Reflections Of Several Days

I haven't been feeling much like "blogging" this last week.  This past weekend was so hectic and tiring and when it was finally all over I wanted to do nothing else but try and rest.  It's been a really long few days.

This past weekend was filled with duty after duty being fulfilled.  I was extremely pleased with the Christmas program last Friday night!!  It is great to see people start early, work hard and put together a quality presentation to the best of their ability.  Hats off to our drama, christian education and youth ministries that were very instrumental in making it all happen.  Saturday we said our farewells to one of our associate ministers, Rev. Carey Brooks.  It was very disappointing to see the neglect and nonchalance of our church family in helping this family adjust to this unexpected departure.  I am thankful, though, to our deacons, deaconesses, ministers and music ministry for their attendance and participation.  We're praying with Sis. Brooks and all of their family as they continue to stand strong in the will of God concerning their loss.

After the funeral, it was my duty to entertain our guests for the weekend as Sunday was the observance of our 88th Church Anniversary.  We did our best to make our guests feel at home and welcome although we were pressed in time and energy.  I need not say, as I'm sure it's already implied, Sunday was extremely long; two morning services in observance of the anniversary and then our church hosted the Bay County Ushers Union Sunday afternoon.  Although I didn't preach one sermon Sunday (I did preach the funeral Saturday though :-) ) I felt like I did!   Thanks to my friend and brother, Pastor O'Hara C. Black, and his family, for being such a great help in helping our anniversary observance be successful.  After which, it was good for me to come home and literally pass out.  I don't think I moved all night until waking Monday morning.

I watched no football after watching the Bucs drop their 8th straight Saturday night.  I'm ready for this football season to be over.  I just hope these players aren't going to cost the head coach, Raheem Morris, his job; this debacle is not his fault.

Today is the day my mother died 13 years ago.  I remember traveling from Tallahassee to Orlando only to arrive an hour or so after the funeral home had picked her up from the house.  My mother was 55 years old when she died that warm day in December.  All I can remember while sitting on the edge of the bed she died in was thinking "she was too young" and "what am I going to say in these final words over the woman that was used to bring me life."  Five days later on a Monday morning I would mount the desk at the old Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church on Orange Center Blvd. in Orlando (after preaching there that previous Sunday morning) and proclaimed what I would do "Since I Got Left Behind" by looking at Paul's writing to Thessalonica.  13 years later I'm still living after being left; God be praised and thank you God for letting me have a mother for 32 years and great memories for 13 years afterwards.  I pray God's continued power and presence for my life and my family's lives.

Back to resting.....  (still got work to do before Sunday though smh)

Pondering Predicaments But Praising Proudly

This past Sunday followed 3 days of my being out of town for our state convention's "winter" board meeting in St. Petersburg, FL.  I always have mixed emotions whenever I attend Baptist conventions and have to be a part of "convention work."  The antiquated practices we still perform in our churches are absolutely unreal.  And when we, seemingly, make that the "normal" practice for black Baptist churches, it's a bit disheartening. 

The ignorance within our presentations of trying to be intellegent gives a great understanding of why the churched and unchurched alike have such a grim view of church and Christian practices.  I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I really don't feel the traditional convention approach is working nor is it going to work in the 21st century.  The "conference" approach seems to be what's happening these days (yet it won't be much longer before that concept becomes antiquated itself).  I guess I should just do what God instructs me to do concerning the people He's called me to lead and deal with the disgruntledness that goes along with being a part of outdated organizations that have been inherited.

Has anyone noticed that traditions are circular?  What's contemporary today can be done too long and will be known to the next generation as traditional.  And before we know it that which we thought was "out of style" will once again be the "in" thing to do.  So I think we should all be careful to attempt change seasonally as not to become too outdated, ancient and antiquated and then be ready to return to what worked in its season when it comes back around again.

Sunday was a good day.  I didn't preach one sermon.  (When was the last time that happened?)  My associate ministers stood in the gap in my presence well.  Both Jarmon Gray and Sheila Gilbert gave great thoughts in their presentation that could be life changing for the listening believer.  I was a bit shocked that both of them chose to "tune it up and whoop it out" in their presentations.  When I first started preaching the older, seasoned preachers told me to keep practicing and I have been practicing every since.  You never "master" this craft, so we have to do our best each time we try.  Well done to our preachers.

I wish this year's football season would just go away.  I made the declaration at the beginning of the football season that I didn't feel very good at all about this year for all my football teams, and it hasn't been nice.  FAMU freakishly lost to Hampton and then Howard at homecoming and we don't even need to bring up the lost in Orlando and all that goes along with that.  And now, my Bucs can't seem to get it together for nothing!  How you let a Jacksonville Jaguar team that hasn't scored over 20 all season put up 41 points on you??! (Oh yeah, you're the same team that let Chris Johnson run all over you when he only had 1 (or 2) 100 yard games all season).  I just wish it would all go away.  The 2011 football year for me has been horrible.  At least a guy I'm fond of, RG3, shocked the world by bringing home a Heisman for himself and the first for his school.  I like stories like that.

I bid us fare well for this blog with the following thought.  What do you do when sabotage is among you?  I mean, nothing serious, their attempts won't succeed, but unmerited hatred and satanic attack looms from certain individuals within your immediate circle.  I was taught by a very seasoned pastor of great longevity and respect that you don't "put those kind of people out" because if they are that tricky and scheming in their position, that has limits on it, what do you think they will be out amongst the crowd unlimited.  It was a great thought that I concurred with.  I'm of the mindset that you hold your piece and let the Lord fight your battles and victory always will be yours!  With that being said, I'm off to make my God proud. 

Reflecting and Refreshing

The weekend was more of the same.  After a relatively slow Saturday, for a change, Sunday kicked off to being another blessed worship day!  I finished up Acts 9 in my preaching presentations by looking at vs. 36-42 and talking about "Reputation's Reward."  God had a great Word to present but I got caught up in the time consciousness of my congregation at the 2nd worship opportunity for the day and I don't think I did justice to what God was trying to say.

Something has got to give.  Our 2nd worship on Sundays starts at 10am and we seem to have a rough time "getting out of the gate."  I also don't think we've been starting on time.  (I think I may have to do something about this.)  We can't be guilty of wasting God's time by being bad stewards over the time He gives us. 

Sunday night was a blessed worship through music ministry.  Our church had a music workshop from last Thursday until Sunday when we culminated the weekend's events with a concert from the workshop participants.  What a wonderfully blessed church we are to have Mr. R. Darius Jackson leading our music ministry.  The concert was great and I am so proud!  Although, I am somewhat worried now because I saw a "preacher presence" in Darius during the concert presentation Sunday night.  It prompted me to lean over to my wife and asked her "how long do you think it will be before he's talking about preaching?"  And her response was "about 6 months to a year."  That, I didn't want to hear!  God has jokes!  Just as soon as he finally connects me with a minister of music that works so wonderfully with my ministry, that I love greatly, that flows in worship, there's a possibility he, too, may be snatched away in order to fulfill his calling.  I hope I'm wrong.... just saying.

The week is promised to end for me with another visit concerning the work of our state convention in our annual Winter Board Meeting.  It seems like forever since I've been to a convention meeting inasmuch as I didn't go to the State Convention Congress back in July and we haven't had a National convention meeting since June!  I must admit I'm kind of looking forward to getting back into the swing of things conventionally.  Conventions are for fellowship and networking as far as I'm concerned.  I think the concept they were built upon has died and it's time to rethink what we do as far as they are concerned.  Bless our week, dear God.

Our church's 88th birthday is next week.  We will observe that next Sunday during our morning worship experiences.  One of the highlights of the Church Anniversary Observance each year is the recognition of the disciples of our church who have been a part of our fellowship for over 50 years.  I was so please to find out that one of our disciples was baptized and united with our church in 1942, making them a part of our church for 69 years!  Unbelievable!!!  One person at one church for 69 years!!  I may end up treating that like a 70 year disciple (she's so close :-)).  I look forward to the celebration on the 3rd Sunday.

I need a break!  Looks like I just work and work and work and work and work.  A sabatical was seemingly calling my name until I noticed the news and heard Bishop Eddie Long was taking a much needed sabatical for an undisclosed period of time.  I begin to think, he needs a sabatical, and if what he's dealing with is what merits a sabatical..... maybe I don't need one that bad.  But I am going to take the intervals I'll come in contact with as opportunities for a little rest.  I gotta "rest in pace" before I "rest in peace."

Contemplating Shame

It's such a shame that HBCUs get great national publicity when tragedy or scandal happens.  Once again, I can't imagine what I would do or how I would feel if I had gotten the call concerning my children that the Champion parents got concerning their child that gruesome Florida Classic night, but I can't recall the last time I've seen the Florida A&M University on all major networks carrying a story about the university.  There is so much good that has happened and come out of my beloved university and now all of that is going to be tainted and overshadowed by the actions of a few ignorant and unnecessary individuals involved in some apparently unsanctioned and unauthorized organizations that has nothing to do with the university or its operation.

It's such a shame that Christmas holidays come around annually and everyone hustles and struggles to buy gifts and presents for all their family members, friends and "secret Santa" co-workers and no one even thinks about bringing the person who's birthday it's supposed to be a gift/present.  If Christmas is a celebration of the birth of our Christ, Jesus, the Son of God, why can't we, and Christians in particular, make the whole celebration more about Him!?  Church participation decreases, and that happens at His house.  Church giving decreases, and that's His money.  It's unreal to me; I just don't get it.  Christmas should be exactly what it's name describes: it's Christ Mass!  If there's ever a time church should "take off" in the United States, it's December!

It's such a shame that people treat the church like they do their occupations.  I've been contemplating how some people in the church act certain ways at the church because church is part-time and their job is full-time.  Therefore, for the little time they are at the church, they are still in occupation mode and mentality.  Example:  If you are a policeman, detective, security guard, you view everyone as suspicious and suspect.  If you have to deal with that all day then come to the church you suspect everyone there of doing wrong and no one can or ever will do right. 

Example #2:  If you're a banker or broker, the most important entity in the church is finances and you view everything in the church as a money making venue or opportunity and nothing else really matters other than "are we making money?"  Example #3:  If you're in education or a teacher of sorts the most important thing to you is teaching and children.  Therefore, your whole approach to everything takes on a classroom nature and we have tendencies to see everyone as a student and another learning/teaching opportunity. 

We've got to learn how to, as the Bible says, "render unto Ceasar that which is Ceasar's and render unto God that which belongs to God."  The church is a totally different place than our secular scenes and it's such a shame that some of us who profess Christianity can't differentiate between the two.

My mind really continues to work all day every day and even all night every night while I attempt to sleep and rest.  I used to think it was an honor to be so mentally vibrant, that it was a sign of great intellect, but now, as I continue to age, I feel more like it's another "burden" (for lack of a better word) that the Lord places on some of us in order to redefine and redirect our lives and present what God births in our brains to His people who are waiting for answers.  The problem is God can go through all this effort, allow us to experience all these thoughts and discomfort while receiving them, and His people never receive the blessing nor are any bettered.  Then, it makes the vessel used for God's will and glory frustrated because it seems no one is helped.  If the vessel is frustrated and the people aren't helped and God's work is wasted... That's such a shame.

God shift the shames of the Saints to the backseat so your Soveriegnty can been seen, shared and circulated among us to promote salvation, sanctification and sanity. 

Another Sunday

The last preaching outing on my 2011 calendar was yesterday.  I guess, now, it's smooth sailing until 2012.  Yeah, right!  

Yesterday, I preached both of our morning services at the Joyous Church in Panama City, and what a joy it was.  I am really enjoying the preaching ministry again.  The coming of a minister of music to handle the musical aspects of our worship services really frees me up to be able to, as the Scripture says, give attention to the Word of God.  I labored in the text at Acts 9:32-35. (It's so amazing that I've been preaching through Acts since January and that's how far I've gotten in 11 months.) In the presentation, I tried to impress upon the people that when people look at them they should be able to turn someone to the Lord.  The way the Lord prepared and presented the presentation was just phenomenal to me!  "Seeing Me Should Shift You Towards the Savior" was the title of the talk and I pray several of our people were tuned in enough to start turning to God this week.

The 10am worship was poorly attended (for our church).  I attribute most of that to the fact that many of our people were still out of town for the holiday weekend.  But, even with some gone or maybe, even, some contemplating going, yet another individual comes down the aisle to unite with our church.  I am really in a prayer season now that I am constantly asking God to bring stability and steadfastness to our congregants and disciples.  Church ain't what it use to be to people anymore.  I've never seen such a day when so many people, who call themselves Christians, are so nonchalant about church and worship.  I'm praying for the fervency of the faithful to return.

At 1:30 yesterday afternoon I was able to further rekindle what had been an estranged relationship in recent years.  Our church shared in fellowship and worship with the Greater Friendship Baptist Church in Panama City for the closing worship of their annual Homecoming Celebration.  I'm thankful for a great following that accompanied me over there.  It was good seeing Pastor Mumphery and his family again. (The baby has gotten so big and beautiful.)  I was already tired from my 2 previous presentations but I still tried to do my best preaching 2nd Samuel 5:1-5, "This May Take A While."  After that service I was ready to call it a night and lay my head down.

After coming home to an empty house, again (our children and the holiday guests were now gone), my wife suggested we watch some DVD she had gotten from one of our preachers of black Christian comics called Soulful Funny or Soulfully Funny or something, I don't remember...... LAME!  It put both of us to sleep.  

I didn't want to watch anymore football.  Saturday was such a terrible college rivalry day; no game was worth watching.  And my beloved Bucs have taken a turn for the worst after giving back a win to the Tennessee Titans yesterday.  With a 4-7 record after losing 5 straight, I think I'm about to call hospice in for them as far as this season is concerned.  As a football fan, I am really not feeling this Urban Meyer announcement; he has lost so many cool points with me.  He left the Gators (who is my choice to root for among the Florida major college football teams, I'm a Rattler that bleeds orange and green) saying that his health was questionable and he wanted to spend more time with his family, raising his children, and that dude ain't been off the road from running around with ESPN since he quit coaching and now he's moving to Columbus to coach Ohio State.  That guy is full of it!  Why can't we just be honest about how we really feel and what we're really doing?  Really??  I'm done with him.

Active Activities

This weekend was absolutely a wild one.  In the meeting of the our deacons Thursday night the lights went out in the whole area of our church yet a valiant attempt was made by some of our brothers to continue with the meeting.  I have to exclaim something doesn't seem right about "what's done in the dark."  Hmmmmm.  Yet, I came out alright.

Friday, the wife and I picked up her car from the body shop.  It looks good with a few minor adjustments that they're going to take care of on Tuesday.  After picking up the car we went furniture shopping.  We've been bumming it since we took our living room furniture and her bedroom furniture to our daughter's place in Tallahassee a couple of months ago.  I'm a little excited as they'll be delivering our new furniture Friday.  

Saturday was long also.  After a lengthy yet stately homegoing service for one of the oldest disciples at our church the rest of the day was filled with preparation for my Sunday presentations and watching one of the wildest days in college football ever.  I love football and rooting for the underdog; it was great.  My beloved FAMU lost in more ways than one Saturday, losing the Annual Florida Classic (BCU has to win every now and again; why not let them have 16 wins in 66 tries) and also losing a drum major from the renowned Marching 100 Band to death.  The latter is still so surreal and unreal to me.  I have two children at FAMU right now.

Sunday, I did my best preaching at our church for both the morning services from Acts 9:23a & Genesis 8:22. I titled the message "The Fullness of Time."  I tried to put the proper perspective on the process of time as it relates to the fulfilling of the will of God.  I was roughly pleased with both presentations.  My third presentation I wasn't too pleased with.  At the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Tallahassee for Pastor Stanley Walker's 32nd Anniversary I didn't do well at all even though I attempted to preach Isaiah 1:17 about a Lesson in Learning (to do well).  I'm repentant for my blunder and overwhelmed by the opportunity to take care of the task.  But, then too, I am very seldom pleased or satisfied with any of my presentations in preaching.  Well, God, you haven't given up on my attempts thus far, keep me for the rest of them as I try to make you pleased and proud.

After the chaos of college football Saturday I thought there was promise for an upset for my Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.  My Bucs played well (I watched it on my phone while riding to Tallahassee; thank God for Sunday Ticket To Go) but they just couldn't stop this Aaron Rodgers cat.  I'm soooooo tired of these Packers; they make it look so effortless.... sickening.  I use to feel this way about the Patriots but they've finally been brought down a peg or two.  No one is invincible or un-flawed but my God.  Give me a break Pack. LOL

Well, enough for today.  Here's to a blessed Thanksgiving week.  I am so looking forward to the "downtime."  Although I still have to prepare my usual 2 messages for the midweek.  How be ever, to God be the glory for all we do and  He does this week!

When Did Time Speed Up?!

Every week it seems, to me, that time moves so fast!  I find myself, every Thursday, asking "wasn't it just Sunday?!"  I guess it's true that the older you get the more it seems time flies.  Because when I was a teenager and in my 20s it felt like it took time forever to pass.

These days, after sleeping a few restless nights, preparing and preaching/teaching several messages and having a couple of "business" meetings, another 7 days have past yet problems and predicaments seems to persist.  Understanding "my times are in God's hands," I guess we really should be trying to increase our relationship with God so He can bring a sense of pace to the passing of time in our lives.  May my inquiring prayers to God be fully granted.

Last night I continued my mid-week bible study series on Faith with the next installment on Abraham: Believing the Impossible, Sacrificing the Ultimate.  It usually takes me a couple weeks or so to finish a lesson but this one will probably be a bit longer since we won't have Wednesday night service next week in an attempt to yield to the Thanksgiving Day Worship at 10am.

I have a couple of meetings today, one that I'll probably welcome and enjoy and another that I could do without.  Traditional Baptists can be some of the most carnal and disconnected group of religious people known to man and the most aching part of that is that they are completely satisfied and situated in that state.  It's such a hurting thing that we can call ourselves "movers and shakers" in the church but we're never "moved nor shaken" by the God of the church.

This weekend will be another long one.  A funeral Saturday and preaching 3 times again on Sunday.  Hope this thrust to the end of the football season will be a great one as my beloved FAMU goes on their annual pilgrimage to Orlando to, prayerfully, deliver our annual spanking to Cookman.  A miracle is going to have to take place Sunday as my Bucs take on the mystique of Lambeau and the undefeated Packers.  Looks like the blessing of Sunday will reside where it should, upon worship.

Love the Work, Living the Vocation

I discovered a very long time ago that I really love preaching the Word of God.  It's my calling, it's my passion, it's my privilege.  Although, most times, I feel inadequate for the task and work that has been assigned to me, I enjoy it so much!

Today, I shared with my faithful 40 in our Tuesday Noonday Service again from Ephesians 6 concerning the whole armor of God.  While presenting today God impressed upon me something that I had never really thought about before from that passage.  If we are to mortify our flesh, and kill our fleshly desires and live by the Spirit of God, some times (if not most) God has the one piece of offensive weaponry, the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God), to help in our own personal fights.  Causing us to find it necessary at some time to fall on our own sword.   That may sound erroneous to some of us, but it was quite enlightening and educating to me.  I really do love preaching!!!  It blesses me while I pray that it is blessing so many others.

If I could just do preaching, I think I would.  Pastoring is a whole different story.  But once again, I realize it's my calling and my passion and, therefore, my privilege.  There is an old adage that asks "how can we love God without having to deal with His people?"  Because God's people can sometimes be a bit much to deal with.  But I have to daily remind myself that they belong to God and He never really told me to "deal" with them.  He commands me to feed them... "set things in order" (as Paul told Titus)... but never really said to "deal" with them.  I have to remember to let God deal with them while he deals with me in directing them to the promises of God and delivering to them the Word and will of God.

God grant me that strength to continue and have constant and consistent continuity to cause change in the climate and the congregation that I preach to.  

Well, back to work in the preparation of presentations of the Word of God, called preaching.  I love this work, so I live this vocation; because it's my joy and my job.

Ministry and Mommy

Yesterday was another very busy day in my ministerial career.  I had thoughts of my mother throughout the day inasmuch as she would have celebrated her 68th birthday yesterday had she not gone on to live with the Lord at the age of 55 back in 1998.  How be ever, I stuck to my task and my ministry throughout the day.

Sunday morning my preaching received "amazing" reviews.  At both of our services at the Joyous St. John Baptist Church in Panama City, Florida, where I try to give leadership as senior pastor, I preached from Acts 9:20-21 with an overall theme that spoke to the idea "That's Amazing!" (Amazed By The Anointing's Alterations).  I felt I struggled quite a bit with the presentation at both sessions because my preparation wasn't to the place I would have prefered it to be, but I heard several good remarks from my faithful followers and so I'll take their word on it... this time. :-) 

After being aggravated by my beloved Bucs yesterday afternoon, (y'all pray for Tampa Bay smh), I brushed myself off, regrouped and went to the New Judson Baptist Church in our city to preach one of my sons in ministry, Pastor Bobby L. White's 4th Pastoral Anniversary.  God blessed our worship and service.  I am so proud of our new minister of music, Mr. R. Darrius Jackson.  Our choirs are blessed and blessing by his presence.  My wife, Susan, once again wowed the crowd with yet another mind-boggling introduction of me.  (I just don't know how she keeps finding new ways and new things to say to put me up to preach!)  For the anniversary I spoke concerning vision and the visionary at Mark 8:22-26 and titled the talk "I Can See Clearly Now."  It was truly a day of celebration.  

It was good to see our eldest disciples in worship yesterday.  The oldest disciple of our church, Mrs. Versie Henry, who is 96 and will be 97 in February (I think), was at our 10am worship.  And the infamous Mrs. Dollie Douglas, who just turned 96 November 2nd, worshiped with us at 10am and at New Judson at 3pm.

After a very long day, I came home and watched Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Bishop Noel Jones and the football games until the Jets/Patriots game was watching me.  I rested fairly well (for me) and now I guess I should get up and be productive.  I'm sure my wife is waiting on me to take her car to the body shop to get fixed after our horrific night and fight with "the animal kingdom" last Saturday on our way back home from the FAMU football game.

I'm praying for a blessed day and a blessed week.  (There are some points of the week I am not looking forward to.)