Mon, Feb 19th - 6:34AM

TO SPEAK OR NOT TO SPEAK

Many times in my short life on this site, the same issue has been brought to light. Many times I am alright with people until they find that I am a preacher. Yes, I said preacher. As of April, I will have been licensed for 3 years.

Before, I was all the wickedness of sin. I had a fantastic resume for doing the devil's work. I was into drugs, alcohol, and other things which I dare not even speak on as this would only open another whole can of worms. I was condemned for what I was as a sinner and now people still condemn for what I am as a Christian.

On which side of the proverbial fence should I find myself? Shall I try to argue my place in God? Shall I defend Him for calling a woman to this ministry. Shall I apologize for doing what He has called me to do? Who shall guide me into righteousness and make plain to me what God's thoughts are concerning me? Who will confess that they know better than God what a woman's place is? Perhaps this all sounds a bit "strong". Perhaps I need to be more passive in all of this, keep silent.

This I say with complete assurance, I am REDEEMED and as such, I cannot keep silent. I have been bought with a price, I have been given a new life that I need not be ashamed of. It is my reasonable service to give myself as much as is possible to the one who has saved me from all that pertains to death and hell.

I wonder how many of the ones who think me to be wrong in my place, are willing to shout in the streets and compel people to come to God. How many are willing to take their place in the body of Christ instead of taking a place in the Sunday morning pew. How many are willing to go all the way with God? How many will say " in spite of myself, my thoughts, my feelings, my emotions, my appearance, my gender, my hair color, my weight, my clothes, my social status, etc., " I will go where you want me to go, Lord."?

I do not write in anger nor anguish, I only write so as to maybe cause one to understand the damage that can be done by placing themselves in the stead of God. Will one who has been called reconsider what God is telling them? Let us be ever so careful about what we say and who we may offend lest we find ourselves having to answer to a terrible God.

In His Service and In His Love,

Reverend T.