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    Are there benefits in serving God

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    trell-in-the-cityTrell in the City

    Are there benefits in serving God

          Speaking about religion is a touchy subject, especially when souls are at stake. For me, the experience of serving God is joyful and is certainly my healing tool. Some have questioned the ramifications of the different religions, probably confused on which one is suitable and truthful. I can say that God has done some miraculous things in my life…no doubt here.

    Just read two questions on social media; “Has Religion become more about business than Spirituality” and “If Christ was the ultimate sacrifice, why are you still paying tithes”?  This question depends on past experiences encountered, also on the act of the individual leaders. We can’t put everyone in the same box, but selling spiritual water on television makes me say hummmm. This is a “No Judgment Zone”, just my opinion and experience with God.

    If I have learned one thing about human nature, it is that our internal sense of goodness does not always match our behavior.  Being religious and/or spiritual is a personal deliverance; you do not have to agree with all the positions but the practices of your organization should be solid. Servicing God is not something to be squeezed into our calendar if we can spare the time. You see, impression without expression can cause depression.  Without study and a true understanding of God will lead you to spiritual stagnation; personal experience is the best teacher. You can’t judge God if you’ve never tried Him for yourself.

    The questions asked are valid because there is the “business of saving souls” and “business of selling to souls”.  I can’t say what is going on in America; but in my house, we serve the Lord….it is a must.  I know that the churches I’ve attended never charged me for advice. If you want more in depth counseling you might have to pay. Hey, we pay therapist.  I expect that majority of the ministers would be happy to meet up with individuals and listen to them; their souls are in despair.

    As for the charging of money, it would be considered “Business” if you couldn’t receive the Sunday Morning message without paying. We have to support the work which is going on in and outside of the church. Repairs, mortgage, utilities and needed essentials must be paid……whose going to do it?

    If paying tithes distresses you, take heart. In the Bible, it says that after death comes judgment. If a church is not spending the money given in the right areas, they will have to explain this to God; do your part. II Corinthians 9:7 says – Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

    My ending thoughts: If my soul is being fed and my pastor is a great teacher and leader, I’m cool. Let the church say AMEN!

    My blog: Trellinthecity.wixsite.com/trell

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    Carma Lynn Henry Westside Gazette Newspaper 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Office: (954) 525-1489 Fax: (954) 525-1861

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    This College Chaplain Fills The Pews By Teaching, Not Preaching Lawrence Lockett Jr., Morgan State University chaplain. Credit: Lawrence Lockett Jr. via LinkedIn By REV. DOROTHY S. BOULWARE (Source: Amsterdam News) It’s understandable for parents of strong faith to worry about the spiritual lives of their children who’ve gone away to college. After all, it’s easy for a young person, perhaps on their own for the first time, to suc-cumb to the temptations of partying late on Saturday night and sleeping in on Sunday morning. But Minister Lawrence Lockett Jr., chaplain at Morgan State University in Baltimore, is packing them into the pews most Sundays. He is engaging them in lively ways during the week. And students are joining the choir, accompanying worship on various instruments, and serving as readers and leaders throughout the service. It is by the grace of God for sure, but also by the loving service of Lockett, who’s beginning his second year as the school’s director of chapel. He has grown his flock from the 25 or so students who showed up at his first services to more than 200 each Sunday. Sometimes, it’s standing room only. “We’ve been trying to figure out what to do next because on Easter Sunday we had 342 people, and some were standing in the back,” he said. Word In Black talked to Lockett about the secrets of his success: how his adjustment of Sunday ser-vices got people into the pews, why his philosophy for guiding students on their spiritual journey centers on independent thought, and how his “Spin the Block” initiative is shaking things up on campus. The in-terview has been edited for length and clarity. Word in Black: The first thing we want to know is, how do you get so many young people to chapel every Sunday?. Lawrence Lockett: Well, first of all, I changed the time of service from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. I realized a lot of the students like to sleep in late. It gives them time to do whatever they need to do. I’m sure many of them still like to party hearty over the weekend. So they have a good chance just to kind of refocus, recali-brate, get themselves lunch, and then come over to the chapel for service. When I started in November, maybe 20-25 students came, but now it’s over 200 that come every Sun-day, and it’s pretty cool. So now we’re repositioning ourselves to go after the freshman class this year. If we have the same success as last year, there’s definitely not going to be any room. Word in Black: Tell me about pastoring on a college campus. Lawrence Lockett: Morgan actually started as a biblical institute, so the Christian traditions have al-ways been here. As a pastor or shepherd, I’m walking students through their questions, not always just trying to preach answers to them. It’s about being vulnerable. I tell them I was in their same position, just trying to figure it out. And it’s not me just trying to give them answers. 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