tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42357099151985170312024-03-13T14:53:34.673-07:00The InoculatorMy Mind, My Thoughts, My Heart, My WordsShawn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14914334437332627188noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4235709915198517031.post-9866752653313837782013-10-04T11:10:00.002-07:002013-10-04T11:10:39.071-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tk3Xjsgjw24/Uk7-lQXYWxI/AAAAAAAAAKA/YAin8L1oIbc/s1600/Scandal-Promo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tk3Xjsgjw24/Uk7-lQXYWxI/AAAAAAAAAKA/YAin8L1oIbc/s320/Scandal-Promo.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Last night, the world shut down what it was doing in anticipation of the opening premier season of Scandal. I to was glued to the screen, but I soon became uneasy and uncomfortable.<br />
The scene in particular was one of three persons with three motives and intentions. One wanted to tell the truth and suffer the consequences if it meant he could still be with the one he loved. The second wanted to "fix" it and protect the person she loved and the third didn't want to be embarrassed. We watched as they covered up, rationalized and minimized their bad choices. It reminded me of my own sinfulness, and bad choices. It reminded me of the things I did great and small that only God knows. It reminded me of the secrets I've kept to protect those that I love. It reminded me of the things I have thought, said and done that would bring me shame and embarrassment. I felt hopeless and dirty and hypocritical and then I saw something in the corner of the room. Someone in the shadow of my life. Someone who is greater to call then Olivia Pope. It was Jesus! The great fixer who reminded me that yes I do have secrets that I will keep to protect the ones I love. And yes I do cover up the past mistakes of others because I love them and because they are forgiven. Jesus reminded me that I can and have and will do that for others because He has done that for me. He took on my sin as if it was His own and the penalty that came with it. But not only that, He also dried my tears and gave me His coat and presented me in front of the world and ultimately in the presence of the Father, without spot or blemish. He told me I was forgiven, that I could move forward. Ultimately, in the words of Olivia Pope, He said ... "its handled"Shawn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14914334437332627188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4235709915198517031.post-12547857406934240332011-01-27T11:02:00.000-08:002011-01-27T11:37:16.739-08:00On the Purpose of Punishment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxPwcZBX6gE3AawDI3S_jUyxZZuKPWMd6WOVgPETQG-GNwb-NRo8SLmQwFfEaSnjMrQK24KIm2tguV_HMgokw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div align="center"></div>Boy, try me! I wish you would! Do you know I will slap the taste out your mouth? I will knock you into next week! And my personal scary favorite … Don’t you know I will slap the black off you? That’s right, forget the Boogieman, Freddy Krueger or Jason, what every black man in the hood feared most was momma! In fact, many young observably white young men in the projects, are not white at all, they are just those who dared to test momma and got the black slapped off of them. Now while I do oppose violence and abuse of this kind, I want to suggest that the threat of punishment has a good purpose that we will examine in this episode of Aquinas In the Hood. <br />
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Now the word threaten is described as a verb; used in conjunction with an object, it is “to utter a warning or threat against.” Punishment is described by Webster’s Dictionary as “the Act of Punishing; A penalty inflicted on an offender.’ In common usage, the word "punishment" might be described as “an imposed deprivation.” In other words, it deprives the offender of some freedom, property, privilege, or good that otherwise would be expected or generally thought of as a particular right. This is very familiar to us all. We all know someone who was restricted from going outside to play as a kid, or maybe who had their favorite game, toy or privilege taken away. As adults, we learn how quickly our freedoms to drive, or even to live among our peers can be restricted or taken away as a result of bad decisions and behavior. <br />
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According to Aquinas, punishment functions as a medicine inasmuch as the fear of punishment restraints or discourages a person from behaving badly. Positively speaking, the threat of punishment acts as an incentive to do right, in that, one can continue to enjoy the freedoms and privileges that he has grown accustom to, such as, enjoying the taste of food or his or her blackness. In my case, it was the ability to enjoy the privilege of breathing and using my butt for sitting. <br />
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Now, I’m sure that you are wondering why such extreme threats? I mean, why would a loving mother threaten to knock her child into another time zone? I’ll answer that, it’s because she loves them and wants to beat the Hell out of them! In other words, she understands that her threats of punishment can help guide and restore right reason and order in her childs behavior. This is why the punishment is usually preceded by the question, “Have you lost your mind?” or “What in the world was you thinking?”<br />
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The reason she made her threats so extreme is that she wanted to make sure that the punishment your will opposes is greater than the pleasure your will desires. Growing up, I had many desires to do wrong, but my desire to taste food and stay black were of greater importance to me. The problem today is that our young people no longer fear the consequences of their actions and therefore indulge the pleasures of their will. Parents today tell little Johnny to go to his room and stay there, to which Johnny replies, “thank you,” After all, he has a computer, TV, cell phone and the latest Wii Play Station. <br />
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Now with the exception of Joe Jackson, most parents have not successfully knocked the black off of their kids (poor Michael), and I do not encourage physical abuse as a means of punishment, but what I am encouraging is that we restore and instill a healthy respect in our youth in the idea that bad ideas have bad consequences in this life and in the next.Shawn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14914334437332627188noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4235709915198517031.post-92012814669516970112010-10-27T20:09:00.000-07:002010-10-27T21:50:48.957-07:00Should Christians Listen to Secular Music?<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-IaNnK1ySYc/TMj5slbjE2I/AAAAAAAAAIs/5M2TESJBEuo/s1600/music-notes1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 165px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532946686581871458" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-IaNnK1ySYc/TMj5slbjE2I/AAAAAAAAAIs/5M2TESJBEuo/s320/music-notes1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I was having some fun surfing around Twitter and read a comment that sparked some great conversation that I want to share with you. A person asked the question: "Why would Any Christian be a FAN of Any Secular Artist or Any1 Who Does Not Sing about God? Well, the conversation went from the actually idea of being a FAN of a person who may sing or promote secular music to whether or not it is okay for a Christian to listening to or sing secular music at all.<br /><br />My first thought and response was to point out that it seems to be the case that in an effort to be "in the world, but not of it" the church was too quick to trade off certain ideas like children playing marbles in the playground. You (the world) get the secular, we (the church) get the sacred; you get reason, we get faith; you keep love songs, we keep gospel. My problem is, I don't think the world should be giving exclusivity to sing about something they really know very little about. Who knows better about expressing true love and intimacy than God's people?<br /><br />I believe that the proper object of our affection is God, but He has also given us an example and expression of love in the context of marriage. Did you realize that the Bible begans with a wedding and ends with one? and in between is a love story written in blood about God's love, trust and faithfulness, in the mist of our unfaithfulness. In fact, the imagery of God in the OT is one of a husband and in the NT Christ is seen as the Groom who will present his bride without spot or blemish. If we don't teach the world what true love, intimacy, faithfulness, and yes, ..sex is suppose to look like ... who will?<br /><br /><br />Here is the one problem I find: media and music in our world today (generally speaking) feeds our flesh and appeals to our appetites. So that (generally speaking again) the music today is creating (or helping to create) in young people and in single people, who have no "proper object of their affection" a desire that they cannot fullfill righteously. Hate to say it, but there is a lot of junk out there, that only promote clubbin, drinking, sex and bad behavior (whether you are young, old, married or single) and I believe it should be avoided.<br /><br />The Bible instructs us to not be conformed to the world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:1ff). Think about this carefully: What you are INFORMED by, and CONFORM to, will TRANSFORM your life. Be discerning in all things. Test all things, hold to that which is good (1 Thess 5:21), not all music is good music, but its not all bad either. Let us not only teach what it means to love God, but let us model that love in the context of marriage and I don't think it is wrong to sing about it either. My Mind, My Thoughts, My Heart, My Words<br /><br />Your Thoughts?</div>Shawn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14914334437332627188noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4235709915198517031.post-51905744388043442712010-03-25T10:41:00.000-07:002010-03-25T10:47:03.720-07:00Never Gave Up<OBJECT class=BLOG_video_class id=BLOG_video-f5177f3b74f0d57f height=266 width=320 contentId="f5177f3b74f0d57f"></OBJECT><br /><br /><br />Sometimes you have to be reminded just how blessed you are.Shawn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14914334437332627188noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4235709915198517031.post-51263076657816528262009-12-06T23:14:00.000-08:002009-12-06T23:23:31.920-08:00Amen or Ahhh Man?<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pj-xqiGl_HA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pj-xqiGl_HA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />As I was getting ready for church Sunday morning, I turned on the T.V to listen to some word while I was getting dressed. As I scrolled through the channels to find something interesting, I came across the name Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith and the Agape International Choir. The Choir was jammin' and as he began to speak, I said Amen! But my Amen soon turned into Ahhh mannn. As Dr. Beckwith began to speak, it became clear to me that his message was one that was not Christian. Now, I defend his right to share his message and faith, but what I thought about was how many believers could discern the difference between a minister and a mystic. While Dr. Beckwith’s message might make you happy, if the Christian worldview is true, it will not make you healthy. Here is what he teaches:<br /><br /><br />Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith is the founder and spiritual director of the Agape International Spiritual Center in Los Angeles, CA. Complete with a Choir, Praise Dancers, Ministers, Counselors and Study time, Agape International boast of over 6,000 members including several of Hollywood’s top celebrities. <br /><br />Reverend Michael Beckwith and AISC, teaches universal truth principles found in the New Thought-Ancient Wisdom tradition of spirituality. Through New Thought-Ancient Wisdom teachings, each individual can realize that they are a unique emanation of God.<br /><br />“In Agape’s services and classes we refer to the world’s scriptures and sacred texts, as well as the writings of ancient and contemporary mystics, teachers, sages, philosophers, pundits, scientists, and even the enlightened person next door!” <br /><br />If you have questions, Dr Beckwith and Agape do not leave you without clear answers:<br />(information quoted from his website: www.agapelive.com)<br /><br />Is Agape Christian? No, and yes.<br /><br />“No, if by Christian you mean the acceptance of Jesus as the only savior and Christianity as the only path to God and eternal salvation.<br /><br />Yes, in the sense that New Thought- Ancient Wisdom history includes the Gnostic teachings of the earliest Christian mystical sects.”<br /><br />What about the Bible?<br /><br />“The Bible is referenced in Dr. Beckwith’s services and Agape’s classes. However, the version that is used is a metaphysical, Gnostic-inspired edition translated and interpreted from the original Aramaic, rather than the Greek translation used in traditional Christian churches such as the King James Version, or the Saint Gregory version used by the Catholic Church.”<br /><br />What about Jesus?<br /><br />“Agape teaches that Jesus was not the great exception, but rather the great example. He is an enlightened being, one who attained cosmic consciousness or liberation from a sense of separation from the Source of all that is. Jesus is revered as a wayshower, as an exemplar of unconditional love, selfless service, and self-mastery.”<br /><br />Can I still practice my Judaism/Christianity and become a member of Agape? <br /><br />“Absolutely, many within the Agape community maintain their Jewish/Christian faith, while others continue to practice the teachings of Jesus, Buddha, or other spiritual master teachers of past or present generations. As a result, mixed-tradition couples and families often find common ground at Agape without compromising other loyalties.”<br /><br /><br />Does it matter what we believe? If you, a friend or family member was a part of his church, is there any reason to be alarmed? If you are a Christian and guardian of truth, do you believe you have a responsibility to tell that truth? Do you know the truth? Is there any noticeable difference between his church and yours? What are your thoughts?Shawn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14914334437332627188noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4235709915198517031.post-81593747848791579832009-03-23T13:22:00.000-07:002009-03-23T13:33:32.227-07:00I thought I knew, but I had no idea<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-IaNnK1ySYc/Scfv6_8HOaI/AAAAAAAAAIU/r7KMPtQQmI0/s1600-h/Alicia+Jordan.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 143px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-IaNnK1ySYc/Scfv6_8HOaI/AAAAAAAAAIU/r7KMPtQQmI0/s200/Alicia+Jordan.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316481682009176482" /></a><br />Last Tuesday night the wife and I received the news that a dear friend of ours was not doing well and was rushed to the hospital. We lifted her up in prayer and was determined to visit her the next afternoon. One thing about Alicia is that her smile was contagious. Even now thinking about her she makes me smile. When we arrived at the hospital, we stood quietly with the family until the doctors gathered us into a bigger room and broke the news to us that Alicia didn’t make it through the surgery. At that very moment the screams and cries I heard faded into silence as I tunnel visioned. I just went blank. I thought to my self, I’m suppose to be a minister, I’m supposed to be praying and comforting the family, but I didn’t, I couldn’t. I sat down, closed my eyes and couldn’t look up. When my daughter called me and asked me how she was doing I broke out in tears and told her she didn’t make it.<br /><br /> At that point, it had become a very long week for us as we thought about her, informed others and tried to be there for some close friends. But heres the thing; I didn’t realize how much her passing would affect me. What I mean is, I can’t recall a time when we went out to dinner or even to the movies, but I also can’t recall a time that we were both in the same room that we wouldn’t be sure to greet each other with a hug and kiss before leaving. The wife and I have been members of Family Bible Fellowship for close to 17 years. In that time we have seen families come together, kids grow up and have called many people our brothers and sisters in Christ. But in many ways, I thought that I merely gave lip service to calling people my brothers and sisters in Christ. I really didn’t realize how much I love my church home and church family. Well, I thought I knew, but I had no idea….<br /><br />Alicia will be missed as much as she is loved,<br /><br />Her Brother in Christ,<br />ShawnShawn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14914334437332627188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4235709915198517031.post-8279741657394438802009-01-16T15:11:00.000-08:002009-01-16T16:13:46.520-08:00What's Taller than Tall?I'm in Portland, Oregon this weekend preparing to speak at a conference on the reliability of the New Testament. After getting my meeting room set up, Neil Mammen and I went to Starbucks for some hot chocolate. I've only gone to Starbucks a few times, but I think I'm begining to catch the bug. When I finally made my way to the front counter, I was greeted with a smile and asked the following question:<br /><br /><strong>Starbucks Girl:</strong> "can I help you?" <br /><strong>Me:</strong> "Sure, can I please have a regular hot chocolate?" <br /><strong>Starbucks Girl:</strong> "What size would you like?"<br /><strong>Me:</strong> "I'll have a large one." <br /><strong>Starbucks Girl:</strong> "well would you like a grande?"<br /><strong>Me:</strong> "How big is a Grande?"<br /><strong>Starbucks Girl:</strong> "It is a medium"<br /><strong>Me:</strong> No, I would like a Tall one"<br /><strong>Starbuck Girl:</strong> "The tall is smaller than the Grande"<br /><strong>Me:</strong> "But isn't the Grande large?"<br /><strong>SG:</strong> "No it's a medium"<br /><strong>Me:</strong> "Well then, how tall is a tall?"<br /><strong>SG:</strong> "Small"<br /><strong>Me:</strong> "And whats Taller than a Tall?" <br /><strong>SG:</strong> "A Grande"<br /><strong>ME:</strong> "But that's only a medium"<br /><strong>SG:</strong> "Correct"<br /><strong>Me:</strong> "Well is there anything Grander than a Grande?"<br /><strong>SG:</strong> Yes, A Venti"<br /><br />By this time I felt like I was being "Punked on Candid Camera," so I asked her to please hold up each size so that I can see which was which. By this time everyone behind me in line was laughing at me. The problem was this, until I was able to see the cups and compare their sizes, I was unable to determine what was tall, medium or large. I had to see the standard by which she measured the sizes. It's funny, in life, there are many things we call good, bad, right, wrong, crooked and straight. We say that one action or behavior is "better" than another, there seems to be a standard out there by which we are able to make those judgements and that ulitimate standard is God! <br /><br />Just something to think about the next time you go to order your Double shot, decaf, extra hot, no foam, venti carmel maccioto, blended milk.Shawn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14914334437332627188noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4235709915198517031.post-45904420028783602682008-09-15T12:14:00.000-07:002008-09-17T21:28:23.628-07:00Time to TalkI just watched this Saturday Night Live spoof of Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton and thought it would be a great way to open up some healthy discussion about our presidential nominees. What an exciting time to be alive! We may be witnessing our first black president, or maybe our first women vice-president. We might just see a better economy, or even a safer America. How about the opportunity to see creation taught side by side evolution in schools or the choice made to chose life. So with all the excitement going on, my question to you is <strong>"What's driving you to the polls this coming election?"</strong><br /><br />In the meantime, enjoy<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3xEJ-lGneso&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3xEJ-lGneso&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Shawn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14914334437332627188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4235709915198517031.post-80644553539606277782008-07-25T13:52:00.000-07:002008-07-26T00:10:20.138-07:00Confession of Confusion<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-IaNnK1ySYc/SIpAz1c_UYI/AAAAAAAAAGI/nCwcXolP_-I/s1600-h/katy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-IaNnK1ySYc/SIpAz1c_UYI/AAAAAAAAAGI/nCwcXolP_-I/s320/katy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227061576783057282" /></a><br /><br />I Kissed A Girl, and I Liked It!<br /><br />As a former Youth Pastor and father of three daughters, I always try to stay in touch with what’s going on with our youth today (don’t misinterpret “former” to mean I don’t minister to youth any longer; most of my time outside of vocationally pastoring is spent ministering to youth). Well one of the things I do to see what has our young peoples time and attention is to see what is floating on the top of the music charts on Billboard. Coming in for the 10th week at number one on Billboard’s top 100 is Katy Perry’s song, “I Kissed a Girl.”<br /><br />“I kissed a girl and I liked it<br />The taste of her cherry chap stick<br />I kissed a girl just to try it<br />I hope my boyfriend don't mind it<br />It felt so wrong<br />It felt so right<br />Don't mean I'm in love tonight<br />I kissed a girl and I liked it<br />I liked it<br /><br />Overnight sensation? No, Katy Perry grew up singing . . . Gospel! Katy’s real name is Katy Hudson, who use to be a Gospel recording artist who sung songs like:<br /><br />“For He’ll [God] prevail <br />In the midst of all my trials and tribulations <br />And He’ll prevail <br />In the midst of all my sin and temptations . . .”<br /><br /><strong>To singing song lyrics like these:</strong><br /><br />This was never the way I planned<br />Not my intention<br />I got so brave, drink in hand<br />Lost my discretion<br />It’s not what, I’m used to<br />Just wanna try you on<br />I’m curious for you<br />Caught my attention<br />I kissed a girl and I liked it<br /><br />Hello? Is anyone listening to her? “Drink in hand, Lost my Discretion, not what I’m use to.” No it’s not what she is use to. Katy grew up in a Christian household as the daughter of two pastors. Though she was not allowed to listen to “secular” music growing up, Katy’s life would change forever after being introduced to the music of “Queen” at a slumber party. Ever since then, she says “the group has been my biggest influence.” She tasted it, and she liked it.<br /> <br />I don’t know Katy Perry. Maybe I will get a change to speak with her one day. But I know she is a far cry from home and the self-entitled Christian album she released back in 2001. I don’t actually have a problem with Christians having “Secular” careers as long as their lyrics, lips, and lifestyle do not contradict Godly principles. In this case, I was wondering if she rebelled against growing up in a “strict” home, to express her frustrations or freedom; or is it the case that she compromised her values and beliefs in order to earn some real money. Maybe she’s not quite sure what she believes and she’s still trying to figure things out; or how about this . . . she is just trippin’ with what she believes is a goofy song (a lil’ Cognac will do that to you).<br /><br />I know what didn’t surprise me . . . all of the responses from the Christian community, blogs, and postings. <br /><br />”Look at her showing all her goodies”<br />“Sell out”<br />“Her parents must be disgusted with her”<br />“She’s going to hell”<br /><br />I don’t know what her final destination is (she might be going to the same place you are, put that where you want to). But I do know that many young people adhere to their parent’s rules and values when they are young because they have to. As they get older they are faced with decisions and situations that challenge who they are, what they believe, and how they will live. As I listened to the song I thought it was goofy, when I heard and read the lyrics, I thought it was sad. As believers, we should listen pass the catchy beat, fortune and fame (yeah, stop hatin’), quit just pointing our fingers and shaking our heads, and take the time to listen with our hearts long enough to see that this little girl is confused. All of these blogs I’ve been reading this morning are enough to make anyone jump out the window. And guess who is there to be understanding, forgiving and to provide some (however wrong) love, support, and advice . . . the world! (If you can’t say amen, say ouch).<br /><br />Just saying that we should be willing to do more than just point at error, but also do something to correct it.<br /><br />My Mind, My Thoughts, My Heart, My Words<br /><br />Listen to this interview and what someone else called “A Confession of Confusion” (The first 3 minutes)<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zM9Q7a3qNNA&rel=0&fs=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zM9Q7a3qNNA&rel=0&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />P.S. Katy, if you have questions about truth or maybe how you are feeling, when the crowd is gone and the band is back on the bus, I would love to talk with you. Please email me.<br />ShawnShawn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14914334437332627188noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4235709915198517031.post-88269605223462669022008-07-17T00:22:00.000-07:002008-07-17T09:02:56.302-07:00She's Not Heavy, She's My Daughter!<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-IaNnK1ySYc/SH73ymVSN1I/AAAAAAAAAGA/m8-FUQYBmUI/s1600-h/dad_daughter2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-IaNnK1ySYc/SH73ymVSN1I/AAAAAAAAAGA/m8-FUQYBmUI/s320/dad_daughter2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223885066451695442" /></a> As many of you know, I suffered a pretty bad back injury not too long ago. I've been getting around pretty good for a guy my age (LOL), but I'm not quite 100% yet. Well, the other night while walking around Walmart, my oldest daughter decides to jump on my back and ask me to give her a tour of the place while we were looking for the rest of the family. Before I could tell her to get down before we both go down, she grabs me tight and tells me how no matter how old she gets, she's still going to get on my back even when she's married. At that point there wasn't enough pain in the world that could make me put my daughter down. By the time we were ready to leave Walmart, I had given all three of my daughter's piggy-back rides. The Marines have a saying that "pain is just weakness leaving the body" well that must be true because in the midst of all the pain I am made to feel strong. By the way, my oldest is almost 16 now and almost as tall as me, but don't worry, She's not heavy, she's my daughter.<br /><br />My prayer this year has been, "Lord, make me half the man my kids think I am."<br /><br />Will you pray that prayer with me?Shawn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14914334437332627188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4235709915198517031.post-91073772208857299262008-07-15T12:57:00.000-07:002008-07-16T13:26:48.992-07:00The Subject of Evil is Good<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-IaNnK1ySYc/SH0FZI_apFI/AAAAAAAAAF4/i0zcyDizKBY/s1600-h/Dr_Evil_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-IaNnK1ySYc/SH0FZI_apFI/AAAAAAAAAF4/i0zcyDizKBY/s320/Dr_Evil_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223337072287982674" /></a><br />I was reading from the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas this morning on the subject of Evil (I know, huh?). Evil, according to Aquinas, actually does not exist – at least not as a substance or thing. <br />What then is Evil? It is nothing more than the “privation of the good (or of perfect being).” So a thing is called evil if it lacks a perfection or good that it ought to have. So if a man lacks sight, this is called evil for him, but if a stone lacks sight, this would not be considered evil because a stone is not equipped by nature to have the faculty of sight. This brings out the fact that not every good (thing, being, whatever) can be the subject of evil in the same way, but only in respect to some perfection, quality, or good that it should have by nature, of which it can be deprived. So when a good being (good in that he or she has being) lives in such a way as to lack virtue in accord with his nature (such as self control, patience, reason, love and respect for others) he is said to be acting poorly or evil.<br /><br />Something else I thought about while reading through this was the question of whether or not God (who is the ultimate perfection or good) can be the subject of Evil. As Aquinas would say, "I’ll answer that!" – (All this talk about perfections, potential, and deprivation is making me hungry). First, God doesn’t “have” perfections, He “is” perfection. Secondly, God is pure Actuality with no Potentiality whatsoever. Therefore, God has no perfection that has the potential of being deprived, so God can never be the subject of Evil (or maybe I’m just hungry, let’s see what I think after breakfast).<br /><br />I now go to actualize my potential to be full and satisfied!Shawn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14914334437332627188noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4235709915198517031.post-1466968623340224012008-07-15T12:38:00.000-07:002008-07-15T12:52:44.603-07:00Capturing the Pains of Life<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-IaNnK1ySYc/SHz_sKbIcoI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/e84r49lceVI/s1600-h/starving.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-IaNnK1ySYc/SHz_sKbIcoI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/e84r49lceVI/s320/starving.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223330802020414082" /></a><br />Some images make you laugh, some make you cry, others might make you think, but this image held me in suspense all night before I could fully process what I was looking at. It is the image of a starving Sudanese girl feebly trying to make her way to a UN feeding Center a kilometer away while being stalked by a vulture. The photograph was taken by Kevin Cater in 1994 during the Sudan famine. He admittedly chased the vulture away after capturing the image, but does not know what happened to the little girl. Sadly, just months later and one week after receiving the Pulitzer Prize for the photograph (which is regarded as the highest national honor in journalism), Kevin Carter committed suicide. Excerpts from Carter’s suicide note expressed how the pain of life overrode his joy to the point that joy no longer existed. Many people are witnesses of the pain and suffering of others, some are even willing to chase away the vultures, but how many of us are willing to feed the hungry or help the helpless?Shawn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14914334437332627188noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4235709915198517031.post-57388259531356386312008-06-02T14:43:00.000-07:002008-06-02T15:36:59.334-07:00Today could have been different<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-IaNnK1ySYc/SERydakVQ_I/AAAAAAAAAEg/o8CuxnaxdxQ/s1600-h/daybreak.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-IaNnK1ySYc/SERydakVQ_I/AAAAAAAAAEg/o8CuxnaxdxQ/s200/daybreak.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207412918820619250" /></a><br />The family and I have been enjoying reruns of ABC's "Daybreak." It is a show that was cancelled last year that they are re-airing to finally show the finale. It's about a young detective (played by Taye Diggs) who wakes up one morning accused of a crime he didn't commit. The only problem is, even if he is successful in clearing his name, he will wake up the next morning and repeat the whole thing all over again. It holds your attention as we see how saving a life in one instant results in the death of someone else in another. The tagline for the show is "for every decision, there's a consequence." <br /><br />I woke up this morning and thought to myself about all the ways today could be different. I thought about the things I have like my wife, kids, health, family and friends and thought to myself today could have been different. I thought about all the things I don't have like cancer and thought to myself, today could have been different. And finally I remembered being in High School holding a gun that a friend brought to school, when another student came up to me and asked if he could see it. I turned toward him and put the gun right to his chest and pulled the trigger . . .<br /><br />Thank you Lord for your Grace and Mercy . . . Yeah today could have been so much different.<br /><br />My Mind, My Thoughts, My Heart, My WordsShawn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14914334437332627188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4235709915198517031.post-68364834976991982442008-05-29T11:11:00.000-07:002008-05-30T18:10:16.740-07:00The "A" Word: Part 2 - My ResponseO.k. first let me thank everyone for their patience. It’s been a month since I blogged on the “A” word. I deliberately took my time responding because I wanted everyone to read it and reply to it. Let me say that I loved all of the comments that I received (public and private). Secondly, let me ensure you that I will be updating the website and blog page frequently so be sure to stay in touch. I’m encouraged by your comments and knowing that you are reading my mind (didn’t know you had that power, huh?).<br /><br />Let me start off my response to the “A” word by noting something interesting: In my 3 hour conversation with my friend, he suggested to me that if I ever intended on reaching the “black church” that I should eliminate the word Apologetics from my vocabulary. However, the reasons he gave for not using the word apologetics, actually argued against the use and importance of apologetics altogether. Walk with me point by point as I give my response:<br /><br /><strong>“The word Apologetics is foreign to people, no ones ever heard of it or knows what it means”</strong><br /><br /><strong>Response:</strong> Well then thank God for the honor and privilege of introducing the word to people. I remember hearing a joke that said “if you want to keep something from a black person, put it in a book.” What the joke implies is that black folks don’t read. How insulting is it to suggest that because a word is foreign or even somewhat difficult to understand that people can’t learn something new. Notice I said “people” not black people because this is not a race problem; it’s a problem of people being intellectually lazy. We must remember that ignorance is not a spiritual badge of honor. God wants us to have a childlike faith not a childish faith.<br /><br /><strong>“If the pastor as the “head, father, or prophet” of that house (the Church), is unable to elaborate on or reiterate the points of discussion that the apologist brings up, he might find this challenging to his ability to "hear from God" or reveal a lack of knowledge on his part in a particular area or study.”</strong><br /><br /><strong>Response:</strong> First let me go back to my point about spiritually lazy people. It’s a lot easier to claim “new revelation” or what the Holy Spirit is saying to you, then it is to “Study to show yourself approved.” I know there was a time in this country when education may not have been as accessible, a time when the pastor could not lean on his command of scripture or understanding of Greek or Hebrew as an appeal to his authority and therefore his authority (and respect as Pastor) came from his ability to “hear from God.” I believe this is why many Pastors become intimidated or even feel embarrassed when they can not elaborate of reiterate on the points of discussion an apologist may bring up. But here’s the deal: Why should Pastors be made to feel like they should know everything? Or why do they set themselves up for a fall by acting like they should know everything? The truth of the matter is this: If you find a Pastor who knows all things and has an infinite understanding of the infinite . . . Drop to your knees and worship him, you are dead and in the presence of Jesus!<br /><br /><strong>“No one cares about apologetics . . . what people are concerned about are real life challenges”</strong><br /><br /><strong>Response:</strong> Even if no one cares about apologetics, it doesn’t follow that it is not important. It is vital that we as believers know what we believe and why we believe it. Having a firm foundation is what helps us to make sense of the “real life challenges” we face in society today. It is this type of thinking that leads Christians to have private convictions they do not live out publicly. It is why so many people put money before morality or trade their patience for their passions (don’t believe me; watch how people vote in this upcoming election).<br /><br /><strong>“As long as you are not teaching heresy, love Jesus, teach people to live better, and preach truth, that’s all that matters.”</strong><br /><br /><strong>Response:</strong> Really? How do you know that you are not teaching heresy? Or that you are loving the real Jesus? How do you know that you are preaching Truth? It is the discipline of apologetics that helps us to discern truth, recognize error, and maintain doctrinal integrity in our churches.<br /><br /><strong>Lastly, “At the end of the day you don’t need apologetics to get to heaven."</strong><br /><br /><strong>Response:</strong> Even if that was a true statement, it doesn’t follow that apologetics has no value. First, I believe in many cases apologetics is the very thing God uses to help remove the barriers of unbelief to draw men unto Himself. Secondly, there are at least three great purposes for apologetics in the life of a believer:<br /><br />1. Personally it is important for a believer to know what they believe and why.<br />2. Culturally we must stand for the truth ethically and morally.<br />3. Evangelistically we must be ready to give an answer to everyone for the hope we have in Christ.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>My Mind, My Thoughts, My Heart, My Words</strong>Shawn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14914334437332627188noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4235709915198517031.post-54644331124764912462008-04-29T01:16:00.001-07:002008-05-01T13:28:54.531-07:00The "A" WordI had a very long conversation (3 hours) with a pastor friend of mine tonight. We spent a few moments catching up with each other before he began inquiring about my ministry and upcoming banquet. He was excited to hear about all of the great things God was doing in and through Stand for Truth Ministries, but wanted to leave me with a bit of sound advice: “Drop the “A” word.” He went on to suggest that “if you want to effectively reach the “black” church you are going to have to eliminate the term from your vocabulary.” So what’s the “A” word? It’s the word <a href="http://standfortruthministries.org/whatisapologetics_article.htm"><span style="color:#000099;">Apologetics</span></a>.<br /><br />Now as a disclaimer let me say that while it might be the case that other races face the same challenges when presenting apologetics, our discussion is about me as an African American Apologist and the difficulties I face in presenting Apologetics in the “Black” church.<br /><br />"Use the word at home and no where else.” After all, he remarks, “at the end of the day, no one goes to heaven by apologetics.” He offered several reasons in support of his point. First, the vast majority of black pastors are insecure and may feel intimidated by having someone like me speak or teach at their church. In his experience, many black pastors find Apologetics to be divisive, undermines their authority and may bring into question their ability to “hear from God.” How you might ask? Well if the pastor as the “head, father, or prophet” of that house (the Church), is unable to elaborate on or reiterate the points of discussion that the apologist brings up, he might find this challenging to his ability to "hear from God" or reveal a lack of knowledge on his part in a particular area or study. He felt that the result of this may cause some to feel like they may lose members and as a result, money.<br /><br />Secondly, he suggest to me that “no one knows about apologetics and no one cares . . . It’s just not of interest to them.” He went on to say that what people are concerned about today are “real life challenges” such as “gas prices, the fact that my babies are hungry, or that my family member is on drugs, or the fact that I’m about to lose my home.” He wanted me to realize that no one but me was interested in that stuff; it was just a passion of mine. “People don’t care about that stuff Hayes, as long as you are not teaching heresy, love Jesus, teach people to live better, and preach truth, that’s all that matters because (the last point) at the end of the day you don’t need apologetics to get to heaven." I remember a leader once expressing somewhat of the same idea to me when I told him what I was going to school for. He said, "you will be like a car driving in the snow . . . sure your wheels are spinning, but you ain't going anywhere."<br /><br />Before I give my thoughts, I would really like to hear from you (especially Pastors and Leaders)Shawn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14914334437332627188noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4235709915198517031.post-5203380774691489712008-03-13T23:45:00.000-07:002008-03-13T23:58:26.809-07:00Pay As You Go<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-IaNnK1ySYc/R9ofdkn5aGI/AAAAAAAAAEI/RAl75IvYuBA/s1600-h/picture400.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177485314523490402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-IaNnK1ySYc/R9ofdkn5aGI/AAAAAAAAAEI/RAl75IvYuBA/s320/picture400.jpg" border="0" /></a> I happen to catch the new Verizon Wireless commercial, where Cindy runs into her old boyfriend Devin. Cindy says, “Hey Devin, It’s been a long time. I see you have the whole Verizon Wireless Network with you, Mr. Fear-of-Commitment.”<br /><br />Devin responds, “Well, they came with my pay as you go plan. So I only pay for them when I use them." At this point Devin’s eyes sparkle as if he just reached Nirvana or as if he just received a smiley face from his third grade teacher, and he proudly remarks, “So why buy the whole cow when you can just pay for the days you milk it?” He laughs as Cindy walks away disgusted.<br /><br />This is Verizon’s pay as you go plan – “forget long term contracts, just pay for the days you use it.”<br /><br />Okay maybe I’m putting too much on it, or maybe I just think too much, but think on this: Verizon Wireless is number 1 in telecommunications, number 13 in Fortune 500’s annual ranking of America’s largest corporations, and spend millions in the marketing and promotions of their services and products. So believe me, they know what sells. And what is it that they are now betting their stock on? What is it that they are spending millions on to help sell their products? It’s the fact that having “no commitments” is appealing to you. After all, as Devin pointed out, why should you buy the cow when you can just pay for the days you milk it!<br /><br />Verizon suggest that the days of long-term commitments are gone and what people are looking for today are (in their own words) “pay as you go plans.” Okay, two words: “Elliot Spitzer (I know, I know that was bad but I’m making a point here).” Not everything that looks good is good for you, not everything that makes you happy will make you healthy, and everything that sounds good isn’t always good. I’m not really slamming on Verizon per se, but what trips me out is the clear observation that the Verizon marketing team made about our culture, namely that (generally speaking) we don’t value the idea of commitments. I don’t really need to know your name; don’t really care where you’re from, but if I flipped the bill, just give me what I paid for and keep it moving.<br /><br />My Mind, My Thoughts, My Heart, My Words<br /><div></div>Shawn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14914334437332627188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4235709915198517031.post-4542949206301274572008-02-29T23:09:00.000-08:002008-03-01T00:50:49.150-08:00The Moment of Truth<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-IaNnK1ySYc/R8kR7wq4R9I/AAAAAAAAAEA/ZyMH8DrQcz0/s1600-h/momenttruthsm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172685365386430418" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-IaNnK1ySYc/R8kR7wq4R9I/AAAAAAAAAEA/ZyMH8DrQcz0/s320/momenttruthsm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Have you ever lied on an application to get a job? Would you donate an organ to save your mothers life? Would you cheat on your spouse if you know you wouldn’t get caught? These are the kinds of questions participants are asked on the new FOX TV show Moment of Truth.<br /><br />The rules are simple, answer 21 increasingly personal questions honestly, as determined by a polygraph, and win up to $500,000. Sounds easy enough, just tell the truth, but how hard would it be to tell the truth not only in front of all America, but in front of your closest loved ones including your spouse, relatives and friends?<br /><br />Up for the challenge this week was Lauren Cleri, a 26 year old hair salon assistant and newlywed of two years. In front of her husband, mother, father, sister and brother, Lauren faced her first question: As an employee of a hair salon, have you ever told a customer that you like their hairstyle when in fact you didn’t? Right away Lauren answers no, the lie detector determines that her answer is true (the audience applauds). However, as the questions got more personal, it quickly became apparent that a moment of truth can produce a lifetime of pain.<br /><br /><ul><li>Do you know things about your father that you keep secret from your mother?</li><li>Have you ever took off your wedding ring to appear as if you were single?</li><li>Do you believe you were in love with a former boyfriend on your wedding day? </li></ul><p>Yes, Yes and Yes, congratulation you have won $100,000! You are now 3 questions away from winning $200,000 on your way to the $500,000 grand prize! However if you chose to continue the next question will be asked by a special guest. Out comes Frank, Lauren’s former boyfriend. Question number 1 on your way to winning the grand prize (mind you her husband is sitting right there):</p><ul><li>If I wanted to get back together with you, would you leave your husband?<br /><br />This question gets voted out by her sister and replaced by the following question:<br /></li><br /><li>Do you believe I’m the man you should be married to? Yes<br /><br />Ok two more questions. Question number 2:<br /></li><li>Since you been married, have you had sex with someone other than your husband? (What? Do you think they are trying to give money away? It’s all about the ratings baby) answer: Yes</li></ul><p>Ladies and Gentleman, here it is, the moment of truth, the reason for this blog and Lauren’s greatest challenge. After destroying her husband, ruining her family, admitting to being a liar, cheater and adulteress who would feed a stray dog before giving it to a homeless person (folks, I’m not making this up) now faces her greatest question. Here it go (ebonics): </p><ul><li>Do you think you’re a good person?</li></ul><p>Lauren answers, “Honesty I think I am” (as her father nods away in approval). In the words of Maury “the lie detector determined . . . BUZZZZ! That was a lie. Lauren loses everything! No consolation prize, nothing; just a hand shake and a thank you, now get off the stage and go deal with real life.<br /><br />Wow is this an episode of Jay Budziszewski’s “Revenge of Conscience” or what? How is it that we can admit to lying, stealing, cheating and ruining the lives of others yet cannot find it in ourselves to admit to being a sinner? How is it that Lauren could proclaim with her lips what she could not deny with her heart? The Book of Hebrews gives us the answer.<br /><br />The little traitor that cost Lauren the ½ million bucks is what is described in Scripture as the Moral Law written on the heart. The Bible records God saying, "I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts" (Heb. 8:10; 10:16). It is by the Moral Law that we discern what is right and wrong. In his letter to the Roman church, Paul writes, "When Gentiles who do not have the law do instinctively the things of the law, these, not having the law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them" (Rom. 2:14-15).<br /><br />If we know right from wrong, why do we still behave immorally? Well the Bible teaches us that we suppress the truth in our unrighteousness because we love darkness rather than light. Some might try to defend her by saying that doing bad things doesn’t make you a bad person! Yeah? And committing murder doesn’t make me a murderer! Listen, we can’t fully divorce what we do from who we are. We don’t say “She is an honest girl who happens to lie a lot” no we say you’re a liar! In Lauren’s defense, had she been able to admit to all of those things, and with a straight face answer that she sincerely believed that she was a good person, we might find her to be a bit weird or at least odd (there’s hope for you Lauren).<br /><br />I guess the thing that trips me out the most isn’t all the stuff she admitted to doing wrong, but the fact that she was willing to tell the truth at the expense of hurting others to win some cash and yet lose it all when she couldn’t be honest to herself. I guess it is true that a moment of truth can bring a lifetime of pain, and in some cases an eternity of torment. The first thing we all have to admit to ourselves is that we are not all that good; in fact we are sinners in need of a Savior.<br /><br />My Mind, My Thoughts, My Heart, My Words </p>Shawn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14914334437332627188noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4235709915198517031.post-25936152870048562712007-08-02T13:56:00.000-07:002007-08-02T14:36:36.175-07:00It's TimeOk It's up. I have been seeing, reading and hearing so many opinions on topics varying from culture in the world to conflict in the church. Actually it was after yelling at the tv screen with my wife (watching BET's "Meet the Faith") that I decided that it was time to chime in on the conversations. Let's use this blog as an opportunity to talk, share and test all things in light of scripture and hold firmly to that which is good.Shawn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14914334437332627188noreply@blogger.com4