Its rather astonishing that the The Vallejo Times-Herald actually published Father Lou Bordisso’s narcissistic screed guest opinion, but it did. That’s free speech in action. Vallejo is located northeast of San Francisco on the San Pablo Bay.

In case you’re not familiar with our reporting on Burdisso, here’s a brief recap.

By force of complaint, Bordisso is a central figure in the local community. In 2009, he ran for the school board and was defeated. He is a “bishop” in a small denomination called the American Catholic Church and is a contentious man who despises the attempts of local Christian pastors to foster unity and free speech rights. Under the guise of gay equality, Bordisso has been at the forefront of a number of divisive efforts which fomented ill will against the city’s black pentecostal Mayor Osby Davis falsely accusing the mayor of running a “nascent theocracy government.”

When local community leader and Pastor Danny Jefferson spoke briefly before a city council meeting on why Vallejo shouldnt endorse “gay pride month” organized by Bordisso immaturely complained Pastor Jefferson was “raining on our parade”.

Before the council, Jefferson simply stated the obvious:

“Until now, each side has been free to exercise their Constitutional rights to hold and even express their belief. This is not to say that there has not been controversy.  Tolerance for the belief of others has been a goal, not always an achievement.

…it is troubling that so many now want the government to take sides in this issue by endorsing a gay pride month.  To be clear, this is not a request to allow individuals to express their beliefs, it is a demand that the government use its power to applaud those beliefs.

Certainly anybody who asked for a gay disapproval month would be criticized. Tolerance should not be a one way street.  If the rule is that the government should not take sides, then let’s be consistent.  The City of Vallejo should allow individuals to express their views on this controversial subject.  But it should not step in to advocate, even subtly, for one side or the other.”

Bordisso has even been helped along by a stealth New York Times reporter Scott James, who claimed he was “vilified” by GCM Watch for reporting on the issues in Vallejo. Hardly.

So it stands to reason that Bordisso would apparently out of some unrequited ambitions, come up with his newest weapon of misinformation. A gay christian/queer theology manifesto. Among the more salient cliff notes:

1. Refuse to talk to people who believe homosexuality is a sin while you loudly complain about tolerance and understanding. Mel White redux?

“Lesbian and gay Christians too often waste time trying to have a reasonable dialogue with oppressive churches and clergy. The time has come to reject theologies, spiritualities and church teachings grounded in homophobic biblical interpretations, heterosexism, and outdated ancient philosophies.”

2. Embrace a false construct which will ensure you will never know the truth, thus setting you on path to hell. More on homosexual hermeneutics and its deadly consequences.

“Lesbian and gay Christians need to pursue a Queer Theology and embrace a hermeneutics of suspicion. Lesbian and gay Christians must interpret scripture and live within church structures in light being a part of the underside of society.”

3. Ignore real demons and create new ones  that you can cast out with your newly created queer spiritual authority.

“Queer Spirituality can only be authentic when seeking to cast out the demons of poverty, injustice, racism, violence, prejudice, exploitation, or homophobia in any form whether it is within us, our government, or our churches!”

The citizens of Vallejo would do well to exile Father Lou Burdisso to San Francisco so the city can get back to the business of building a good stable environment for all its residents. As for his queer theology, the bible has already warned us about the doctrines of devils that would surface in the last days. Here’s one in real time.

The National Quarter Convention, billed as Gospel Music’s  largest annual event is featuring Dony McGuire and Reba Rambo McGuire, the Nashville pastors who support the specious inclusion doctrine and homosexuality. In May 2008, following the tragic death of southern gospel music luminary Dottie Rambo, GCM Watch broke the story when a gay christian wrote the following on a progay message board:

The most moving and beautiful things at this conference was Saturday night, when Dony McGuire and Reba Rambo invited all the pastors of gay churches that were there, to come up on the stage, remove their shoes and he and his wife, personally washed their feet apologizing for the years he and his wife, and the Christian church at large had thrown stones , maligned God’s work in Gay churches, and had excluded and thrown out these pastors and their congregations. He and Reba wept as they washed and kissed the feet of these pastors. He said that over the past year, his church has gone through some tough times because he has invited gay people to come in and welcomed them. Several members have left and he has caught a bunch of flack (sp?) because of his inclusion of GLBT [gay,lesbian, bisexual, transgender] people into his church.”

Sponsors of the event include Daywind Music Group, Daystar Television Network and Compassion Children’s Ministry.

Daywind’s President, Ed Leonard, issued a statement to GCM Watch saying:

“I am unaware of their stance on this issue. As individuals, I understand they have been invited along with many others to participate at an event during NQC which celebrates 100 years of Southern Gospel music, Dony with the Downings, and Reba with the Rambos.”

Other sponsors had not responded at publication.

Insiders tell GCM Watch NQC attendees are made up of a majority of Christian conservatives and fundamentalists who are staunch opponents of homosexuality. Past speakers include Pastor John Hagee and this year Sarah Palin is showcase speaker.

The NQC press release listed the following participants:

Does the Bible tell us to question or examine other self  proclaimed Christians? Of course it does.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 Jn 4:1 (my bold)

What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. 1 Cor 5:12-13

The reason why so many self identified contemporary Christians believe we should accept Obama’s “I am a Christian” declaration without due examination is because they have been infected with tolerance teaching.  Tolerance effectively renders biblical truth subjective, thus erasing  absolute truth. They interpret this to mean that no one has to right to tell another self declared Christian they are wrong, because one person’s opinion is just as good as someone else’s.

But that’s not what the bible tells us. Its not subjective opinions, but God’s absolute truth that matters. Satan has the ability to transform himself into an angel of light and his servants into ministers of righteousness (2 Cor 11:13-15). Knowing this, why would we want to accept face value what any Christian says —especially when their behavior is conflicting—without testing it against God’s word? Its a foolproof recipe for deception. Widespread deception is evident throughout the Christian community.

Consequently, Chuck Currie doesn’t value absolute truth, only tolerance and as he puts it “reconciliation”. As they stated in the letter, they dont even want us to have this conversation! Since when it is wrong to question something that is not what it seems? If Currie got his bank statement and it reflected less money than he believed he had, wouldn’t he question the bank? So the letter itself is illogical.

Currie is convinced that any dissent of Obama’s words must be racism. It matters not if youre black, white, yellow or brown, if you do anything other than devoutly bow to the image of the unclothed savior of the United States, its RACISM!

Liberal white clerics like Currie get quite upset at alleged racism. It helps to assuage their guilty consciences about American slavery their foreparents engaged in. To them,  racism is the world’s greatest sin next to “homophobia”.  So when the Rev. Currie got “informed” about me, he wrote:

It has been pointed out to me in an e-mail tonight that the author of the Gay Christian Movement is a man named DL Foster, an African-American who says that he experienced “deliverance from homosexual sin almost 20 years ago.” It is particularity tragic that a black man would seek to reinforce a caricature of African-Americans.  Furthermore, The American Psychological Association has noted you cannot turn gays into straights.  As Rev. Foster attacks gays and African-Americans, one can’t help but be reminded of the recent news that Ken Mehlman, the chairman of George W. Bush’s 2004 re-election campaign that played on anti-bigotry, came out this week as gay.  There were, of course, some African-Americans who opposed the civil rights movement.  We can only speculate on the motives of such people but I see no reason to do that here.  That fact remains that Rev. Foster pedals hateful rhetoric whatever his personal motivation might be.

And this is coming from a so called Christian minister? Since when did an APA statement trump what the bible says? Whose report will you believe? The APA which is populated by people whose science is at best self serving, or the eternal God whose record reflects an undeniable history of doing exactly what men say is impossible?

We report, you examine and decide.

What’s even more outrageous is the demand to prohibit the free speech rights of any American who may question Obama’s religious teleprompter faith.

“…we urge public officials, faith leaders, and the media to offer no further support or airtime to those who misrepresent and call into question the President’s Christian faith.”

Among the signatories: Bishop TD Jakes, Brian McLauren, Kirbyjon Caldwell and Rev. Chuck Currie,

As Christian leaders— whose primary responsibility is sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with our congregations, our communities, and our world— we are deeply troubled by the recent questioning of President Obama’s faith. We understand that these are contentious times, but the personal faith of our leaders should not be up for public debate.

President Obama has been unwavering in confessing Christ as Lord and has spoken often about the importance of his Christian faith.  Many of the signees on this letter have prayed and worshipped with this President.  We believe that questioning, and especially misrepresenting, the faith of a confessing believer goes too far.

This is not a political issue. The signers of this letter come from different political and ideological backgrounds, but we are unified in our belief in Jesus Christ.  As Christian pastors and leaders, we believe that fellow Christians need to be an encouragement to those who call Christ their savior, not question the veracity of their faith.

Therefore, we urge public officials, faith leaders, and the media to offer no further support or airtime to those who misrepresent and call into question the President’s Christian faith.  And we join with the President in praying that God will continue to bless the United States of America.

Let’s talk about misrepresentation

When Obama misrepresented the Arizona immigration law by saying if he and his daughter went out for ice cream he could be arrested, these pansy yes men released no statement.

When Obama misrepresented the Bible by saying that Romans 1 was an obscure passage, these hypocrites released no letter correcting him.

When Obama misrepresented God’s intent for marriage by promoting homosexual marriage as “just as real and admirable as relationships between a man and a woman”, none of these whitewashed leaders released any letters condemning SOTUS gross statement.

When Obama said he had written off the Bible’s condemnation of homosexuality as “worn arguments and old attitudes”, we heard not one single objection from the religious leaders.

When Obama misrepresented the facts about the excessively high number of death by abortion in the black community, these false prophets released no letter.

When Obama misrepresented fatherhood by saying two homosexual men are legitimate fathers, not a peep out of the so called religious leaders.

Obama has even misrepresented himself (aka lying)!

But as soon as someone says something about the fake saviors’ fake faith, the false prophets rush to his defense. So let’s sum this up. Obama can wantonly misrepresent whatever he wants (including God and the Bible), but these false prophets say no one can misrepresent him because his faith is “off limits”? We all know what this is. Its another practice drill for the arrival of the antichrist.

The Eleison Group, a media propaganda agency used by the religious leaders, claims it mission is to “create dialogue, relationships, and common ground in an effort to make our nation and world a better place.” One look at their clients and projects and its clear that their mission is to push political religion which the bible calls a form of godliness that denies the power thereof.

People have a legitimate right to question any president’s public declarations of  the religious nature. Why is Obama exempt? Over and over he’s preached to the nation, lectured us on what the bible says ( from his progay-black liberation theology point of view), and couched his unpopular policies behind cherry picked scriptures.  He has, without question, done much more for the religion of death and violence (Islam) while sabotaging and deriding his own so called faith. And so, we are not supposed to question whether its right or wrong? We’re just supposed to shuffle our feet, give a big watermelon grin and pray for his continued success?

Of note, he emphasizes God’s solution [part 6].

“But there’s always a solution. Never preach this and dont give a solution. If youre writing down scriptures, please don’t forget to write this one down, 1st Corinthians 6:9-11. God calls homosexuality unjust along with other sins, he also points out that the homosexual will not inherit the kingdom of God but note the last verse says that God can transform people.

I don’t care how long you have been dealing with this spirit, there’s still power in the blood of the Lamb.”

That being said, there’s a few problems I won’t hesitate to correct. Dr. McNair needs to make one change. Stop using the words faggot and sissy. Its not necessary, its not Godly and you can preach a powerful message without using those words. Dr. McNair, please listen and come on up to the next level sir and clean up your language. By using this type of language you send others a message that its okay to do so. Its not.

Other than that, the messages are commendable.

McNair covers a wide range of issues related to homosexuality and the church, many we have covered at GCM Watch before. Perhaps he’s been reading?

There are about 7 videos in the message which in total add up to about 50 minutes. But they are well worth the listening and viewing.

Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7

‘How can we stop the oil gusher?” may have been the question of the summer for most Americans. Yet for many evangelical pastors and leaders, the leaking well is nothing compared to the threat posed by an ongoing gusher of a different sort: Young people pouring out of their churches, never to return.

As a 27-year-old evangelical myself, I understand the concern. My peers, many of whom grew up in the church, are losing interest in the Christian establishment.

Recent statistics have shown an increasing exodus of young people from churches, especially after they leave home and live on their own. In a 2007 study, Lifeway Research determined that 70% of young Protestant adults between 18-22 stop attending church regularly.

Statistics like these have created something of a mania in recent years, as baby-boomer evangelical leaders frantically assess what they have done wrong (why didn’t megachurches work to attract youth in the long term?) and scramble to figure out a plan to keep young members engaged in the life of the church.

Increasingly, the “plan” has taken the form of a total image overhaul, where efforts are made to rebrand Christianity as hip, countercultural, relevant. As a result, in the early 2000s, we got something called “the emerging church”—a sort of postmodern stab at an evangelical reform movement. Perhaps because it was too “let’s rethink everything” radical, it fizzled quickly. But the impulse behind it—to rehabilitate Christianity’s image and make it “cool”—remains.

Can you imagine Jesus saying to the 12 apostles, “hey after I leave I want you guys to give this thing an image overhaul. Make sure you delete any references to suffering, obedience, discipline, responsibility, accountability, and righteousness. And for Pete’s sake dont mention anything about faithfulness to my word! People will think we’re some sort of legalism obsessed cult!”

Well its almost as if that sentiment leads off the New Testament. McCracken blasts pastors and leaders for using every gimmick, trick, fad, techno-wizbang and buzzwords they possibly can in order to be seen as “attractive”. Oh and they add a generous helping of sex talk to be seen as real edgy. It reminds me of that emergent church foolishness that keeps trying to gain a foothold.

Why not just do what Jesus (the founder and head of the church) said do? Here’s a refresher course in case its been forgotten.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt 28:16-20

But observers say the shindiggin aint workin. People with problems want real Godly solutions, not toys, games and funsy words. People are not  pre-k children to be entertained into oblivion.

In his book, “The Courage to Be Protestant,” David Wells writes:”The born-again, marketing church has calculated that unless it makes deep, serious cultural adaptations, it will go out of business, especially with the younger generations. What it has not considered carefully enough is that it may well be putting itself out of business with God.

“And the further irony,” he adds, “is that the younger generations who are less impressed by whiz-bang technology, who often see through what is slick and glitzy, and who have been on the receiving end of enough marketing to nauseate them, are as likely to walk away from these oh-so-relevant churches as to walk into them.”

If the evangelical Christian leadership thinks that “cool Christianity” is a sustainable path forward, they are severely mistaken. As a twentysomething, I can say with confidence that when it comes to church, we don’t want cool as much as we want real.

This kind of stuff is only going to produce more false converts and fuel hostility at the church when they realize they’ve been sold a bag of tricks.

Read the whole story.

H/p:Paul

Even if homosexuals get every “right” they have ever lusted for, there will always be those who will find out that rights do not satisfy the brokenness of the human heart.

Where do you go when you have gotten all that you wanted only to discover it does not alleviate the pain, the hurt or restore your self worth?

There’s only one place to go. Or better stated only one person to go to.  That’s why I wanted to share this testimony a young African American man in California sent to me a few days ago. Its a horrible story of confusion and spiraling out of control because of the lust for sin, and yet it is a breath taking story of the glory of God.

Read Marcos Antonio’s story in his own words and know that sin can only produce death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ.

A life Redeemed

I was 14 years old the first time I hadnt really told anyone about the attraction I was feeling toward other guys. I told my friend that I was “bisexual”, revealed it to her through this anonymous gay affiliated website. She accepted me, and I had begun to accept it as well, though not fully. My family then, one would say was quite ”religous”- but then not so religous. I grew up with a form of Christianity; I learned to pray, believe in God and liked to seldomly attend church. When i had began to accept the fact that I had these desires for men in me, I instinctively knew they were wrong. There was no one person in my life who really beat me in the head with a Bible, it was a truth I personally felt and knew it went against God. Because I was afraid, I chose not to speak about it. Which really hurt a lot more then the thought I had of protecting myself by not speaking, later on in life. So I confided in a few friends about it, but obvisouly with my outrageous actions, it was quite obvious what others identified me as. Whether it was in school or a stranger on the street, and also from home. From 14 to my late 16’s, I pushed myself in and out of the Christian faith to dabble into the typical high school party scene. I knew it was wrong for myself, but I didn’t really care. I didn’t care about God, Jesus Christ, or anyone, just me.

When I turned 17, my senior year, I decided to make a decision to fully live out a true Christian life, so I stopped doing all that I used to do. I began to read the Bible on fair occasions, go to a local church, youth Bible studies, and even hang with other professed Christians at the youth pastors house for another small Bible study. I thought I was a really good kid, but inwardly and secretly, I was a complete hypocrite. I gossiped about friends, tore them down inwardly and outwardly with my words, I didn’t have a real heart for anyone but for myself, I was a really jacked up friend. I struggled sexual thoughts of other men in my head, and I gave into them through masturbation and pornography. There were things in my life that I knew God was calling me to let go of, the music I listened to specifically, tv shows I watched, but I ignored Him. I wanted to just do what I wanted. Through the struggle with an attraction towards other guys, i would pray for God to take them away, so i could fully live a heterosexual life, which actually was not the lifestyle He was calling me, unbeknownst to me, because when He would stretch out His hands through someone to help me, I rejected it, out of fear.

This went on until I graduated high school in 2008. That summer, the battle within myself just got too much. Thoughts, dreams, felt like they would never end. So I was like “God, im not doing this anymore, maybe when i’m 25, then I’ll get married have kids, and do the whole ‘Christian’ thing.” So I did what was so eager in me to do, let go and live how i wanted to live. I also came out to my mom and step dad, which was really hard. But they never treated me any differently, they still loved me. For 8 months, I trashed myself. Before I turned 18 i was already out on the Hollywood streets looking for guys to be with. Young, old, it didnt really matter, I craved attention from any guy. When I turned 18, I began to hit the gay club scene. For the first few times, I was so desperate for my lust that I would take the public transit out to Hollywood, and indugle every bit of the night away, with no real way home. I immediately became promiscuous, and I didn’t care. I forgot about Jesus Christ, I forgot that at any moment I could die and end up in a place eternally separated from Him. A few weeks after, I met a few guys who introduced me to gay bath houses. I was a regular ever since. He later introduced me to extacy, as clubs got more boring, I used that to fuel me. Because out of everything I was trying to fill myself up with, in the end, it didn’t matter. It was like drinking fresh water only to have a huge whole in your stomach and it pour right out. I was never filled, never satisfied, never obtaining what I wanted. I remember one night at this hugely popular gay club, standing on the second floor and looking down at everyone, and feeling so empty. Thinking “this is my life”, I was very depressed. Clubs were no longer filling me like they once had been.

I knew what I wanted, but I forgot what I needed, the love and mercy of a Father. There was on one occasion that I became broke, and so to fulfill my vain desire of a dream I had then, I decided to prostitute myself off to some random guy. I had hit a even sickening low. I was following my hearts desires and all it was returning me with were regrets, and more heartache then before. I didn’t really know where else to turn, so I kept drinking, kept clubbing, kept giving my body to strangers I didn’t even know. I was looking at times for a man to love me, but daily rejecting the only man who could ever love me the way I needed to be loved. I became ruthless to my parents, not caring about their authority, and just using them for money. I remember a time when after a late night fling I ended up walking down the street in Hollywood in the morning, drunk and vomiting; no money, no nothing to get me home, just messed up, regretting the night before. Though I said I would stop, I didn’t. Nothing could stop my lusts from just continuously taking over, even though i knew it would still leave me sad and insecure, and empty.

It was April 24, 2009 a Thursday, when I hit an all new low, and for once, a true high., As usual, I was going to go to L.A. to do what I usually do. I had met a guy I was interested in online and we decided to meet, I did this regularly. I went off to L.A., visited the usual bath house, and met up later on with that guy. We drove to his house and we were immediately all over each other. He then introduced me to what I thought was some sort of medicine he said was for his A.D.D., I found out later it was crystal meth. I started doing what I never normally did, I cursed and cursed, letting of all morality I still somewhat held onto. There were other men in the house who I was also throwing myself all over. I also began to vaguely mention that i had been a Christian, but wasn’t anymore because I liked guys. The guy I was with needed to leave, so i stayed until he was going to come back. It was now around 11:30 p.m. at night. When he came back, his composure was completely different. Different then when I had first met him earlier. He was in rush to get us to leave, with his persuasiveness, I left with him. The moment we walked outside of the door, he started to infer about my previous Christianity, I was shocked to the fact of why he would even bring it up, then he casually told me that I needed to “repent”– I was in some mad awe shock. Seriously. I couldn’t believe what had just come out of his mouth.

As we got into the car, he began to tell me how, when he left, for some reason there was a Bible in his car, and he began to read it, pray, and something told him to get me out of the house. I was real scared. For the next two hours, was constant yelling and screaming, him trying to explain to me, and tell me to give my life to Christ, and me fighting, confused and scared. While we we’re driving on the freeway towards Long Beach ( my stepdad was a minister and I wanted to talk with him )- God really began to soften and call my heart, and I really began to think. The reality of the situation I was in, that I was living a life in direct disobedience to God, everything I was doing. And a fear of Him began to creep in. But I kept fighting against giving up my life to Him, I was scared and didn’t really know what was happening. The fact that I was on drugs was something that was also clinging in my head, and that the guy was too. But somehow I knew it didnt matter, Christ started speaking to my heart and mind, either i was going to stop fighting, or I would never give my life to Him, my heart would be so hard that at 25, if i were still alive, I would be totally and completely depraved. With just a hope for hell. So I made the decision to finally let go, and believe in the call that was happening now, and the life He was offering. I cried out to God, the guy and I both, for forgiveness. And after, I experienced this incredible amount of peace within me heart, like a huge weight that had burdened me for so long was finally lifted, i felt truly alive. And I knew i was forgiven, I knew what God had just done in me, and I left the streets full of tears knowing that God was going to carry me through it all. Drugs were not going to be a factor.

A year and about 3 1/2 months later, by the grace of a great Father, I am here living my life for Him now. He began to show me what true love really is, and how deeply and preciously that was displayed for me on the cross. For all that I did, it didn’t matter how grotesque, there was forgiveness and redemption because of what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross. He died for all the sins I committed against Him, and rose from the dead to give me strength to overcome them all. The power of a Mighty God is amazing. Through Him I am conquering over every thing that will separate me from Him and life He was called me to live. Its not some repetitive therapy or counseling I went to, just a the reality of a loving and faithful God in my life. He began to work in me and is continuing to work in me. I live my life firmly believing in Him, never letting go or looking to turn back to a messed up life. I began to realize that not only with the life I was living was I hurting myself, but ultimately Christ, who bore all my sin. I was hurting the and rebelling against the very God who gave me life and breath, who even though I am sinful, continues to feed me and care for me. I know this real love and I don’t need to seek out emptiness in another man, there is only one who could ever comfort and complete me, and thats Christ. I can’t begin to tell you how much freedom I am experiencing, and true healing. My life belongs to Christ. I wanna dance for Him and praise Him all day long, and occasionally sing (LOL). With every gift He has given me.

This is a testimony to a true and living God who delivered me out of a lie, out of bondage, fear, and death. If He had not came for me that night…I know exactly where i would, either dead, or trying to drink water with a huge whole in my stomach at some gay club. Im glad He came to my rescue, and the reailty that He is rescuing so many other people from this life as well. Its amazing. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2C1:3)

It’s not a hetero life, but a holy one. “And you can take that to the bank”- lol. : )

I pray that this blesses, encourages, shed light to any and everyone. Also that if you have a testimony, you would share with the world and be unashamed of what Christ has done and is doing in your life, and stand for truth in this world. Feel free to share this with the world.

Larry Ferguson and his family, traveling with Rambo at the time, were all injured in the fatal bus crash. He was managing the singer at the time of her tragic death and  requested GCM Watch publish his exclusive comments in response to a story which appeared on our site in May 2008.

“I would like to publicly state that Dottie Rambo didn’t subscribe to the “Doctrine of Inclusion”. Dottie believed the only way to Heaven was through the acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Personal Savior. She lived every word she sang and walked in the truth. Dottie showed unwavering love to anyone she came in contact with no matter their faith, belief, life styles, or celebrity. Nearly everyone that made her acquaintance usually left hearing the Gospel message and knowing she was a compassionate loving Christian. Dottie Rambo was no respecter of persons . Dottie believed there was a Heaven and there was a Hell and would not employ or entertain conversation to the contrary.

This being said she and her daughter Reba and son in law Dony McGuire DID NOT share beliefs concerning Christian teachings. I’m not speaking of one particular issue but nearly an entire life body of work and ministry. Though Dottie lived in Nashville, TN where her daughter’s church is located she refused to go to the church due to their doctrinal teachings as she believed they were contrary to God’s word. She never attended one service at the church her daughter pastors and was adamant that she never would. This was a very public choice that Dottie shared with fans, friends, colleagues, audiences, pastors, and congregations. Dottie loved her daughter very much though their ministries and personal lives were separate.

If you will go back over the last few decades and view Dottie’s appearances you will find that her daughter is sparsely seen with her. As her manager Dottie directed me to never book her on an appearance with her daughter or son in law. On a few tribute television specials honoring Dottie, her daughter appeared on the programming as I didn’t want to explain their strained relationship personally and doctrinally with producers of programing.

Dottie Rambo’s fans were an eclectic group of individuals that include traditional church goers and those outside the church. She showed immense love and appreciation to every person she came into contact with. I can’t stress this enough. Her ministry was to share with broken people that they too could overcome great physical illness, divorce, loss of family, sin, and hurt through the power of Jesus. Dottie never consider herself a preacher, but her songs were sermons in themselves. “He Looked Beyond My Fault and Saw My Needs” sums up her message.”

The comments stating that Dottie Rambo had embraced the gospel of inclusion were posted by Pastor Kevin Gallagher.

“Dottie Rambo didn’t always support the gay movement, but with her continued slide to a more secular and worldly lifestyle over the later years….probably due to some input and influence from her hyper liberal daughter and son in law, Dony and Reba McGuire.

With her open embracing of the gospel of inclusion came her open acceptance of the gay and lesbian lifestyles.”

Gallagher made those comments on June 24, 2008 and sadly passed away June 25, 2010.

About Larry Ferguson
Larry Ferguson, a Louisville, KY native dreamed as a child of working in the music business. His family and friends were often forced to listen as he attempted to entertain or give them the latest scoop in entertainment news.
Ferguson was represented by Alix Adams Modeling Agency throughout high school during which time he won a contest which landed the teenager his television debut as the guest co-anchor opposite Kirby Adams on WHAS-11 TV, the Louisville CBS affiliate, on it’s local based magazine show “Louisville Tonight Live”.
By mid teens Ferguson became involved in Southern Gospel and Country music promotion. Before adulthood Larry had already started his own highly successful concert promotions company “Larry Ferguson Promotions”. It was at this time Ferguson began bringing in America’s favorite Country and Gospel groups to the Louisville, KY area. In later years Larry would bring Legendary Gospel figures such as Jake Hess to packed venues and eventually work with his favorite Gospel artist Dottie Rambo.

Therefore, seeing we also are compassed about by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider Him that endured such contradiction from sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Hebrews 12:1-3 (my bold)

The believer’s  joy, to which the word rejoiceis related, is twofold. First, it offers you a picture of life as it is while simultaneously comforting you in this certain knowledge:  no matter what you endure or where you are, even in the midst of all of the “trials and tribulations”, you will be all right. Take a look in the mirror and tell yourself that real quick!   Secondly, it reinforces truth. Knowing that God’s law is the natural foundation for peace, prosperity and contentment  settles you as you go through. Fundamentally, the joy that Im talking about  is a peace of mind in absolutely certain knowledge that, at the end of it all, eternal life with Christ awaits those who are obedient to the will of God

Joy isnt synonymous with happiness. Too many (saints?) are lusting after happiness, but have no joy. Happiness is based on circumstances. If my circumstances turn out good, then I’m happy. If my circumstances turn out bad, then I’m not happy. The etemology of happiness has its roots in a 1520’s phrase which meant “good fortune”.

But how does that square with 1 Thessalonians 5:18 which says in everything (literally every circumstance) give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you?

Well, it can’t because it has a source malfunction. While the pursuit of happiness is based on the  vicissitudes of life,  joy is based on an unchanging and eternal God. Thus, circumstances do not affect my joy.

Purpose driven joy immediately takes control when life threatens to overwhelm you. When the enemy comes in like a flood. When you have lost something you feel is valuable to you. When things don’t happen like you want them to happen when you want them to happen.

My goal isnt simply to define joy for you, but to remind you of the purpose —and power— of  joy.

David wrote: “Thou dost show me the path of life; in Thy presence there is fullness of joy, in Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11 RSV)

You can run a check to see if your joy is righteous. Check to see if when troubles show up, you seek circumstantial relief or do you hunker down and cling to the promises of God. If you are able to know and confess to yourself that what God has done before, he can do again, your joy is right. If you can take it a step further and confess that even if he doesn’t change the situation, he is still able (reference Daniel 3:16-18), your joy is show nuff right!

David does really set forth a picture of the inner workings of joy. He was a man much acquainted with trouble and pains. Yet his confession always extolled the law of the Lord as his hope for resolution.

The law of The Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of The Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of The Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of The Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of The Lord is clean, enduring for ever; the ordinances of The Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” Psalm 19

Joy is not ours, it is God’s gift to us. In other words, we have no ability to produce this joy on our own.  God gives us his supernatural joy to help us navigate through the pitfalls of our sojourn. Joy then isnt the product of the natural mind but the product of the Holy Ghost. If it is not a product of the natural mind, then pursuing any solution apart from the guidance of the Holy Ghost will produce very limited and pale imitations of what God intended for you to experience.

The concept of joy as expressed in the Bible contains a wealth of synonymous terms but they cannot easily be differentiated. The commonest is simchah translated as “joy,” “gladness,” “mirth”. Then there’s sameah, which means “to be bright,” “to shine”, but generally used figuratively “to rejoice,” “be glad”.  These definitions only define the expression of joy, but its purpose. In this regard, the Word of God presents a much more complex virtue than any definition can adequately express.

JESUS JOY

Purpose driven joy then is a result of our seeking first the kingdom of God. Too many of us seek after things that do not satisfy. But when we seek God and our place with him, we discover that life really is beautiful (smile right there). We become focused on God and the things of God. We become what I would call seeking saints. We seek to please God and consequently find a reciprocity of joy in our own lives.

Biblical joy is inseparable from right relationship with God. If God is actually present and active in our lives, the joy He experiences  is fulfilled in us PS 16:11. Joy is the sign that your life has truly found its purpose! This, too, is a revelation of God, for no one can come to Him and find the purpose of life unless He, by His Spirit, calls and reveals it.

Purposeful joy motivates us to serve God and accomplish his purpose in our lives.

How could Jesus have joy in the situation he was in? It was excruciating  becoming King of kings, Lord of lords and our High Priest—the Savior of all mankind.  There was a preordained joy in him that confirmed the cross ordeal would come to pass, thus fulfilling the will of God. There was joy in heaven that the plan of God was moving forward, and God would then have more sons and daughters. His suffering on his cross produced joy unspeakable in us as we carry ours.

Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.

Prayer isnt just talking selfishly about our wants as God cannot be manipulated by our prayers. While we tend to talk to God in abundance, it appears that he doesn’t speak in great volumes to us in return.  But when he does, its undeniable.

Prayer is the primary form of communication with God. It is, in essence, a conversation between divinity and humanity.

The great Christian writer Oswald Chambers said “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.” Indeed, we cannot see our prayers as a means to an end but rather as both the means and the end.

There are many types of prayers:

Agreement – Our will submits to the Father’s will. The other aspect of agreement is when we pray with another person with one heart towards what is desired as in Matthew 18:19

Meditation – Quietly thinking on the Word of God and recalling it either in silence or whisper. Psalms 1 says  a man is blessed when his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Confession – Acknowledgement to God personal wrongdoing.  John 1:9 tells us If (in prayer) we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Forgiveness – Acknowledgment before God releasing someone who has done you personal wrong. Jesus himself prayed the prayer of forgiveness on the cross. Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34

Thanksgiving – A proclamation of praise for what  God has done.

Praise – Expression of adoration for what God has done. No one biblical writer could put it down like the prolific warrior/praiser King David. His psalms (songs) are the basis of countless songs and prayers. My favorite: the 103rd Psalms.

Petition – A personal request for things that we need. There is nothing wrong with asking God for personal needs. We are encouraged to do just that in Philippians 4:6. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Intercession – Bringing another’s petition to God on their behalf. The church prayed for the release of the Apostle Peter when he was imprisoned in Acts 12:5.

Listening – Active quietness in the presence of God in order to hear Him speak. The child Samuel was instructed to say “speak Lord, for your servant listens” in 1 Samuel 3:9-10.

There are some misconceptions about prayer. Some believe that prayers should not be public, only private. Not true. This misconception comes from Jesus warning to his followers in Matt 6:5 about emulating the Pharisees.

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

His warning was not against public prayer, but public prayer used as a cloak for hypocrisy. Please understand that public prayer does not bring the same personal results as secret, closet prayer. Reference Matthew 6:6.

I believe the greatest prayer we can pray is “Lord, let your will be done”. When you don’t know what to say, its best to pray that his will be done. Knowing God like I do, that prayer will certainly always be right and true.

Question: Has God ever specifically answered your prayers?