* I Did Not Speak to them, Yet They Prophesied

I know that I have stated or implied previously that my maternal grandmother, Mammy Bennett forged my religious education as she anchored the 'faith-moorings' of our family. I recall as a young boy sitting at the foot of her rocking-chair listening to Bible stories and just what Jesus should be in our lives.

As a teen boy she kept you tethered to those teachings as she controlled your behavior with subtle but constant reminders that Christ was returning a second time and no one knows the day or time. (Wow! You mean Jesus could show up at the French Village Drive-In Theater...TONIGHT?)

Mammy also did a good job explaining how one should be tolerant and judge not. She did not fail to explain and give cautionary notes about 'false prophets.' I don't know all those false prophets but I recognized a few in my life time. Sharing my opinions does in no way suggest that I judge them...I shall leave that to the Lord who shall judge us all. I'm simply telling you that my Mammy put me on the alert for folks who claim to be some 'special messenger' with a straight pipeline to Jesus and therefore speaks for Christ.

Gee, off the top of my head...the late Rev.Jerry Falwell who once said, "I don't believe God hears the prayers of the unredeemed." I don't know how others interpret that comment but...This would mean no one could ever find salvation, Jerry. Before Jerry, I was skeptical of Oral Roberts who told folks that God told him he was going to die if we didn't send him a bunch of money.

Of course, Rev. Pat Robertson would have folks believe that the feminist movement was born in hell. Rev. Pat said, "The Feminist agenda is not about women's rights. It is about socialist, anti-family political movement, which encourages women to leave husbands, kill children and destroy capitalism."

And then there is Pastor Mike Bickle who predicts Oprah Wingrey to be a forerunner to the Anti-Christ. He also predicts progressive Christians and humanitarians will work with Oprah to create a unified one world religion. Marriage will no longer be allowed due to the legalization of same sex marriage. This fella got the Kool aid recipes of Jim Jones. Bickle endorses Ted Cruz...there's two evil speaking people.

With sincere apologies to Pastor John Hagee, I just have enough space to tell the blog readers that I will now stop and offer Christ a prayer of gratitude for my Mammy. I will also pray for those 'outside' the body of Christ because of false prophets. * Jeremiah 23:21