On The Sideline

The month of July is a strange month for me because for the most part it’s the only month where I find myself sitting on the sideline. Any one who has ever played sports understand how it feels to be on the sideline, waiting and wanting to get in the game. The 3rd Sunday in July is my pastoral anniversary and because we seldom ever have afternoon services I have elected for the last five year to have just a morning celebration. So the schedule is that I preach the first Sunday, then on the 2nd Sunday my friend Rev. Racilus Douglas brings the message “What To Do When You’re In A Rut” and then we close with none other than the Dr. J. A. Reed Jr. [my childhood pastor] “Trust In The Lord”. Normally by the fourth Sunday I’m just ready to go but this year I was lead to have one of the preacher come in to speak on youth Sunday – Rev. Franklin “Go Back To Children’s Church,” he did a fantastic job. Here’s what you need to understand about a pastor/preacher when it comes to preaching…If he hears good preaching he wants to preach and if he hears bad preaching he wants to preach. In my case I heard three of the best sermons over the last three week and I’m ready to go.

I’m excited to get back to the pulpit and start a new series of messages I’m calling “I Got The Hook-Up!” We will examine the Old Testament names of God to find peace in the mist of what appears to be impossible situations. Here’s what I believe that God is never caught of guard nor surprised and when we find ourselves with an impossible situation, He has allowed it and will get the glory out of that if we allow Him to work for us, in us and through us. When we look over our shoulder we’ve all been there and God has been faithful to see us through and we need to let the world know that “We Got The Hook-UP!” There a people around us everyday who are looking for forgiveness for their past, help for their present and hope for their future. We got it! I can’t wait to see what God is going to do through this word.

Lastly, BethelKIDZ summer camp is coming to a close. Over the next four days we will be wrapping thing us for this year – looking to start children’s church for the calendar year. This year has been especially rewarding because we did so much with so little. Our camp director Mrs Glenda Lusk did an outstanding job leading and our volunteers were superb. This past Friday we had our end of the summer assembly and the parents we’re simply blown away. It was a proud moment for the entire camp staff. I saw many of them moved by how well the camper commanded the stage and how everything came together. Everyone had their heads down working to ensure that every child excelled in whatever was being taught, that I think no one knew what the other were teaching. Every age group just shined. These students will be ready to begin this school year more confident in their academic studies. Not only did this camper excel in academic, but in the art and athletics. Our goal is to prepare the children intellectually academically for the next school year, exposes them emotionally artistically and strength them physically athletically.

My finial word, “Time spent with children is never wasted time but the best investment you can ever make!”

Good Night!

Random Thoughts

It's after midnight and I'm restless and my mind will not shut down...so in order to relax let me share just a few random thoughts I've been thinking:

Random Thought #1

What is true success?

1. Knowing your purpose in life

2. Growing to your maximum potential

3. Sowing seeds that benefit others

Random Thought #2

How do you know when you're NOT growing?

1. If what you've done last year still looks BIG

2. If you're still excited about what you did 5 years ago

Random Thought #3

The success of my day is NOT determined by things I do BUT the seeds I sow.

Random Thought #4

You are either spending your day preparing or repairing, adding value or losing value, helping or hurting.

Random Throught #5

If you want someone you love to know and feel that they are important to you - make that relationship your PROIRITY!

BACK STAGE PASS pt.1

I like most people have been arrested by the life and legacy of Michael Joseph Jackson. As the Jackson family grieved just like any ordinary family, your heart couldn’t help but be greatly affected by how he media was relentless in their pursue of a story. Like many of you I grew up watching the Jackson family especially the Jackson 5 enjoying their music. Remember “ABC, Blame it on the boogie, and I want you back.” Then who could forget Michael impact in and through music video. I know there were music videos before Michael but who can remember any of them. I remember the incredible anticipation of that 14minute music video; you guessed it “Thriller!” My brothers and I sat around the television for hours waiting to see what the world was talking about. I’m almost embarrassed to say that my favorite Michael Jackson song is “Beat It” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3PaFt5lTU8

With all that said I want to share something that I think would help a great deal as we deal with people who find themselves living life on stage. The thing that moved me most about this entire ordeal was the fact of how people viewed Michael Jackson. Millions of people had their opinions of Michael [and you know what they say about opinions] but barked them like they really knew Michael personally. The truth of the matter Michael Jackson’s true friends who knew him never really spoke. We live in a time in which people would rather believe a lie than the truth. There have been bloggs making very harmful, hateful and horrible statements toward Michael. People saying that because of what they “heard someone say, heard the media report or read in some scandalous periodical” that Mike doesn’t deserve any of the coverage or accolades. Let me share a few things that moved me and cause this thing to turn over in my spirit.

Janet Jackson at the BET Awards said “To you, Michael is an icon, to us, Michael is family and he will forever live in all of our hearts." As she expressed how painful the passing of her brother was on the entire family

Marlon Jackson shared these words at the memorial “I hurt. I stand; I stand here trying to find words of comfort and solace, trying to understand why the Lord has taken our brother to return home from such a short visit here on Earth…We would never, never understand what he endured, not being able to walk across the street without a crowd gathering around him. Being judged, ridiculed, how much pain can one take…Maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone.

But for me Michael’s memorial came down to 20 very powerful and insightful seconds, when Paris Michael Jackson made her way to the mic and through a cracking tearful voices said "Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine.” "And I just wanted to say I love him - so much." She collapsed into her aunt's Janet’s arm.

King of Pop one day and Wacko Jacko the next, this for me hit home no other media outlet made any efforts to present this side of the king of pop a caring daddy, loving brother and wonderful son. A much different approach than the Tennessee Titans’ organization and ESPN Sport did for Steve McNair [BIG UPS to both of these organizations on their reporting]. They both reported the good the McNair did on and off the field. Mike was drug through the mud. It was almost like he was some monster

That’s when it all hit home. As one who lives a great deal of life on stage much to most people’s dismay there is a back stage. I think what was most unfair in all of this people only looked at Michael’s on stage life and no one ever cared about the back stage life. Even in ministry people only care about your on stage life with no thought about your back stage life. As long as when you’re on stage you’re smile, happy, speaking, sharing, hugging and doing what you do not body cares what you struggle with back stage.

Think about the loneliness, emptiness and great void Mike must have felt after giving 45 years of his life and never knew if he could trust the people who where around him. Question about when his next concert, CD, appearance or deal was the only questions ask. Nobody wanted too really know how Mike was doing, how he was holding up, what his day was like, what was on his mind, what was his greatest fear and frustration, what did he want to do, or what could someone do for him.

Mike had a back stage and I hope that during his life time he had some back stage friends [Diana, Brook, Liz and Quincy]. Nobody needs on stage groupies they will come and go but what we need is back stage buddies. People who are really concerned about YOU! They don’t care about all the on stage stuff [they appreciate the gift] but they are truly and sincerely a friend.

One last thought sometime what has raised the level of POWER ON STAGE is the depth of PAIN OF THE BACK STAGE.

14th Annual E.K. Bailey Conference

This is my 14th year attending E K Bailey International Expositiory Preaching Conference. Dr. E. K. Bailey has now gone on to be with the Lord but was a unbelievable visionary, spectacular proclaimer of the gospel, a prince among preacher, a innovator/pacesetter in the pulpit and the founding pastor of the Concord Church in Dallas. Next to my childhood pastor Dr. J. A. Reed Jr. Dr. Bailey has shaped the approach to preaching by modeling clear exposition.

This week has also affords me the opportunity to hear and spend time with some of God’s best communicators and to share some special time with so friends. I will share some special thought later this week.

Pray for the Jackson and Mc Nair families especially his children. Paris Jackson emotional remarks should shape our thoughts about the recent death of both Michael Jackson and Steve McNair. When it comes to children it matter not what others my think or say to a child they are simply just “Daddy.”

Please be in prayer for the Greater Bethel Church who has not moved into a Capital Giving Campaign. “Jesus looked at them and said, "There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything.” Mark 10:27 (CEV)

Special Thanks

I thank God for every Preacher-Pastor. If you have a good pastor you should thank God for them. In the recent day I've been blessed to minister at the anniversary celebration of two Pastors who have given their lives to the gospel ministry. Rev. Oliver, Pastor of the St. John Baptist Church in Brooksville, Oklahoma and Rev. James Reed, Pastor of the Central Baptist Church in Chandler, Oklahoma both who have given 32 years of service to their repective churches. What an amazing work of God's grace to use them for so many years and for them to be still excited about the work ahead.

God has allowed me to give he closing messages in our walk through the book of Philippians was a very helpful series of lessons. The overall theme was the joy that Jesus brings allows us to have joy no matter what.

In Paul’s last entry in this journal of joy, he shares three wonderful truths…

1. The truth about Giving. Vs. 18

The first benefit of being a giver is that it blesses others.

The second benefit of being a giver is that it enriches us.

The Third benefit of being a giver is that it pleases God.

2. The truth about God. Vs. 19

First there is the Source of our supply.

Second there is the Scope of our supply

Third there is the Standard of our supply

3. The truth about Grace. Vs. 20-23

First we should rejoice in God’s Emancipating grace.

Second we should rejoice in God’s Ennobling grace.

Third we should rejoice in God’s Enabling grace.

Summer Camp Memories

The human memory is an amazing God-given ability. Sadly all memories aren’t pleasant or peaceful, so are full of misery and mistakes. Each year at this time we have an awesome summer camp for children our church family and the community. As I welcome the children in our opening assembly I blessed to look into the faces of many of the children who I’ve seen grow up either in our children’s ministry or just from summer to summer. The other day my memory kicked in high gear and I began to think that many of children are going to grow up and look back on their summer experience or children ministry days and remember those who made an impact in their lives. Then I simply let my mind run back to the Fairview Missionary Baptist Church [Sunday School, Baptist Training Union, RA’s, Vacation Bible School and youth choir] and the names and faces of so many people came both those who are living and those who have gone on to be with the Lord.

Ruth Sanders, Myrtle Holloway, Mildred King, Willie Woody, Bozie and Rosie Jones, Anderson and Dimple Davis, Shirley Halstied, Robert and Mendell Simmon, Robert Chamberlain, Roberta Hildreth, Maggie McBeth, Leroy Hicks, Frankie Johnson, Charles Hayes, Gloria Hall, Manilla Fields, Hattie Marsh, James and Linda Reed, Brother and Sister Warner, Maggie Jackson, Eddie and Thelma Gaines, Wynona Pearl Carter

Never allow the enemy to make you think that making deposits into the lives of the children around you is ever wasted. As I serve the Lord I do it understanding I’m standing on the shoulders of some of God special saints that spent time with and put up with the likes of me.