Month: October 2025

For decades, there has been a Prosperity Gospel; a “Name it, claim it” gospel. In my opinion, this movement is for prideful people.  It’s about people who may have come to the Lord but obviously haven’t died to themselves.  It’s comprised of individuals who can’t let go of their Ferraris, Lamborghinis, jewelry, etc. They remain attached to everything they were to let go of.

For decades, I was a cyclist. I preferred biking over anything else.  Back in 1979, I rode 5,000 miles on bike but only 1000 on my motorcycle.  My current vehicle is 23 years old.  Would I promote “Come, join the Prosperity Gospel and claim the latest Muscle car” when I myself don’t care for them? I remember having a hard time spending $30 bucks on good shoes back in the late 80s in NY. and one day, a somewhat pompous young lady at church hit the ceiling because something spilled on her $100 shoes. Back then, I had never heard of hundred-dollar shoes! They looked like the $25 ones my wife wore!  

I, for one, am not at all interested in any type of jewelry.  Didn’t even want to wear a wedding band.  Would I go nuts over gold, precious stones, etc.? Nope. I like stones as far as veining goes for countertops or for artwork, but it’s not the same.

When Jesus walked the earth, I’m sure there were some who thought He lived in luxury.  They probably expected to see his floors overlayed in gold and find his sofas buried under gold coins. Instead, He told one person, “Come see where I live…” The religious leaders of the day probably felt the same way. If He were the Son of God, why didn’t He dress the part?

Satan uses what we offer him. If we expect riches and treasure troves, he’ll tempt us with that. That’s what’s likely to occur when the antichrist surfaces; he’ll probably emerge with chains down his neck, name-brand clothing, 2 billion followers, expense accounts, and with chauffeurs in luxury vehicles. 

Like Jesus, he might feed the 5000, except he’ll probably get them wagyu or rib-eye steaks.  No doubt, he’ll deceive everyone by giving them what they expect.  Like the “King” that he is (NOT), he’ll flaunt his wealth. He’ll heal the sick, and as scripture points out, he’ll be promoted by the False Prophet so that “He’ll do great wonders, so that he makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men” (Revelation 13:13).  Of course, he’ll be empowered by Satan.

Jesus has called us to walk pleased with the things we have (Hebrews 13:5) and not be tied down by the weight of sin (Hebrews 12:1).  He can make us rich, but it’s for His glory and for His kingdom, and it shouldn’t possess us. Prosperity comes in being rich in Christ; if you have the Son, you’re rich.  Besides, if you have all the world’s riches now, what’s there to look forward to in heaven?  What ‘ya gonna say? “Man, my old one was ten times better than this…” Better to be surprised by whatever God gives us, since He never disappoints.

God Bless!

Sam

A lot of items we buy come with expiration dates.  Some will say: Safe to use by: Best if used by: Use before: etc.  These are dates chosen by manufacturers to track freshness and usability. While a carton of milk doesn’t know when its time is up, it can last upwards of 2 weeks beyond its expiration date with freshness depending on fridge temp.

Now, I know there are people that go bonkers when something in their fridge is about to expire. They begin “sweatin’ bullets.” Their noses become vacuum cleaners sniffing out any potential bad odors waving their hands upwards as they say, ‘Come on baby, give me that already- going-bad smell.’  They’ll serve themselves a large chunk of cake or pack of Oreos (which they’ve been eyeing for two days anyways), and they’ll down it with all the milk they can.  Of course, they’ll have a sad face available if needed to justify themselves.  Afterall, someone’s got to save the world… Actually, the dates are just guidelines.  Most items can remain on shelves longer than the shown dates. If you want ultimate freshness in your meat, hunt, skin it, dress it and eat it the same day.

You and I were born (or hatched, if you believe you evolved from Mother Goose), with and expiration date.  It isn’t stamped on our foreheads, but within our hearts and lives-or eggshells. This expiration isn’t based on our heights, race, creed, or age. Only God, the Creator, knows each date. So, what happens when we expire?  We drop dead.  We all know that, but that’s not the issue. The Angel of Death knows where to take us; to its abode where darkness permeates the abyss. Upon expiration, there’s no second chance to change your course. You will either suffer separated from God or smell of freshness and victory in His presence. If we’re “Rescued” before our death date, God’s angels will guide us to His eternal abode: heaven.

So, what does your expiration date show?  That you expire in two days, three years, a decade?  Will you remain on a shelf? Are funny smells emitting from you?  Will you go bonkers sweatin’ bullets eating everything around the house? Will you get high, go womanizing, spend your money, or will you do good? Maybe you’ll help those in need, or will you sit on a shelf and cry?  After all, you will be meeting with Jesus who’ll be judging your life.                

  Will you get saved?  In that case, there’s no death-expiration!  As your internal clock winds down and takes its last tick, it’ll tick anew in heaven in fullness of life with Jesus and will never die again!

Satan thought Jesus had an expiration date.  He tried advancing His death.  He figured Jesus would rot in hell where he, Satan, lived, and that He had been defeated.   But one of life’s greatest mystery was to unfold!  Unbeknown to the world, Satan, and his demonic hosts, Death could not hold Jesus down! He laid down His life and took it up again (John 10:18)!  He sits at the right hand of the Father praying for us daily!  You might be far past your expiration date (woo!) and beginning to show foul smells, but Jesus is allowing you those extra days to choose Him!  When we do, we’re like prefume!  “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and by those who are perishing” (2Corinthians 2:15). You can become sweet-smelling in Christ, for Christ. Choose NOW before you expire!  Tick, tick, tick…

God Bless!
Sam

Growing up, if Mr. Softie drove by and you had your dime, you could ask for a scoop or two into your cone/cup. Additionally, scoop had a different meaning.  It was common to hear people ask for the scoop of a story because it was part of the days’ jargon in newspapers and on TV.  It referred to the latest events, or how stories and events unfolded.

I recently came across a poster on Pinterest.  I’m not sure if it was created to draw readers in, or if it’s a sincere question, since I didn’t delve into it.  In a nutshell, someone is asking if it’s true that kids in the late 60s and the 70s would be ousted from their homes early in the morning and not expected back until the lamppost lights went on.  Let me give you the scoop.

   Of course, it’s true! It’s hard to believe now because we’re living in a different world. In this aspect, technology has messed things up for today’s growing kids. Think back to a time with no cell phones or beepers, no satellites, no computers, no bottled water, few, if any, abductions, kidnappings, etc.

As a kid, if you had a bike, a foot-powered scooter, skates, or two good feet, you’d travel about to have fun and discover the world around you.  It didn’t matter if you discovered it a few days prior; there was always something new to look for. Magnifying glasses, binoculars, periscopes, rubber balls, bats, gloves, soda caps, jump ropes, etc. enhanced a kid’s imagination.  Sometimes we played right on our block stickball, stoopball, three-flights up, handball, Chinese handball, Skellies (Skullies), two-hand touch, etc. and other times we headed out to explore our surroundings.

For the most part, unfinished games due to dusk lights coming on, were continued next day. Everyone in a group didn’t necessarily see things eye to eye, but we settled things. Mommy wasn’t around to save us. Parents were busy doing home things. Whether we pouted, cried, or accepted the decide-upon terms, we learned to adapt to established protocol. We grew up and learned to deal with matters ourselves. Parents didn’t beat each other up.                                                                                  

     Mind you, most everyone was in the same age group. We sometimes pooled our meager resources to buy a soda drink and a few 5-cent bags of chips.  I remember when Kid Stuff came out! It was a small, plumpy plastic container with a watered-down juice in varying flavors of probably 4 ounces each. They cost $1.00 for 20 bottles!  They became oases in our deserts!

That was a different world then, and we have a different one today. Each world-experience molds us into the people we are or will become. Jesus has promised a New World for the church and for those who’ll enter into His rest. What exactly it’ll be like, we don’t know.  But it’s the ”important” things that matter, like whether there’ll be Original Ring-Dings (large sized), Yodel’s, Yankee-doodle chocolate cakes, Drake’s Devil Dogs (those might have to get renamed!), TREAT potato chips, Cocoa Marsh, Great Shakes, Almond Joys, Mound Bars, Clark bars, Sussie Q’s, or the original rectangular-shaped Crunch bars, we don’t know (let’s petition them NOW!), but I’m sure there’ll be double, triple, even quadruple ice cream scoops (I’ve already petitioned those in chocolate)!                                                                 

I can’t believe that even towards the end of the 70s I used to go to the ACME baking factory near the Rheingold Brewery, by Central and Evergreen Ave. and buy a dozen large, powdered jelly donuts for $2.10!  Someone put in a petition for those!

     The new world will feature wholeness; no sicknesses, no troubles, in short, nothing evil, only clean fun in adoration and fellowship with God, His creation, and with others. I look forward to seeing you there!  You can check out Aaron’s 3-speed burgundy and black Sting-ray bike, or Chicky’s bright green 5-speed with sissy-bar and banana seat.  I’ll show you my baseball card collection, The Green Hornet cards, Dinosaur cards and Superheroes too!

One thing’s for sure: you won’t have to go home when the dusk lights go on; there will be none!  No night there!!  We’ll end each game on the same day. Forget sipping water from the Johnny pump! Fountains of Living Water will flow galore!  When done playing, we’ll head out for super-thick milkshakes or our multi-scooped ice cream cups/cones-and never get sick.  “Tomorrow” we’ll be out again. Got the scoop?

God Bless!
Sam

Still pics courtesy of Maria L.

AI video clip of author and daughter, Sarai

“I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!!!” you might be saying as you jump up and down on your bed, the couch, or on your head. Go on, celebrate!  But it’ll be short-lived!

We all know God’s Omnipotent: All-Powerful. Can’t be defeated by anyone, anything or at any time. He’s Omniscient: All-knowing.  Everything there is to know, He’s known it from eternity.  He’s also Omnipresent: Everywhere at once and at all times in every nook and cranny. He fills the heavens, the vast universe, the oceans and beyond.  In fact, He’s so big, the heavens can’t contain Him (1Kings 8:27).  So, what can’t he do?

1. He’s so faithful, if we deny knowing Him, He remains faithful; He can’t deny Himself.  He can’t change even when we do.

2. Given a situation, we can lie to save our skins, but God can’t lie. God is truth (Hebrews 6:18).

3. We can trick, scam, or mock others, but we can’t trick God. “God cannot be mocked; for whatever we sow, we’ll reap” (Galatians 6:7).  In other words, People will get out of life what they put in.  Thieves will reap their rewards as will liars, cheats, murderers, etc. They might get away with it here, but not when they stand before God.  He’s got a spotlight on us 24/7.  And that’s when it counts.  Here, we can repent or change our minds about our actions, but when we come face to face with Him, it’ll be too late.  The lot is cast.

4. Ray Charles sang I Can’t Stop Loving You (I’ve made up my mind).  And that applies to God as well.  He cannot stop loving you either.  Even if you think, “That’s because He doesn’t know me.”  WRONG! He’s known you before you were born!  Even knowing all your ways, He still loves you.

So, now that you probably have a headache from jumping on your head or banging it against a wall in celebration, cheer up, jump up and down in celebration; but even if you’re hard-headed, use a pillow this time. It’s a good thing that God cannot deny Himself, can’t lie, be mocked, and can’t stop loving you.  Else, where would you be?

God Bless!

Sam

Recommended Song: I’ve Always Loved You byThird Day

When King Harvest sang this song in 1972, it became pretty popular. Contrary to the opinions and interpretations out there concerning its meaning, it has always been a song of clean-dancing, joy and celebration of life.

For those unfamiliar with it, song author Sherman Kelly and his girlfriend spent a night on a beach in 1969 where they were the first to be brutally attacked by a gang, who eventually murdered 8 American tourist, in St. Croix.  He was left for dead and she was raped. Out of the horrors they experienced, he decided to write a song about the complete opposite of what they endured and what life should be like. “Everybody’s dancing in the moonlight/everybody’s feeling warm and bright/it’s such a fine and natural sight/everybody’s dancing in the moonlight.”

It isn’t easy to get over horrific attacks, and even more difficult to see a brighter side to it, yet that’s what he did.

Millions of people the world-over can relate to hardships, tortures, brutality, trafficking, and worse things, and people often spend their lives trying to get over their ordeals.  King Harvest painted that picture for us in the midst of evil.

King Jesus, the Lord of the harvest (Matthew 9:38), painted a similar picture for Israel saying, “Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob! Begin the music, strike the timbrel, play the melodious harp and lyre. Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival;” (Psalm 81:1-3).

They were called to celebrate life and to rejoice before His presence. Likewise, He shows us the horrors of real evil in our lives as well. The “harvest” referred to in scripture is the world which is ready to be reaped/gathered unto God for salvation, though many refuse to be gathered unto Him.

Jesus has written songs for us as well-songs that depict life in the coming New World (Revelation 21:5; Isaiah 65:17).  Through the help of the Holy Spirit, He wants us to experience forgiveness, restoration, therapeutic healing, and New Life in Jesus.  Are you ready to forgive your accusers, your mockers, and those who may have left you for dead?  It’s not easy at all. But will you MAKE the choice to do so?  Jesus knows your tears and fears.  He knows when you’ve wished life was over.  He also knows the end from the start- the end of your life.  He knows that you can triumph over everything by placing your faith in Him. 

It’s time to sing praises anew to God and to dare to dance under the moonlight or sunlight for Him!  He will not leave you for dead; instead, He’ll infuse you with life for a glorious experience!

God Bless!
Sam

Dancing In the Moonlight King Harvest, 1972

Do You Want to Dance? Bobby Freeman, 1958

As a teacher, almost daily we had to walk our classes down the hallways to another classroom or an event.  Usually there was a class leader or line monitor who listened to my instructions. I sometimes told them, “Count three doors, and stop when you pass the third one.”  Or, “Stop just before the water fountain.”

For the most part, my monitors would be on key especially since the kids behind them would be attentive to see if it was done correctly.  But there were times when a monitor would just continue walking on and on.  Sometimes, the group would blindly follow the leader. There were times when the leader walked on alone!  The rest were waiting where they should have stopped.

Just a few weeks ago, as has happened in the past, people were deceived. A prophet said Jesus had appeared in a dream and given him the date of His return.  As often happens, blind followers, gave/sold belongings, and some may have quit jobs (I didn’t read it all).

“Then how are we to know when He really comes?” you might be asking.  It’s simple: You won’t.  We’re not suppose to. Whether you consider/call yourself a prophet or not, you need to know what the Scriptures say.  Jesus said, “But of that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels” (Matthew 24:36).

We do know that God reveals His secrets to His servants the prophets (Amos 3:7), but that refers to common events. For the Rapture, it’ll be as much a surprise to every believer as it will to the rest of the world.  In short, NO ONE knows when He’s coming!  What we do know is the signs are everywhere.  God is NOT going to tell any ONE person the date of His return.

We can’t be blind followers. Let the ones who aren’t listening walk on ahead. But you, listen to the Teacher, stay the course, don’t give up!  Know the facts and where you’re going!  Lines in the song, Stuck on You say: “I’m stuck on you/I’ve got this feeling down deep in my soul that I just can’t lose/Guess, I’m on my way…”                                                                                    Are you stuck on Jesus?  If you’re on your way, that’s good, but not good enough!  You must be there NOW!  Because He knows for a fact He’s coming!  He says, “And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last” (Revelation   22:12,13).

God Bless!                        Sam           *Stuck on You Lionel Richie, 1983

Recommended Song, Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me) Casting Crowns, 2009

                                                                                                                   

Man has always tried to prove he knows more than God. Let’s visit an event happening right in front of Jesus. Crowds are everywhere.  The Master is around. People have both seen and heard of His fame!  Some, hang out just to be entertained, I mean, after all, TV recently broke, no game to watch anyways, so might as well hang out.

Out of commotion, some religious leaders just happened to grab a woman in the act of adultery. They must’ve been spying on her to know what was going on.  They let the man go but dragged her to Jesus. Let’s watch what happens…Will Jesus condemn her like the religious leaders hope?

Weeping, the woman finds herself at Jesus’ feet facing a wall.  She awaits His command to be stoned. Eager men stand waiting to launch their rocks at her. Racing through her mind is every sinful act she’s committed. “I’ve gone too far this time” she probably thinks to herself.  “If this man is a prophet as people say, I’m dead, my life’s over,” she thinks.

Jesus, though, stoops to write on the ground. Silence falls on everyone holding a stone. “Hey, can you see what he’s writing?” I ask you. “I can’t quite make it out” you answer. Suddenly, each man begins dropping his stone and quietly walks away. Whatever Jesus wrote, no one really knows but there’s a good chance we might have a clue.

We know that Jesus could have known everything about everyone there, and since these people loved displaying their “righteousness” and justifying their ways, why not put them on the spot?  It is quite possible, that Jesus made reference to Jeremiah 17:13 where it reads, “LORD. You are the hope of Israel; all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the LORD, the spring of living water.”

Jesus may have been showing them where they stood before God at that moment by writing their names and sins on the dust (ground).  

Wanting judgment can happen to us at any moment. We suddenly want to be on God’s side as far as it’s concerned. We want to call down fire upon others and if Jesus doesn’t do it quickly enough, we’ll gladly do it with the snap of a finger. We want to be His pets.  But we forget God can do the same to us and then, suddenly, we want to suck up. “Jesus, buddy, Son of God, El Shaddai, Jehovah Nissi, let’s hold our horses, ya know…It’s me, your homeboy…” Instead of pets we become pests.

If their names and sins were written on the ground, it’s possible they realized they weren’t as buddy-buddy with God as they thought. Suddenly, they realized only God could know such personal things.  Yet, their hearts were hardened.

As the song goes, “It’s A Shame (The Spinners, 1970) when you mess around with the man…when you hurt me…”

Where do you stand today?  Still messing around with the Man, Jesus-God? Still throwing stones at others?  What we do to others, we do to God; good or bad (Matthew 25:31-46).  Still hurting Him? Are you looking forward to getting “stoned” today? 

Put yourself in that woman’s place, hear the whispers? Feel their rudeness? Fear their ruthlessness?  Jesus, who told the woman, “Neither do I condemn you; go sin no more” tells you the same thing.  He was the only One, the Righteous One who could condemn her but gave her a second chance. Drop your stone, kneel before the ROCK, Jesus. NOW!

God Bless!

Sam

Recommended songs: No Stones to Throw-Sierra

Go and Sin No More-Rebecca St. James

Most everyone at some point in their lives has been involved in a game of tug-of-war. Two groups, equal in number and in strength, standing on opposite sides of a line, pull when instructed. People shout, scream, frown, strain, fall, and do whatever necessary to pull the opposing team across the line.  Sometimes, people think if they fall, it’s easier to pull. Others think that if they face in the opposite direction, they’ll pull better.

I’ve seen members fall on the ground get dragged across the field! The correct way to play is to have one foot forward, one hand behind the other and pull. Try taking a step back. If each member takes a step back, they’ll pull their opponents.

Nevertheless, after the event, people are usually aching and their hands hurt.  Some, may even have rope burns on their hands, scraped knees, and muddied legs from the torturous event.  Winners are elated, even if they were originally dragged!  Losers, aren’t happy.

People have tug-of-wars with God on a daily basis. Some pull like little goats tied to a post trying to break free.  Others turn their backs to Him hoping to win on their terms. Still, some scream, shout, frown, strain, fall, and do whatever they deem necessary to break free from His grip.  Many don’t realize God’s always on the winning side!  In fact, God alone, is the majority!

When people yank to break free from Him, He sometimes allows them to “run free” knowing exactly where they’ll end up at.  See, He knows our every step as well as what’s on the horizon.  He tries to protect us, but oftentimes allows us to get dragged through the mud and rain and scrape our knees before we realize His intentions are to pull us to the winning side to join His team! 

Tired of eating mud, of scraping your knees?  Tired of rope-burnt hands and a bruised ego?  When God pulls at your heart, don’t resist, give in!  He plays fair and has the best players! 

When dealing with Israel, it seems that after some time, they forgot God was behind their trials and victories while also guiding them and healing them as well.  He said, “I led them with cords of kindness, with ropes of love” (Hosea 11:4).  Is He tugging at the ropes of your heart?  Want to trade your heart of stone for one of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26)?  Wait no more! Get up, dust yourself, dry those eyes, allow yourself to cross the line and join His team!  As the song lyrics *go, “Hold me close, let your love surround me. Bring me near, draw me to your side.”

God Bless!
Sam

Recommended Song: The Power of Your Love (By Khool Praize, from Rock the Flock) on YouTube

Picture, courtesy of former high school classmate, Maria Lugo, whose birthday is 1 day and 1 year apart from mine!  Though we communicate via email, we haven’t seen each other in 50 years.