I was recently sent an email by someone with this letter that was written by comedian Bill Cosby.  He says, “I have decided to become a write-in candidate for President in the year 2012.  And here is my platform:”

 1. Any use of the phrase; ‘Pres 1 for English’ is immediately banned.  English is the official language; speak it or wait outside of our borders until you can.

2. We will immediately go into a two year isolationsist attitude in order to straighten out the greedy big business posture in this country.  America will allow no imports, and we’ll do no exports.  We will use the Wal-mart policy, if we aint got it, you don’t need it.  We’ll make it here and sell it here.

3. When imports are allowed, there will be a 100% import tax on it.

4. Social security will immediately return to its original state.  If you didn’t put nuttin in, you ain’t gettin nuttin out.  Neither the President nor any other politician will be able to touch it.

5. Welfare checks will be handed out on Fridays, at the end of the 40 hour school week, the successful completion of a urinalysis test for drugs, and passing grades.

6. Professional Athletes and Steroids; The first time you test positive you’re banned from sports……. for life.

 7. Crime, we will adopt the Turkish method.  The first time you steal, you lose your right hand.  There will be no more life sentences.  If convicted of murder, you will be put to death by the same method you chose for the victim you killed.

8. One export will be allowed: wheat; because the world needs to eat.  However, a bushel of wheat will be the exact price of a barrel of oil.

9.All foreign aid, using American taxpayer money will immediately cease and the saved money will help pay off the national debt and  ultimately lower taxes.  When disasters occur around the world, we’ll ask the American People if they want to donate to a disaster fund.

10.  The Pledge of Allegiance will be said every day at school and every day in Congres.  As well as the National Anthem played at all appropriate ceremonies, sporting events and outings.

There has been a lot of negative publicity as it relates to our President and the decisions he has made.  Let me be absolutely clear, that is not the purpose of this blog. 

1 Peter 13-14 says submit yourselves to every ordiance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him.

I can and do support the current President and his cabinet, even though I don’t always agree with everything that is going on.  I will however if Bill Cosby is serious about running for office, he has my vote.

God Bless America, the greatest country on the planet!

Is it just me, or did it seem like folks were suffering from “diarrhea of the mouth” this past weekend?  From tennis greats, Serena Williams and Roger Federer to South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson and rap artist Kanye West.  I think something was in the water that they all must have drank.  But out of them all my man Kanye took the cake.

During the MTV annual video music awards (VMA) nineteen year old, Taylor Swift received an award for best female video and during her acceptance speech Kanye came on stage and basically said she shouldn’t have won the award.  Poor Taylor was so shocked she couldn’t even finish her acceptance speech.  It was awkward to say the least.

Then Beyonce who won video of the year, comes to the stage to receive her award and give her acceptance speech.  This woman calls Taylor back to the stage and says, “I want her to have her moment.”  She then hands Taylor the mic for her to finish her acceptance speech.  Well the crowd went bonkers over this classy display by Beyonce.

 I got to thinking, Beyonce’s stock went through the roof after this gesture; while Kanye West’s stock went into the toilet.  Kind of like some of our portfolios during recent months.  What’s the point Don?  Image is everything.  Think about the image that Kayne gave to the millions of fans watching the VMA’s.  Now contrast that with the image that Beyonce gave.  Even if you are not a fan of her’s, you have to respect her for what she did.

What kind of image are you showing those around you?  Our image can be tainted by our attitude, actions, associations and even our attire.  But it can also be affected by alcohol.  Turns out Kayne was sporting a fifth of Hennessey all night long and taking it to the head right out the bottle.  Unbelievable. 

If you are a Christ follower, I encourage you like Paul did young Timothy to be an example in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)  Remember, you may be the only bible someone will ever read.

On a night when all of college sports fans were either celebrating the first victory of their teams season or angry at the first lost they had just been handed, one play, one moment one bad choice is what stole the show and left a bad taste in the mouths of college football fans for the year. 

Oregon’s star running back Legarrette Blount was suspended indefinitly from the team for punching a Boise state player after their game.  When you watch the replay of the incident, Blount was clearly taunted at the time.  But little did he know that he would suffer so much from one stupid mistake.

Blount was predicted to be a first round draft choice in next years NFL draft.  Most analyst had him as the second best running back in all of college football.  Now after his bad choice he will suffer severe consequences.  Some may argue that his hope for playing in the NFL might be over.  This leaves only one reaction, “what a waste.”  But we see it over and over again don’t we?  Not only do we see it with athletes, we see it amongst church folks.

In Matthew 25 Jesus tells a parable of three servants.  Two of which He says, “well done my good and faithful servant.”  One he says, “you wicked and lazy servant.”  Why such harsh words for the one servant?  Because like Legarrette, he wasted away his talent.

God has given all of us certain talents and He expects a return on his investment.  No matter how big or small we may think our talent is, God still demands a return.  We sometimes forget this and when we do disaster is waiting around the corner. 

When you close your eyes for the last time, what do you think you will hear?   Will God say, well done my good and faithful servant, or will he say, “you wicked and lazy servant?”  I don’t know about you, but I don’t want anyone, especially Jesus to say, “what a waste” when it comes to my life.

In the sports world there is a term called the pump fake.  Made popular in the game of basketball, this is when a shooter fakes like he is going to take a jump shot in order to get the defender to leave his feet.  Once this happens the shooter then goes around him to take the real shot. 

The pump fake has made its way into other sports as well.  Like football for instance.  When the quarterback goes against a zone defense where the defenders are reading his eyes.  Often times he will pump fake one way, to get the defenders to move in a certain direction only to come back and throw to a receiver on the opposite side.

Why am I telling you about this technique?  Because it is starting to make its way into the church.  We got Christians pump faking their way through life.  But here’s the problem.  Life is not a game, so we need to stop playing ourselves.  Many church folks are acting like they are holy getting everyone to think they are christ-like.  When upon furthur investigation, their lips and their lives are preaching two different sermons. 

Sadly we even have pastors that are using the pump fake.  I was saddend to read the article recently published by Dr. Betty Price who is the wife of Dr. Fred Price of Crenshaw Christian Center in LA.  In the article she says she has received letters from women who are committing adultery with high profile men of God.  Dr. Price says she encourages these women to search themselves and answer this question, what is your commitment to God?

Folks, don’t fall for the pump fake.  How can we do this? 

First it takes self examination.  2 Corinthians 13:5 says examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.  Test yourselves.  Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?  Unless, indeed you are disqualified.

Next you have to examine those around you.  1 Thessalonians 5:21 Paul says test all things; hold fast to what is good.

Finally, you confront wicked behavior head on.  Galatians 6:1 Brethren if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.