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experiences

When The New Chapter Comes Don’t Be Afraid To Turn The Page

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Most of my life I have had many experiences and emotional peaks that I wish I could go back to. These moments could never seem to last enough time: moments with family that has passed away, services at church with people that have moved on, vacations that had to come to an end, projects at your job that were easy but were done quick, people we have met along the way that we wish we could have done more for; the list truly goes on and on. And while I wish I could have moments like these all the time, I have learned that these are not moments that are just whipped up or easily created. They are natural phases of life, giving us as mankind a peek inside of what true joys and the utmost happiness is supposed to feel like.

On the flip side of the coin I can see many moments in my life that I rarely choose to look back to: times I have failed, times I have failed others, times I gave up too early, other times I simply quit just because my willingness was stubborn, times I should have shown love, times I should have held my ground; trust me, if you look you will find some things you wish you could never remember. And while we try our best to avoid the controllable things we can work to improve there will always be moments where we are tested that present opportunities for our not so good half to show itself in its fullness. These also are the not so glamorous chapters of life that in their own way begin to define who we are and how we learn from our mistakes.

I want to speak to those of us out there who are trying to live stuck in these emotional highs and lows: When the new chapter comes don’t be afraid to turn the page. While I wish that I could hang onto or keep some moments or situations going I now realize that we must learn to handle the good and the bad. For if we only knew of the good things of God we would never realize the power of redemption and resurrection in our trials. Do not be afraid to move forward from those things that have hindered you. Learn to use the good things of God to forgive others and to move on with your head held high. And as you move forward from the present hindrances you will find that out of something bad can come something good. Learn to embrace the things that come to seemingly destroy you; or as the bible tells us to do when it says for us to “rejoice in the midst of our fiery trials”. That is the spirit that comes from the text you read. At first it did not make sense to me but now I understand. Do not live in something that was meant to only be for a season. Shake it off and move forward to the next good thing that is out there for you to experience.

 

Looking Back, I Can See The Stepping Stones

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First of all, I apologize for the poor quality of the photos above. These were taken a few years ago before digital cameras were beyond 5 megapixels. Let us narrate the photos: what you are seeing is me (in orange playing bass) and two others on the right playing music with the three on the left. The funny story about this day is that we were asked to come and play but we were not informed of the set until the moment was literally happening. Actually we were only told the key and the name of the song. Fun stuff!

What I want to make sure I bring out before we go on is that this was during the first few critical weeks of my recovery and there were people keeping me busy in the Lord for sure! As I recall the experiences (as well as many others similar to this with these guys) it brings back good feelings and provokes a thought in my spirit.

Looking back, I can see the stepping stones:

1) This was an investment of someones time to give me an opportunity to enrich my life.

I spend a lot of time now working with other people to learn music and to sing, mentoring young ministers, providing counsel, singing and preaching at revivals, studying for the word, blogging as much as I can, the list goes on and on. And when I consider the wealth of blessings and gifts God has given me to work in I know that it was not just for my benefit alone; for it was to invest in people that need an opportunity for change through Christ!

2) The investment in my life was selfless with no desire to have a return or reward.

If you asked these guys today I would be certain that the responses may differ a bit as to “Why did you do it?”, but there is one central theme all mentors have: they want their proteges to grow. Without great coaching and support in your initial steps your ministry can stop as quick as it stops. I want to take this moment to thank people like these two that have been all around me!

3) Without these investments I do not know where I would be.

If I could encourage you do to anything (regardless of your calling) it would be to mentor someone that needs a chance for change. I would also tell you that you may not get anything immediately from the person, but the blessings from God as you help others are worth more than selfish gain. And finally, if for no other reason please remember that the reason we all work in ministry is to bring others to a place in God where they can then lend a hand to another. And as we work together, we grow and sustain in life with joy abundantly!

Looking Back, I Know Why They Did It

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homecoming

Looking at the picture above I can immediately remember some of the best meals that I have ever had when I was younger. This is of course during one of the days that we combined church and food to follow: Homecoming! And when I talk about homecomings, I am talking about the ones that used to be out in the fresh air with cars as tables and taking. With freshly prepared meals stretched as far as my eyes could see I always remember looking forward to eating everything there! And if I had to single something out I would say that I always looked forward to getting down to the end of the row (that is where the desserts were!). Through the next few years of growing up I began to see things differently than what I had once felt. Somehow the excitement for the food had been lessened with the attention now being drawn to the people around me.

Looking back, I now know why they did it. Yes, food is a great way to bring people together, but this gathering was about so much more than food. The efforts that people made when they would get up at the break of daylight to fix the perfect dish went beyond the worry of peoples satisfaction with the taste. I finally realized more was going on than met the eye (or the stomach). Food was the metaphor to what was behind the ingredients of what prepared it. I realize now as those days are behind me that the people that worked so hard to prepare wonderful days like that were creating one of the closest experiences we will have to heaven on earth. There was a fellowship being shown by coming together. There was a love being shown to all who would come. Everyone could come and dine as they were. The more I think about this now I now know beyond all doubt that homecoming was not only about the message of fellowship and reunion but also showing the message of salvation through those dishes. That may be a laugh to some people out there but I will forever remember all the wonderful people who always worked so hard for others even when they received little or nothing in return for their efforts.

If I could do anything now, I wish that I could have not just lived in the moment so much and saw the bigger picture. There is simply never enough gratitude for all the small things that are done behind the scenes that make pictures and memories like these so wonderful. I am glad to say though I may miss dining at the table with my brothers and sisters who have passed on I will get to dine with them again in a far better place than this world!

 

 

The Things We Take For Granted Are Things We Miss When They Are Gone

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As I am learning day by day to be an ambassador of God’s love there is one fact that stands very clear to me: the things that we take for granted are things we miss when they are gone. I apologize if this sounds like a golden-age’ish trip to the past, but I assure you there is a revelation for you.

Starting out in my childhood I never really realized (and we typically do not as kids) how good life really was. Having  little responsibility and having the only worries of what that note said that was passed at school was definitely a care-free time in my life. Sports were great…well…playing sports with an energy that did not run out was great! Christmas was a different experience as a child than an adult; for I can honestly say that the look on my face when I got presents I wanted let me know what pure glee felt like. I never knew that the experiences I would have with my family that we would seemingly be rushing through would be moments that I would give anything to have had more time in. There were people that I got to be around that were such a joy to my life that have passed away as I have gotten older. What I would not give for that chance to thank them with the same love they have shown me.

Moving on into my teenage years I plainly see my attitude was always objective with rebellious actions and always wanting more. I got what I wanted and thought I was entitled to it, as if being totally irresponsible and ungrateful were not enough in my opinion to deserve it. And even though my teenage years had a lot of bad decisions involved I am happy to say that there were some people that still attempted to invest in me. I had 3 teachers I specifically remember that took the time to make sure they knew I cared. I still remember their names and faces and now know what it was they were trying to do for me. I remember beginning to pay attention in church and seeing people do things that went completely against my outlooks and perspectives of things I thought were true as I was discovering life for myself. Yet there were those who still loved me even when who I thought I was changed all the time. Those people have never left my heart and I am so grateful that I was taught by example about what it means to love through God’s love.

I guess it would be safe to say that I am about in the mid-point in my adult life now. I’m not sure how much more time God will give me to live. Since I have been saved and delivered from my addictions life has totally changed. Something else changed: the numerous amount of people that were as a support around me began to let up little by little. I began to wonder if it was something that I had done to have people start only calling when they were in need of something. I thought I must have surely done something wrong to get in a situation where I always gave and never received a return. I went my entire life knowing one way and now was lost in this part of the journey. The one thing I had to learn in what seemed like the hard way at first was that God was there all along! I then began to learn about how much help I could have through God, that it was so much more than just knowing you had salvation. There was a relationship with God that began to bloom in my life that began to feel just like the people that were around me in my past. And now more than ever I now understand that this stage was a transition to God’s full purpose for my life. There are people now, as I have stepped into the faith, that are in great need of that person that will love through God’s love. Sure I could be sad about losing all of the loved ones and experiences I have had, but I now know why I ever got to feel the good times to begin with. It is now my time to pay it forward.

This ministry and the calling God has on my life was built by every good memory, good experience, and good person that invested in all of our lives. We were being built by people who had the love of God that wanted the best for us. When I really think about that my heart goes out for so many. I could never repay them all, just as much as I could ever fathom of repaying God’s free pardon of sin and love that has been shown to me. God’s love for all of us is shown to us so that we not only know God but show that same love in kind to others. It is so important to not stay selfish and always looking to find more for you. As you grow up and mature in your life God can teach you how to change from being selfish to selfless. In closing this thought I now know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the things I always took for granted are things that I wish I could get back. And though I cannot get back what I had I can still give out of what I had received. That is where the bible all of a sudden opened up to me like a flood and these verses hit me like I had just read it for the very first time.

1 John 4-7-11

[7] Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

[8] He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

[9] In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

[10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

[11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

Shake The Dust Off Of Your Feet And Don’t Be A Dust Thrower!

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Feeling rejected? Wondering what the deal is with your ministry? Been discouraged by others recently? At some point I believe we have all been in that moment before. We have all had things that have presented themselves as very humbling experiences, right? Trust me, I have seen it all. While singing and speaking in times past I have had people in full blown conversations, texting on their cell phones, sleeping, leaving, shaking their heads, eating, posing an intentional distraction. I’ve had people turn down my microphone on purpose, get up and leave and return when I was finished, tell me to my face that I preach too long, and inform me that I would never preach at their church because I was too radical. I have had people inspired (all of a sudden) to have their personal bible study and not pay attention for the entirety. I have even been cut off right in the middle of exhortation simply because some were afraid of things getting a little too exciting. I wish I could say that one of these were my personal favorite experiences that helped me grow, but the truth is that at the time it really hurt to feel! I am happy to know that as I have grown that God has given me the wisdom in this area and I am going to share some concepts with you that have helped me stay effective.

When it comes to being effective in your ministry, one thing will always be clear in relevance to growth: in order to be a successful worker for God you must be able to continue in spite of facing rejection or a lack of support. The bible gives reference to the perfect scenario: “And whosoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.” This passage in Luke 9 opens up a very interesting thought and question I have today. Consider when you attend your own church and do your absolute best that you can and feel rejected. Does it mean that if you were not received that you are a failure and that its time to hang it up? No, in fact this should begin to allow you to understand the difference in the rejection of the word that you bring versus a rejection of just you.

A rejection of the word of God is often times perceived to be the dislike of a person. Think about the passage that refers to the bible principle that “light has no fellowship with darkness”. I send a word of encouragement to tell you that everyone does not despise YOU, but the word that is WITHIN you. If you are continually waiting for the perfect fellowship with people that you know need to hear a strong word then you are going to be waiting forever. I’ll be as bold to say that you will never have the FULL support of any church no matter where you may roam. Why? Because if there are those that are not walking in the will of God or have a relationship then a natural fear of change from their sin or unwillingness that simply cannot accept the word when they choose not to. So when we say to shake the dust off your feet as a testimony “against them”, it is simply saying to show others that you will not be moved from the call or the obedience that the call brings. Remember that Jesus was not even received in His own country and how you may not be either. You may just have a situation with a very simple solution: people that know you and grow numb to the value of your call need to see a strength within you that shakes off the bad when they ignore you!

Are we going to begin to dust ourselves off to show the strength of God? Do we realize that it is God’s word that conflicts with people and not a personal issue against us? If we can begin to grasp these concepts there will be so many church services everywhere that we all go that will be saved, salvaged and actually promote the strength of the God’s people to draw others!

The other contrast of this thought that I leave you with is to not be the person that throws the dust upon another. You may have a church where you just have a few that attend and know each other on a personal level. If you do and you find yourself almost getting “bored” with others, I speak with a spiritual urgency to start drawing closer to God for a greater love than what is on the surface. Being bored or complacent in church shows a lack in breaking down self. Remember that we need each other and that one day you will miss the worth of those around you when God moves them to another chapter in life.

A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste

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Philippians 4:4-9

[4] Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
[5] Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
[6] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
[7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
[8] Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
[9] Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

For this part I would like to break down key verses into points:

Verse 4

This verse is directing towards having thankfulness for anything. Another good way to say that is to be thankful and satisfied with all of the good things that come in our lives.

Verse 6

The verse here calls for us to be the devoted Christians that we know we can be and to have prayerfulness for anything!

Verse 7

This has two important key pieces to note:

1)    A sense of carefulness for anything

and

2)    Knowing in great depth the peace of God

The good way to think about this would be to have a mindset that is less worrisome over everything. This will allow the peace of God to do its wonderful work.

Verse 9

Reading this should let us know that as we are ready to give ourselves to God that His presence pours out upon ours! How do we know? By the experiences and lessons that we learn over the course of our lives!

Can You Have Too Much Of A Good Thing?

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When I begin to ponder and think of this concept, there is only but one answer that comes to mind: yes, you can.

There are many things that we all love and enjoy in life. Some of them may be hobbies while others are educational and recreational. While these things all can prove to produce some kind of emotional “joy”, let me put out there today that this joy (while good in the moment) is only temporary in the short term. In fact, there is always some form of sacrifice or cost that must come at the expense of an emotional buy. And as we all know, some consequences can far outweigh more than others.

As we continue to seek after God and search for a deeper walk with Him each day, let us remember what it is that keeps us established; for when we seek the Kingdom of Heaven and its righteousness, all the other things (to me the spiritual fulfilling things) that we need to keep us in our life with joy will begin to be added. With that said, we can never have too much of God. You might even feel burnt out sometimes, but that is because of how life makes us feel “bored” with things so quickly.

I continually remember each day through the experiences that God almighty has performed for me that I can never have too much of God. In fact, the more of God that I have, the less of a desire that I have for the other things that I used to pursue for my temporary joy. Take time throughout your minutes, hours, days and weeks through prayer and the study of the word of God to evaluate yourself to see if the life you present before God is truly pleasing and bringing the spiritual fruit that is full of all the things we all truly desire out of life. Then, you can find fulfillment without the continual pursuit of every other pleasure out there!

Instant Gratification Or A Test Of Patience?

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There have been times in my life where I have prayed for some things and saw what I would like to call instant gratification. In other words, I prayed in a day and God moved likewise. During those times looking back I was always thankful for how quick the move was but never questioned in my mind why God would move so quickly.There have been other times, which seems like now lately more than ever, where I am in desire and in need of things from God for me in my life. I find it more difficult to hang in there with my faith, and especially difficult when in my mind I am thinking “I need this right now”.

The only thing that I have learned in the midst of everything is a few key parts of wisdom that has helped me to keep going. I will share one now I believe with all of my heart and have not shared yet to my knowledge. I feel like that God provides a way for things that will build our faith for the parts of our life that can really glorify Him. You see I did not understand why I received some things so easily and quickly and yet I see so many that have sought for so long. I feel that God had provided with me with something at the time to help me to have strength and patience with the next trial. I definitely did not see back then where I would be today and would not have got where I was without it.

I think at times if I did not have the small blessings of God that I would not be able to handle the bigger pressures of life, especially the things I feel I cannot conquer or change. Now that I have been in some trials that have exceeded the months at a time timeline, it is really testing what I stand for. But by what God has already done (the blood of the Lamb and the words of my experiences) I am able to continue the race. Keep your head up, and wipe those tears. Joy will come, it might not be now, but I pray that God will pour out an incomprehensible blessing for you and your life!

Do You Feel It?

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THE WORD

Isaiah 40:31 – But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Feelings come in many different forms. For example, if you: have been burned by something hot, have been stung or bit by an insect, or have held on to a piece of ice or swam in cold water, etc. It is easy to interpret feelings on a physical level, for they are sensations that we can feel with our body’s senses. There are also things that we can relate to on an emotional level. For example: if someone insults you, if you lose someone that is close to you, or when you are in confusion or conflict over the unknown. These sorts of emotions can be recognized by many because it is something we encounter not only within our senses but through our feelings.

What I want to you to think about today are your daily experiences with the spirit of God. As we start having great times with God we begin to use experiences that God has let us walk through to have a more intimate relationship with Him. As a few examples: faith and testimony praise, worship during altar service, prayer and meditation, reading and studying the bible, the list goes on and on. There are many avenues that God has provided for us so that we can not only believe that He is with us but to know it in our hearts. The spirit of God works through the love in our hearts to help usher those around us that do not know Christ to salvation. When we know God and establish a secure relationship we then see life in a new pair of eyes and see that there is so much more out there to live and enjoy! There is a closeness that God wants us all to have that will keep us through each and every problem we face! Do you feel it today? If you need the comfort of the spirit, seek for it, for it is there to help you today!

PUT INTO PRACTICE

My most urgent prayer for you is that you begin to seek God for a stronger anointing in your life. Surrender your heart and yield to the presence of the Holy Ghost. And as you do, listen to how God will teach you to become a more loving person and an ambassador for the message of Jesus Christ! Live through your problems and let love change your life!

When It Starts To Get Bad Make It Better

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THE WORD

Matthew 5:23-25 –  Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Plenty of people told me in my youth about how exciting life was going to be. I learned really quick as I started out that no person could have prepared me for the way life would surprise. There are all sorts of circumstances that occur that will challenge your walk with God. You can try to run as fast as you can from the trial but at some point you will have to face it head on. I wish I could say that it was going to be an easy experience that you endure, but often it ends up being tough. Conquering our life battles with victory is truly what defines you. What defines you and builds your character are the experiences you have and the decisions that you make (as well as the rewards and consequences of those).

I have discovered that no matter what kind of mess I am in that I can have redemption in a trial through prayer and repentance! We must yield our pride and ask God for forgiveness for our sins and transgressions! By God’s grace and mercy we have the ability to move forward and overcome. I would not be able to make it through life without the peace that comes by prayer! Do not live stuck in things that you think that you have live with to forever. Give God your issues and allow the spirit to dwell in your life in a greater way. Nothing is impossible to God, and is in fact but a small thing! I encourage you to remember who the God that you serve or and embrace that relationship. Do not let life get worse while you are still able to make it better!

PUT INTO PRACTICE

Battle through something that has hurt you and pray that God will forgive you for your feelings of bitterness and anger. And as you overcome, pray God show you how to improve something that is within your means to do (forgive someone, being benevolent).