Well, ready or not HALLOWEEN is this Saturday. Yes, as a child I recall the great days of this month as we would enjoy hay rides, pick pumpkins, drink cider, go door to door begging for candy, having Mom check for hidden objects when we returned and it never failed. Every year, we would have some “older” actually very immature teens come by and get a kick out of stealing the candy bags of the younger crowd who labored all night to come home with nothing. My heart used to go out to those kids and I can still see them cry all the way home with nothing to show.
In elementary school, we always had HUGE parties for the holidays. Those were good times. I remember when Jason Colegrove in third grade dressed up as a Pittsburgh Steeler football player with the authentic helmet. Dana Walker dressed up like Miss Piggy but actually resembled a princess (she got my vote), Jason Hicks dressed like a Ho-Bo with a big, fat cigar and holes in his shoes. Then we had Shelly Tinsley and Doug Cunningham dressed up as “Donnie & Marie” and I am still 29 years later trying to figure out what my friend, Kenny Baird wore at the third grade party but bless his heart - I don’t think he ever knew what he was wearing either. LOL
The one thing about Halloween that I recall more than the candy and costumes is the “clown-like mask” that many of us wore and sadly, wear today as adults. You heard that classic song: “Bring in the Clowns.” This time last year, my friend and former Wrestling Champ and now Evangelist Nikita Koloff and I, spoke at a YOUTH EXPLOSION at Grace Brethren Church in Waldorf, MD. En route to speak that evening it dawned on me that many of those teens in attendance would be wearing a mask. The key was a “mask” not apparent to the naked eye but seen only by the Spirit of God.
As teens, we hide behind hundred dollar shoes, expensive clothes, designer jeans, pre-marital sex, alcohol abuse, desperately trying to “fit in” with the wrong crowd longing for acceptance, approval and attention at any expense. As teens, many are “looking for love in ALL the wrong places.” Rebelling against authority, disrespect for parents and very little regard to truth and could care less about consequences.
One of the most poignant and memorable scenes in Hollywood history was in “RETURN OF THE JEDI” in 1983, when a dying Darth Vader in his son’s, Luke’s lap removed the infamous jet black helmet. The irony was the badly, beaten Vader knew that if he removed his mask that his breathing would eventually cease. The beauty is that before he died he finally could look on his son with his own eyes before dying. Today, the opposite is true. The longer we as adults and adolescents continue to “wear masks” we elect to exist and not live and ultimately, are en route to a slow death. However, for those whom elect to be liberated, chase freedom and be all that God has created us to be we actually live and not die.
This Halloween, regardless if you promote going “door to door” or go out for pizza with the family and/or turn off all the lights and pray that no one rings your door or eggs your house - Remember this - that God makes no mistakes. He LOVES you and sent His only Son, Jesus to die for your sins. He whom was always King - became a kid. Talk about a costume. He took off His Royal robes and substituted them for your ripped rags. He left the perfect, palatial Palace of Heaven to come to the sin-sick society called Earth. Born of a virgin, placed in a crib and sentenced to die on a cross long after temporarily laying down His Crown. He, whom knew no sin - became sin. That was the costume that Jesus wore for Humanity (not just Halloween).
The King who was celebrated in Heaven knew (at best) mostly toleration on Earth. He was worshipped above and rejected below. The Bible notes: “He came to His own and His own received him not.” He was a Man of Sorrow, Suffering and Shame.” He was the “Rock of Ages” but the builders considered Him a rejected cornerstone. It has been said: “A prophet is with honor everywhere but his own town.” Today, it’s kinda like going to war and leaving “Rambo” out. Playing basketball and picking Michael Jordan last. It’s like promoting evangelism but telling Billy Graham to stay home. Electing to play golf and informing Tiger Woods that he is not that good. Teaching on charisma and stage presence and you tell Elvis Presley that he was not invited to audition. You get the point.
Jesus, was despised by Pharisees, yet, adored by plain-speaking people, made prostitutes know “true love” and constantly built others up privately while “haters” tried to tear Him down publicly. Jesus’ grief became our grace. His mercy became our merits, His death became our life, His sacrifice on the cross became our Subway to the Celestial City and because He was rejected for so long we could be accepted for all eternity. Today, if you are reading this and are still wearing a “mask” of some sort - the beauty is relax, realize who you are in Christ, remember that you don’t have to pretend any longer and “ready or not” the world will be better when the real “YOU” comes out.
BTW - that night that Nikita and I, spoke at the YOUTH EXPLOSION over 70 students got out of the bleachers and publicly made personal commitments to Christ! Go God!! When the mask comes off is the first step when the Master can come in.
Nikita Koloff, Capt Detellius, fs & Chaplain Lewis
As an evangelist, folks may think we are so global or “national” that we don’t do much ministry locally. Honestly, some of my best moments are one on one when no one was looking but God and the one being ministered to regardless if at a funeral home, hospital, church visitation or prison. Folks are almost always surprised when fellow evangelists walk in because I guess they assume we only work on “stage” or so busy saving the world that how would our schedule make room for them? The fact is we should be careful never to get to busy for “them.” Because Jesus was clear: “When we minister to them we are actually ministering unto Him.”
Just last week, I went to the local prison in my hometown to visit a friend incarcerated and as I was walking into the dentention center it dawned on me that all of us are one wrong decision away from being in a similar place. That is a humbling and sobering thought. I have learned the folks that think they will never fall are the ones that too often do. A special thanks to my friend, Chaplain Lewis who cleared me to enter. He is first class and God uses him in a powerful way on a daily basis to minister to those while in prison. Last year, both former Heavyweight Wrestling Champ and now Evangelist Nikita Koloff and I, had the privilege to preach to those shackled in prison at the very same jail.
As always, the Lord showed up then and again last week when I had the chance to minister one on one with my friend now behind a glass wall talking on a phone. He was crying and I was trying to love on him lavishly like the Lord only could and would. It is easy to get miscontrued in ministry as being so “out there” professionally that we don’t have time for others personally. Honestly, the greatest blessing for me is going “under the radar” and loving on people.
Ironically, I have had various members of other churches contact me because they believed their own pastor would be “too busy” to make house calls, hospital visits and seeing folks in prison. Regardless, if I just spoke in eight states in the past month - the blessing is they know I am both accessible and approachable and when they call I do whatever I can (humanly possible) to make the “un-announced visit.” Folks may see friends like me speak at stadiums, television, radio, church services or publicity in the paper but the behind the scene moments are most special to me.
One, it reminds me why I got in ministry to begin with - to help hurting people find peace in the midst of pain and point them to a personal relationship with Christ. Secondly, it keeps me humble because if I get so “big” that I cannot do this then I am either too busy or borderline in the danger zone - The Bible notes: “Pride goes before the fall.” I love that quote: “If you are too big to do the small things than you will be too small to do the BIG things!”
The blessing is ALL ministry is “BIG” when we have a pure heart and sincere motives. Many want to minister to crowds but unless you are content being a representative of Christ when few are looking you will never amount to much in ministry. God got great JOY speaking to a woman at a well as much as He did feeding five thousand with a little lad’s lunch! As Dr Johnny Hunt says: “Bigger is not better - better is better.” Learn to do the little things BIG and major in the minors. Plus, the one you minister to one on one often values God more and appreciates us for taking the time to love on them in their point of pain. I love that quote: “To the world you may be one person but to one person you may be the WORLD.”
The Bible is clear: “True ministry is caring for the widow, orphans, and visiting those in prison.” Man, media and even modern day ministry may not promote it or see it but God does and that is all that matters. Lawyers have to take the “Bar Exam” to practice. As Christians and clergy it is imperative that we too are willing to minister to those that many have forgotten about. Just because they can’t tithe doesn’t mean that God didn’t die to save them, encourage them and bless them.
As I walked up to enter the prison that day I felt like I was taking the Bar Exam myself. The true test is doing what God calls us to do. It’s not to compete with clergy or the church in town but complete the race Christ asked us to run. Lives hang in the balance, real people hurt, souls need saving and ministry can get dirty and ugly at times. The key to passing His Bar exam is not just visiting folks in jail but regardless of the scenario may we all as Christian’s remember to “judge less” and resemble Jesus MORE!
Frank & Ruth @ Texas Stadium
In 2007, I had the pleasure to host Celebrate Jesus! Texas Crusade and we rented out the Arlington Convention Center. Musical guests invited were: “Grammy Winner and friends MICHAEL ENGLISH, Dove Winner AYIESHA WOODS and 1992 Miss USA and I preached.” What a time that was and while in town (despite being a life long Washington Redskins fan) we were invited to tour and play 20 minutes of “touch football” on the legendary field of TEXAS STADIUM (Home of the Dallas Cowboys). Arguably, the most recognized stadium in the entire National Football League. However, the Willie Nelson song is still true: “Momma’s, Don’t Let your Babies Grow up to be Cowboys.”
Recently, I preached a new sermon on learning to “WIN in the RACE of LIFE.” First of all we must be DEAF to our Critics. Secondly, we must be DUMB to Doubt. Third, we must DISTANCE ourselves from Deadbeats. Fourth, be DEDICATED to the Task at Hand. Lastly, never forget our DELIVERANCE comes from Deity (not humanity). That service, I opened up with this classic story that is both applicable in both secular and spiritual arenas. ENJOY -
A summer camp in the mountains for over two decades featured an obstacle course that was never won by any of the contestants. The hill was dirt, the race was long and the elevation was so high that it seemed to suck the air out of the participants. What was even more grueling than the race was the rants from the crowd.
Have you ever noticed that those in the sidelines are often guilty of mocking the contestants in a race, election or competition. The word “Critic” comes from an individual who wanted to be an actor or actress in Hollywood and didn’t make the “cut” but has made a healthy living criticizing those that did. Does that make sense?
Back to the race. For over 20 years folks would line up on the sides of the dirt track and scream at the top of their lungs: “It’s TOO high, no one has ever completed it, you can’t win, STOP and the insults and excuses were almost endless.” One by one, like flies the runners over the years dropped out. One year, this 15 year old seemed to run faster as the crowds screamed louder. When everyone else quit and kept on rolling. For the first time in all the years of running he won. How? Why?
Drum roll please…………………………………unbeknownst to the crowd and other contestants the one that won was born deaf. The morale of the story is he couldn’t hear the critics or their cheap criticism. In order, to win your race in life you need to stay in your lane, run your race, keep your eyes on the Goal and always, always turn a deaf ear to the wannabees when you are destined to win!
Friends, just returned from preaching last weekend in the Peach State and its always a treat to return to the Great State of Georgia. While in town, I spoke at Lighthouse Community Baptist Church in the morning and then preached the Sunday evening service at Wings of Faith Revival Center in Summerville, GA. God showed up and showed off! We had a time. LISTEN UP - this month on my radio show “FRANKLY SPEAKING” my guests are Dove Award Winner - MATTHEW WEST, “Authority on Attitude” - SAM GLENN and Five Time World Wrestling Champ - NIKITA KOLOFF - “The Russian Nightmare” now evangelist will be calling in to share about Life, Love and Living for the Lord.
We are now accepting bookings for Summer 09- Winter 2010. If you know of a church or group that could use me to come speak please feel free to visit the BOOKING info link. Love to grow as friends with you or e-mail me Frankmotiv8s@aol.com God bless you and go with God.
Nikita Koloff - “The Russian Nightmare” is the “FIVE Time World Wrestling Champion” and bowed his knee and gave his heart to Jesus Christ. Today, he is one of the most powerful preachers and evangelists that I know. He serves on the Advisory Board of www.PraisefestMinistries.com with me and he is a dear friend, brother in Christ and loves life and the Lord. Nikita auditioned to play
Ivan Drago to fight Sly Stallone in “ROCKY IV” but was the last one cut out of 800 to play that part.
Nikita’s website is www.NikitaKoloff.com and he is also on staff with Fellowship of the Sword. It is a Christian retreat for Men that chase the heart of Father God. If you are looking to draw closer to Christ visit www.FellowshipoftheSword.com and it will change your life.