“Come as you are and leave brand new.” Those are the lyrics of a worship song I first heard at my church recently (lyric video at the bottom). That’s what churches are supposed to do. You are supposed to come as you are — sinner, broken, lost, or seeking. Ultimately, you leave a brand new person — born again, forgiven, and redeemed. Unfortunately, many churches don’t preach repentance, forgiveness, or salvation anymore. All they do is make you feel comfortable in your sin. They condone your sinful life. They enable you to sin.
One Sunday morning not too long ago, I was serving on the Care Team during the 2nd service. The gal who was manning the coffee bar brought up an incident that happened during the 9:00 am service. One of the pastors along with a staff member and another volunteer were there. I did not directly witness the encounter. However, it left me thinking about what I would have said to the person. Here’s the story…
Would I Feel Comfortable in Your Church?
A person who was living the homosexual lifestyle came in during the 9:00 am service and asked the gal behind the coffee bar, “Would I feel comfortable in your church? I mean God made me this way.”
That’s about all I caught of the initial conversation as she told it. The pastor said, “Well, we believe marriage is between a man and a woman.”
In other words, that person definitely would not be comfortable in our church. I mentioned that they could go to either the United Church of Christ near the library downtown or the other “gay” church on 7th Ave. They’d feel comfortable there.
Subsequently, as I walked away from the group I thought, “That would be the wrong response.” I thought about it some more and the right way to respond would have been…
God loves you. He created you in HIS IMAGE! And He doesn’t create junk! Yes, you’re going to feel uncomfortable in this church because we preach repentance, forgiveness, and the salvation of Jesus Christ. This church is full of sinners like you. I lived a sinful lifestyle for a long time and I was uncomfortable as the Holy Spirit sanctified my life. I’m now a new person full of joy, peace, and hope — born again to a new life through Jesus Christ. You are welcome here! Come as you are and leave brand new!
That’s the truth. That’s the Gospel! Unfortunately, many churches fail to teach that. They used to — once upon a time. Let me tell you about my experience first in the Roman Catholic Church where I spent the first 18 years of my life. They only enabled me to be a very good party girl. Then, later in life, the United Church of Christ (UCC), where I spent 17 years until they fell off the deep end into the rainbow pool of wokeness and God pulled me out of there.
The Catholic Sinful Life


I was not born Catholic. I was born a sinner into a Catholic family on a mainly Catholic island — Puerto Rico. My mom was very devout. My dad only went to church for weddings and funerals — not even Christmas and Easter.
At 6 months old, I was baptized. That was supposed to guarantee me a straight passage into heaven — if I didn’t sin anymore. Unfortunately, baby baptism does nothing of the sort.
I was spared Catholic Parochial School because both my parents were divorced, then married and had me. I was legitimate in legal terms, but not enough to go to Catholic School. Having gone to public school, I was not as indoctrinated as those who went to Parochial School.
Around 9 years old, I made my first communion. Every Thursday, the priest would come and get the Catholic kids at the public school and walk us to the church for catechism class. We had to answer a series of questions to be able to qualify to celebrate the First Communion sacrament. Just memorize the answers and you were good.


After that, I was obligated to go to confession every Saturday so that I could receive communion — the Eucharist — on Sunday. The problem was, I was a pretty good kid. What happened if I hadn’t sinned that week? I actually lied to the priest and made up sins. Yes, that’s funny.
The priest would then give me my penance — say 4 Our Fathers, 10 Hail Marys, and an Act of Contrition. I would just rattle them off as fast as I could as my mom waited for me.
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
Traditional Catholic Act of Contrition
What’s missing here?
How about acknowledging the fact that Jesus died taking our sins away once and for all? It’s like a halfway effort. Especially for a 9-year-old who didn’t understand the truth about Jesus’ redemption.
Basically, we were covered on Saturday, through Sunday at Mass and the Eucharist, then we were OK to sin again as long as we did the whole confession ritual every week. That’s enabling. Undeniably, that wasn’t righteous living at all! Confessing to a priest doesn’t get you into heaven!
Oh, but then if you died, you had to spend some time in purgatory so that its fire could finish sanctifying you of your sins. Oops! Purgatory doesn’t exist! Someone made it up! Here’s the true history of it.
All these rituals did absolutely nothing for me except lead me into a sinful life. Here’s my full testimony.


Today, the Roman Catholic Church hasn’t changed a bit. If anything, the Pope is taking it further over the cliff. They still have a problem with sexual abuse. The Pope says that even atheists can go to heaven. He’s calling for a “Kumbaya” alliance between Catholics, Muslims, Buddhists, and other religions saying that they all lead to the same place. Yeah, hell.
Click here to read my deep dive into where the Roman Catholic Church went wrong.
Related: Pelagian Pope Francis Says People Are ‘All Fundamentally Good’ +’The Heart Itself is Good’
Going to Church but Still Living the Sinful Life
After living the wildlife for 12 years, in 1988, I moved to Miami. I wanted to settle down and go back to church. I knew for sure that I didn’t want to go back to the Catholic Church, so I began church shopping once I got an apartment in North Miami. Three blocks away was First Church of North Miami Congregational — a United Church of Christ (UCC). I didn’t know anything about them. They were very Progressive and the most liberal of the mainline Protestant churches. At the time, it was fine with me because I was a liberal Democrat.
On that first Sunday, greeters welcomed me warmly, and even the pastor came up the aisle to say hello. I joined the choir and the women’s group and was soon tapped to be on the Board of Outreach, where I served for 7 years. A few years later, I helped start and run a singles ministry. I was very involved. Sundays before service, I attended a Bible Study. That got me into the Bible.
As a Catholic, I was never encouraged to read the Bible. Sure, we learned Bible stories in catechism class, but they twisted the Word and skipped A LOT. I felt the Roman Catholic Church deprived me of the Word of God — and the TRUTH.
Though Bible Studies helped me get into the Word, I still wasn’t saved. I was never taught true repentance. That I should surrender my WHOLE LIFE to Jesus Christ and follow Him. I still didn’t know that I could have the free gift and power of the Holy Spirit indwelling in me to sanctify me.


While I was still in Miami, circa 1995, I remember helping a friend finish a new sign that read “All God’s Children Are Welcome Here.” It featured a circle of colorful people-figures holding hands. The idea was that no matter what race, color, or sexual preference, you were welcome in the church.
That’s fine, we are supposed to love our neighbor and lead them to a saving relationship with Christ. Be that as it may, we are NOT all God’s children. We are all created by God in His image, but we do not become children of God until we are born again.
Born Again Yet Unsure
Around that time, I was reading the first of the Left Behind books because I was interested in End Times Bible Prophecy, and my church didn’t teach that. That story led me to ask, “Will I be Left Behind?” I didn’t know. I wanted to be sure. So, I prayed the prayer in the book and instantly, I felt assured.
A few years later, I moved to Melbourne, Florida, and joined the UCC Church there. I wasn’t there a month when I was tapped to serve on the Board of Deacons. Additionally, I helped organize a singles ministry along with another, nearby UCC church. I kept busy. I attended Bible Studies and when I asked some questions, I didn’t get good answers.
After the summer of 2004 when 2 hurricanes hit the Florida Space Coast 2 weeks apart, I had had it with hurricanes and decided to move to Phoenix, AZ. About that time, the UCC General Synod, their governing body over all the American churches, voted to become “open and affirming”. That is, they condoned homosexual relationships and marriages. Something that is against what God created (See the book of Romans). At that point, still being a liberal Democrat, I thought, “To each his own!” “What you do in the bedroom was between you and your mate.”
However, it didn’t stay in the bedroom. Suddenly, all over, in church, TV, and movies, homosexuality was commonplace. Modern culture no longer considered it a sin. But, sexual immorality is a sin in God’s eyes. Nevertheless, it bothered newly born-again me. That was the Holy Spirit convicting me of the truth. I visited one of the UCC churches in Phoenix and I was appalled at a man dressed like a woman at the new members’ lunch. God was telling me to get out, and get out fast!
Paul wrote…
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21 NLT
I could have fallen into every, single one of the those black holes, but God saved me from myself!
Bye, bye, UCC
I attended a Calvary Chapel for a while. I do recommend them. They teach the Bible and that’s what you want in a church. When I moved, I found First Christian Church of Phoenix, a non-denominational church. I’ve since moved to Downtown Phoenix and attend both Downtown Phoenix Church and New City Church.
Off the Deep End
For UCC & Woke Church News, see:
- Drag Queen Minister Berates Woke Denomination for Not Being ‘Affirming Enough’
- UCC Rewrites Psalm 51 Reading as ‘Bathsheba’s Lament’- Her Response to David’s Sexual Abuse
- United Church Of Christ Impastors Hold Blessing Ceremony FOR Planned Parenthood
- Woke Church Celebrates Planned Parenthood as Valued ‘Ministry Partner,’ Invites Abortion CEO to Teach Them
- Woke ‘Pastor’ Claims Jesus Was Being Xenophobic and Misogynistic…
- Anglican Head Suggests Gay Sex Is Good If It’s In A ‘Committed Relationship’
In a future post, I’ll dig deep into the History of the UCC and how it went from the Puritans and Pilgrims to the woke, off-the-deep-end, “church” it is today.
As you can see, UCC is not the only denomination / “church” that’s condoning and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ lifestyle. These are a few in the Phoenix area.










They also don’t recognize or uphold the sanctity of life. Obviously, they have long since stopped teaching the Gospel. Trinity also celebrates the Day of the Dead, which is demonic.
The Church Stopped Teaching Repentance
The Roman Catholic Church called it “penance”. Sorry, but that doesn’t save you. You MUST REPENT of your sins and STOP SINNING!
I remember while I was a member of UCC that “evangelism” wasn’t about sharing the true Gospel, but inviting people to church to enjoy the music, help serve, tithe, and feel good. Paul called it 2000 years ago…
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.
2 Timothy 4:3 NLT
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT
Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.
1 Timothy 4:1-2 NLT
Jesus said,
“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
Matthew 7:21-23 NLT
Even Jesus Called Out Bad Churches in the Book of Revelation
Each of these admonitions that Jesus made to 5 of the 7 churches of Revelation are found in the woke, liberal, and Catholic churches today…
- The letter to the church of Ephesus asks if we love the church more than Jesus. We’re supposed to worship Jesus directly — not follow a church’s teachings or a pastor or priest only.
- The church in Pergamum had a major problem that Jesus hated and that was idolatry and immorality. We still have those problems today. We are supposed to worship the one true God only! Not Mary, not the saints, not a job, a lifestyle or a car. We are supposed to have a strong moral compass. Look at our world today and we see that evil, immorality and chaos are so prominent.
- The letter to the church in Thyatira questions whether we love our faith over our jobs. That’s a very controversial subject right now. Do we stand up for our faith or give in to the immoral culture just to stay in business?
- Stuff happens when you least expect it! As Jesus says a lot, “Like a thief in the night,” read the letter to the church that Jesus called “Dead”: Sardis.
- Laodicea was the “lukewarm” church. Neither hot nor cold. They had all they needed so they didn’t care. Apathy is a huge problem in today’s world, too.
Furthermore, in each of these cases, Jesus presents them with a chance for redemption saying…
“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”
Jesus, several times in the Book of Revelation
Does any of this describe the church you are currently attending?
Are you sitting in a church every Sunday and feeling empty when you walk out? Is what you’re hearing from the pulpit raising red flags for you? Are you offended by what your church is doing? It’s time to leave. Run don’t walk.
First of all, are you secure in YOUR Salvation?
If you’re not sure if you’re saved or not, if you truly want to be born again and have the assurance of salvation, receive the Holy Spirit, feel His Shalom — a peace that surpasses all understanding, and get a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven after you die, or that you won’t be left behind at the Rapture, which can happen at any moment, this is what you have to do…
Believe. Repent. Be Baptized. Receive the Holy Spirit.
- Believe — have Faith — that Jesus is the Christ and He died taking your sins away forever and that He rose from the dead 3 days later.
- Repent of your sins — stop sinning! Do a complete 180-degree turn in your life and surrender your life to Him. When you ask Jesus to forgive you He will. ALL your sins will be wiped clean — past, present, and future! And All means ALL!
- Be Baptized by water baptism — show the world and yourself that you have died to your old life and are born again in Christ.
- Receive the gift of Holy Spirit in your heart.
Invite Jesus into Your Heart and Receive the Gift of Grace, Joy, Peace, and the Confident Hope of Eternal Life…
Next Time: The New Reformation Needed in Today’s Churches