It has been awhile.....

Just dropping through to let you know that I have not forgotten about my blog. I have been soooooo busy. I know that that is not a good excuse. I have really been trying to stay in the presence of God, so that I can hear clearly and discern the Will of God for my life and the Tabernacle Church. So much has happened in the last 2 months. This has truly been a year where God has EXPANDED OUR EXPECTATIONS. I promise I will fill you all in. Pray for me as I pray for you. I love you guys dearly. Soli Deo Gloria!

Forgiveness

I preached a mini sermon series a few weeks ago around the theme of Forgiveness. This is a hard concept for many of us to not only comprehend but ultimately put into practice. We harbor so much pain and hurt towards people that we end up hurting ourselves. I know that this was a burden in my own life. I came to the realization in my own life that I need to "release" others and ultimately myself through forgiveness. I know that the question is being raised as you read this, why should I forgive someone who has hurt and harmed me? The reason we should forgive someone, no matter what they have done to us, is because God has forgiven us. How can we who have been forgiven, not forgive? Jesus, as he hung on the cross for our sins, made the first statement out of his mouth, "Father forgive them, for they no not what they do". My prayer for all of us today is that we take the iniative to forgive someone and walk in the freedom and blessings that come when we follow the example of Jesus.

The Heart of a Worshiper

I know that it has been sometime since my last post. It is not entirely my fault. Schedule got jammed. I also began working on a blog centered around the controversy surrounding Chris Brown. I could not articulate my thoughts the way that I wanted to but it will be coming soon. During the month of July, I was led to preach a sermon series on Worship. I think it profoundly changed my congregation and myself. I admit without reservation or hesitation, that I am a Worshiper. I love being in the presence of God. Nothing gives me more joy and pleasure than to reverance God through worship. I believe that we are in the season where God is beginning to elevate willing and available, authentic and sincere vessels who worship in Spirit and in Truth. Worship is ones heart desiring and yearning after God. It is not only shouting but also sacrifice. This past month has been a refreshing revelatory reminder to me of the importance of just staying in God's presence. That is through morning morning devotions, continual prayer and fellowship with other believers. I have begun again to take my spiritual disciplines to a higher dimension, not just to manipulate God to move, but simply because I long to be closer.When was the last time you laid on your face for God? When was the last time your prayers talked about more than what you want God to do for you? I woke up this morning and simply told the Lord, "I Love You More Than Anything".....My prayer and desire for the people of God is that in this season you long and run after God like never before. God wants to be found by you. It does not have to be another conference or TV marathon, but if you want to experience the uncompromising and unconditional love of God, just want Him more than anything.

The Death of an Icon

This past week Michael Jackson died. Alot of mystery and controversy is surrounding his death. It must be said that he will go down as the greatest entertainer of all times, period. When I heard the news, I was shocked and saddened. I grew up on Mike. I had the red jacket with the zippers and the white glove(fortunately I did not have a jheri curl). I remember waiting on thursday nights when his video's would premiere on primetime television. I was a fan. I stayed buying his music after his skin got lighter and nose got skinnier. I still nodded my head to his latest hits even with child molestation charges were being pursued and million dollar buy outs were being made. I respected the tremendous gift even though there were many imperfections and flaws in his life. I can only imagine the burden and strain that must have been on his shoulders to have the world's spotlight pointed brightly at every area of your life. What did we expect from MJ? Did we expect him to be perfect when none of us are? Did we expect him to be that wonderful stage persona all the time? I am saddened to hear that people have committed suicide after hearing of his death. I pray for there families as well. Why is it that we have to wait til after death to appreciate one's life and achievement? Rest in peace, Mike. May you find in death what you were never able to find in life, PEACE. I heard the other night a reporter make the statement that no other death has affected the world like MJ's death. I beg to differ, because over 2000 years ago someone died who was more than an Icon, he was a Saviour........

Slavery v. Friendship

Over the last few years I have been wrestling with the concept of friendship. I have throughout my life seen people come and go. I must add here that I believe in long term friendships, which is evident by the fact that i still have tight relations with people I have known since the age of 4(big up to Skeet and Enji). I still have people in my life from all the areas of life. I enjoy connecting with them when I can, even though my schedule gets quite hectic. I wondered how have these relationships been able to last, even though time, distance, change of life and experiences, has interrupted the continuity and connective nature of the relationships. I believe it comes down to one factor, and that true friendship gives room to accept the other person for who they are. Surely we can have our opinions about what the other person should do or say or think. However, that is not friendship, that is slavery. To control another to manipulate them in the way we want them to be, robs them of the beauty of their individuality. We had a saying on line when I pledged Omega Psi Phi, and that was "the difference between a brother and a friend is that a friend is chosen". We have to choose to accept someone as a friend, even though there will be moments we do not agree or see things eye to eye. The realness of a friendship is that we love them for who they are and not what they do. Jesus echoes this when he explains our relationship to God in the Gospel of John. Jesus says "we are no longer slaves but friends". Wow, what a statement. That God is not looking for slaves who do things out of obligation, rather friends who can be appreciated for who they are and respond in real relationship. The question I pose, do you want friends or slaves?

The Secret of Success

As I am now firmly settled into middle age(30), I have been bombarded with many inquiries about how I have been able to achieve success at such a young age. For the record, I don't see myself as someone very special or one who has arrived. I believe that I have not yet reached or scratched the surface of my potential as a man, preacher, pastor so I am constantly striving to be better by getting closer to God. My beginnings were less than spectacular. I was raised by my grandparents, in a very spiritually disciplined household. I would not have figured that by the age of 30, I would have pastored 2 great churches, have a Masters and Doctorate, build a Family Life Center and pastor what is categorized a "Mega" church. I must admit that I have always been a dreamer. I spent most of my youth alone, dreaming and reading. I was sociable, but I spent a majority of my youth in church. I can remember waking up in the middle of the night and having my grandparents praying over me. I can remember being prophesied to. My grandfather's favorite scripture is Matthew 6:33, and he reminded me of this daily(miss you pops). I have adopted this verse as my life's motto as well as the phrase "Soli Deo Gloria", which means "To God Alone Be the Glory". He told me to always keep God first. There have been times I did not want to or was tempted to sway, but I could not leave or desert this desire and love I have for God. The wild thing is that my life is not how I would have planned it, but I can see it no other way. I guess you have been reading this to find out the secret to success. Joshua 1:7(NLT) "Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them and you will be successful in all that you do." Now go be and live successful......

The Burden of Preaching

As I sit in the Newport News Airport waiting to board my flight home(which sucks because I am missing the Lakers game tonight), I am reflecting on this week where I was ministered to at the Hampton Ministers Conference. We were challenged by the conference to continually take seriously the role of preaching. I am not sure of many things, but one of the few certainties that i am sure of is my purpose here on earth. God built and fashioned me to preach the Gospel. There is nothing on earth that gives me greater joy than to preach. I feel like every moment is a build up to the time of proclamation. Preaching to me is like breathing. I am challenged to find ways to improve the preaching gift that God has endowed with me. I tell people all the time that the best way to work on preaching must begin with an intimate relationship with God and His Word. I try to spend as much time with God as I possibly can. Sometimes, other things have to suffer, in order for me to get the required time of devotion that is needed to be a faithful proclaimer. That is time, relationships, appointments and etc. It is not easy, but very necessary. I shamedly admit I am not good at balancing, but it is what it is. As I prepare to close this blog, I am going to spend some time in the airport terminal reading my favorite book, the Bible. Sunday is coming.........