Category Archives: Gratitude

Church, Discipleship, God, grace, Gratitude, personal growth, self improvement, spiritual enlightenment

Be Anxious For Nothing!

When I was planning our worship service at Eureka Baptist Church for this first Sunday in June, I certainly did not think that I would be spending it laid up in the hospital ICU. Proverbs 16:9 says: “A man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” I believe this to be true and I am certain of it from personal experience. Last week as I was planning the service, the Spirit of God drew me to Philippians 4:6-8 which says “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

My plans were for us to read this verse together as a Pastor and Congregation and to follow up it’s reading with a celebration of worship with that good ole classic hymn: Peace Like A River! The song says: “I’ve got peace like a river.” ‘I’ve got love like an ocean.” ‘I’ve got joy like a fountain.” Followed by all three together: “I’ve got peace love and joy like a river!’ I was not able to be there to lead us in this sweet time of remembering God’s faithfulness, but I believe it more than ever and look forward to getting back with my spiritual family as soon as possible, so we can celebrate God’s goodness to let us plan, but still have Him taking care of our steps.

One of my favorite songs and an always great reminder of my dependence upon God is: “I Can’t Even Walk!” https://youtu.be/Z4JFCHcbqEE

In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 the great Apostle Paul talked about his thorn in the flesh. I have often thought of my flesh as one great big thorn! 😉 But it takes Flesh and Spirit to serve God and I am grateful that God has taken care of both of mine. I am not quiet out of the woods yet, but I feel like I am at least through the woods and believe that God is going to use even this for our blessing and His glory.

I love all of my family and friends, more than words can say. I truly look forward to every time we are together and even more so, after this little challenge. And you know that this just fires me up for all that God has in store for us that much more… 🙏🏻

Blogroll, Church, Enlightenment, Expectation, Gratitude, Growing, Jesus, vision

What’s The Big Deal?

I grew up in Church. In fact, before I was born, I was in church. My family did not believe in going every now and then, they believed in being there every time the doors were open. They sang in the choir, my Mom led teen missions and my Dad drove the bus to pick folks up on Sunday mornings. Church was a part of our life and living and our lives would not be the same without it.

We are so faithful to church, because of our faith. We believe in God and that God is love. We believe that because God loves us, He gave His most precious gift, His Son Jesus, which is God in the flesh making a way for us, where there was no way. It’s really not complicated, it’s very simple and I think that is where a lot of folks get messed up. I think some folks are looking for complicated.

God created us and because He loves us, He gives us the ability to choose the life we are going to live. Our choices have consequences and as we live our life, those consequences usually teach us what we do and do not want, which is why God offers us: Mercy and Grace. Mercy is not getting what we deserve, which is eternal separation from God and whatever punishment our sins bring into our lives, while Grace is getting what we don’t deserve, which is a relationship with God that allows our Spirit (the real us) to grow on with God through all Eternity.

When you read through the the life of Jesus in the Gospels, you do not find Him going on and on about rules, regulations or religion. You find Jesus, over and over again, inviting people into a relationship and it is because of the loving relationship that people want to get it right with rules, regulations and religion.

“He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” -John 1:10-13

The important thing to remember and never forget is that it is all about RELATIONSHIP with the ONE, who brought us to the dance. When we are really connected to God, the our Spirit can see, feel, hear and experience His presence, power, protection and direction. The most important thing we can ever do, is get into a relationship with our Creator. The second most important thing we can do, is grow in that relationships. The Bible, Church and Prayer are the keys that unlock the doors to help make that happen.

I want to encourage you today, if you don’t know God in a personal way, start looking for Him, because He will allow Himself to be found by you. Get into a church that encourages and teaches you how to get into and grow through this personal relationship. And above all, enjoy the amazing journey, because it’s what you were created for…

choices, Creativity, God, Gratitude, Mystery, Life,

God Stuff!

There are not too many moments of my life that pass that I am not thinking about God or the stuff of God. I have been blessed to experience God’s presence and nearness during most of my life, even during the times when I was wandering and thought I was off on my own. God’s presence is satisfaction unlike anything that I can come up with words to explain. The nearness of God provides me with an inner contentment and peace that manifests itself in an outward expression of fulfillment and blessing.

As I have come to know the peace of God’s Spirit in my life, I have tasted His holiness and all the stuff of my limited humanity just seems so little and small. My concerns, disappointments, problems and worries seem diminished and minuscule compared to the big stuff of God’s presence, protection and power. The accomplishments I’ve obtained, degrees I’ve earned and stuff I’ve collected seem like nothing, but dust compared to the greatness of His person, power and presence.

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” -Jeremiah 29:13

I have learned that there are disciplines that I can practice daily that aid me in getting to this place of freedom and staying there for longer periods. This place of assurance, peace and tranquility is what I like to refer to as my sweet spot in this life I am living in the Spirit and experiencing as a human.

In many ways, I see life as a path to be travelled and if we are paying attention, our God has marked out the path we are to follow, but allows us the time and space for detours of learning that may ending up costing us something more than we want to pay, if we stay of the marked path for too long. Life is a series of choices and every choice has a consequence. Some times the consequence is blessing and at other times it is curses, but it is always our choice.

There is so much more to this life than good advice, hard work, educational degrees, financial plans, career strategies, relationship pursuits and living healthy. There is supernatural wisdom, spiritual calling, holy education, Kingdom blessing, fulfilling work, meaningful relationships and physical, mental and spiritual health and wholeness.

Some say that you should listen to your heart, I want to challenge you to go a little farther and learn to listen for your Spirit. It has been my personal experience that the Holy Spirit Of God is the best guide we can ever find or follow. The Spirit will help you to overcome any and all challenges, discover a peace that cannot be explained and live in the holiness you were created from and for. This is your real story of success and you will be glad you chose to live it…