A Journey Through Manhood
G’morning all! To arrive at truth you must exit the road of illusion. By nature we are all creatures of habit. We become content with driving down the same highway of life passing the same scenery. From time to time we catch a glimpse of a sign telling of another reality but the unfamiliar brings about apprehension, so we stay where we are. Answer the beckon of truth. #BeDynamic or be forgotten!
Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
1Timothy 1:13, 15-16
As I sit here on the eve of the year 2012, I’m thinking about the happenings of the 2011, my triumphs and pitfalls. I am extremely blessed and I thank God for all of my blessings but there was one consistent feeling of emptiness that I felt throughout the year 2011. It wasn’t until this morning, Friday, December 31st 2011, that I really came to grips with this feeling in regards to my relationship with God.
In case you don’t know, I am totally starting my life over, with NOTHING in hand. I felt empty, but that feeling of emptiness can be a wonderful gift from God. There is something about “nothing” that moves God’s hand. I was distracted from His will, depending on myself and I wasn’t empty enough. God basically led me to a place of nothingness where I can lean on nothing but His provision. And that is where I currently am.
The story of the prophet Elisha (2 Kings Chapter 4) really taught me that:
Although I learned from the prophet Elisha, I may have learned even more from the destitute woman. I realized that regardless of the situation or where I am, I must GET UP and keep moving toward my purpose. While moving toward my purpose, I have to move past other people’s perception of me, whether good or bad. And most important, I have to remember that my purpose is from God.
Happy New Year…Be blessed, #BeDynamic
This is the first blog of 2011 which shows how focused I have been…I pray that you are blessed with the following thoughts. I needed this…
I have to admit that I have truly been stuck in a rut for the past 6 months. We all need dreams, goals & aspirations because without them we would only feed our desire for pleasure. I have lost focus of my dreams. Forward looking dreams create in us a stronger character by encouraging to be & do more than where we are right now. Dreams stir up a restless heart, causing us to want to be more, do & achieve more also.
God created us with the ability to dream. He leads us to think beyond our ordinary, moment-to-moment existence. I haven’t followed nor really reflected on my dreams and when you do that, you can stifle a meaningful experience that gives greater meaning to your life. So where do I start to manifest the dreams that I have been blessed with?
Dreams require prayer. Before we do anything we must seek the will of God. Difficult dreams are not those that require us to do something , but those that require us to change. Dreams are fragile. They are private matters that are incomprehensible to others in most cases. If we share our dreams in the beginning will cause some second guessing because they don’t understand your vision. Criticism that our dreams cannot be realized can cause loss of confidence. And finally dreams require commitment & endurance. “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay” (Habakkuk 2:3). The worth of the dream is exemplified by the difficulty of realizing it. Be blessed, #BeDynamic
The biggest need of the church today is leadership. People are willing to follow God’s vision but have no exposure to vision and/or effective leadership. Over my lifetime while worshiping in church I have noticed decline in the strong leadership in the church and especially the black church. I am a strong believer that everything rises and falls on leadership. The crazy part is that most believers become convinced that when they follow Christ, they must become sheepish, quiet and withdrawn, confusing meekness with weakness. EVERYONE plays a part in leadership in the church and it is OK to question decisions made by leadership without being ostracized.
In March 2009, I took on a major project at my previous church and I was challenged and undermined by the leadership with no opportunity for discussion. I had restriction place on my small leadership role that had never been placed on anyone else in that church. Instead of getting angry I decided to pray and ask God for discernment in what was happening. I exited that place of worship. My sister who stayed at that church has gone through a similar situation in that a new “process” has been added for conflict resolution just for her case. There were six days/opportunities to address this conflict, instead the leader decided to address it during morning worship. All parties were prepared for this new “process” except for my 5 month pregnant sister leaving her to feel embarrassed. Two points came to mind to mind during my study of the book of Micah:
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” Micah 6:8
God holds leaders responsible for creating an environment of justice. God holds leaders accountable for creating healthy environments. The people learn to love justice and show mercy when their leader creates an environment for both. In both cases above, leadership created an unfair and unjust environment by not communicating with the parties involved. Morning worship is NOT the venue to resolve personal disputes.
“Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge who accepts brides, the powerful dictate what they desire – they are conspire together. The best of them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge. The day of your watchmen has come, the day God visits. Now is the time of their confusion” Micah 7:3, 4
Leaders who fail to practice servant leadership become self-serving. Without a cause to better the overall congregation and worship experience, this leader found a cause to serve their own (and their family’s) interest. This self-service eventually becomes a thorn in everything that will go on. In the examples exhibited, the leader made both decisions based on a personal preference and benefit for them and their family.
Be blessed, #bedynamic
11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ~Ephesians 6:11-17
I listen to a lot of Hip-Hop music and sometimes I think these guys can preach, and preachers can rap. While listening to Jeezy & Kanye West’s song “Put On”, they talk about putting on for their city. The basic premise to “Put On” means to “show off”, “put on a show” or “represent”. This lead me to think who or what do I “put on” for. We as Christians should “put on” for our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. But what are we putting on. Before we put on out Sunday’s best, before we go to choir rehearsal, we need to put on the “full armor of God”. Although we think the battles, trials & tribulations are with people, they are not. We are battling “against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” so your best suit and practicing is cannot help with dealing with the challenges of the world. So the next time you think about putting on, make sure you include these things:
: Tests Of A Man : 