Who Ya' Living For!

I woke up early this morning with that thought on my mind.  Like many people who have a message to get out, I didn't really want to speak it. However I thought about it, "Who are you living for?” There is a story in the Bible that comes to mind. It’s in Luke 12:16-20. In this story, life was going pretty well for a certain individual, he had “more than enough“.   So like many people in the same situation, the problem became “What shall I do with the extra stuff?”  Our society has encouraged us all to have more than enough. In other words get more money so we can get more stuff. I was listening to a news story about a basketball player (I think it was a basketball player) who just signed a seven-year, $60+ million contract.  But the point is, how much money can you even spend in a lifetime?.  The bigger problem is that with all of that money, you have no struggles in life to keep you in check. The struggles are the source of our inspiration to pray. When we gain too many material things, or life becomes too easy, many of us ease away from God. We slowly fade our relationship with Him. Many of us are living a lie. We are getting more education to obtain better jobs, so we can buy more stuff just so we can lock it up in our big house on the hill! So when we die someone else can fight over all the stuff we’ve gathered. By nature we are selfish. How many times this past year have you reached out and really helped someone struggling. After 911, many In the Seattle area lost their jobs. Who is helping those families?  This brings me to my next point. It's not just individuals living for themselves, but some churches are acting for their own edification. I contend the reason why some churches don’t grow is that God knows they will never help anyone but themselves. Sometimes this even applies to the larger churches.  Where is their food bank? Where is their clothing bank? Where is the benevolent fund? I am talking about more than a few dollars. Churches spend a lot of time collecting money, buying land, and yes, hooking up the pastor. But true ministry does not even focus on how much you can raise. True ministry has to do with reaching out spiritually and naturally to those who are hurting. Even Jesus fed the multitude because they needed to eat. Don't live your life chasing after material gain. Every single item you own, right down to your underwear, will stay right here on earth when you die. The Bible says “Naked I came into this world and naked I shall leave”. The materials things we achieve are just tools to make life a little easier. You ask easier for what? To do God's will, work out our soul salvation and hear him say “Well done”. God gives us lessons in stewardship, then records in the Book how we have done. I encourage us all to strive for good marks in this race.

By Royce Shorter

Who Ya' Living For!

I woke up early this morning with that thought on my mind.  Like many people who have a message to get out, I didn't really want to speak it. However I thought about it, "Who are you living for?” There is a story in the Bible that comes to mind. It’s in Luke 12:16-20. In this story, life was going pretty well for a certain individual, he had “more than enough“.   So like many people in the same situation, the problem became “What shall I do with the extra stuff?”  Our society has encouraged us all to have more than enough. In other words get more money so we can get more stuff. I was listening to a news story about a basketball player (I think it was a basketball player) who just signed a seven-year, $60+ million contract.  But the point is, how much money can you even spend in a lifetime?.  The bigger problem is that with all of that money, you have no struggles in life to keep you in check. The struggles are the source of our inspiration to pray. When we gain too many material things, or life becomes too easy, many of us ease away from God. We slowly fade our relationship with Him. Many of us are living a lie. We are getting more education to obtain better jobs, so we can buy more stuff just so we can lock it up in our big house on the hill! So when we die someone else can fight over all the stuff we’ve gathered. By nature we are selfish. How many times this past year have you reached out and really helped someone struggling. After 911, many In the Seattle area lost their jobs. Who is helping those families?  This brings me to my next point. It's not just individuals living for themselves, but some churches are acting for their own edification. I contend the reason why some churches don’t grow is that God knows they will never help anyone but themselves. Sometimes this even applies to the larger churches.  Where is their food bank? Where is their clothing bank? Where is the benevolent fund? I am talking about more than a few dollars. Churches spend a lot of time collecting money, buying land, and yes, hooking up the pastor. But true ministry does not even focus on how much you can raise. True ministry has to do with reaching out spiritually and naturally to those who are hurting. Even Jesus fed the multitude because they needed to eat. Don't live your life chasing after material gain. Every single item you own, right down to your underwear, will stay right here on earth when you die. The Bible says “Naked I came into this world and naked I shall leave”. The materials things we achieve are just tools to make life a little easier. You ask easier for what? To do God's will, work out our soul salvation and hear him say “Well done”. God gives us lessons in stewardship, then records in the Book how we have done. I encourage us all to strive for good marks in this race.

By Royce Shorter

"The Ice Cream Truck"


Have you ever seen the face of a kid when they hear the music played by an
approaching ice cream truck?  Every kid's face I have seen lights up when they see or hear the ice cream truck coming.  In my neighborhood it was the same way.  We seemed to know what day and even about what time the truck would be coming.  We would make sure we had money to buy something off the truck.  I was up on the hill top one Sunday after noon passing out flyers. Yeah, I probably got your car too!  But as I was talking with one of the members of a nearby church, an ice cream truck
came down the street.  It was playing an annoying little tune, loud as usual.  Sure enough kids soon came out to buy ice cream.  As I was going down the street someone called my name, "Royce!"  I walked over to the truck and there were two people in the truck, an older man, and a young teenager.  This young teenager must have been about 14 or 15 years old.  As I stood there, he explained that Northwest Connection Community Choir had ministered to him when he was in Youth Detention.  I asked him how long he had been released.  He said about two weeks.  He went on to mention many things about our ministry to him. 
Now mind you, some times when we sing at the Detention Center, it's hard to tell what has effected the people and that has not.  That particular day was a good day, because a seed that was sown was bearing fruit.  I encouraged him to get into a church, and stay focused on Jesus.  Many times we don't like getting in the trenches to work or do battle.  A lot of us stay within the confines of our church, going to service after service.  We sit and sit, and sit some more, hearing sermon after sermon. However, until the church community gets excited about Outreach Ministry, that's all we will be doing, is sitting.  Every church needs a food bank, a prison ministry, a gang ministry, a nursing home ministry, a drug rehab ministry, an alcohol rehab ministry, and various true outreach.  It may not bring in a bunch of money, but the reward from an "ice cream truck" experience will out weigh all of that.  Just to see one life changed, was enough to make tears come to my eyes.  A lot of us have it twisted.  We say "Oh, didn't we have church today?"
How and why?  You mean because you shouted and the organ was sounding good?
You mean because the preacher got the congregation excited as he or she
tuned up?  You mean because you raised a lot of money for the Pastor's
Anniversary? We have it backwards.  Get excited when you have worked in the trenches, in the ditches, highways and byways.  Get excited when you've had enough annointing to give ministry without pay or physical reward. Get excited when your church is doing more on the outside than inside.  Don't get it twisted.  We need to come together to hear the word, and gain strength. But we also have been greedy just hearing the word, but not doing it or sharing it with others.  In other words, if all your church does it meet and meet, but there is a crack house next door, something is wrong.  If all your church does is meet, but there are members going to the food bank down the street, something is wrong. If all your church does it meet, but there is gang and drug activity right next to the church, something is wrong.  Something is wrong if homeless people are sleeping on your church door steps because your church is locked more than open.  We need to sow seeds that will reap souls and change lives.  It won't happen only inside the church.  We must go and compel men and women to come to Christ.  It is my prayer that we all can put on our identification tags and go to work.  What is that tag, you ask?  Love!  Love for our fellow man, saved or unsaved. 
The young man recognized me and knew my name because the community choir showed him love when he was down.  Don't get it twisted.  All the credit belongs to God through Jesus Christ!  I simply want others reading this to get excited about more that just your church, your clique, your denomination or your family.
Reach Out!

Take Your Shoes Off When You Come Into My House!

Did you ever hear this when you were growing up?  My neighborhood was still
pretty undeveloped when we moved into our house. I remember my Mom always yelling at us about tracking mud into her new carpet. So when we hit the door we had to take our shoes off!  This wasn't just at my house, but whenever I would go and play with my neighbors or end up at one of my other friends' house. Their Mom would be yelling the same thing. So no matter where we went we would take our shoes off. When I got older this practice went by the way side.

These past few weeks most of the churches and choirs I work with have been singing
"Bow Down"! This is a powerful song that speaks of standing on Holy Ground. My
pastor was exhorting the congregation about taking their shoes off. Sometimes in concert settings, women take their shoes off. Some, because they have heels on. Others, I would imagine because they just want to be comfortable. All that has been on my mind is that many of us are wearing the wrong kind of shoes. What does that mean? Some of us come to church with Gossip under our feet. We spend all week on the phone getting the 411 or the scoop on Who did What. Then we track that mess right into church. Some of us track into church muddy steps of adultery and fornication. We spend time creeping and getting our swerve on all week, then walk in hoping our steps are covered. Some of us track in envy, hate, and jealousy. Have you ever thought you stepped in mud only to find out later it was doggy doo!

What are you saying Royce? Well, it doesn't matter WHAT you are tracking.  By the time it reaches God, it stinks. How can we take off our shoes? There is a song that says "What can wash away my sins, nothing but the Blood of Jesus"! If you will allow me to modify it just a little bit. What can wash away my dirty steps, nothing but the blood of Jesus! In other words, we all have to watch where our feet take us. Both Spiritually and physically. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to find yourself in the wrong situation, thought, or even deed. We
must walk by faith not by sight! You know what was wonderful? When we would track mud into my mom's kitchen or where ever, she fussed many times but then she cleaned it up! Some times we did too! But Jesus is just like that, he blood covers the doggy doo that we keep stepping into. Don't get it twisted, some times he makes us deal with our own mess too! Oh, and for the people who have never stepped into a pile of doggy doo, your shoes may be filled with an attitude of holier than though. All shoes should be removed when you come into the knowledge and presence of God! Isn't it funny that before Jesus died, there
was a foot washing party. If you will allow me to interpret that event. It is my sincere thought and belief he was preparing them for battle. In other words, washing them, with more than mere water! Preparing them to stomp on the devil. Some where in the translation we have been using our feet to stomp on each other! So now is the time to take off your shoes, when you come into the House of the Lord. Don't kick anyone and don't track your mess into God's house. Simply come to gain strength and to encourage one another. Then when
you leave stomp on the devil!

I'll go - You'll Go - Lord Can I Take My Giant Ego!

I woke up early this morning with yet another editorial on my mind. Have you ever noticed how some folks have a larger than life ego? This not only includes non-Christians, who stumble into church every now and again, but also professed Christians who regularly attend church.
I work within the Gospel Announcers Guild of the Gospel Music Workshop of America. Some times after sitting in those meetings, I could not believe the "How Great Thou Art" or "How Great Am I" attitudes that abounded. I must say, in defense of people in leadership positions in the communities, you do have to say things that will encourage yourself sometimes. But I am not talking about keeping yourself encouraged to work with difficult people. Let me give you an example:  While passing out flyers . in the Hilltop area of Tacoma Washington, one Sunday morning about two weeks ago, I ran into Singing Willie.  This man ministered to me by giving the Word in song. He also preached to a woman walking by who had an ego larger than life. This woman Singing Willie encountered, had just come out of church, had probably just said "amen", had maybe even shouted it in the sanctuary. But even after coming out of the House of God and getting her spiritual food, she still came out with A Giant "Holier Than Thou Attitude".  She left her compassion and love for those less fortunate inside of the church.  I will never forget the words
that Singing Willie said to her. He said something like this, "You weren't all together when You first came to church, give me a chance.  You don't even know me.

But I tell you what!  I will be ready when Jesus Comes! This speaks to how we operate in the church community. Isn't it really about us?  If we're in a choir setting, it's "lets sing my song", if we're in the sanctuary, it's "you're sitting in my seat", if you're in the pulpit, it's "I really preached today", on and on!
Come on lets keep it real. I have seen people boycott programs because they wanted them to flop. I have seen denominations boycott major concerts because they weren't the ones putting on the event. Have you noticed that no Preacher wants to be
"just a Preacher"? They need a title "Bishop", "Superintendent", "District Elder", "Youth Pastor", "Music Pastor" on and on. We always require ego building.  We hide inside of our new church buildings with our new alarm systems, and half of us don't even go to prayer meeting. But we need a title. I was sitting in church a couple of weeks ago, and a man came out of the pew and up the isle to say something. It was as if a skit was going on.   This man looked like he was homeless. I could tell the congregation didn't know if he was part of a play or for real. Because of his attire, his ego did not match ours. I could tell that some people were about to start laughing until the minister who knew the person introduced him. Now that is a shame. We the church community with our big hats, fine cars and nice suits really should evaluate our egos.
Ministry really takes place after church is over. It takes place on the street corner dealing with the crack addict. Ministry takes place in the Nursing home singing a gospel song to someone who has paid his or her dues but now can't get around very well.
Ministry takes place in the prison, singing or preaching to souls that may never be able to join your ego club, OOPS I mean church (smile).

Just a little humor to lighten up this editorial. I drive by Martin
Luther King & Othello street every Sunday morning and see a certain minister preaching outside, with his Honda generator in the background. I know he has a church building, but in spite of that he chooses to also work his street ministry. It really touched me when someone came up and I saw him ministered to them.
This was a person that may never walk into a building during the 11:00am hour at a church. But at least he could foretaste a little bit of it by being ministered to on the street.  I said to myself "Now THAT is ministry". This preacher drove a Jag, had nice
clothes on, but cared enough to lay aside his title and ego and do like John the Baptist. Long story made short: If my People who are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2nd Chronicles 7;14).

We need a healing in America don't we?  You can't do ministry for Christ with a big giant holier-and-better-than-everyone-else ego. Your prayer, my prayer should be "Lord, hide me behind the cross.  Never let me forget it was you that died for me. As a result make me your humble servant, and help me to know my reward
is not here on earth.  Therefore, let me be careful not to worry about titles.   Let me check my ego at the door, in Jesus Name Amen".

By Royce Shorter

Are You being Transformed or are you a Transformer?

Where Have All The Trees Gone!

I recently celebrated another birthday. Every birthday is special to me , not because of gifts I may receive but because I am still alive. If we all would keep it real we could say like Kurt Carr 's song " I almost let go " ! This song goes on to say, "I'm here today because God kept me, I'm alive today only because of his grace". Many of us reading this editorial know we should be dead due to accident or illness or other, but because of God ' s grace he let us live, allowing us more time to get it right.

This birthday was different than prior ones because I spent a lot of time alone, reflecting and taking inventory of my life. My dad called me to come over and pick up a birthday card. He still lives in the same house that I grew up in. I lived in that same house from the time I was in elementary school until I moved out on my own. As I drove up the street to his house,
I noticed all the new housing and the resulting lack of trees. When I grew up there, my neighborhood was almost all trees, trails and woods. We would play tackle football on the dirt streets. We would hike through the many trails on our way to Bumer's gulch. This was a place deep in the woods where transients lived. When we moved into our new house on the Eastside of Tacoma, there was no grass, only dirt. However, this past week, I noticed that the woods had been cleared, there was not much left. When I saw that, it made me think
about my own life and the people who I grew up with, who are now gone.

I thought about some of the young ladies who got into prostitution and were eventually murdered. I thought about a neighborhood friend that I grew up with, who later ended up on drugs, and was shot and killed. I thought about other people who died early due to illness. Where have all the trees gone?
The pillars in your life? The friends you grew up with? The people you kicked it with, playing football or having rock fights. As I got the birthday card from my dad and later drove down the hill, I noticed, looking up at the top of the hill where his house sat, I could see tall trees that were spaced far apart , but sure enough they were un-cut and standing tall ! Then I thought about Jeremiah 17:7 & 8, and it reads: Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

What this meant to me is very simple: some of us have been allowed to live to grow into tall trees. We should never take that for granted because we could have been cut down in the prime of our lives, like the many people who I grew up with that have died and left here, some who left and were not ready. They were not developed to their full capacity, but some had their life right with God. I also thought about a friend I just ran into that is now a Pastor,
doing well, looking good. He is a tall tree that survived the East side of Tacoma, Washington and all the lures of the devil. But if you know anything about trees they have to go through some storms to survive. I thank God for every trial and even the mistakes that God has allowed me to go through.

Romans 8:28 says: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose." Most of us alive should know by now our steps are ordered by God. All we need to do is walk in them.

This editorial is dedicated to those big trees that have endured storms (mistakes or poor choices). God has not forgotten you. Stand tall my brothers and sisters, God has given us the gift of time! Since we don't know how much, receive the gift of salvation which is eternal through Jesus Christ. Put on the whole Armour of God and be encouraged. We don't live to impress each other, we life to glorify God! Be encouraged, you're still standing tall!

By Royce Shorter

What I learned about life in 2001... Life is a bed of Roses!

As I reflect on the events of the year 2001 to date, it brought back a lot of memories. The largest event happened on September 11, 2001. I still am quite surprised at how men can become so evil or so influenced to the point that they can hijack a plane carrying innocent people and aim it into a building.
But knowing God was and is still in control, I can say like the older saints, "We'll understand it better by and by! Last year I learned that relationships are important. If you don't have a fulfilling relationship with God, let alone with another human being, you can make big money, have a nice shiny car, fancy house, and large bank account and still be empty. I also learned that life is like a bed of roses. When you look at roses they come in different colors and sizes. Sometimes one may grow and blossom into something so pretty that it leaves you in awe. But right next to it may be another one that's ugly, with it's pedals not fully developed. Some don't get enough sunshine, so they simply look like a stick with thorns. During this year I have met people in the church like this. People who call themselves roses
(saints), but all I see is their thorns. They are dry and hard, carrying the pain and issues of life on their stems. I imagine they are hoping you never see whether or not they have pedals. You know them too, they sit and gossip, prick you with hate, malice, and envy. I even wrote a prior editorial about not letting these haters get you down. Have you ever seen a rose that was not fully developed? t's not very pretty, it just looks like a little stick.
Is it still a rose? Yes. Can it be saved? Yes. Does it need fertilizer? Yes. I have also learned that we are not the one who gets to decide which roses should be fertilized, pruned or even discarded. Thank you Jesus, because if it was up to man we would be pulling up everything out of the Rose Garden of life. I also watched some beautiful flowers/icons leave earth on their way to Glory this past year. Such beautiful flowers, people who were ready to see God!
The funny thing is, we always try to work in some one else's garden. What I learned is that my own garden is a 24/7 job! I also learned that most roses have thorns. These thorns represent personal protection, if you get too close to some people you will get stuck. I learned that people are hurting, but in spite of their defenses, if you mean them well they will show the beauty they possess. I also learned that there are some roses (people) who will never blossom. I have met some older and younger people who for whatever reason, want to be bitter and hateful until they die. These are the people I pray for and feel the most concern for! The people who are locked up in prisons, nursing homes, and youth detention centers...people who are gang banging and/or prostituting themselves. Don't get it twisted, some of them sing in the choir, preach in the pulpit, deacon, some are mothers, some are just pew members. They need watering from the Word of God. They need pruning from the
Holy Spirit, and they need nurturing from God the Father. I even learned this past year that in spite of my trials, I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread. I have learned that God takes care of the birds of the air, and he has my back as well. I have learned the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments. I have
learned that God is long-suffering, kind and merciful. I don't know what the New Year will bring. But what I do know is, if the Lord allows me and you to see it, we should make every minute count. We should make sure we are maturing in Christ. We should make sure we care about more that just our immediate family or church clique. We should make sure we are turning into the roses that He can select for His bouquet. Christians and non-believers,
Christ is coming again, let the New Year find us blossoming into the flowers that show the beauty of Christ!

By Royce Shorter

My Church is Bigger Than Your Church!

Have you ever watched kids at play? While some are sharing and caring, others are not. Kids love to brag and boast about everything under the sun. Whether it's a new toy or who's dad is stronger, they love to brag in an almost competitive way. This is really no problem because they are children, still learning how to interact with the world around them. I was no different growing up on the East side of Tacoma, Washington. Our club house, or shall
I say tree house, was of course the best . It was lined with carpet and had a roof that did not leak. Bragging is a part of child hood and growing up! But the key is that at some point we should all grow up and put away childish things.

There is a thin line between pride and arrogance. Where is the line between natural self worth and selfishness? As a person who works in the church community, I continually hear church folk bragging ! about their Pastor, their church building , their membership and on and on. I even hear people brag about how much money they raised at the Zodiac tea. That one still baffles me! Haven't you heard people talk about how they shout during the 11:00am hour? How the choir sang and the preacher preached and the ushers ushered? Haven't you heard people boast about the size of their denomination? About how many members their church has world wide ? You hear this almost to the point that they make you think they have a corner on salvation and the Holy Ghost. But the last time I checked , salvation was
a gift from God. Salvation has nothing to do with how many " Thank you Jesus" you say or how loud you shout during the 11:00am hour. However, the day you get saved you may shout and show some sign of your joy!

Aren't we selfish sometimes ? We go to church, sing to a congregation that is mostly saved, preach the milk to people who should already be eating meat. Then leave as if we have just evangelized the world. I don't think you will find one scripture that says you will be rewarded for the size of your congregation/aggregation, or building. How then did we get it so twisted?
Why do we get so excited about things that are carnal rather than spiritual? Why do we put our bragging toward the things that God is not even looking at? Are we like the children growing up on the play ground saying my game boy is better that yours? I don't care how many vans your church has with their name on the side of them. Don't care about the number of members your denomination has world wide. Because you can have a large membership but few that are truly born again, and caring out discipleship.

May I pose a question to you? When was the last time you boasted about how the choir sang at the nursing home or hospital? I have yet to hear a group of people boast about how many gang bangers they witnessed to over the weekend. I have yet to hear about how the Pastor preached at the youth detention center. I have yet to hear how section 8 housing is no longer needed because churches are now handling low income housing. We get excited about the wrong things, and some times shout to ourself, rather than shouting because we have done kingdom building. The main goal of every church should first be salvation, simply getting people saved...whether they join your church or not. So the next time you feel the urge to boast about the building or any aspect of your clique, ask yourself a couple of questions "Are we building a congregation or building an organization? Are we kingdom
building or self promoting?

By Royce Shorter

The reason I decided to write part two of this editorial is simple.  So many people wrote me concerning it. It is difficult to restore and forgive people when they make mistakes or fall. When I was a child growing up, my dad was in the military. One benefit of his military experience was that he taught us how to clean our rooms and make our beds with precision. However, this tough drill sergeant attitude was not good in a way because it didn't teach us to have compassion for one another. Many times if one of us got hurt the other would say something like, Shake it off, you'll live. This attitude is similar to that of many church folk in this millennium. When someone is hurt or makes a mistake, we may not verbally say, Shake it off.  However our actions say, Shake it off, stop crying, and dry those tears up. We find ourselves less tolerant of peoples mistakes and weaknesses.
Have you ever had a person with an alcohol addiction around you? I have, and I must say I have felt unequipped to deal with their issue. I didn't know when to apply unconditional love, tough love or what. So it is also with the Church.  When a few key people contracted aids, I remember because of ignorance and lack of education the Christian Community crucified them. Now I look back and see that so many people have died from aids since then. We really took the wrong approach. We are like parents that tell their kids don't have sex before marriage. But yet we never give them counseling or open the lines of communication with them. As a result, they go ahead and do it anyhow. Then we want to beat the child. Wow, can the church ever become understanding or even merciful?
It sickens me that the world keeps showing the church community how to forgive. A good example is a former President of the United States. This man had an adulterous relationship with an intern, but was eventually forgiven and even restored. If your Pastor slept with someone other than his wife, he would be voted out and removed.  Should there be a higher standard in the pulpit? Yes, Should there be a higher standard once a person accepts Christ? Yes!
The power of the Holy Ghost is a keeper. But at the same time I am concerned about the people who are struggling with their walk, the Babes in Christ. Then I am concerned about people who get so holy in their own mind until when they fall they can't be forgiven or restored. The Ministry of Reconciliation I contend is a life style. Pastors practice it when someone calls them for a Word. Choir directors practice it when they encourage that untalented or undeveloped members to practice. Church is not only for people who've got it together. In other words, those people with 2.5 kids and white picket fences. It really is for people who come off the street with addictions and other serious issues. Church is really for people struggling with homosexuality. Church is for the alcoholic. Church is for people who are learning Discipleship. Members of the church body should be the ones to throw their arms around a young person who's made a mistake. The church is where prisoners get letters, love, and encouragement. The ministry of reconciliation is not about you or even me. The ministry of reconciliation is about restoring people back to the throne of God! It is about grabbing a person by the hand and walking with them down to the altar. It is about walking with them to the altar without judgment or prejudice. The ministry of reconciliation is about giving people a chance, knowing that you are not God!
One last thing, every time I turn around someone has just died unexpectedly. This makes me know that time is short, life is but a vapor. While you are here, stop running your mouth and dogging people out, stop hurting folk. Try to practice the ministry of reconciliation, walking people to the altar. Understand everyone may not be ready to make that walk in the natural sense. Then you intercede through prayer, and take them to the throne of God. But whatever you do as a Christian (not church member) start practicing the ministry of reconciliation today

by Royce Shorter

The Ministry of Reconciliation

Have you ever been really mad at someone because they hurt you or had done you wrong? I
have some close friends that sometimes say "Royce, you are so stupid.  Why do you
let people dog you out and you still deal with them? It's not easy I must admit, I developed a sharp tongue a long time ago, but life taught me to put away my sword. The Lord, so many times has made my enemies my footstool. But what is even more amazing is that when my enemies have been down, I have found myself encouraging them and praying for them. The ministry of reconciliation is very simple. God calls us to reconcile our differences even in the Lord's Prayer, Jesus taught this.  Almost every denomination speaks of it in their
doctrinal belief statement. However, I find myself amazed at the amount of lip
service we as a Christian community give to the thought.

Many times the world has done a better job of forgiving and restoring people. Have you ever heard about what happens to a Pastor if he blows it? You know...when he steals some
money, sleeps with someone other than his wife, lies about something, loses his temper. It's funny, there is no reconciliation, just a vote or process to remove the person. I remember hearing about a famous Christian Music artist who blew it. They immediately stripped him. We often times are like the Scribes and Pharisees who caught the woman in adultery. These people wanted to stone the women, (St. John, 8th Chapter). We have our own issues that we want the Lord to forgive us for and help us through.  But with other people we have no compassion, we simply want to pick up our holier than thou stones, hurl them, and kill the other person.  Why, because it makes us look good when we can compare yourself to a weaker person.  Remember when Andre Crouch made a mistake, they took his songs off the radio and gave him no love.  One minute you are a hero, the best thing since sliced bread.  The next we want to stone or crucify you.  Are people in leadership held to a higher standard?  Yes, they are, but also the standard needs to be tempered with scripture. 

I used to crack up at the self-righteousness of people who made some young lady stand
up and apologize to the congregation for getting pregnant out of wedlock.  Is this a Biblical standard? If so, show me in what book and chapter of the Bible it was commanded that a person be treated that way. You won't find it!  Am I saying that we have license to just live any kind of way?  No, but we need to practice the ministry of reconciliation.  The wages of sin is death!  We all need and should be dead sleeping in our grave.  But thank God that the scripture did not stop there.  The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ!  If it wasn't for the blood we would be in bad shape.  So the next time you want to stone some person because they messed up, fell down, or didn't live up to your holier than thou standard, remember you did not die for one soul and God is the true and righteous judge.  So bite your tongue and practice the ministry of reconciliation.  Simply bear the infirmity of the weak, Romans 15:1.  So my friend, start walking in discipleship, practice the ministry of forgiveness and reconciliation.  After all, people who are whole don't need a physician.

by Royce Shorter

Bugs Eat Fruit, Do you Have Bug Sense?

When I was a young boy, we lived in a house close to the woods.  One of our favorite things to do was to meddle with huge ant piles.  We would throw food onto them and no matter what we would throw, it was only a matter of time before the ants consumed it. It didn't matter whether it was apples, bananas, bread, whatever, those ants would eat just about anything.  I think in amazement about church folk in general.  We too will eat just about anything.

Yes, I am talking about in the physical sense and the spiritual sense.  It usually does not even dawn on us what we are eating until we get older, or something goes wrong with our health.  Then we want to start eating better.  I find myself now struggling to watch what I eat.  Old habits are sometimes hard to break. Church folks sometimes get and develop bad habits too!  Perhaps it's gossiping...someone can't help but to "pour the tea" so to speak.

Usually a professional gossiper does not care if the story is true or not,
they just enjoy the game of spreading the gossip!  I recently had someone come into my place of business wanting to know why and how a person died.  They really didn't care about the loss of life or the family that was hurting.  They were like a reporter on a news story.  I of course did not engage them, but rather talked all around the subject.

You know there was something I did not make clear about the ant pile earlier.  Many times we would throw things like dead snakes on the pile. Our goal was to come back in a week and see if the ants ate that too!  
Every time we returned to the anthill, the things we threw on the pile were gone, most likely consumed by the ants.  People who run their mouth to hurt others don't even have bug sense.  I say that because they will eat and devour anything, no matter whether it is good for their spiritual health or not!  I was amazed that ants loved fruit.

 As a child at that time, I did not understand, because I hated fruits and vegetables.  As Christians we would have less problems if we could eat and exemplify the fruit of the spirit.  The Bible speaks of the Fruit in Ephesians 5:9 and Galatians 5:22-26, you should read it!  We that are doing the best we can with what we got (walking by faith), should eat the right things.  Oh, one more thing that I noticed about ants when sometimes we would step on one.  We were amazed to see two other ants pick up the wounded or dead ant and carry it back to the pile.  How many times have people been stepped on by life?  Have you carried them back to the throne of God?  We as Christians have all sinned (Romans 3:23). We need to simply have bug sense.  In other
words if bugs can work together and support and love one another we should too!

by Royce Shorter