BrotherBen.org Blog!

A Special Message From Brother Ben

2007-10-28T22:05:03.668-10:00

I’ll Tell You What I Think

“I Think it's Time to say THANK YOU”

>>>>_________________________________________________________________

I want to tell you our Gospel Connection Family “thank you”. Thank you for more than 15 years of sharing the LOVE of GOD with me, my family and the GC Crew.

I really appreciate the opportunity to bring the best in gospel music to you and your families, but most of all I enjoy sharing the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Expanding Our Ministry...

God has opened the door for us to bring more of his word and music into our prisons and I need your help to make it happen. A solar powered single channel radio is only $30 (only a dollar a day) to be a part of bringing Christ to prison inmates.

Would you sincerely pray about helping us you can donate by clicking on this link below. http://www.brotherben.org/content.aspx?pid=2

God Bless You… Brother Ben

What's your Opinion... Should Think Christians Should Listen to Secular Music? (Add Your Comments Below)

2007-10-28T14:21:06.683-10:00

Should Christians Listen to Secular Music?

>By Drene Ivy >>>

There is a learning process in the secular world. We learn to speak, to read and to write using Secular educational methods and materials. For example, when learning to read, we use educational books – not necessarily the Bible. We then may choose what books we prefer, i.e., novels, mysteries, non-fiction or scholastic journals. However, Christians “choose” to read the Bible because of their belief in God and to receive spiritual knowledge and understanding. So it is with music. We may learn from, appreciate and listen to other genres of music, i.e., Classical, Country Music, Jazz or Reggae, but we then allow the Spirit of the Lord to turn off the kinds of music that may be wrong for us as Christians.

The influence music has on us will determine our reaction to it and whether or not we should listen to it. We can’t live in a world without being influenced by secular television, secular movies and secular music. All of us do not have Christian vocations (fulltime pastorates or ministries) for our livelihood; many of us have secular jobs. Even Jesus Christ was not performing miracles 24/7. The people he had walking with Him (disciples) were men who had secular jobs (fisherman, tax collector, etc.) before “choosing” to follow Him. We cannot survive in our world without being influenced or exposed to secularism, however,

Christian music should become our preference.

Secular means worldly, material, lay, or the things of the world. Secular music such as Rock, R&B, Rap and varied genres are all around us. When I began taking music lessons as a child, I received instructions on the whole of music – basic theory, the classical approach, major works, symphonies, and music spanning from several periods including the Baroque and Romantic eras. I listened to and learned all kinds of music and appreciated the different styles of music and what each brought to the whole of music.

Music is the sound of expression melodically and rhythmically. Christian music is that same sound of expression but that which can be offered to God. In Christendom today, the question is not “Should Christians Listen to Secular Music?” rather “Can You Offer Secular Music to God?” We cannot offer to God something that would not please Him. Jesus chose the worst of men to walk with Him, changing their lives for the better. Jesus Christ must become the stronger force behind what we listen to. It is true that whatever a person allows to occupy his mind will sooner or later determine his speech and his action. Whether we listen to Secular or Christian music or both, always ask yourself, can you offer that sound to God? There is nothing wrong with many particular styles of Secular music but if it leads you to negatively think about or get involved in something that cannot be offered to God – then you should avoid it (Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:2,5; and 2 Corinthians 10:5).

Urban Hip Hop and Gangsta Rap often have deadly, violent, sexually promiscuous and worldly influences on the listener. Love Music, Love Songs and Smooth Jazz is not inherently wrong and may enhance the effect of love emotions but yet cannot be offered to God as Praise or Worship…but neither is that the point of this kind of music. So, what should we listen to? We must listen to the Heart and Mind of God. He will tell you what to write, what to sing, and what to play. To all my fellow songwriters: Please know that when you write a song for people, it’s for people; when you write for God, it’s for God. For example, God may set you up to write secular movie themes but know that this opportunity may lead others to Christ. Remember, we can be in the world and not of the world. We need to wait on God and listen to His voice regarding what to write and how to form the melody that He gives us. Let God sing the melody to you. He knows what He wants to say to His people. Secular music vs. Christian music? The voice of God will direct you. You have to hear Him.

For more information on this artist go to www.dreneivy.com email:info@dreneivy.com

DO YOU KNOW? WHAT DOES FAMILY, CHURCH AND SOCIETY DEPEND ON! (Add Your Comments Below)

2007-10-26T14:40:11.746-10:00

FAMILY, CHURCH AND SOCIETY DEPEND ON STABLE MARRIAGES!

The marriage union is probably the most dynamic and intricate of all relationships because it affects so many people. The church, society, and generations of children are deeply influenced by the lives and behavior of husbands and wives.

If a marriage is strong and healthy, the children it produces will most likely be strong, stable and an asset to society. However, if a marriage is in turmoil, the children could end up being confused, unstable and a liability to society. We must remember that our children rely on us to keep marriage and home intact to ensure their stability and their future. We must never forget that we hold the keys to their future, and God holds us accountable.

Developing a marriage is a difficult process that demands our utmost attention. We must labor diligently to build meaningful marriages in a society that promotes divorce, while battling the urge to give up when things fall apart. Marriage is a fragile union plagued by a 52 percent national divorce rate, according to the Statistical Abstract of the United States . Broken vows and covenants result in divorce, which causes an imbalance in the home that sends a shock wave through society. Homes, families, churches, schools, businesses and communities are fraught with turmoil and destruction because husbands and wives are not willing to fulfill their promises.

The Bible, in John 10:10, says: "The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy." Couples are giving in too easily to the temptations of this world and allowing Satan to destroy their marriages. He deceivingly lures a husband or a wife into believing that another man or woman is the answer to a troubled marriage. Once hooked, he or she willingly gives up everything they have worked for to develop another marriage relationship. They fail to realize that any successful marriage requires the same self-sacrifice, patience, love and self-control to build. Lust drives people to pursue selfish ambitions, but it never gives them the true happiness they seek. Love motivates people to pursue the best for others and find true happiness.

God designed and ordained marriage to be the most wonderful relationship a man and a woman could ever develop. The wedding vows provide the framework that bonds, glues and holds husbands and wives together in a covenant that promotes mutual love, honor and respect. This covenant, when built upon a godly foundation, can produce marriages and families that are strong, stable and satisfying. This in turn promotes stability and harmony in the church and community. Respecting the vows can instill life into marriages and provide couples with the foundation they need to fully commit themselves to the marriage. If husbands and wives know that their spouses are in it for the long haul, it is much easier to give oneself fully to the relationship.

This commitment enables husbands and wives to build the kind of marriages they can enjoy and at the same time create environments conducive to the health and happiness of their families.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 states: "When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vows. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin." Why is God so adamant about husbands and wives keeping their vows? The survival of the family, the church and society rests upon that covenant. When couples respect their vows, God stands ready to help them develop and maintain their marriages.

The Rev. Johnie Hinson is the founder of Johnie Hinson Ministries and the author of "Relationships: The Key To Success” & “Enriching Your Marriage"

He can be reached by e-mail at johnie.hinson@hickam.af.mil

Copyrighted , Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

RETURNING HOME SERVICE MEMBERS... SOME THOUGHTS! (Add Your Comments Below)

2007-10-24T14:45:21.298-10:00

Returning Home...

Ben;

Please forgive me for taking so long to respond to your request for commentary. I will be honest; my transition back to my regular life has been somewhat problematic. Family reintegration for me was wonderful; however transitioning back to work was tough. My wife and I experienced very little transitional bumps in the road. This is due largely impart to our relationship with Christ and two other deployment under our belt.

God has been our stabilizer and counselor throughout this reintegration process. Whenever irritation or depression begins to set in God quickly intervenes and reminds me to hold fast to His unchanging hand; and when I obey the results is victory.

Like me many Service Member are returning home to their families after more than a year away in a place of fear and uncertainty. Some are returning to find a loving wife who kept the home fires burning and prepared a welcome home fit for a “King”. Other however will be retuning to a tumultuous relationship that will further throw them into depression and extreme anxiety. Their hearts will brake as they return to divorce papers, infidelity, financial ruin, lies, pressure and hateful words. These are the walking wounded that show no outward sign of battle damage; but inside they are completely destroyed. The have little or no connection to Christ. Many have abandoned their faith in God because their life situation has become so noisy God’s still quiet voice can not penetrate their barrier. Many are lost and consumed with despair. They move through each day like virtual zombies living for the night, and a time when the noise of life will quiet. They self-medicate with drugs and alcohol and seek love from flesh merchants who drain them of their self-respect and financial resources.

They need God “Right Now”. They need hope, acceptance and love from God’s people. They need an outreach program that is working in concert with the Military Chaplaincy. This will provide a network of support for Soldiers and their families that will hopefully connect the dots and complete the circle of support needed.

This is where your organization can help. You currently have media access and a Ministry that is primarily “Outreach” centered. If you can incorporate (at least initially) a Service Member Outreach program it will be a tremendous service to those returnee’s who find themselves lost and alone.

Thanks... Pastor Owen Roberts