Over the last couple of months I have been working super hard to launch two new businesses.  Never before in my life have I felt as close to my destiny then I do right now.  Both businesses I have are geared toward helping others.  Not just financially, but also spiritually, relationally, metally, etc.  People are in despite need of hope in today’s world and I believe that what God is doing not only in my life but also through these business opportunities is allowing me to help change people’s lives.

I believe that the greatest awakening America has ever seen is riht around the corner.  However, I don’t think it will happen in the four walls of any church, but in the market place where the need is the greatest.  People in this country have been promised many things over the last several years like hope and change, but all that they keep getting is the same worn out lies of those who are running our nation into ruin.  Our True and Only hope is Jesus.  When we as the Church will take the commands of Christ to be the salt and light in the market place seriously, only then will we see the power structers change in this country.

Only when we really come to the table not looking for a hand out but a hand up will we really see God move.  Laziness is not what we need in this nation right now.  We need people who will speack the truth, even when others call you crazy.  We need people that will not jump on every fad that the world has to offer.  We need people that will step out into the market place and risk everything to bring change and true hope.  We need people that will die for the cause of Christ when others are sitting back playing games.  We need people that will stand up to the evils facing us as a nation and as the Body of Christ and fight againt it with everything they got, even when other Christians get angry because they are blind to the nature of our enemy.

Christ has called us to let, “His will be done and His kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.”  Only when we will be strong and unafraid of the backlash will we see God’s Spirit move in Revival. Many of the things taking place in the Church today are nothing more then lies to enslave people.  Preaching s soft, seeker sensitive gospel is NO gospel at all.  Jesus was offensive!!  Jesus pissed people off!  Jesus didn’t play this game we are playing in the Church today.  His command is either follow Him and repent, or be destroyed!!  Life or Death!  What will you choose?  until next time.

Much love,

Shawn

As many of you know I have had a lot of people comment on my Facebook page concerning my politics and my support of the Libertarian Party.  Because of this I am going point by point dealing with the party platform.  This is part 2.

1.1    Expression and Communication

“We support full freedom of expression and oppose government censorship, regulation or control of communications media and technology. We favor the freedom to engage in or abstain from any religious activities that do not violate the rights of others. We oppose government actions which either aid or attack any religion.”

This one is really pretty simple.  We believe that you have full freedom of expression.  If you want to “express yourself” then feel free to do so (even if it makes you look stupid).  We also oppose the government censorship, regulation, and control of ALL media outlets.  The government MUST NEVER have control of the free press or any media outlets, as history shows that most governments use it for propaganda.

We also believe that it is your right to either participate in religious activities or not.  Government cannot demand your religious involvement. We are against the government attacking or aiding any religion as that would be making the government favor one religion over another.

Where I stand on this is that our country was founded on Christian principles so we will abide by those principles but the government must NOT favor one religion over another with the result being persecution of that religion and it’s members.  After the 9/11 attacks many Muslims were purposefully persecuted by the government just because they were Muslim.  This is not right.  If someone of a certain religion commits a crime, that person is held responsible, not the religion as a whole.

1.2    Personal Privacy

“We support the protections provided by the Fourth Amendment to be secure in our persons, homes, and property. Only actions that infringe on the rights of others can properly be termed crimes. We favor the repeal of all laws creating “crimes” without victims, such as the use of drugs for medicinal or recreational purposes.”

This one is going to cause another outbreak of comments and that’s fine.  I am a person who supports total freedom so I hold to the view that the Forth Amendment should be held as law!!  What people do privately (as long as they are not hurting another person) is NONE of the governments business.  That includes but is not limited to: drug use, personal sexual preferences, alcohol consumption, etc.  What a person does in private is none of the governments business for any reason besides real criminal activity involving the destruction, theft, and damage of property, and hurting another person.

(The reason I keep bringing up the fact of a crime being, “hurting another person,” is because for 1) it’s what the Constitution calls a crime.  And 2) if I don’t someone is bound to say I support things like child molestation, sex trafficking, etc)

1.3    Personal Relationships

“Sexual orientation, preference, gender, or gender identity should have no impact on the rights of individuals by government, such as in current marriage, child custody, adoption, immigration or military service laws. Consenting adults should be free to choose their own sexual practices and personal relationships. Government does not have the authority to define, license or restrict personal relationships.”

Of course this one is going to piss people off but I understand that, and that’s fine.  However, I must stand by the fact that a GOVERNMENT cannot demand a person be straight.  If you would like to be homosexual, you have that freedom in this nation.  Of course you will have to live with that choice and it’s problems but you have the freedom.  However, it should be noted that I am not for homosexuals demanding that their lifestyle be promoted by government, made acceptable to others by force, etc.  This is a two way street.  You cannot demand people not live a certain way, and you cannot demand that people accept your choice!

I believe the key quote here is the following:

“Government does not have the authority to define, license or restrict personal relationships.”

Religious institutions have every right to condemn certain lifestyle choices without persecution from government because those practicing that lifestyle don’t like it.  Like I said it goes both ways!!

1.4    Abortion

“Recognizing that abortion is a sensitive issue and that people can hold good-faith views on all sides, we believe that government should be kept out of the matter, leaving the question to each person for their conscientious consideration.”

Concerning abortion you will find that this is where the Libertarian Party is not honest with itself.  I think that because abortion is such a hot button issues the party has left it to the candidates to choose their position on the issue.  Here is mine:

The Constitution guarantee’s the right to LIFE.  Abortion is murder plain and simple.  Abortion would be overturned in a day if we abided by the Constitution.

For now that’s what I have.  I will be posting more here concerning these issues.  Until next time.

Much love,

Shawn

Because of the recent controversy over some of my personal political stands, I thought it necessary to go point by point and address the Libertarian Platform and why I support it.  So here goes:

Personal Liberty

Individuals should be free to make choices for themselves and to accept responsibility for the consequences of the choices they make. No individual, group, or government may initiate force against any other individual, group, or government. Our support of an individual’s right to make choices in life does not mean that we necessarily approve or disapprove of those choices.

I personally believe that the only person who knows how to run your life, is you!!  The government should not demand that you live a certain way, act a certain way, believe a certain way, etc..  I believe in the midst of that though that you are personally responsible for the actions you take and the consequences that may come of your decisions.  Freedom is for all people so that they can live life on their terms.  No person, government, or group, can demand you to do something that is either, not what you want to do, or something you do not believe in.

Many people have asked me how I can believe this way and still be a Christian (actually what people have said is that I can’t believe this way and still be a Christian).  The answer is very simple really.  All throughout scripture God allows humans free will.  God does not make people obey Him or His laws.  Are there consequences for those actions?  Of course.  But no where do you find God making people obey Him.  Are His laws true?  Yes!  Are His laws just?  Yes!  However just because they are the way we “should” live does not give us the right in a free society to make people live according to our belief systems.  The 1st Amendment gives us the right to speak freely, petition the government for grievances, the right to peaceably assemble, the freedom of the press to not be controlled by the government, the freedom that the government will NOT make you follow any religion, and the right for you to practice your religion freely without persecution.  So why do we think it’s okay to MAKE people follow are systems of thought if they chose not to?  If Christians want to see God’s laws (which are the foundation of our already existing law structure) followed how does making people follow them by force really help the cause of the Gospel?  I meet so many Christians who don’t understand that America is based on Judeo-Christian principles already and our country allows for those who desire freedom to come here and live free.  Only a country founded on these principles allows for a free nation.  However, because of the way our system is set up, it also allows for those that may not believe or live like we do to live free also.  That is the true nature of freedom.  Freedom is allowing another person to live how they desire without another controlling them to do as they see fit.

Many believe that everything is black and white, and while I agree with that in some matters of theology, in matters of law and civil society there is much more grey then we like to admit.  Until next time.

Much love,

Shawn

*  Our National Launch for Enlyten is coming up this weekend and I can’t wait!!  It’s gonna be HUGE!!

*  The Saints are 6-0!!!  Can you say, Superbowl?!

*  Congrats to my friends The Geedings as they found out that they are going to be parents!!  The one bad thing is that poor child is going to grow up and be a Cowboys fan……please be in prayer for this great family!!

*  Got one business up and running.  Working on two more!!  I love finding ways to make money.  I love even more having the chance to give to the building of Christ’s Kingdom.

*  I think I could convert to Catholicism.  Well, the charismatic kind.

*  I would gladly torture and hide the body of those behind the sex slave industry.

*  I know what you are thinking, “Vengence is the Lord’s.”  Well, I must be about my Father’s business!!

*  Love studing American and Church History!!

*  I was born to start new businesses and help plant Churches.

*  I was thinking about my time in the Pensacola Revival in the late 90’s……..that was a great time in my life!!

*  I have been getting a load of heat for some of my Libertarian views lately!!  Some people just don’t get it.

*  I love the fact that when you know what you believe and why you believe it you are called arrogant by those that disagree with you…….odd.

*  Looking forward to the New Year!!

*  I think sometime after the new year I’m going to start a podcast.

*  Socialism is satanic!!

*  I went to Mass today.  It was great.

Until next time.

Much love,

Shawn

Lately I have been catching a lot of heat for some of my comments on earlier blogs as well as on my twitter page concerning porn and human trafficking.  For some reason people are coming to the conclusion that I am a supporter of the porn industry, which in turn leads me to be a supporter of human trafficking.  Let me clearly state, I DO NOT SUPPORT THE PORN INDUSTRY OR HUMAN TRAFFICKING!!!!  Both of these things are destructive and damaging to people, families, children, etc.  I in NO way endorse any activity of people involved in either industry!!

What I have said is that we as a nation CANNOT make laws that make criminals out of people who are doing things that we disagree with.  (For some reason this is where everyone stops when reading my blog and email me how I am supporting porn, human trafficking, etc.)  People who watch or look at porn in their homes are NOT criminals!!  They are sinners in need of salvation, but not criminals.  However, people who use, abuse, sell, rape, etc. other people  for sex and human trafficking ARE criminals and MUST be dealt with!!  This is were reason must be our guide.  We as a nation for the most part are Christian (I believe the stat is something like 84% of people claim Christianity as their religion in this nation).  However, what we as Christians tend to do is try and outlaw things we think are sins or things we disagree with.

Take for example, gambling.  Honestly, I see absolutely nothing wrong if someone wants to go and spend money at a casino.  As a matter of fact just last year I won $300 dollars playing poker in Las Vegas!!!  I loved it!!  I had fun and enjoyed those I played with.  Did I spend all my life savings?  No.  But I did have fun.  Should gambling be outlawed because some people can’t handle the ability to play a game?  No!  People are vested with personal responsibility.  It’s a gift from God and MUST be used in order to live a wise life that doesn’t hurt other people.

Back to porn.  Should porn be outlawed?  I think if we as a nation got to the root of what porn really is then we would probably see that porn is a more then just sex for entertainment.  People are being raped, hurt, and destroyed by what the producers of porn are doing to them.  However, there is more to it then that.  Most people in porn are addicted to drugs that producers are providing.  So what we really have is a criminal organization promoting one business in public when in reality the real business is drugs, money laundering, human trafficking, etc.  So does that make those who look or watch porn criminals.  I would say no.  What needs to be done is to get the word out on what porn is doing to those involved.  There are GREAT organizations like, The Pink Cross Foundation, XXX Church, Trafficking Hope, Tigers Against Trafficking, and The A21 Campaign, that are getting the word out on what’s really going on behind the scenes.  People perish because of a lack of knowledge, which means they don’t really know what’s going on!!  I would love to see Women’s rights groups screaming at those in Washington to look into what is really going on behind the scenes.

I love the above picture because it says what I am trying to say and what I think others are trying to say as well.  The reason we are seeing human trafficking and porn become such a big problem is because the Church is NOT talking about it.  We as the Body of Christ must address the issues even when they are dirty.  Heck, Jesus came to a dirty world and saved mankind.  I think we as his people can do the same!!

I hope this clears up what my thoughts are on the matter.  As we deal with the root, we will see porn addiction fall.  As we deal with the root we will see sex slavery end.  It will take risk and maybe even getting our hands dirty to save those in need of Jesus, but we can see the Power of Christ redeem millions bound on both sides of this issue.  Until next time.

Much love,

Shawn

What is Social Justice?  I have often asked myself this question, because right now in the Church social justice is a big issue.  So, like any good reporter I went looking for a definition:

“Social justice is the concept of a society with a greater degree of economic egalitarianism through progressive taxation, income redistribution, or even property redistribution, policies aimed toward achieving that which developmental economists refer to as equality of opportunity and equality of outcome.

Social justice is described in much of John Rawls‘ writing. It is a part of Catholic social teaching and is one of the Four Pillars of the Green Party upheld by the worldwide green parties. Some tenets of social justice have been adopted by those on the left of the political spectrum. Social justice is also a concept that some use to describe the movement towards a socially just world. In this context, social justice is based on the concepts of human rights and the rigging of equality.”

Thank you Wikipedia!  Now let me just say that the above definition is very troubling to me!!  Actually it makes the alarms in my head ring at full blast every time I read it!!  Why?  Well, if you look at what the definition says it states the following:

“Social justice is the concept of a society with a greater degree of economic egalitarianism through progressive taxation, income redistribution, or even property redistribution,”

There is nothing about real Justice in that definition!!  What you are actually getting is Socialism!!  To take from others to give to those who do not have IS NOT justice……it’s stealing!!!  I will NOT stand by and let the Church push a veiled socialist agenda because it’s the “new cool thing” to do.  When you really get down to it, social justice is nothing more than making even more people poor and needy.  Let me just state that I am for providing for the hurting, poor, needy, etc. but I am NOT for taking from another to do it.  If someone wants to provide for the poor and needy that is a choice they have the right to make and they should not be forced to do so!!!  When the Church gets involved in promoting unbiblical teachings it’s time to correct what we may be thinking on the matter!!

Is it fair that there are poor people in this world?  I don’t know if it’s really a question about what’s fair and unfair as it is a question about what we should be doing about it.  People, especially in America have the right to either give to the needy and poor, or not to give to the needy and poor.  However, NO ONE should be forced to give away what they have worked hard to earn just because the Church or government says to do so!!  That is not just!!  Should we be people who give?  Yes!!  But I would say with conditions!!  Why, you might be asking yourself.  Well, it’s real simple.  I have personally seen the Church give to the needy when the needy were really lazy.  I have seen the Church give to the poor when the poor just didn’t want to go out and work!!  Does that mean we shouldn’t give?  No.  Like I said there should be conditions.  Here’s what Paul the Apostle said in 1 Thessalonians 3:10

¹⁰For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”

I think we should have conditions because of the fact that there are many people who claim to be poor and needy who are really lazy and are taking from the real needs that the Church should be meeting!!  The above scripture is NEVER quoted to those that sit on their porch during the day waiting for their hand out from the government or the church.  The Church would do well to walk in rebuke and correction when dealing with these people, and in turn we would be able to meet the needs of those truly in need of the Churches help.  Until next time.

Much love,

Shawn