I can recall in November of 2005, after volunteering with the American Red Cross during Hurricane Katrina and Rita, I came back to Raleigh and had nothing, but I gave it all up willingly to be of service to help those who truly had lost everything in such devastating storms, that I turned to the church to help me as I had to sleep in the elements and at the time, it was 28 degrees outside.

I went to this church I attended during that time; which was Elevation Baptist Church on New Bern Avenue and had asked for their assistance because it was freezing outside and I had no blanket to keep myself warm at night.

I found a church deacon after the morning service, asked to speak with him and told him of my volunteer efforts with the Red Cross, told him I was sleeping outside and needed a blanket to keep warm at night, because I was freezing, sleeping in 28 degree weather.

The deacon replied, "Can't you see I'm counting money?" Of course, I reminded him that I rode there on their van and it was about to leave and I did not want to get left, so I asked him again. He then told me even more sternly that he was counting money and at the same time, the van driver yelled he was about to leave for downtown, so I left and hopped on the van.

The next Sunday, I made it my personal business to attend service again, to see the Pastor, this time to ask him. I saw him after service and asked to speak with him, privately, he told me I could speak before his deacons, so I went on to tell him my story.

After telling him of my volunteer efforts with the Red Cross and being without and left to sleep outside in 28 degree weather and asked him for a blanket to keep warm, so I wouldn't freeze to death at night, he kindly asked me, "Are you a member of Elevation Baptist Church?" I sat back, shocked with mouth wide open and responded, "I am glad the Savior didn't ask his followers were they members of his congregation before he blessed them." and left out of there, never to return there since that time.

The one time I needed their help and asked for it, I was flatly denied because I was not a member of their congregation...I simply could not believe it.

A personal fried of mine, who was a member of that church, knew of my situation, went to Walmart, that day and bought me a new sleeping bag, so I would be able to keep warm.

I thanked him repeatedly and was more readily able to deal with the elements with my sleeping bag.

That instance just goes to show the support or the lack thereof of the churches, who preach and teach prosperity, but in their messages, will mislead you to believe that if you follow their way, God will bless you with houses, land, money, etc and it just doesn't work like that.

God commanded us to love one another as he loves us...plainly

In God's love toward us, he does not tell us he will love us if we do this or that first...he loves just because...and that it!

This is the way he expects us to love one another and nothing short of this will do in his sight.

On the day of judgement, we al will be bound to give an answer based on this very commandment and what answer will we be ready to give...?

Think about it...