Random Thought or Thoughts

Earlier today my Mom and I where talking and I wondered what causes people to become so cold, cruel, callous and calculated. You ever interacted with someone and thought too yourself what happened? Whether it’s the customer care specialist, family member, friend, co-worker or simple some random person that you have to interact with. What happens to a person that causes them to become almost “heart-less” as the older generation would say. Is it biological? Is it psychological? Is it relational? Is it conditional?

I’m really not sure the cause of it is but I do know the result of it is, “hurt people, hurt people!” This is the cause of generation after generation of people fighting, hating and destroying each other. The other day I sat in one of my favorite restaurants and had a conversation with a man who wanted to blame the nation down fall on our President of just over 5 months. In the kindest words I knew to speak at the time I share that there is absolutely no way that President Barrak could change the direction of an entire nation in such a short time but that his political party had been dragging this nation down for years and it was time for a “CHANGE!”

Well, I said all of that to say, “Can people change?” Can a person who has been experience the worst that life can offer – “can they change?” A child who has been abandon over and over again – “is there hope?” A young person who has been introduced to the ugly side of sex and lust – “is there hope?” An older adult who have been used, abused and misused – “is there hope?”

Are these legitimate reasons enough to be this way? Do people hide behind their past to make excuses for their present? Whose fault is it anyway? Why punish the people around you now for what someone has done in the past? Is it real or is it Memorex?

His Grace Is Sufficient

Ever had those moments in your life when you know you’ve over done it? While dinning out at your favorite restaurant the waiter tempts you with that desert [you know you don't need] and you give in reluctantly and then realize after you ate it that you had over done it? Or you’re an “old school” athletic going back to the gym to work out and get back into shape but after the first workout you realize that you’re not as young as you use to be and you’ve just over done it? Or you got caught in that Wal-Mart trap where you’ve gone in with a list and come out with stuff you had no idea why you bought it and when you get home you realize that you’ve over done it? Well, that’s how I’ve felt over the last few months…with Association meeting, State Convention election, Conferences, Church issues, personal and ministerial Itinerary.

Sunday was the hardest day I’ve had in over 25 years of ministry. Let me go future by saying since my birthday it simply went down hill from there. I could blame a lot of things but I’m simply going to say that God is Able!!! Out of all the craziness that I’ve experience over the last few months and weeks – I realized Sunday that God had allowed me through his mercy and grace to be able to handle, juggle and multitask almost on autopilot.

Sunday, I woke up troubled in my spirit one because I knew that with all that I struggle through the last few days I hadn’t put the work in. Two what I had done I wasn’t feeling lead to even go to the pulpit with. So after spending several hours up praying and studying 4am til 10am God had mercy on His preacher. Sunday I preached here at the Greater Bethel Church the 3rd installment of “I Got The Hook-Up” Jehovah Shalom = the God who will always give peace [Yes, it was a Holy Ghost set-up]. It was crazy, ridiculous worship and summers over and everybody decided to come to church on the same Sunday [imagine that]. Then we traveled down to Ada, Oklahoma to Reaper Baptist Church’s 50th Homecoming Celebration, with their new elected pastor Clifton Broadus, Sr. There are several families in the church and one of them happens to be my family. I have a cousin named Christine and several aunts who attend and with it being so close to the town our family is from several of them drove over. So I preached my second sermon of the day and had a mini-family reunion. On the way back I realize that I had made it through a day that when it started I didn’t think I would and I paused to say Thank You Jesus. “But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Today is my Birthday

Today is my 45th Birthday! August 10 is the 222nd day of the year (223rd in leap years). It is also a reminder that there are only 143 days remaining until the end of the year.

On August 10, 1944 – American forces defeated the last Japanese troops on Guam

On August 10, 1948 – Candid Camera made its television debut

On August 10, 1964 – My mom and dad was blessed with a bouncing baby boy #4

On August 10, 1995 – Two individuals [McVeigh & Nichols] are indicted for the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City

So, I decided to celebrate Monday, August 10, 2009…did I mention I was born on a Monday? Well, anyway in true Bucket list style I have decided to celebrate this day. Here goes...

1. Eat as many Krispy Kreame Doughnuts that I can handle
2. Laugh till I cry
3. Get my hand and feet done or did
4. Get a massage
5. Shoot several guns
6. Teach the girls how to play jacks
7. Get a new cell phone
8. Go watch G. I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra
9. Write a letter to my mom and dad thanking them for everything
10. [I’m leaving this one open cause you don’t need to know everything]

Back Stage Pass Pt.2

Pastors Are People 2! What a strange thought? Obvious? Apparent? One would think so but somewhere along the way something has gone terribly wrong. As I shared in a previous blog I serve as president of the pastor’s conference in our consolidated district and this pass Tuesday I share part 1 of a series of sermon I’m currently presenting at the Greater Bethel Church “I Got The Hook-Up”. It is designed to be an encouraging message as we view the Old Testament names of God; in particular this message introduces God as Jehovah Nissi the God who defends. What was surprising was the response from pastor. As I made my way through this week pastor after pastor over and over again shared the pains, problems, predicaments, struggles, and challenges of the ministry. I was moved not because of their admission of how much the message encouraged and strengthened them but by the fact that I’m not in this things by myself. One of the first things that the Devil does is to isolate you and make you feel like you’re the only one. So many times throughout this building project and all the other nonsense that comes along with being in a battle that is “not against flesh and blood but against the powers of this dark world and spiritual forces of evil,” you feel beat down, run down and if you’re not careful low down [because of what people say…]. Many of these men along with me are men who take our ministry seriously. Let me say this I know that there are “jokers” in the pulpit but whatever you do there are “jokers” in your line of work and that doesn’t qualify us as all the same. So even though several black voices would have you along with America believe that there are NO God fearing, God called and God appointed pastors and preachers in our pulpits it is a lie.

Well, let start with the obvious…the pastor/preacher has to deal with the heaviness of the…
~Call & the responsibility of the ministry

~Preparation & the development of ministry

~Preaching & Teaching of God’s people

~Burden & vision of leading God’s people

~Obligations & expectations of both God’s people and the community around whether realistic or not

~Obstacles & difficulties that come along with trying to lead God people in His way rather than in their way

~Snares & traps of evil people who have their own agenda and who only desire is to destroy another black man

Now let’s just list a few obscure things that many will say yes…but…here we go. The pastor/preacher has to deal with the heaviness of…Love, Family, Finances, Feelings, Health, Rest/relaxation, Hobbies, Insecurities, Pressures...

I could be like the energizer bunny but I won’t…I’m sure you get my point. Pastors, I’m putting together a list that I’m calling “What I learned [getting my you know what kicked] while building,” but let me share just one people won’t care that you're human if your don’t demand that you are. Now let me quickly say, so that you won’t become defensive, this didn’t come from this generation, while I believe we have contributed greatly to it. But past generations of pastors/preachers have presented themselves as “Super-Pastor” who was faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Say it with me “I human, I get tired, worn down, I bleed and I have feeling that sometime gets hurt!” Now didn’t feel good!!! For all my other readers…let’s talk, in any giving day or week things can change without notice, right? You’ve had bad weeks haven’t you? You ever felt like giving up? How about this one, You ever woke up on Sunday and said “I’m not feeling church today but I’m going anyway and if anyone even looks at me the wrong way I’m going off.” Well, now imagine that with 3 or 4 hundred member or even a thousand people who have come right on the verge of losing their minds, divorce paper in hand, children acting a fool, bill collectors harassing you or surgery or cancer issues sitting in front of you asking “IS THERE ANY WORD FROM THE LORD?” Not to mention the list of things I share with you earlier.

What can I do? You might be asking yourself. Well, just first make a point to acknowledge the humanity of you pastor [when people are cruel, nasty, vicious and malicious he hurts]. Second, when you hear foolishness about what he is or isn’t doing recognize that he only has 24 hours like the rest of humanity [he can only be at one place at one time]. Third, pray for him…spiritually, physically, relationally, emotionally and financially BECAUSE PASTORS ARE PEOPLE 2!

It's Like Riding A Bike...lol

Well, I’m back in the game…lol! The brand new sermon series “I Got The Hook-Up,” is in full swing, We kick-off with a packed house and we had a great time in the Lord as He shared His heart. I must admit that the last several months have been tough for our church. I also must acknowledge that the God in whom I believe and the one of the Bible uses tough time to develop spiritually tough people. I have been an eye witness of what God has been doing in the life our church and He is please with how we have maintained and held together. Did we do everything right absolutely not but God in his gracious love and compassion has allowed us to make some mistake but in the in “…His grace has been sufficient!”

This brand new series that we launched last weekend “I Got The Hook-Up” will be one, that when we look back at the history of our transition we will be able to point back at this as something God used to help us make that step to the next level. “God has your back,” was an encouraging word for all who have ever felt like their backs where against the wall. Jehovah Nissi = “The God how defends!” I’ve been in ministry for 26 years now and I’ve not see the depth of hurt, heartache and hardship that people are feeling. “I Got the Hook-up” is just what they need, people need to know that they are not in this by themselves and how to move beyond their hurts and find healing that result in true happiness.

This week we are in our association – I’m privileged to serve as Pastor’s Conference President and shared my third annual message. The night was attended well and the Greater Bethel Church was in the house. Growing up in a district and now being apart of the leadership of the at same district is still alittle strange but I view it as a blessing from God. My good friend Pastor J. L. Mitchell of the Tabitha Baptist Church serves as our Moderator and will be sharing his annual address this evening.

What an amazing week…I have several projects going on and just trying to keep my head on straight. The time off was good but getting back to grid is much more to my liking.