The Face of Jesus in Halloween

As the sun set on the night of Halloween, for my family, it was like preparing for the Purge. Locked doors, closed windows and the appearance of an empty house, as to avoid any trick or treaters. I remember one night as I was going upstairs to my room, I heard a knock on the door, turning around, I saw the most ugliest mask I had ever seen. I ran to my room, closed the door and jumped in my bed. As I laid, I thought I heard footsteps on the roof. Let's just say it wasn't a peaceful night for me.

When we think about the scariest and most grotesque images,  rarely do we think about the reality of the flesh. We typically focus on what our eyes see, the object of our vision and rarely do we focus on ourselves.

The flesh is a deteriorating, rebellious and desperate beast to which we are enslaved by the biddings of its voice. You will never find intrinsic beauty in the flesh. It is concerned with no one but the gratification of self. All guidelines and commands that are set by God are ignored because the flesh is its own god.

The deep issue of our flesh is it's desire to rebel against God, its desire to sin. Paul says in Romans 8:8  that those that are in the flesh cannot please God. There is no ability or desire within the flesh to do what God has commanded to do. It is in direct opposition to Him. There is treason within the ranks and the flesh stands proudly against the Commander, setting flight to corruption, disorder and ultimately death.

So what is the scariest mask that you have seen on Halloween? The cool thing about a mask is that you can take it off whenever you please and if it is too scary, switch it out for a less intimidating one.

But let's think about Jesus this Halloween.

Jesus Christ put on the most unacceptable, appalling and abominable costume known; Jesus put on flesh. He did not just put on the mask of flesh. He didn't just pretend to experience the weakness of man and the wrath of the Father, but He became flesh. "And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:4). This wasn't a costume that He could take off, but a position He obediently accepted.

This Halloween, as you see the plethora of creepy things and horrid masks, remember that the Word became flesh for you. Father God in His perfect and righteous judgement must cast away all flesh, for it cannot please God. We were at enmity against God, with an infinite gap between us and Him, but because of Jesus, the Word made flesh, He fulfilled all the righteous requirements unto God and belief in Him brings us into right-standing again.

Jesus endured the rejection of the Father and became the trick for our treat. He is our salvation. He is our hope. Let us give glory to God for His plan to save us by sending His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh. During this time of ghouls and death, remember that Jesus died, so that we can live. Amen.

Further Studies:

John 1:14
Romans 8:3
Philippians 2:8

Mountain of God, Mountain of Gold

Week 2:

In the Mountain of God our strength is found, but in the mountain of gold we are lost. -- from Isaiah 2:2, 20-21

Why I Quit Music: A Beautiful Rising

Today (written Nov. 11) marks an important day, as I begin to record my final musical project, Beautiful Rising. This record speaks of the dungeons of life and the rise to the palace, through Christ.  If you are familiar with me personally or musically, you would be quick to assess that I have a sincere love for music and more specifically, Hip-Hop.

I am sure that most of you would be interested in knowing why the sudden departure from something that I really love to do. 
Well, two words. Holy. Ambition. 

Greatest Sin, Greater Grace

Photo Credit: SalemPeters.com

I am beginning a study of Isaiah with a buddy from work, so over the next several weeks, what will follow will be key points I have learned in that particular chapter that week. 

Week 1: 

In our greatest sin, God bestows His greater grace. -- from Isaiah 1:18

Happy New Year & the Top 5 Articles

I just want to say Happy New Year to each person that has every read a post, commented on an article or shared an article. Thank you for your support!!

Though I have only been blogging for 4 months, I have truly been grateful for the 5,000 page views garnished during that time. As 2014 begins, I've gone back and collected the top 5 articles from the past year.

This is No Resolution, but a Reflection

We all reflect,  whether at the end of a busy day or after a crazy week, most of us sit back and think about what we have done. This is no resolution, but a reflection on 2013.


1. All things work together for the good of those that love God and are called according to His purpose.

2. If everything isn't working out how YOU want them, you aren't seeing things how GOD wants them. Your character is being built.

3. Be slow to make mistakes and swift to seek forgiveness.

4. Just because it's a great idea doesn't mean it's the right idea <--- Please learn that

The Lord Has Come: 5 Reasons to Rejoice

Photo Credit: salempeters.com

Every Christmas we are bombarded with images of Santa Clause, reindeer and the chaos of Christmas shopping. Although Christmas is rich in meaning, it has been significantly diluted to focus our attention elsewhere. The essence of this holiday is to celebrate not only the birth of the Son of God, but the presence of our Lord. While the world is announcing that Santa Clause is coming, we are announcing that the Lord has come and we have reason to rejoice. (Click to Tweet)

Homosexuals, Drunks & Terrorists

(PHOTO: "I AM SECOND")

My intention of this post was to show my frustration at how those that scream, "Be tolerant" are intolerant to the ones they scream, but my focus has been shifted. 

Now, I want to reassure, clarify and comfort those to which were hurt by the comments of Phil Robertson. Take note, I am not apologizing for what he said, only clarifying. 

Deliver Me

This is serious. 

For the past week, I have seemingly been in a decline in my relationship with God. This might be a short time compared to some, but imagine holding your breath for a week or not eating for a week. This has been my reality.

You see, sin is an interesting thing. We can be drawn to it, pleasured by it and enslaved through it. Sin is a sickening thing. 

Sin is not simply a verb that is performed contrary to God, but sin is the essence of our flesh, which brings the fruit of sinful actions. If I could borrow from Isaac Newton, "Errors are not in the art but in the artificers". That is to say, sin, as an action, is not the problem, but we, the sinner. Our sinful acts are set in motion. What I do is fruit of who I am, but praise be to God that who I am is being changed by the Great I Am. 

Praying Unto His Glory- Jeremiah 24:7

It has been a whole month since I last posted "Perfect Prayer". Last month I was concentrating on the 3-part series, The Glorious Gospel in the Beauty of the Church you can check it out here.  

If you haven't been keeping up with this current series, Praying Unto His Glory is a collection of verses that I believe pay the highest compliment to God, while serving to assure us that a perfect prayer has been prayed. 



The Perfect Prayer this week is Jeremiah 24:7.

And I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart. 

Begging For More Than Money

Photo credit: Stephan Geyer 

At the stoplight stands a man with a sign that reads, "I need money. Hard times. God Bless". 

We have all seen this scenario many times and have probably ignored that person. At least for me, I usually make no eye contact, keeping my focus straight ahead. 

But God soon started dealing with me about my actions.

He began to reveal to me that what people needed more than money, was love. This does not go just for the beggar on the street, this goes for all of humanity. Regardless of race, sexual-preference, political position or favorite musical genre, we as humans must be reinforced with the love and power of God. It is unkind, high-minded and inconsiderate to ignore someone who is in need.

Part III- The Reconciliation of the Church

For Part 1 and Part 2 of this series

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“The power of God unto salvation” is the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no mistaking that the capability to call someone out of darkness, into a light of marvelous-ness, is only by the grand power of God. It is not by chance that nothing becomes something. Who can make the mountains quake? And who can make the earth tremble at their presence? A response to which I hear a grand choir of silence. There is none. If there is one thing that we should understand about God, it is that He accomplishes the impossible. The Gospel reconciles impossible man to a possible God. It transforms the wretchedness of our being into the radiance and glory of Christ, His Church and His Bride.

Over the last several weeks I have received many comments concerning church membership, church attendance and abandoning the church. The majority of the comments stem from a broken relationship between the Church and the individual. I have heard it said "the Church is like a hospital full of sick people wanting to be healed" and this is true in every sense.

3 Ways We Miss Thanksgiving

Certain seasons of the year attract certain reflections within. And with it being November, I am reflecting on the meaning of Thanksgiving. I am not referring solely to the Pilgrims, but what the disposition of our heart should be.

There is only one type of person that gives thanks. It is the person that is indebted to another because of what one has done. For the child who was saved from disaster, to that person, the child would give thanks. For the man that was given a promotion, to that promoter, that man would give thanks. For the beggar on the street to whom money was given, to that person, that beggar would give thanks. We give thanks because we have received and have received something of value, but unfortunately there are times when thanks is not given.

When God Becomes Blind

Photo Credit: loop_oh via photopin cc

In those days, and in that time, saith the Lord,

The iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none;

And the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found:

For I will pardon them whom I reserve.

- Jeremiah 50:20

I ran across this verse last night and it completely floored me. I became awestruck at the awesome grace of God and though I had only seen a glimpse, I wanted the more!

If you have ever read the Old Testament, you would know that the people of God, the Israelites, were rebellious. It is the sin of our flesh that is in direct rebellion against the God that loves us. This is the miracle of the grace, the Gospel and the love of God.

The Glorious Gospel in the Beauty of the Church, Part II: The Hurting Church

For Part I of this series

When you were growing up, did you ever want be a part of a group? Maybe you remember the reason you joined? Maybe for popularity or the community it offered? Or maybe you were like me and joined because of a crush.

Photo credit: Brandon Christopher Warren / Foter.com

I believe each person innately has a desire for community. A desire to be loved, appreciated and gathered together. It is how we were wired. I could even make comment on the uprising of atheistic churches seen in the Unites States and other countries. During the infant stages of humankind, God communicated with man. When Adam sinned against God, by disobedience, he hid himself because of the shame. I believe we still hide from the Creator, running to everything else except God.

The Glorious Gospel in the Beauty of the Church

A couple of weeks ago I had a friend who was struggling with people within the church and questioning if it was even needed. I told this person I would write about it. Last week I held a poll in which I asked, "Is a Christian Required to Attend Church"? I was very grateful for the many responses and messages I received. This post is only Part 1 of a 3-Part Series. I hope it edifies you and brings glory unto Him.

Poll: Is a Christian Required to Attend Church?

I'm beginning a series next month on the Church and will be surveying the community for a bit of data. Please vote and explain your answer, if possible. Thank you. 

Is a Christian required to attend a church?

My 30-Second "Preach Off"

Again, as I said in my post, "Mockery of Christianity", "Christianity has been ridiculed, but God will not be mocked. We need to be ever so watchful of WHAT is going on socially because it is largely responsible for HOW we will be able to engage society with the Gospel". 

Today I watched a snippet of the Preachers of L.A. being put on stage to display who had the "best preaching skills". At first watch, I had a very uneasy feeling, mostly because it looked like they were being

Perfect Prayers 11.3.13

Hello friends.

It has been quite some time since I last gave a perfect prayer, but it is my pleasure and unto His glory that I submit to you once again the prayer for this week. This week we will look at Jeremiah 10:23-24, which admits the fault of man while submitting to the power of the Lord. 

Let us pray. 

Jeremiah 10:23-24

O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

O Lord, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.

Enhancing His Kingdom,

E.D. Jackson Jr. 

Tonight, I Don't Want to Trust God

Trust requires a relinquishing of all that entangles the hands of surrender to raise. When trust transcends the chaotic stresses of life, one is able to experience peace while resting in the joy of the Lord. The receiver of the trust we give operates in full dominion of the outcome of our surrender.