Whatever goes around, will come around!

The natural laws of physics relative to motion/involuntary motion have been proven to be fact. Well, at least according to Isaac Newton. It was he who identified the following laws under this physical scientific equation: force, body and speed.

Whether accelerated or not, when action is present, motion is prevalent. This evaluation gives leeway to a certain kind of law of physics—the spiritual. There are certain laws, which govern the natural laws of physics. This is also very much true for the spiritual or preternatural realm.

The laws of physics may not always be understood, but rest assured, for the most part, they can be highly tested. For every action, there is a just cause for a reaction. From a moral sense, there is perhaps a less complicated way of putting it. I guess you can sort of think of it on this fashion: You reap what you sew. My Aunt Jesse Scott was not a physicist, nor was she a philosopher. However, being a southern woman, she would always speak colloquial expressions, as well as old wise clichés. When I was a kid, there was one expression in particular that I would always hear her say, "If it does not come out in the wash, it will come out in the rinse." Meaning what one does in this life, good or bad, the results will be forth-telling. When I became an adult I learned this old wise saying to be a proven fact, which brings me to my point.

The World has witnessed the tragic Earthquake, which occurred in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. This devastation is unprecedented. The death-toll, as reported, is in the hundreds of thousands, and thousands more have been left without food and shelter. We at The Roger Mills Show are planning to help send relief to these precious Haitian people. It is heartbreaking what has befallen the Haitian people, especially to all the little innocent children who have died there.

It has been rumored that there are those who are reluctant to offer help to the Haitian people, who are in desperate need about right now. Yet these same people call themselves Christians (Christ-like).

To be clear, this catastrophic event happened as a result of natural occurrences, in conjunction with evil preternatural interaction. God is not to blame.

However consider this: If God didn't spare the lives of all those innocent little children who died in the Haitian earthquake, who did nothing to deserve what happened to them, what a horrible future must await those who profess to be Christians while living just the opposite of their profession!

“How will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation… ” – Hebrews 2:3 NASB

This sort of payback is called the law of return, but Jesus summed it up this way:

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” – St. Luke 6:38

In other words, “Whatever goes around, will come around!”

It's the thought that counts?

Just recently, I recognized, in operation, a key component to a certain theoretical construct of communication that I formulated, which is entitled, “Mental Elaboration Disassociation Theory.” This key component I termed “automatic thinking” is akin to the term "thought pattern," which is defined as habitual thinking in a particular manner, or making certain assumptions, positive or negative.

Mental Elaboration Disassociation Theory highlights the danger of avoiding direct verbal communication, through shortened verbalized explanations, which are uttered by the usage of popular clichés. The cliché is often used as an excuse to avoid engaging in direct dialog. Therefore, the logical explanation one might expect to hear regarding the subject-matter winds up being positive or negative assumptions through cliché yakety-yak. When no logical mental thinking is utilized, a verbal response will then be more often than not vocalized in the form of popular stereotypical clichés.

In any case, I have never been a fan of clichés. However, in 2008 I was forced to reacquaint myself with one of the oldest colloquial verbal expression─THE MOTHER OF THEM ALL: “It’s the thought that counts.” As the story goes, my annual microscopic interrogation appointment with a particular State bureaucracy begins. Those of us (John Q. citizens) who are licensed through the State or a private agency to help protect children would be quite familiar with it. The process is quite tedious and in many cases overly emphasized. For those of you who are not familiar with the process, here is a shortened version. The process is initiated once certain exchanges are in motion. You receive an application, and in return you give up your family tree album, your social security number, your State drivers license (identification), your fingerprints, your W2s, your piggy bank and the last dime you ever made for babysitting etc. In other words, your privacy, self identity and your sovereign rights are all pretty much gone, and in the hands of “big brother, having agreed to the terms and conditions of policy guidelines.” All the items that you hand over in this exchange end up in the hands of a bureaucratic person a.k.a. a social worker.

In my case, the exchange “sort of” paid off. I received a piece of paper that has licensed by the State written on it. As well, I received a favorably written biographical sketch of myself (i.e. a home-study). Reading this information regarding me would have been flattering, but it was too much information, such as untruths! So there I was, on the telephone, conversing with a social worker whom I will only identify as Ms. C. Anyway, I was trying to get her to correct these written untruths. I said to her, “There are errors in my home-study.” Not directly dealing with my concerns, she said, “Well, I gave you an approved home-study!” She assumed that I would believe that she was doing me a favor by writing my home-study, but the truth of the matter is that she is paid by the State (which is funded by tax payers ) to write my report. Flabbergasted at her response, I said, “No, you didn’t give me anything. I earned it by graciously providing you with material that conveys information I consider to be personal and sensitive .” Her response was so cliché. She uttered, “Well, It’s the thought that counts.”

In response to her uttering this cliché, I said, “My point exactly! The thoughts can either count for you or against you, and in this case, your written thoughts appear less appealing.” So in the end, I suppose this cliché bears some elements of truth. The thought really does count, but as far as how they count, that of course depends on how one thinks about it.

"And Jesus, perceiving the thought..." - St. Luke 9:47 KJV

Chuckisha Mills

1994-2008

Being deeply inspired, I write these philosophical thoughts regarding my beloved feline pet, the late, Chuckisha Mills.

When God created the Garden of Eden approximately 6,000 years ago, it was man who first discovered and inhabited it. From the beginning, man shared this paradise-abode with animal life. This ancient relationship between man and animal may have been the earliest stage of the scientific academic: “anthrozoology.”

The term, “anthrozoology” comes from the Greek word anthropos, meaning human, and the Greek word zoon, meaning animal. The first meaningful relationship that man engaged in inside the Garden, besides with God, was befriending animals. Animals were around in man’s life before woman. In fact, according to the biblical record, Adam was friends with animals before he met his wife Eve.

Until this very day, the bonds that we humans share with our pets are unbreakable. They become family members. We shelter them, we feed them, and we name them. The scriptures say that God brought the animals to Adam to see what he would name them.

“Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name.”
– Genesis 2:19 NASB

Having observed that this was the case in the beginning of time, it is now clear to me why the bond Chuckisha and I had, was unbreakable and beyond comprehension. Just maybe, anthrozoology can explain why I carry this tremendous grief and pain in my heart. This sorrow I am contending with came as a result of the sudden death of my beloved cat (Chuckisha).

It was there, at an animal shelter, when I first laid my eyes upon her. I immediately called her Chuckisha (a.k.a. Chucky), a feminine name for Charles. You see, Charles is a friend of mine. He helped me to rescue Chuckisha from this animal shelter. I thought it was, therefore, highly appropriate that I would name Chuckisha after him.

When I first brought her home, I noticed that there was something different about her. I immediately noticed that she was much different from any other cats that I have seen. Her intellect was that of a three year old. No matter what area of the house I was in, if I called her name, she would come running to me. She was not "like a family member." She was family!

Whenever I would talk to her, she would respond back with a meow. She would do everything you would expect a dog to do and more. She was loving and kind, and every animal she met, she wanted to mother. The interaction she and I had was uncanny. My memories of her are even more remarkable.

Chuckisha became quickly very ill due to liver failure. I am sad about her passing, although every day I am thankful to the Lord God Jesus for blessing me with fourteen years of her sweet soul, and with our outstanding friendship. If anyone who reads this blog can get anything out of it, I hope that it will be this. Hold your animals close to you, and make sure you take them to the veterinarian often. Doing so can add years to their lives and joy to your own.

Because I believe in God, I also believe in a literal Heaven, and I can say rest in Peace Chuckisha! I will see you again some day!

A close call...

"I will call unto the LORD" - 1 Samuel 12:17 KJV

My office phone rang on today, and I answered. To my surprise, the voice on the other end was that of my childhood friend, actor Kevin Carroll. Throughout the years, he and I were very close, but at some point, we seemed to have lost communication with one-another. The fact that he is now a Hollywood actor, and being in the media-spotlight myself, probably had something to do with the breakdown of our communication in the last few years. I was so glad to hear from him!

Anyway, based upon his phone call, I was thinking about just how awesome the gift of communication is. As a rector/author, I sometimes take for granted the glorious opportunity that God has given me, and that is to preach and teach the wonderful message of his gospel to his precious people. When this message is communicated, lives are changed and transformed for God's honor and glory. This gift of communication is so powerful that it has transformed my life!

Verbal communication is not just conversing. It is also rehearsing what we do, as a result of what we say. There is an old saying that goes like this: “Mind what you say or you might say what comes to mind.”

The greatest act of communication was performed when God sent His only son into the world to die. The Holy Spirit, through the Prophet Isaiah, communicated this message.

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5

This was, no doubt, a divine communication. This particular event, which was the birth and death of Jesus Christ, came to pass as a result of prophetic utterance.

As powerful as this message is, it would have had no significance if Christ would have never died. Because he did die and rise from the dead, we can commune with him. As the Prophet Samuel said, "I will call unto the LORD." (1 Samuel 12:17)

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Romans 10:13

God is a very present help in trouble (Psalms 46:1), and a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).

Since the Lord’s presence is everywhere, then this truly is “a close call!”

Scary Encounter

“...he [Jesus] cast out the spirits with his word...”
– Matthew 14:26 KJV

Brandon has left, and now I am alone here in "the Woods," inside the cottage, curled up on the couch in front of the fire place. I am overwhelmed by fright, and might I say that I am “spooked” by a dark shadowy figure which I did see by peripheral vision.

I am not saying I saw a ghost. As a matter of fact, I don’t believe in ghost hauntings, as they are referred to according to popular opinion. Contrary to the scientific community, I do however believe that the universe contains preternatural activity that is often dismissed by the secular academic minds of science. There are records, archaeologically examined among many cultures which demonstrate their belief, in times past, about supernatural phenomena. The biblical record, however, gives a much better explanation: spirit.

While attending seminary, I was writing a dissertation to receive the doctorate of Christian education. While doing some related research, I stumbled across a Bible verse taken from the New Testament book of St. Matthew. The scripture reference strongly suggests that historical Christian patriarchs undoubtedly had faith in ghostly apparitions.

“And when the disciples saw him [Jesus] walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.” – Matthew 14:26 KJV

The position that I take on the subject of pneumatology is clearly argued in the book I have written, entitled, “While Out of My Body, I saw God, Hell and the Living Dead.”

However, according to skeptic minds, I must say that it may never be clear as to what I thought I saw while being here alone inside the cottage. I may not be able to articulate the entity’s origin, and neither am I able to produce tangible evidence of its existence.

If there is any evidence to offer regarding this manifestation, it rests within this written testimony alone: this being the case, that I on August 24, 2008 I did indeed have a Scary Encounter!

Doing a good thing at a bad time

"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12:21

There I was at the coffee house, although I don't drink coffee. Nevertheless, there I sat, supposedly taking a break from the monotonous, meaning interviewing celebrities on my television program, attending Hollywood red-carpet events, writing book manuscripts, etc.

It seemed too good to be true, but then reality set in when a few male teenagers in a music band, whom I will only identify as “KNBC,” approached me and asked if I would come see them perform live. My initial thought was, “Here we go!”

You see, the main reason I ran to the coffee house was to escape from this question, and questions similar, in the first place. Being a part of the entertainment industry, like I have been for a number of years, I am often called upon to scrutinize professional and non-professional talent. I have worked with the recording industry, whose artists appear on major record labels, and also with Hollywood’s big-screen actors—from the whose-who to the whose-not.

Anyway, my point is that I found myself talking about work—away from work. Being ensnared by those kids’ ability of persuasive appeals, the conversation ended with a promise from me that I would show up to hear the band play. Traveling familiar grounds, there I was in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan on August 16, 2008.

While there, I learned that there really is such a thing as "garage bands." =) These musicians had set up shop in their garage. There was a hand full of spectators, which included some of the parents, supporting their talented kids. The atmosphere was sort of like a backyard wedding. In other words, grab yourself a chair, sit down, look and listen.

During the band’s brief intermission, my presence was loudly acknowledged over the band’s PA system. The loud greeting was being announced by a kid whose energy level was that of a jet plane.

There was an awkward moment that took place, or maybe it was my reporter’s instinct kicking in. I was highly sensitive to the fact that I was being watched. The feeling was like having your fly open and you don’t know it, but everyone else does—and they just won’t tell you that it is down.

To my own surprise, I enjoyed the band’s performance. I am glad I showed up because afterward I saw how much it meant to the kids. At the end of the performance, the kids of the band, and several of the other kids, as well as I and two of my friends, hung around, talking.

Then suddenly, from across the street, a most peculiar acting woman ran from her house, shouting loudly, asking if we would all gather around a black Wrangler jeep so that she could take a photograph of us. Her explanation for wanting to do so made just as much sense as the mayor of Detroit’s determination to remain mayor of the city of Detroit after being charged with ten felony counts. However, I had my suspicions as to why the photograph was important to her.

The day ended with me and three members of the band going back to my so-called place of refuge—the coffee house. However, the best part of the whole day was that I got to witness to those kids about my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Oh by the way, KNBC is not the name of the band, but are the initials of the band member’s first names. I believe that whatever those kids decide to do in life, they will do well in it, and if they do decide to stick to music, I will support them with my media clout. We will do anything for kids, right? KNBC are in my thoughts and prayers!

As I write this blog, I believe I did a good thing at a bad time.

Time is short

"Remember how short my time is... "

Psalm 89:47 KJV

Just on today, someone asked me, "Do you know what time it is?"

My response was, "Yes. It's too late for me to be up."

We all have said, "If I just had more time..."

The truth of the matter is, we all have the same amount of time. There are 24 hours in a day, and 365 days in a year. How well one uses his or her time depends on how well they plan their 24 hours.

"Time Management" was one of the subjects that I studied while I was working on my Master degree at Spring Arbor University.

I learned about Stephen Covey’s theory entitled, "the three generations of time management." The theory reveals different styles of time managing ideas, from the traditional standpoint to the contemporary. Covey's theory offers a possible hope for the unorganized.

As a Christian, it is very important that I manage my time wisely.

King Solomon wrote:

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” - Ecclesiastes 3:1

The Apostle Paul also wrote about organized time—

“Let all things be done decently and in order.” - 1 Corinthians 14:40 KJV

“For God is not the author of confusion... ” - 1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV

I believe that we are living in the last days, as we approach the glorious return of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. With this in mind, as a Christian, I believe that all mankind will one day stand before God and give account of how well we managed our time.

Since this is the case, it is important that I do everything within my ability to incorporate good planning techniques into my high calling that God has placed upon my life.

Now is the time to do so, because time is short!