Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Greetings from Atlanta, GA! - Day 2

My wife and I are currently in Atlanta, GA attending the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International Conference. We are expecting an awesome time of fellowship, relaxation, and Word.

We arrived in Atlanta yesterday and I attended several leadership meetings. Today was a time for me and Stacie to spend together. We found a soul food joint that served "chittlins" (yummy) and we checked out the Georgia Aquarium. The Georgia Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world! Stacie got to touch a shark...... and of course I was too scared (smile).

This evening, we also had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowships' Bishop's Consecration. This is a ceremonial event where those candidates for promotion to "Bishop" is officially and publicly elevated. Bishop is the highest official office in the New Testament Church. The ceremony was absolutely breathtaking and I was in awe of the splendor and majesty of it. Our very own Kansas/Missouri State Bishop Courtney A. Jones was consecrated during the service. He says hello to all of you back home.

During the service, I began to get a little misty eyed when I thought about the fact that God would select a flawed vessel to declare and protect a flawless Gospel. Many times we praise God for what He "brought us from", but I thank God for having mercy on me and still anointing and using me in spite of "what I'm still in". To God be the glory! I'll talk to you tomorrow........

B-Blessed!!!!

Monday, June 18, 2007

When God Changes the Agenda!

Something absolutely unique happened during Kingdom Harvest Church's Sunday Worship Celebration yesterday - I was preparing to preach what I had spent time studying and preparing....... and God led me to preach another message! LOL! Right there on the spot, the Spirit of God impressed on my heart Romans 8:31 - 39 and I ministered from these controversial words "It's Hard Out Here for a P.I.M.P".

In the context of the message, P.I.M.P is an acronym for those of us who are being "Processed Into My Purpose". In the verses leading up to the key text in Romans, in bother chapters 7 and 8, the Apostle Paul talks about the struggle he has between his flesh and the spirit. This is a common struggle for people of faith. In spite of our faithfulness, it seems many times like we have more struggle now than we did when we were saved. Yet we should remain steadfast, because no matter what we encounter, God is lovingly processing us for where He is taking us. God has a plan for our lives!

Just as God changed my message, God is constantly changing the circumstances and situations of our lives. Yet we should trust Him, because God has a plan!

Monday, June 11, 2007

Happy Anniversary!

Yesterday, my wife and I celebrated our pastoral anniversary. Though this is our 3rd year serving as pastor of Kingdom Harvest Church, this was our first actual anniversary celebration. It was a conscious decision to make sure KHC was well established before we ever allowed anyone to celebrate us. Ministry is first!

As my wife and I sat in those two special chairs reserved for us, listened to wonderful accolades from both laity and our peers in ministry, and received encouragement through the preached Word, I have to confess that I was a bit uncomfortable. Without a doubt, I appreciate the words spoken and believe we had an awesome worship experience, but I don't do ministry for any of that. I would preach if I never received a dime....... and I would serve God's people and still anticipate Sunday mornings if my name was never called or applauded. Like Christ, I thrive on doing the will of the Lord!

Thank God anniversaries come only once a year...... I can't wait to preach Sunday!

B-Blessed!

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Pray for Me!

I am a bit exhausted today. God is blessing, but I do solicit your prayers. To God be the glory!

B-Blessed!!!

Sunday, June 3, 2007

God Be Praised!

At Kingdom Harvest Church, we had an awesome worship experience. People were restored in their commitment to God and God Himself received all the glory! The Lord allowed us to preach a powerful message entitled "Charm School". The message surrounded the mentoring relationship of Naomi and Ruth (Ruth 3:1 - 5). God blessed Ruth with a true friend i Naomi who coached and mentored her into a encounter with Boaz - her kinsman redeemer and a type or shadow of Christ.

In much the same way, the Holy Spirit leads us guides us into God's best for our lives. He also sends us pastors, teachers, and friends who are used by God to mentor us into Christlikeness. It is my prayer that the message was a blessing to all who heard it. To God be the glory!

B-Blessed!

Saturday, June 2, 2007

Consumed By Him

Jeremiah 20:9 (NKJV) says, "Then I said, "I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name." But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not."

Jeremiah was a prophet who faced so much struggle and despair. He faced so much opposition that he is often called "the Weeping Prophet", because he was often hurt and discoraged by a disobedient people that he was sent to minister to. Jeremiah may have had to endure struggle and many times felt weary in well doing, but none of it mattered because Jeremiah was consumed by God.

The text uses the metaphor of fire to illustrate the intensity of Jeremiah's relationship with God. Fire is one of the most powerful and destructive elements on the face of the earth. It radically changes everything that it touches, consuming objects in intense fashion. We should be so consumed by God that when you want to give up, you can't. When you want to sin, you can't. Be so consumed by God that it is hard for an onlooker to tell where you end and God begins.

B-Blessed!