After church today, I happened to be out in my office so I turned on the
radio.  Since my short wave radio has 32 memory buttons, I run through lots
of local stations just to see what's going on.  Being Sunday and all, and
being as religious as I am, of course, I check the Christian stations first.
The first station was playing one of Joyce Myers recent messages.  Now, lest
you jump my case big time and call me every name in the book, I have fond
feelings for Joyce.  She practically saved my life many years ago and long
before she became famous.  I have listened to her on the radio hundreds and
hundreds of times and I have at least 100 of her tapes, too.  So don't go
whanging on me for being a critic, which I am, but you know what I mean.
Unless you missed it, Joyce has an ego problem.  Bless God, He uses her any
way.  I have decided, recently, that remaining silent, on the other hand,
when things need to be addressed, is wrong.  I'm not going to do it any
longer, and yes, I have held back many times just so I wouldn't offend
somebody or just in case I might hurt somebody's feelings.  That's not what
I am trying to do.  Back to the radio problem and the error in teaching I
heard today.  This week, I have heard two other radio preachers emphatically
state, as they taught on finances and how to be financially blessed as a
Christian, that you first, and foremost, have to tithe.  I won't explain how
wrong this is because I have written a book on this topic, which is on my
website.  I have lived over 25 years of my life without tithing, due to the
fact the Holy Spirit revealed to me the biblical truth, and this after many
hours of on my knees praying and after studying the Scriptures until I
thought my scull would crack, before coming to a life time decision to
follow the Word rather than the preaching on the topic I had heard my entire
life.  I only got in on the last five minutes of Joyce's teaching today but
I already know what she believes about tithing so I'm not referring to that
part of her belief system.  Today, she was referring to old trusty stand by
financial principles that you can get from any financial counselor.  Yes,
you can find most, if not all, of these same principles in the Bible.  Where
do you think these secular financial experts got their principles in the
first place.  Oh, they won't admit to any such thing but they can plagiarize
the bible all they want.  It isn't copyrighted, you know.  Anyhow, Joyce was
just listing many financial principles such as, stop spending beyond your
means, dah, and things that a sixth grader would already know.  I heard
nothing about miracles, the power of god to bless, and other bible
references to lift the spirit but perhaps in the rest of the serious she has
done so.  When she said to immediately stop spending, she said, Except for
my tapes, of course.  Everybody laughed because it was funny.  Joyce laughed
herself.  However, she then continued, when the laughter died down, to
embellish this very idea by making it clear that you would not be in this
horrible financial condition now, if you had been spending your money on
good teaching tapes, such as her's, instead of buying worldly things such as
lipstick and earrings.  That left me out right off the bat.  Regardless,
yes, I clearly understand what she was trying to say so don't get your tail
in a knot.  Regardless, what she is trying to say is only half truth.  Let
me put it this way.  All you need is Jesus, your Bible, and knees.  You
know, the ones you use when kneeling when you pray?  By the way, you don't
need to kneel when you pray.  A chair, or as I often do so I won't fall
asleep, is walking around my office.  It would be wise if you knew how to
pray but if you don't, just handle it the same way when you first fell in
love with your mate.  By that I mean, talk to God.  He likes that, by the
way, and you'll learn more correct theological application of Scripture by
prayer than if you buy all of Joyce Myers tapes or mine or anybody else's.
Here is another secret.  When you pray, you do not need to say a word.  Just
remain silent and wait.  You will be totally amazed at what happens.  At
first, though, you are going to want to talk God's leg off.  That's ok.  He
doesn't mind.  When you run out of words, however, is when you can remain
silent.  Yes, as if you are listening.  That's how you hear from God.  You
listen.  Most of us have never learned how to listen so we never hear God
when He speaks.  More criticism later.

Phil.