It seems that all of my life, most folks seemed to assume that just because my father was Oral Roberts, our family absolutely HAD to be rich.  Here is an excerpt from my book My Dad, Oral Roberts which hones in on that subject:

“...[W]e had just finished dinner.  Ron (my husband) and Dad were still sitting at the table talking.  The television was on but no one was paying particular attention to it, that is until we heard the voice of Dan Rather mention Oral Roberts.  Of course the four of us were all ears and instantly became quiet as church mice -- so we could hear what the famous reporter was saying.  Mr. Rather was telling the world that Oral Roberts had made so much money over his lifetime that he had given a million dollars to each of his four children.  

I suppose what made the news report so noteworthy to us was that as Dan Rather was making the comment, I was standing in front of the sink rinsing the dishes -- wearing my mother’s rubber gloves -- and Mother was standing to my left, loading the dishwasher.  In the dead silence which ensued in the kitchen after that stunning remark, I turned to my mother, looked her straight in the eye and demanded:  “Where is my million dollars?  I never got mine!”  Of course at that point, our uproarious laughter could no longer be contained.  It was so absurd!  Well if any of my dear readers know Dan Rather, I wish you would ask him if he is aware of the location of my million dollars.  So far at least, after approximately forty years, it remains in an undisclosed location....”  

I would be very interested to know what you think.  

My Dad, Oral Roberts is available at http://www.robertapotts.com

Well what I see as the most important election in America's history is coming up -- now in less than 3 weeks.  As Jesus told us to watch and pray, I force myself to watch the news.  Even though He told us to “watch,” Jesus never said I am to obsess over the news.  But as a result of “watching”, I catch myself railing at the ungodliness I see in our world and particularly, in our own country.  I find myself thinking everything would get better if THEY would just clean up their act.  If THEY would just recognize the Bible as truth as I do.  If THEY would stop supporting homosexuality, abortion and a whole host of other things.  Who is THEY anyway?  We always seem to use that nebulous term -- often when we are anxious or upset.  Do we mean the government?  Do we mean unbelievers?  All I know is that it’s so much easier to look to others for good, positive change, and so difficult to make it happen within our own selves.  

The point is that when I rail against the liars, the unbelievers who refer to themselves as “tolerant,” those who want so desperately to usher in socialism and perhaps even communism, it is unimaginably disgusting.  And yet the Lord reminds me that if I want to see healing for our nation, it is not up to THEM.  Whether or not I want the responsibility, I have to come to terms with the truth -- it is up to US.  It is up to those who are called by His name.  Yes, it is up to the Bible-believing Christians.  The healing of our nation which could keep us from going the way of Europe (Greece, for example) and the rest of the world will never be brought about by THEM, no matter who is elected.  It can only come when WE finally decide to humble ourselves.  

Oops -- do we really have to do that, Lord?  Yes, we do -- but that’s not all.  We have to pray and seek God’s face.  Oh but perhaps the most difficult requirement is the last one indicated by 2 Chronicles 7:14.  Oh no!  You mean if I want to see real, positive change in my country, the change must begin in me?  I’m supposed to turn from my wicked ways?  Me?  No more putting other things ahead of the Lord?  No more voting my pocket book?  You mean I have to pray for and actually forgive THEM -- the non-believers who lie continually and do such things as borrowing money in order to waste it, particularly on the pet projects of their cronies?  Yes.  And for a complete list of what turning from our wicked ways would take, I refer you to -- all of scripture.  

Okay, the good news.  While no one can perfectly live up to every admonition given in the Bible, the change starts in our hearts.  The real question is whether or not we are making a genuine effort to turn from our wicked ways.  Are we giving it our all?  Oh but it’s so much easier to criticize the other guy.  Aye, there’s the rub.  But it is possible --  “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”  (Zech. 4:6)

So what if one of the the worst “what ifs” actually happens?  What if after all of the above, the election does not go the way we believe it should?  What if it’s God’s plan to allow America to go totally away from its founding principles?  What is unthinkable to our minds does not change the scripture.  The Bible will still be just as true as it is today -- no matter who wins in the election: “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.”  (Isaiah 1:19)  And believe it or not, the context of that verse is actually much worse than what’s going on in America right now.  Rebellion against God, the land filled with a “brood of evildoers”, an appearance of godliness but little sincerity.  Sound familiar?  God’s Word is true no matter who is in the White House, no matter who is in Congress.  

I hope things go our way, but if not, how will we respond?  If things do not go the way we think they should, then we continue to trust the Lord despite everything.  We say along with Jesus, “... nevertheless not my will but thine, be done.”  We continue to get into forgiveness as we continue to pray for THEM.  

Roberta's Renditions -- from Proverbs

Okay, I promise I'm not trying to create "Queen Roberta's Un-Authorized, Un-Standard Version" of the Bible.  It's just that the last time I read Proverbs, I made notes on the ones which stood out to me personally.  I came up with my own sense of what they meant to me.  So I ask your forgiveness in advance should any of my renditions come across to you as offensive in any way.  On the other hand, my prayer is that by putting some of the messages into everyday language, it will become more meaningful to you as well.  

Desire wisdom and pray for wisdom.

Fear God.  

Mind your own business!

Don’t Worry.  

Discipline your children.  

Work on your reputation.  It’s worth more than money!

Be careful what you say!

If you cheat the poor to make money for yourself, you’ll end up being poor!

Steer clear of a hot-tempered person!

Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls.  Instead, help your enemy when he’s in trouble.  

Work hard!

Don’t toot your own horn; Let others praise you!

Be a soulwinner!

Avoid strife.  

Don’t spend too much time at your neighbor’s house or he’ll get tired of you!

Continue to learn -- long after you finish school.  

Keep your promises.

Learn from criticism.

Don’t co-sign loans for others.  Don’t borrow money yourself either!  

Don’t believe everything you hear.  Don’t be naive!

Stay away from a gossip!

Tell the truth.

Keep others’ secrets.  

Don’t worry about evil people.  They won’t go unpunished.  

Be generous.

Choose your friends carefully.  

Don’t tell everything you know.  

Realize that you can’t handle all of your problems by yourself.  Lean on the Lord.  

When somebody deserves to get something good, and it’s in your power to give it, don’t withhold it.  Give it to them!

When everyone else is worried and panicking, trust in the Lord.  

The following is a confidential report of our assessment of several candidates being considered for the ministry and/or a pastorate. The name appears at the end of each description in order not to prejudice the reader.

-Good man, but reports indicate he and his wife have been seen walking nude in the woods. (Adam)

-After many, many years, his last pulpit yielded no converts whatsoever. Also, he’s prone to unrealistic building projects. (Noah)

-This guy’s references report wife-swapping, although the facts show he never actually slept with another man’s wife. However, reports state he did offer to share his wife with another man. (Abraham)

-A big thinker, but a braggart. Has a prison record. (Joseph)

-A modest man, but a poor communicator, even stuttering at times. Reportedly has a bad temper. Some say he killed a man. (Moses)

-The most promising leader of all -- until it was discovered he had an affair with a subordinate’s wife and tried to cover it up. (David)

-Prone to depression. Collapses under pressure. (Elijah)

-Strong leader, but she is a female. (Deborah)

-Alarmist, negative, possibly unstable emotionally. (Jeremiah)

-Claims to be a Baptist but doesn’t dress like one. Strange diet. Tends to provoke denominational leaders. (John the Baptist)

-Low class. Can be aggressive for the things of God, but a loose cannon. (Peter)

-Powerful CEO-type leader but short on tact. Has been known to preach all night. (Paul)

-Comes from a good family, but too young. (Timothy)

-Way too old! (Methuselah)

-A master of church growth, but can be offensive. Last church of 5,000 dwindled to just 12 people. Can’t seem to stay in one place for very long. Also, he’s single. (Jesus)

-Solid references. A steady plodder. Good connections. Experienced at handling finances. We recommend he be invited to preach this Sunday. Possibilities here. (Judas)