Only a couple of weeks left! I can feel the excitement rising as we get closer to The ‘Mess 2006.

The ‘Mess is having a Singles Workshop. And according to the web site the workshop will enable singles to “…be inspired and receive knowledge from a panel of professionals as you celebrate the single life with singles from the U.S. and around the world.” I would assume that part of the celebration of their singleness would include encouraging chastity and chaste behavior for both men and women.

If you take a look here , you can see that Eva Pigford is one of the professionals hosting the Singles Workshop.

As in previous posts, I can almost hear you give forth a collective “Yeah. So?”

And as I usually say at this point , that is a perfectly valid question. So let me explain.

One of the readers brought to my attention the fact that Ms. Pigford was a winner on the reality show where Tyra Banks and a panel of folks select the next great model. Pigford apparently won the contest and has gone on to do some pretty good (or bad from a Christian perspective) things since her victory.

Now remember, Ms Pigford is going to be sitting on a panel of people running a workshop for ostensibly Christian…uh…workshoppers. Supposedly the singles sitting in the workshop will be getting Christ-centered advice. That would seem to imply that the panel members in the workshop are at least nominally Christ-centered and encouraging a Christ-centered lifestyle.

And there-in, kind readers, lies the rub. My constant rant for the last week has been that I have been unable to identify the criteria for selecting a number of the personalities selected. I fear Ms. Pigford falls into that category. Take a look at a cleaned up photo of what Ms. Pigford, one of the professionals on the Singles Workshop panel, has been doing with her time. I created the strategic covering so I wouldn’t stumble a bruvva by putting the uncensored photo out there.

We should also note that Ms. Pigford is going to be a co-star in a sitcom next season on Fox Television. You know Fox. They’re the ones with a long line of fairly sleazy sitcoms, starting with “Married With Children” and continuing the proud tradition with “Family Guy”, “The Simpsons”, “That 70’s Show”, and “King of the Hill” to name a few. The network is a veritable sitcom sewage pipe. Pigford gets to add her name and face to that.

I’m not saying that people who do these things are going to hell or that they should be taken out and stoned. But I would love it if one of you, if you get the chance, would ask T. Dexter what his thought process was for appointing Pigford to the Singles Workshop panel.

A tip of the hat to Katina for bringing the information to my attention.

T. Dexter Jakes | 2 Comments »

We have just under three weeks to go before The ‘Mess 2006 begins. I hope you will be there so you can get your blessing from such people as Pastor Paula White, Pastor Shirley Caesar, the Right Reverend Jamal-Harrison Bryant and a host of others. But more than that, I hope you can get your blessing from the Holy Ghost anointed entertainment.

Obviously I cannot see into a person’s heart. And it’s equally obvious that I can’t pronounce this person saved or that person not saved. Such is the case with one of the entertainers at The ‘Mess 2006. The best I can do is question the consistency of the walk of one who may claim the name of Jesus Christ or question the appropriateness of putting forth as a representative a person who may have, at best, a nominal relationship with Jesus Christ. Such, I suspect, is the case with one of the entertainers at The ‘Mess 2006.

I made my daily visit to The ‘Mess website and I was greeted by a curious sight. It appears that one of the entertainers at this year’s conference is Tommy Davidson. You may or may not know the name but I’m sure you have seen him before. He’s been in a bunch of movies and lots of television shows.

Here is a photograph of Mr. Davidson. Interestingly, this is the picture they originally had. Now there is a much more rugged looking photo.

According to his filmography and credits, Mr. Davidson has appeared in such movies as “Bootie Call” (as one of the main characters) and television shows to include Mad TV (I have to admit the show is funny, but some of the material is really, really crude) and “Living Color.” Apparently, he usually played one of Homey D. Clown’s victims in “Living Color”.

Here’s where being able to see into someone’s heart would be really useful. I did a lot of sifting through a lot of material on the web. I did various searches to see what I could come up with. I even did a search on “Tommy Davidson” and “Jesus Christ” together. I actually got a hit and thought maybe I wouldn’t have to write this post. But the link led to a listing of conferences and churches. One of the conference announcements had the phrase “Jesus Christ” in it. Another was announcing The ‘Mess and the fact that Mr. Davidson is appearing in the “Just Churchin’” show. But I couldn’t find anything that indicated that he had accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. Even the short bio on The ‘Mess site provides no indication. Take a look at it right here

So let’s see. Last year it was Gladys Knight and Patti along with Suze Orman (apparently there are no born again financial advisors out there, or at least no Big Name advisors). This year it’s the lady from Essence Magazine, Tommy Davidson, and even more folks who have, at best, a minimal and Oprahesque link to Christianity.

Again the decisions seem to be those who make for a big draw rather than those who can credibly call us to a holy and maturing life in Christ. I’m seeing less and less of a reason to see this event anything associated with Christianity. More and more it is becoming an entertainment event pure and simple. Oh, they’re throwing religious stuff in there, but even that is being done by the Big Dogs like Jamal, Paula, and others.

But I have to admit I am impressed with the man’s abilities. Jakes has managed to put together an entertainment package which, if it didn’t have a Christian veneer on it, would be incapable of getting Pentecostals and other hard shells to attend, much less attend with each other. I guess that’s what he means by unity: getting all the religious people to assemble together under one name , T. Dexter Jakes.

T. Dexter Jakes | 8 Comments »

I think maybe I’ve figured it out. Apparently T. Dexter is getting ready to change professions. Apparently he is about to become a secular concert and entertain event producer. That is the only reason I can see for some of the guests he is inviting to The ‘Mess 2006. Either that or he thinks you are some incredibly stupid people.

In a concert called “The Celebration of Unity” ‘Mess organizers are going to have Aretha Franklin, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond, Kelly Price…”and more” strutting their stuff. Notice I didn’t say “ministering to the attendees.”

Why do I get the feeling that the only thing unifying these performers is name recognition and their ability to draw a crowd? Aretha Franklin is the uncontested queen of Soul. If you don’t know who she is, not only are you not an authentic Black but you must have been living in a cave for the last thirty-five years. Why is she performing? At best her connection to the Gospel and the Christian life has been tenuous during those thirty-five years.

I’ll give McClurkin, Hammond, and Caesar a pass. Though they are likely more performers than ministers, they are active and have been active in gospel music.

But then we get to Kelly Price. One of the things I like about writing this blog is the fact that I have to learn a lot of new things. One of the things I have been learning is the personalities in secular music. At first blush that would seem kind of curious since I am doing a Christian Apologetics blog. But given the intermingling of the secular with the Christian, perhaps it shouldn’t be that surprising.

But back to Kelly Price. Until this year, Ms. Price has apparently been a secular performer; a rather successful secular performer. I checked on some of the lyrics of her songs and they reflect the immoral view of sexuality and intimacy displayed by most of the current crop of popular singers. I won’t even bother to post some of the sleazier lyrics. But before any of you accuse me of looking just at her past, I recognize that Ms. Price is being featured in a Gospel album entitled “God’s Gift.” So maybe she has, within the last year, committed her life to Jesus Christ. Maybe.

Is it just me or do the rest of you think it’s somewhat presumptuous to feature a person who is better known for their secular productions than for being featured on a religious album just now being released? Why do I get the feeling that this concert is more about generating revenue and publicity than about teaching people how to live holy and acceptable lives to God (Romans 12:1,2)?

T. Dexter is also featuring Gerard Henry, the creator and host of BET’s Gospel music video show “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” He says his primary goal is to “motivate people to use their gifts to bring honor and glory to God.”

Of course you do know that BET doesn’t stand for Black Entertainment Television right?. I used to think it did. But then I spent some time watching it. That was when I decided the acronym actually stands for “Booties Exposed Tonight.”

Here is a two-fold why question: Why would someone produce a gospel program to be broadcast on such an ungodly network as BET? And please don’t tell me that it is to attract the unsaved who watch BET. If that’s the case, why not pay to broadcast that show and others on some of the adult entertainment cable channels?

Second why: Why is T. Dexter bringing in a man who would work for a network that broadcasts such negative-imaged sewage? Who next - Larry Flynt? Afterall, Larry professed to be a Christian something like fifteen years ago.

T. Dexter Jakes | 34 Comments »

So let’s talk about MegaMess 2006 a little more. This year the ‘Mess is brought to you by T. Dexter Jakes, Coca Cola, Pine-Sol, Gospel Toady (and no, I didn’t misspell the name), Delta Airlines, Nationwide Insurance, Kraft Foods, Clorox, and someplace in there, maybe by God. The interesting thing about all the sponsors is that with them the good bishop can do whatever he wants, inviting who ever he wants without being accountable to anyone, not even God. I’ve already railed earlier about bringing the world in to sponsor religious (even if he keeps trying to deny the religious aspect) events. I won’t harp on that in this posting.

Last year, at the ‘Mess 2005, the women of God were addressed by Gladys Knight, an up and coming Mormon. Christians were entertained by Steve “Filthy Mouth” Harvey and were crooned to by Patti Labelle, who still, by the way, sings “Lady Marmalade.” Only now she sings it with some hotties in lingerie singing back up. I would show you the picture but I don’t want to “stumble” any of the brothers out there. (more…)

T. Dexter Jakes | 22 Comments »

It’s only six weeks ’til Megamess 2006! Don’t be pimped by this guy and the people he brings in.

Last year he brought in Gladys Knight and Steve (Filthy Mouth) Harvey to perform for the marks. You remember Gladys Knight, right. She used to be a traditional Baptist. Then she discovered the truth in the Latter Day Saints, the Mormons. She, apparently, was an example for the godly women attending the mess last year. I’ll be telling you about what’s in store at Megamess 2006, right there in Hotlanta come July. I can say now that one of the entertainers is Lil’ Mo.

If any of you can go, just to be around the circus outside the stadium and take some pictures, I would certainly appreciate it.

More info to follow.

T. Dexter Jakes | 8 Comments »

Just when I think things can’t get much worse for the poor, stupid saints, something else comes up and reminds me that the religious will fall for and follow anything.

Case in point: a set of my growing numbers of eyes and ears informed me of a little something the other day.

As you know, MegaMess 2005 is being billed as the non-religious family affair. However, T. Dexter Jakes’ face is plastered all over it, there are lots of religious performers…um…performing, including a name even some of us older readers probably recognize. If you click here, you’ll see that Gladys Knight, sans the Pips, is one of the performers.

Now, aside from the fact that the entertainment lineup looks more and more like something from a show in Las Vegas, there is one other interesting fact. Evidently, T. Dexter has set no standards for the people providing entertainment. Patti Marmalade LaBelle, Steve Smutmouth Harvey and a host of other Christianity hostile (but very religious) people are appearing on stage under the T. Dexter banner.

But here’s something really interesting about my girl Gladys: She’s a Mormon!

You think I’m making this up? I’m not. Here’s a screen shot of an article from a Mormon site about her. It even provides you with an inspiring bit of a personal testimony from her. Here’s the link if you want to read the whole thing.

And here’s another site discussing Ms. Knight.

Now please don’t forget what T. Dexter said in GospelToady magazine back in May. He pointed out that he wants to draw those who have wandered away back to the church and make them feel welcomed. Here’s what Dexter said back then:

“We’ve tried to carefully and selectively choose people who are working in a secular environment but had a Christian walk, especially for people that we were trying to draw back into the Christian fold.”

Maybe T.D. and I should get together to see if I can come to some kind of understanding of what he means by “carefully and selectively”. Why do I get the feeling Billboard Magazine somehow plays into the careful selection process?

Gladys is appearing in the “Women of Purpose” concert. What, exactly, is she trying to show women who ostensibly have received Jesus Christ as their Savior? And what of the unsaved women who may attend? Why put Gladys Knight, popular Mormon entertainer, up as the standard? Wouldn’t even Leslie Uggams have been better than a religious Baptist turned god wannabe like Gladys?

And if you go to the link I provide, further down in the article, you can see she uses the SUV Choir’s performances to draw non-LDS people in and proselytize them. Again - trying to draw her back? Sounds like she’s doing an excellent job of drawing people into the Mormon cult.

Do any of you really believe T. Dexter invited her so she could be drawn back into the church? And where exactly is the Christian walk he’s talking about? She’s full speed ahead Latter Day Saints (LDS). This is a woman who believes she can become a god and that we were with God before we were conceived - oh wait, I think I heard Mr. Jakes saying that a couple of months ago. So maybe that explains it.

Let me tell you again: These people don’t care about you. They want your money, your admiration, and your complete obedience. Remember

2 Peter 2:1-3

1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.
2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned;
3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Get away from these people and don’t let the snatch you down the rat hole with them.

T. Dexter Jakes | 2 Comments »

MEGAMESS 2005

I thought things couldn’t get much worse. But it seems now, the minions of darkness are getting right out in the open with their heresies, daring you to do, or say, anything about it. The latest? T. Dexter Jakes has started advertising the Big Dogs who will be speaking at the conference in Hotlanta this August. And one of the top billed speakers is none other than that Oneness Weasel (drum roll here please) Noel Jones!!

Here is a copy of the web page announcing Noel’s appearance.

Now here’s the difficulty:

If Jakes is not Oneness (that is, if he DOESN’T deny the Trinity, an essential doctrine of historic Christianity) then why is he having one of the primo Oneness Weasels speak at the affair?

If Dexter IS Oneness, why isn’t he brave enough, and honest enough to say so? But even if people would walk away, surely he isn’t doing this for the fame. He doesn’t hesitate to go on about the near requirement (according to him) to speak in tongues. He isn’t hesitant to claim that Spirit Baptism is a later and separate event in the Christian’s life. Why then, is he hesitant to state clearly his adherence to a Oneness doctrine? Surely he must know that none of the people who follow him give one whit to the importance of the doctrine and will gladly ignore his heresy.

After all, First Baptist Church of Glenarden, pastored by John Kenneth Jenkins, Sr. has had Dexter over to speak (I can’t in good conscience use the term preach) multiple times. They send people (pay for them to attend) to his various feminizing conferences for men (ManPowder and others), and promotes him when they can. And there are a lot of other church organizations who want to get large, promoting him and rubbing elbows with him all the time.

Again, you should be warned , T. Dexter Jakes doesn’t care about you, about your family, about your church organization or about God. He cares about the bottom line and is apparently doing everything he can to improve it. This includes not only promoting a Oneness preacher (Noel Jones), but partnering with the unsaved in putting on the event (MegaFest). Take a look at the site and you will see a host of companies sponsoring the event. These include Coca Cola, United Airlines and others. What next? Trojan Prophylactics (rubbers for you in the religious community)? Or perhaps, since this is such a high end event, they will be sponsored by Fourex.

He tried, in GospelToady magazine to tell us that since this is not a religious event, we shouldn’t limit ourselves to people of faith as entertainers. But when Abraham went to war, he refused to take anything from the heathen kings, lest they said that they help Abram to prosper (Genesis 14:21 - 24)

And for the scoop on some of the “artists” performing, take a look at MEEKSITES.

Have any of your pastors encouraged you to attend so you can have your life changed or receive a blessing from the Lord? If he does, ask him about some of the heathen (simply someone who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, so don’t get your underwear in a self-righteous knot) doing the entertaining and if you should patronize these people at the civic center when they come to town. Take a look at Steve Harvey’s site and tell me this is a man “seeking the Lord.” I say it’s a man making himself rich at your expense. But then, that’s kind of like Jakes and the rest of the pimps, isn’t it?

T. Dexter Jakes | 11 Comments »

Click on the microphone to hear the interview.

I’ve linked to an interview of T. Dexter Jakes back before he was quite so careful about answering questions about his view on the Trinity. The interview was conducted by an associate of John Coleman

There are also a couple of articles available. In one, Jakes offeres some comments on his view. Read them for yourself here (he is “defending” his view, vague as it is) and here (CT is giving some of the misgivings about him). Both articles are in Christianity Today. Please notice that he never gives a definitive response one way or the other, nothing that even remotely resembles a simple statement of doctrine such as “I believe that God exists in three distinct persons, the same in character, single in purpose, in a single Godhead. ” He simply repeats the general statements used even by the Oneness crowd. He states the obvious of Scripture but never goes past it.

The Oneness and apostolic crowd is notoriously uncompromising in their oneness stand. If he came across as a Trinitarian, I suspect his income would go way down. On the other hand, if he went Oneness, the people who insist on some doctrinal accuracy (they are growing fewer and fewer by the year) will dump him. I suspect if he holds out just a little longer ( a couple or three years at most) the main part of the Chruch will be so dumbed down that it won’t really matter what he believes. People will follow him just because they like what he says.

Notice that even in the interview he dances around the issue and even uses many of the phrases favored by the Oneness and Apostolic crowd; terms such as “The word Trinity is not in the Bible.” In stead of just sitting around, press him, your pastors, and anyone else you can reach, to have him give a definitive answer. If they support him, sell his books, have him as a speaker or otherwise endorse him, they should be willing to press him on his position. If they are not, then in all probability it all about the Benjamins and nothing else.

As one politician once said, you get the leaders you ask for.

T. Dexter Jakes | 2 Comments »