, they bring Christ down, removing His holiness in an effort to make people feel comfortable. Check out the link to the thong and read about the rest of the items on the site.
http://www.alittleleaven.com/2007/11/jesus-is-my-hom.html
I think the point is being missed here, “And Jesus said unto him, forbid [him] not: for he that is not against us is for us”.
the meaning of the word homeboy:
The epitome of a friend, somebody you kick it with. A person who has your back; you can’t go through life without a homeboy. It’s hard to have more than one, because they’re one in a million. ( this could be Christ)
I’m not sure why calling Jesus Christ a “homeboy” is offensive.
Christ to his faithful “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you”
If Christ were speaking today and used the word “homeboys’ in the context of the above statement they would have understood him clearly.
The question is not, why is the phrase “Jesus is my homeboy” written on ones shirt or ones underpants, but is your name written in the lambs book of life???
I think the picture and underwear make this an issue of reverance KOTF. I think in a context you can call Jesus your homeboy (He calls Abraham friend), but He best be your Lord! It is sort of like parenting (to the 10 billionth power) yes my son is my friend, but I am his parent first and foremost. I think there is a lost of Lordship in the “homeboy” mentality. If there is a proper balance then I agree with you, but Christ also better be the one as displayed in Revelation. Here is a cool little verse that should be incorporated with such a mentality.
Revelation 19:
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in [4] blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
So as long as I can make a shirt with this “Homeboy” then I say fair.
Sorry, the designation “Homeboy”, when used for the Sovereign Lord of Creation Who purchased our Redemption with His own Blood, drags Him down to the level of any street hood.
He’s the King of Kings. Not your Homeboy.If you can’t see why that’s offensive to His dignity, a slight against His uniqueness, and how it smacks of casual denigration, I don’t know where to begin.
Anyone who’s had a revelation of His Glory could never use such a term. Moses saw God face to face. Can you find an instance where he ever referred to God in terms that reflected anything but awe??
When the Apostles saw Christ’s Glory on the Mount of Transfiguration,they buried their faces in the dirt. When John saw Him on Patmos,he did a dirt dive as well. When Isaiah saw Him in a vision, his cry was “WOE IS ME, for I am UNDONE!! For I am a man of unclean lips and dwell among a people of unclean lips!!” Job, when confronted with God’s Glory slapped his hand over his mouth and said “I do abhor myself……..”.
Language then was no less rich than now.There were slang terms and casual designations then too. But NO ONE who EVER saw His Glory EVER referred to God so casually and disrespectfully. And it’s no different today.
So basically, the Lord can call us His friends—as He did with Abraham and as Christ did with His disciples—but we cannot?
Confused…….I’ve never seen anything wrong with saying “Christ is my friend, whom I talk to/value” while I was acknowledging Him as HOLY/MY LORD….and even then, HOMEBOY seemed to just another expression of that. Is friend more appropiate of an expression or does that limit how glorious the Lord is as well??
Again………if you can’t see it,nothing I can say will explain it.
I’m a Pastor leading a drive in my county to get Crack out of certain neighbor hoods. The local Pastors telling their people what I’m leading is not biblical. I believe it is. What should I say to the nay-sayers.
It depends on how you are going about it. Your goal seems realistic, but your approach may throw some folk off who may otherwise support you. Then again, you could be doing everything you are supposed to. In that case, you will have to fight the good fight with only the Lord. Do what you believe the Lord is leading (according to scripture) and keep your focus on Christ. I pray that people come to Christ through this ministry God has given you.
What is “unbiblical” about trying to set people free from crack and crack addiction? Why respond to the naysayers? Use one of Melvin’s favorite quotes: “I like what I’m doing better than I like what you’re NOT doing.”
I agree with JulianofGod - your approach is the key. As long as you’re not out there casting out the “crack demons” that “have dominion” over the neighborhood, what’s the problem? As long as you’re relying on God to win the battle, praying, working in the community to educate about the ills of crack, etc., who cares what your detractors say. Stay close to God and keep fighting the good fight.
God bless you.
Dear Melvin (Anti-Pimp On The Web), My e-mail came back from yesterday. Please send me one (is two possible? I need one for a friend) copy of the book you mention. No need to send a prosperity hanky, double portion anointing oil or miracle spring water at this time. One can only utilize soooooo much breakthrough at a time. Thanks!
I appreciate your website. I have dealing with the ‘tithing’ issue for many years. I had applied for membership to a AOG church, only to be turned down for membership because I wasn’t tithing. I feel that many people are experiencing condemnation and are experiencing lack in their lives because they feel they need to tithe and they cannot afford to take care of their families. Thank God that we have the freedom to give as we purpose in our hearts, and that we can still be blessed. Please continue to expose the lies. If you have copies still available I would like to receive a copy of the book:
This Melvinite and G. Craigite would love to have one of the Healthy Church books, if at all possible.
Thank you, O Benevolent One…I will use it as my point of contact for worship, as I hear it has been stored in the Temple for over 2000 years (LOL)
(MN: By the way, I just killed you address by accident. Could you please post it again? My profuse apologies. )
Hi Mel, I sent you a comment yesterday, but I don’t see it in the postings. Did you get it?
(MN: Yes I did. But I didn’t post it with your address. )
Here’s a copy of the email I sent to you requesting a book:
“Mr. Jones,
I would certainly enjoy a copy of Mark Dever’s book. You may address it to:
**************
I have commented on your site occasionally through the handle TJM. I thoroughly enjoy your site and I’d like to make a donation. If you have a PayPal account or something like that, please forward me that information and I’ll send my donation to you. Thanks again and may God continue to bless your ministry for the equipping of the saints.”
Do you ship to Canada? If so, may I have a book?
Dear Melvin,
I am a born-again Spirit filled minister in a pentecostal fellowship. My Christian background: I grew up in a semi-charismatic/semi-conservative black baptist family in rural Virginia(my mother’s church which was her father and mother’s church which was her maternal grandmother’s church). I was one of those prodigal sons that when I left the nest, I left the church, age 18-26. Then I came to a mid-life crisis at 26(divinely ordained by God) and committed my life totally to Christ. I want to say this for everyone listening. I saw God perform miracle after miracle for me in 1997. First, I gave my life to the Lord Jan 26, 1997 at a Pentecostal church where I had never heard someone praying in the spirit. The next week, I was divinely led to attend a Baptist Church where I heard a personal Rhema for my life. I state this to say that no denomination or church has a monopoly or all authority from Christ. I refer many fellow clergy to 1 Corinthians 3:3-8
3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
4For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
5Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
6I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
Well, I have been a secret disciple (Holy Ghost Nicodemus) of your website Mel for about 6 months. There are doctrinal and scriptural issues/problems in a majority of our black churchs(no matter what the denomination). I desire to be part a true new testament church that puts the emphasis on 1. Christ (His life, blood, cross, death, and resurrection….and His 2nd Coming), 2. Holiness (without it no man shall see God); 3. The proper use of the 9 gifts of the spirit mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 to add to the Lord’s church, 4. Sound biblical teaching with the Word God as the Final Authority(the whole counsel of God, the Trinity (the Father still sits on the throne, I have personally rebuked a lot of pentecostal people about the truth of the Trinity and once they hear it, they cannot gainsay it), 5. Making disciples (not church members or a mega church) and 6. Fulfilling the Great Commission (The Lord will judge every believer according to Matthew 25:31-46, one of the most fearful passages in the Bible).
Be encouraged and please keep up the good work and I would like for you to have a copy of the book. Thank you very much.
Speaking of books, can anyone tell me where I can get a very good companion to my Bible? I would like something to refer to while I study.
I’m dealing with an issue with my local fellowship that I need advice (serious advice) on. There are a lot of things going on there right now that Iare upsetting and that I won’t really get into here because of space and time (I’ll just sum it up under the term “politics”), but during service today, the meat of the message was tips on how to get God to answer your prayer. He quoted a few scriptures (Mark 11: 20-26; Matthew 7:7-11; 1John 5:14,15) that basically said whatever we pray for we will receive. I was really leary of that message since I have been visiting this site and studying in depth for myself. The clincher was when he quoted Hebrews 11:3,6. I then went through the entire chapter for myself, and what I discovered hurt me more than upset me. In that chapter, it tells about all of the men and women of faith that pleased God with their level of faith, but they did not receive the promises of God. So what I gathered from that is that even though you pray to God, you will not receive everything you pray for (which makes sense - if you get your heart’s desire on this side, why go to Heaven and leave all your stuff behind?). Being as knowlegeable about the Word of God as I know he is, I’m sure he knows those passages of scripture in their proper context. What hurt me most is that although he knows them, he still misquoted them.
Am I mistaken in my thinking? Someone please help me, because this will affect whether or not I decide to find another place to fellowship. I will go out a purchase a copy of the book so that I will definitely know what a healthy church really entails. Thanks in advance for all of your help with this…
I would suggest you get a theologically conservative, one or two volume commentary on the entire Bible. Something like the Bible Knowledge commentary
Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
and a conservative, systematic theology by someone like Walvoord, Piper, or MacArthur.
Bounce between them and your Bible. Do that for a year (as you read through the Bible) and you will likely end up understanding the Bible better than most of the pimps out there.
hi melville, i didn’t know where to put this so i’m placing here. i enjoyed the “phone fellowship” last saturday and Lord willing, will be around for the next one. why haven’t you posted the number or advertised it? saiko sent me an e-mail saying you guys have 150 lines open. i’m sure there were probably a lot more people on line listening in who weren’t willing to admit they were there, but perhaps they learned something anyway.
(MN: I hadn’t thought of it. My bad. I will advertise the call within the next couple of posts. )
Hey, I was left out …………I guess I’m fighting for the 151st position
actually paisano, i was wondering why you and bld didn’t sound off. i guess it wasn’t well advertised. we only found out because tyris sent dee an e-mail.
Darn GaryV!!!! You always get the best position!!!! Do you realize that 1+5+1=7, which is God’s number, meaning you are blessed and highly favored, healed and delivered, set free, recieving your breakthrough and your miracle and overflow??? It’s just not fair!!!!…Oh, wait a minute…1+5+2=8…That’s right!!! 8 is the number of new beginnings!!! Wow, just think…New car, new house, new annointing, new favor, new blessings, new miracles and anything else new I can think of!!! Never mind GaryV, keep your stinking 151…Mel, can I have position 152???? Pleaaaaaase?????
R4C
You have the makings of a fine pimp young man. Just be sure NOT to study hard and stay out of school, and someday we’ll see your smiling eyes reflecting the purple hues of Jan’s hair on TBN.
What’s up Mel! Hello Mrs. Mav. I’m waiting for T. Butler to let me know when the next call is set up to be and I’ll let you guys know. Also Mel, I think that the topic of “music” among Christians is gonna be added to my list of topics to be discussed. Since folk wanna pound the gavel on issues that God clearly gives the believer freedom in non-moral areas. But I digress. What do you think?
Brother Saiko,
Since you mentioned music, I heard you were a preacher and I was wondering if you could help me get delivered from something…I need to be delivered from the elements…I don’t want the EARTH to devour me, I’m trying to stop the WIND from beating upon me AND I don’t want the FIRE to consume me. Do you think you could help me out???
:) 
(MN: <