When You Get Tired

There are moments in life that sap your energy. Yesterday, I was right there and saw my energy fly out the window. When I was confronted with this situation, I found myself angry and frustrated. However, when I confronted the situation, I was immediately saddened. Any aggravation, any irritation was completely replaced by pure and utter sadness. It is at these points, where I can be most vulnerable. It causes me to reflect and just think about my own issues. I have to stop and take a step back and see the bigger picture. Life has shown me, when my energy is gone whether emotional, mental or physical even, just get off the merry go round and pray and think. My pastor once told me that you never make a decision when you are tired. The only decision you should make when you are tired is to think before you do make a decision or even a declaration. Life is a trip like that.

random video for FBDC

The color of Jesus?

Archive Moment Oct 2010 "The Peeling of a Man"

It has been largely debated throughout the years, the reason that men do not attend church. Especially, Black men. Why do Black men find church so unappealing? Is it the time spent listening to sermons? Is it because men would rather watch sports? Is it because church caters to a female's psyche exclusively? Some of these reason are valid but I have to disagree partly with all of them. So what is the problem, in my opinion? Men do not want to be stripped or peeled. It is God's intention to make a man like Himself. In order for God to do this, God has to perform a surgery of sorts. He performs this surgery in a number of ways. He gives him (the man) His Word. He gives him, a shepherd to follow, the Man Christ Jesus. He gives him His Spirit, the Holy Ghost. Now, the man must be still and listen long enough for the Word to penetrate his heart and mind. This is difficult but only because the man can become restless. Like a surgeon standing over a body, often times the surgeon has to put the person to sleep in order to do the work necessary. However, God has given man free will and choice. God will not put a man to sleep by force. The sleep I speak of is spiritual. Spiritually, a man has to allow God to work on him and through him. Men tend to become afraid or apprehensive because at times the work is painful and challenging. When God works on a man, He peels layers of dead clothing off of the man. The dead clothing represents the old man and his ways. God begins to pull away the dead tissue of the old life; all the while dressing him for his new life in the process. Men tend to not want to deal with the pain and shortcomings of his life. Man tends to medicate himself with objects of pleasure. God desires to remove the old ways of a man, so he can live spiritually and naturally the way He intended for him in the beginning. It is human nature for a man to like his self the way he has always been. God challenges the man to adopt His way of life and sometimes men feel it is too hard or not necessary. The peeling of man is not designed to kill the man but heal him. Men can experience a great joy in being made over but the uncertainty of what God wants to do is always present. When men allow God to work, men experience life changing explosiveness. Yet, the man will only experience what he allows God to do. Relationships change. World views change. Thoughts change. Hearts change. Let God work on you. You will be surprised at what He will do through you and for you. Those old ways must go. We must walk in the light, as He is in and the Light. Amen.

Be Free in Christ

Compelling article. Worth a looksie. Check it out. http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2013/06/19/obama-s-former-spiritual-advisor-joshua-dubois-on-the-fight-for-black-men.html

bible study No New Carts!

father's day shout out

Meditation

I drink in the quietness. As my mind builds in thought. Silent words are uttered. While the moments are caught. Pictures materialize under the guise, of cryptic visions. A collage of colors, bring forth collisions. Now comes the message, which originally was a mess. My meditation moves me, beyond an educated guess. I hear the words sing underneath the lines. I have knocked, and the door is opened by the Divine. Richard J Wright (2010)

When Men of God Pray Through Their Struggles

Today's sermon was about men sinking. The scripture came from the 69th Psalm where David begins the song with a simple request of God. "Save me." At our church we are focusing on men this month. So as a result many of the sermons will be men-centered. Today's sermon really hit home. It was a sermon that really ministered to every man because every man could definitely relate to it. So often our men go through things and we tend to go through those things alone. No man is an island but that hasn't stop a man for trying to live like it. We do not like transparancy, we do not share because we detest being exposed. However, God really desires that we just be real. As I taught in Sunday School this morning, I could not help but think how prayer, the essential element of our walk is so necessary. Everyone goes through struggles. However, prayer helps us to understand and know that we are not alone and God will answer our prayers while we endure hardship as a good soldier. It is good to see men pray. Our children need to see us pray. It is better caught than taught as my pastor says from time to time. I thank God He desires to hear from me. Prayer is wonderful and good for all men who go through struggles in life.

tribute to my church mother

The need for the local church