3-way Phone call

I am not the biggest R-Kelly fan, though my wife may be - what can I say, she's big on forgiveness. I will, however, be the first to admit that he does have a gift - an extraordinary spiritual gift - to touch people in song. I would prefer that he were all the way hot for God and only made encouraging songs for God's children but I am also aware of a few basic tenets of American music culture and Christianity:
1. Music - the sounds, chords, beats have a unique history intertwined through many musical genres. Music evolves so we should not assume that a certain sound denotes a certain spiritual level.
2. God is not finished working on anyone yet!

That being said, R-Kelly and Kelly Price's 3-way phone call has received much play on my ipod this week. If you have never heard it, it's on the U saved me album, disc 2 - you can listen to a sample on amazon. It's a unique little piece that makes me re-think the power of a phone call to a close friend.

Have you heard this song before?
Let me know what you think

Peace

A worthy cause

What I really want for myself, my personal and church family, my friends, my co-workers, everyone - even my enemies.

Ephesians 3:14-21

You Reign! part 3 -You Rain

Well, what happens when the pressures of life get too much for us to bear and no water can get through the tough ground of our hearts? A look at Hosea 10:12 will provide us with some insight into this matter. In this scripture, Israel stands on the verge of reaping the results for being spiritually unfaithful to God. And though our message is not nearly as severe, the instructions for our own spiritual growth in a sinful world are quite similar. Sow to yourselves in righteousness and reap in Mercy or love, break–up your fallow ground for it is time to seek the Lord till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
Sowing in righteousness means prepare with God’s word in prayers and actions. In my yard, before I could break up the ground I had to wet it right before. You see in my own righteousness, doing things how I may naturally do them, not only am I as a filthy rag in comparison to Christ, but I’m complacent and stuck in my ways.
For example, I was upset one day and determined that I was going to tell someone how I felt because they had said some things that I didn’t like. My only problem was that I had to preach and I needed to study some more but what I read and wrote wasn’t sinking in, then someone told me that God shows us all mercy and they reminded me of my first sermon and how we wrestle not against flesh and blood. I calmed down immediately and asked for forgiveness. That word softened my heart so that I can break that follow ground. So I can get down and rake away that hurt and anger. I put down a little more water, So I can get down in there and rake away that unforgiveness. I put down a little more water, So I can get down in there and rake away those rocks those obstacles that were blown in my path. I put down a little more water to get down in there and rake away feelings of doubt and depression, feelings of unrest and frustration, feelings of uncertainty and distrust that came about when I relied in man and got burned. The application of water/His Word must be constant to ensure that a change takes place.

Well, after assessing the situation I was able to take some actions to improve the vitality of my yard. I broke up the hard ground and I trimmed back those limbs and I picked up those leaves and I planted more seeds and I watered both areas again. I believed and I took some time out to work on the yard.
I watered the areas both day and night.
Then I realized something.
I cant be there 24 hours a day hovering over this little area. I couldn’t be there at night protecting the grass. I can’t predict and stop the next dry spell or windy day.
but one night as I was sleep, it rained.
One night, when I was concerned about the lawn, it rained. I can water the grass but I can’t make it rain.
What are you saying?? One night when I decided to seek His rest, He showered me with His righteousness and love. One night when I told Jesus that I can’t do this by myself, that I can’t read scriptures all day and night, He picked up that rake and removed unbelief, he picked up that rake and removed all obstacles. So when I finally woke up - came to my senses - I saw that the work had already been completed.

He said I have already did the work bc I can work while you are sleeping. You see while you are brooding over the area, while you think you are fixing your problems, while you think you have done more than enough. I can’t wait until you tire those little arms out, and you put your confidence in me, so that I, The Lord, can work. So that I can direct that water; so I can guide that seed; so I can break out the tough ground and leave the good ground in there. So I can trim back just enough and do it just at the right time. So I can remove the leaves without taking up all the new grass around you.
Now when my yard needs a little work. I still put down seeds and trim branches and rake leaves but I discovered that I don't have to worry about the results. I can just say Lord, You Rain. Lord You Reign

You Reign! part 2

cont.....

Now let's examine the second part

2. The 2nd area by the back steps had hard ground - fallow ground that prevented any growth. Water couldn’t penetrate through the ground. In fact, adding water when it was hot, made that area even more dense later that day. It became this way because in this area all of the natural elements have direct access to it. Hot sunlight beats on it directly, heat evaporates the water quickly, wind blows away seeds and the dog tramples over this area. All of that and more makes the ground tough in response to its surroundings and too tough to be changed in its current state.

Our spiritual view

shows us how the pressures we are exposed to weigh us down. Situations that we can’t control and those tough ones that we once managed well are bearing down heavy on us. We are exposed to the enemy’s attacks. Maybe we lost a job, maybe we lost a friend, maybe there was a death in the family, maybe we are buried with frustration (The heat and pressure of not meeting others’ expectations). All these have compounded you with fear and doubt. In addition, the false winds of miscommunication have blown away any seeds that were almost sown. Almost sown seeds are those missed opportunities to receive nourishment:

• 
  
  You were about to read His word but something came up or your favorite tv show came on.


• 
  
  You were on your way to work in the morning and you chose to listen to your favorite radio show or r&b cd instead of listening to something that would provide early morning spiritual vitality, ie Gospel or Christian music, sermon, spiritual talk show.


• 
  
  You knew you had some critical issues on your mind but you didn't pray about them.

Those are all seeds almost sown but the winds of our troubles blew them away.

What happens when the pressure of life get too much for us to bear and no water can get through the tough ground of our hearts?

You Reign! part 1 - Joy

A short story

I like cutting the grass and keeping my lawn in good shape. After I cut the grass and trim it neatly, I look over at it and I’m like “Now that’s a good job.” I look out at it because I remember when we first got the house and the lawn was mostly greeds (grass-like weeds) So it amazes me when I see its growth. However, this “examination” reveals some parts of the lawn that need a little work.

There are two parts that I am working on now, let's examine the first part:
1. On the side of the house, underneath the trees that serve as a property divider

So I said,

Let me just add some water. So I watered the area and the whole yard. Some time in the day, some time in the night. This process went on for a little while until I looked out at the lawn and saw the lawn looking good out front and out back. But nothing changed in this area. I’m like, are you serious. So I gave up. I was tired of watering without results. I witnessed that area of the lawn deteriorate to the point when I just got tired of looking at it. I was tired of the same situation and so I did something. Granted I should have done some things before it came to this point but sometimes you have to truly assess a situation and get upset at it in order for you to take some action towards resolving the issue at hand.

So I looked at this area of my lawn and I noticed a few things.
1. The first thing I noticed in the area by the trees was that this grass had faded away because it couldn’t get enough sunlight and water. Why couldn’t it get enough sunlight and water? The branches from the trees were taking all the sun and the trees' roots were taking a lot of the water. In addition there were leaves from the fall mixed in with the grass that was soaking up the water that remained. This area wasn’t getting any nourishment

Deeper examination into the matter broke down like this

You know, sometimes, we can be just like the lawn. Our spiritual vessels/temples in which the Holy Ghost resides, need daily maintenance. Sometimes we let the oversized branches take all of our sun. The sun represents Joy! Then, if that ain’t enough, we let some things interfere with our feeding. Now ya’ll know me, I am so serious about food. However, tough schedules and different priorities prevent us from consuming and absorbing the nutrients we need replenished daily.

Don’t let nothing or noone steal your joy. We should not be discouraged by the various situations and circumstances that occur in our lives.

Joy just ain’t being happy but Joy is recognizing that Jesus is right there with us! And where Jesus is, joy is also

Contemplation

I'm considering the level of knowledge Christ has about me and the level of knowledge I have about myself .........................................................................

You know I still get surprised every now and then when I do something well. I'll say something like "I didn't think I could do that!"

But, My God, you know me so well and you think about me so much Psalms 139:17-18

And not only that, You think good things about me Jeremiah 29:11

So why is it so hard to Trust in the Lord? I mean, do we always settle for the vendor with limited knowledge and minimal experience?

What are you wearing?

If by pride we break peace, humility is that one preserver of peace necessary for all churches to thrive under the will of God.
If there is any article of clothing that I tend to strip off from time to time, it is humility. It's time I keep my clothes on...
1Peter 5:5-6

Do you know Jesus?

It is too hot out here not to know Him.

Can you imagine

The word multitude has always impressed me. When I consider God's word in Isaiah 63:7
and visualize a large group of people that can't be numbered I think about the innumerable listing of mercies Our Heavenly Father has bestowed unto us all.
As in this picture, from our view, it appears as though they are compounded and stacked one on each other. They say count your blessings, but our minds aren't fashioned to perform such an operation.

Fred is at it again!!

I am feelin this little Fred classic - Clean Heart - from the Purpose by design album. I know I've had it for some time (2000) but Fred's songs never get old to me.
Check out this line from the first chorus

And I am calling out to You for a strength exchange
I will gladly take Your joy for my weakness

The Clean Heart concept derives from Psalm 51 when David asks God to create in Him a Clean Heart, realizing even (especially) God's children (called, chosen, and touched) have to repent on a daily basis. It's just a nice reminder that our God still wants to do business with us even though what we have to offer pales in comparison to what we receive...