Written By Bradely Hettinga!!

Your church family is a category of relationship that the world knows nothing about.

A lot of people on Facebook and are always like got friends i got friends i got friends...Do you know what’s better than friends??...FAMILY. God gave us a family and God is the father of our family and we are brother and sisters in the church family. Some of you would say this church is hard and i don't feel like I’m family and i don’t feel like I’m connected, i don’t feel like I’m close, some people here annoy me or bother me, or we don't get along...welcome to family. Family is awkward and family is hard and family is complicated and the family is trying, but you still must serve the family you love the family you, and don’t give up on the family. If you have family you love them, but church is family because this is the family you’re going to be with forever.  I hope your whole biological family gets saved and is also a part of our spiritual family. Some of you have two families and, and your biological family got saved and now you just have one big extended church family.

However, your church family is incredibly important because those are the members who do two things, listen and obey. They do what they are supposed to do after hearing what they are supposed to hear.  That’s their activity. If this church doesn’t feel like home...serve. Do you know the difference between a restaurant and a family dinner? You go to a restaurant and sit down and somebody takes care of everything. You could even complain about it, “I did not like the mashed potatoes, the gravy was too salty”, or something like that. However, if you did that to your mother, your father would do something to you. If you go to your parent’s house and just sit down they will probably say something to the lines of “Hey, what are you doing sitting down, you need to set the table. Get up and go set the table.” You’re part of the family!! If you want something out of the refrigerator, get up and get it because this is family.  When dinner is done, don't leave your plate on the table. Go take it to the sink, scrape it, and clean it. Why?  This is a family.

The difference between a restaurant and a family is whether or not you do something. Some of you treat this church as family. You come saying “I’m going to pick up my trash, I’m going to tithe, I’m going to help in outreach, and I’m going to help some people because this is family. I know it’s a mess, it’s a big crazy family, but it’s my family. Give me a chore. Give me something to do, help me be part of the family. Some say “I did not like the worship service, the sermon was very long.” What’s different in a family is when you see a need you meet it!

the above is an excerpt from a message written by Bradley Hettinga

My addition to my young brothers word is "family, both naturally, and spiritually come with responsibilities. In a natural family, responsibilities comes such as chores, such as washing dishes, sweeping the floor, taking out the trash." However, in the spiritual family, these responsibilities may still be there, but not in the carnal sense. Being the temple of the Holy Ghost, keep it clean. Take out your trash daily(sin), wash those dishes, and sweep out all the iniquity. The cleaner you are, the stronger you are, and for every member who is clean and strong, the stronger the family is.

Invest your life in God and His people!!!!

Make it happen in 2011

This blog will be a little different from the two previous ones that I have written, but however, this one, like all the rest, is straight from the heart.

It all started on Sunday, January 9, 2011, the second Sunday of the year at the True Word Church of the Apostolic Faith Inc, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It all started as we were about to dismiss from Sunday School, and my pastor had already stirred the congregation up! He then, asked who wanted to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and TWO ladies raised their hands. After that, he asked who wanted to re-baptized, and I raised my hand. Why? I felt like it was the right thing to do, especially after my thoughts and hinting about it the night before! Well, needless to say, with two new souls being baptized, and one soul being re-baptized, you know we had some praise to get out. As I was changing into my clothes, I was in such a rush to get upstairs to get my praise on. We had some CHURCH that day, in both, day and night service.

So on Friday, January 14, 2011, we had church, and my pastor began to teach on demons and spirits, and how they are working in the church, and captivating the attention of the youth, and controlling our mind. I was so attentive in this lesson.

In the car on my way to my Grandmothers house, it was a minister, my grandmother, a young lady in the church, and myself. We began to talk, and it surprised me that the conversation that the young lady and myself we're having. We started to talk about a lot of different topics, and it really hit me hard, because as I was beginning to talk to her, I could feel the Holy Ghost so strong, and my jaw tightening. I felt like  I was about to go off speaking in tongues.  It was that real to me. I began to MINISTER and tell her that living for God is not going to be easy, but it is worth it.

I began to tell her how before I received the Holy Ghost, understanding the Bible was quite complex, but it seemed once I received the Holy Ghost, understanding came with Him(recognizing the Holy Ghost, is not an "it".) How when reading the Bible, you can read one scripture on one page, and turn the page and find the meaning. (Scripture interprets scripture).

I also began to share with her my passion as to winning souls. I told her, in 2011 I want to win more souls than ever. I told her that I was sick of seeing all my friends claim they have "fun" in this world, and deep down inside, I know they are suffering, and it kills me that I have the remedy to spiritual wellness, which is Christ, and I don't even offer Him, to those who really need Him. The fruit of the righteous [is] a tree of life; and he that winneth souls [is] wise. Prov 11:30

I, then began to tell her that she can share her testimony to her friends, co-workers, and classmates with shame. Her words can change the world, and change the viewpoint of them. Testimonies are used to over come. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Rev 12:11

As the conversation concluded, it hit me that the young people in the church need to step up, and need to do so QUICKLY. We have the ability to usher in the presence of the Holy Ghost. That "job" should not rely on the Elders, Ministers, and Other Ministry roles of the church. The Spirit should have free course in our church, because of OUR PRAYERS. Imagine, if you will, if every member of the youth group fasted once a week for every Sunday service. Imagine, if every member of the youth group gathered together and hit the prayer room or the sanctuary before church. Imagine, if your pastor walked into the church to behold the youth in worship. IMAGINATIONS CAN BECOME REALITIES.

Will you stand for God, or fall for the tricks of Satan? Will you live for God, or die for Satan? Will you grow in ministry, or dwindle in sin? Will you flourish, or perish?

This [is] the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.  Psalms 24:6

What are you Seeing?

Some of you, if not all of you may be wondering, why is there a big, yet, beautiful picture of an eye at the beginning of this blog? Well, here's why. Recently, I visited a church, and a young lady began to discourse, or to speak in front of a crowd. At the end of her exhortation, she began to to talk about eyes. As she continued to speak, I began to get more attentive, the more she spoke. She then began to talk about how she came to meet her boyfriend. OK, I'm thinking "Wow, This is not "Change of Heart" this is church, but toward the end, that thought changed.

She talked about the eye, and how God led her to her boyfriend, but during the relationship, they began to have serious problems, as if that is abnormal in any steady relationship. They began to fight, argue, scream, and it seemed EVERYTHING they were doing agitated each other. Then she began to pray, which I don't blame her. She prayed this prayer or something to this effect, "Lord, help me to see Him the way YOU see Him."  After that, I was very struck with awe, and that statement has inspired this blog. 

Eyes are key factors into one's life and overall ability to function. Without them, the ability to "see" would be eliminated. Duh right? And I know by now you're thinking, "What is the point?"  Well.. for all those impatient ones who do not appreciate background information, here comes the point. 

I believe we have two sets of eyes; carnal and spiritual. But, which pair of eyes are you seeing through? Carnal eyes, normally, see the negative and repugnant aspects of a person. For example, you eat (food) with your eyes first. If something doesn't look appeasing or satisfying, you're not going to eat it are you? Another example, when it comes to selecting girlfriends and boyfriends which should eventually lead to husbands and wives, if she doesn't, or if he doesn't look "good" or

sexy", the chances of them even being CONSIDERED to be a girl/boyfriend, let alone a spouse are slim to none, right?

The Spiritual eyes will not, and DO NOT see like this. The spiritual eyes do not commit this crime. They see the BEST. They see the beauty of God's creation and the artistry of God's craftsmanship. The Spiritual eyes say " Yes, I see who you are, but I also see who you can be." Spiritual eyes say " Yes, I don't walk like you, talk like you, but I am human, so I'm subject to be at fault JUST LIKE YOU."

"Help me Lord to see your creation, whether it be admiring the powerful majestic Niagara Falls, or cherishing the soothing sound the Nile River brings as it rushes by, or even seeing the best in people when others see the worst.

In closing, I pose the question: "What pair of eyes are you looking through?"

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool- Proverbs 28:26

Blogging?? Why?

Wow! Another blogger? I know that's what you're thinking, but hopefully, this blog entry, and more to come will be actually worth reading.

In deciding to create a blog, I had to REALLY consider a couple things. Would people read it? Would people enjoy it? And lastly, the hardest question of them all "Do I have anything to say, or write in this instance, that people would care about?"  Sadly, the decision took a lot more time to be made, then I had expected. However, in talking to a friend on, the worldly popular site "Facebook", he, David Munn actually encouraged me to speak my mind. Then I began to think, I would see my friends blogging, and coming up with all sorts of stuff, and I wanted to be a person who could educate, encourage, and uplift people with my words, instead of hurting, destroying, and killing. After all, the Bible declares that "Death and Life are in the power of the tongue. Proverbs 18:21.

I began to pray and ask God to give me words, phrases, quotes, and words of wisdom to uplift.

So you may ask Why Blog? I say, in the words of David Munn, "Personal blogs are important. If you receive words, and don’t release them somewhere, they become stagnate, or are forgotten. Write it down, that’s what God told Jeremiah. There would be no Bible without those who wrote down, released, and gave what they received" I want the world to hear what I have to say.

As a young Christian man, it is my duty, upon conviction, to step up and speak louder than ever before. Folks are dying left and right, figuratively, SPIRITUALLY, and literally, and I want my words to bring life to them. Words are POWERFUL.  I choose to blog to give insight to the things of God from a young man's perspective, and to also, encourage.

Thoughts can become words, if you take the time to write them down!! People can hear what your mind is thinking, if you speak!!

And THAT'S WHY I HAVE DECIDED TO BLOG!!

Silent Prophets

As I was browsing on a widely known website, "YouTube," I came across an older gentleman who tells his viewers that he is a simple man who is self-taught who has decided to do some teaching on the Bible and other subjects Jesus calls him to do. Now, there is nothing wrong with the above statement, besides the fact he is "self-taught." Now, do not confuse this with "personal study", because there is a difference. Pastors are put to lead their sheep in wisdom and understanding. No one knows it all, not even the pastor, BUT, they can assist with the knowledge and understanding of the Word of God, thus making a pastor a profit to one's spiritual walk with Christ. Personal study comes in after one receives a word, then takes it home to study and chew on.

Before I get off topic, I will address the situation at hand. As I continued to browse his YouTube page, I noticed a title that he has given himself. He is apparently, God’s, self-proclaimed by the way, "silent prophet." Here is where the problem begins.  After reading, the only emotion I had was SHOCK, and I couldn't understand how ironic this statement was. You would not expect a prophet, who generally speaks publically and orally, to be silent. 

According to the dictionary, prophet is defined as "one of a class of persons in the early church, next in order after the apostles, recognized as inspired to UTTER special revelations and predictions. 1 Cor. 12:28."  

So, I went looking at the word "utter."  The word "utter" means  "to give audible expression to; speak or pronounce", and the word "audible" is defined as "capable of being heard; loud enough to be heard; actually heard." Looking at these definitions, one can obviously tell that a prophet must speak with enough sound, in order to be heard with the natural ear, when giving a word, whether personally, or publically. He must be heard.

The Bible also proclaims: “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world." Matthew 13:35...

Clearly, in the Word, prophets opened their mouth and uttered what "thus saith the Lord." Silent prophets do not exist; well rather, they shouldn't exist. Prophets, or those used in prophecy need to open their mouth and speak what the Lord has to say. 

To all those "Silent Prophets" out there, SPEAK UP!!! First, be the ears and then the mouthpiece. Stay sensitive to the Spirit of God, when GOD SAYS SPEAK, then SPEAK