Thank God For His Grace

Usain Bolt was disqualified after breaking the NO false start rule in the World Championships which robs the world of watching the fastest man in the world run the 100 meters. The World Championship organization needs to learn a new word called "Grace!"

Grace can be defined as God's unmerited favor. It is God's free action for the benefit of His people. God's grace can be compared to the pardon that a governor of a state can give to a guilty prisoner who is facing execution (the punishment of death) for something that he or she did. Without this pardon, without this grace, they will be given what they deserve.

I'm thankful that God doesn't disqualify US when we mess up, but give us a ANOTHER CHANCE to do what we were born to do. #ShoutingBecauseOfHisGrace

What Can I Do To Support My Pastor Pt. 1

A question I receive often is, “Pastor, what can I do for you?” or “How can I pray for you?” People think I do for others, so they want to do something in return. I’m so thankful for that kind of heart.

Actually, the church does plenty for me, but since you asked….

Here’s what I would love from my church:

• Understanding that I’m human and will make mistakes…
• Prayer that I would stay focussed, committed and faithful…
• Seeing a need within the church or community and meeting it without being asked…
• Not looking to be spoon fed but taking ownership and responsibility for spiritual growth…
• Realizing that I can’t be everywhere or do everything I might wish I could…
• Bringing new people with them as often as they can…
• Making church services a priority over other activities, rather than the other way around…

Quit faking the funk

I had the privilege of being mentored by a man who is now gone. I became one of the first assistant on the staff with Dr. C C Cooper at Greater Bethel Baptist Church. And I saw in Pastor Cooper something I had not seen modeled in many pastors . . . an authentic life.

Pastor Cooper was just who he was. I saw it work. I saw a man who was not defensive, who could laugh at himself, who had fun in life and yet was as good a thinker on his feet in question/answer sessions as I’d ever seen. I saw a man who could love the homosexual and at the same time do an excellent biblical presentation on the sin of homosexuality. I saw a man who had a room in his life for a wayward child. I saw a man who hardly traveled alone, no matter where he went, and always had someone younger with him. One of the secrets of building character in the lives of others is taking time for those younger than you. Those who are longing for the qualities and the character that have made you who you are. Pastor Cooper did this for me.

No matter how significant you may become, no matter how well known your name, no matter how important your work, no matter your salary, no matter what your reputation may be, you must allow yourself to become who you are. I’m not a formula guy, but this simple little formula has worked for me throughout my adult life:

Know who you are,

accept who you are,

be who you are.

The greatest gift you can give to your congregation, to your family, to whomever—as the Lord continues to work in your life—is who you are.

Character will not emerge from a phony life, which is all the more reason to go back to that word that so characterized Pastor Cooper's life: authentic. Know who you are, accept who you are, be who you are. That’s really it in a nutshell.