If we can ever say God is unfair, this may be the reason.

If we can ever say that God is unfair, it could be because God shows us our ultimate blessing/destination without showing us the pain and suffering that we must go through in order to reach the place God has for us. The life of Joseph is the ultimate example of this issue. As a teenager God showed Joseph that he would be great, and the ruler over his family. Although, Joseph was very excited, when he told his siblings and parents they weren't as joyous. God destined Joseph to be place in a pit by his siblings, sold to Potiphor's palace, placed in prison on trumped-up charges by Potiphor's wife. All of the pain and problems Joseph endured had to happen in order for him to be a part of the Presidential cabinet as the Secretary of Agricultural (where he was able to feed his family and the entire Israel).

Now it is clear that Joseph did not want to go through the trials and tribulations, but I believe that he would say that it was all a part of God's divine plan. I too go through much tribulation and wonder why, wish there was a better situation, and hope for relief, but I am clear that I know that there are pits and prisons I must experience in order to reach the place of my destiny. I joke with folks when they ask me where I work. I tell them I work in hell. I am currently working at an inner city school in D.C. trying to deal with some of the social and behaviorial ills that many of our children face, and I asked God, why he wouldn't place me in one of those good government jobs with extended lunch hours, but I realize that I am where He wants me.

Finally, I want to encourage you to be patient, and understand that all things work together for the good to them that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. Furthermore, in what ever state we find ourselves we must be content. And lastly, when we are weak, that's when He is strong!

Get in control!

Tell your distractions to get out of your way of your destiny. For too long that addictive behavior has slowed down growth, stunted progress, and has given false security. Don't plant in the place that you were only suppose to park.

Our Desires

Our desires really only last but for a moment. Whether your weakness is shopping, food, drugs, sex, gambling etc., it only last for a shor moment. Thou they last for a short moment, the consequences of the moment may last a lifetime. One night of fun may lead to a lifetime of expenses. One weekend of partying may lead to a lifetime of addiction. One visit to the outlet may lead to a lifetime of debt. One weekend in Atlantic City may lead to bankruptcy.

Satan knows what excites us, and attempts to lure us in the snare that he has set for us. But there is good news - Satan's traps always have wholes in them. There is always an escape route. Take it from me, be smart - think long-term and don't regret making bad choices!

"It's Not Important That We Win, It's Important That We Fight" Dr. Andrew Fowler

There are times that I feel like we are fighting a loosing battle. Sin is at its best, and seems that it is prevailing throughout our land. Morality is being attacked, children are not being nurtured, our families are being torn apart and the church has lost its focus. As one who intentionally tries to live "counter-culture," Sometimes we fight battles that we seemingly would never win. I was recently reminded that the great Dr. Andrew Fowler said during the fight against lottery, after his assistant ask what was the use of fighting against something that everyone knew would pass (lottery), his answer was, "It's not important if loose, it's important that we fight."

God needs us to be so sold out for him that we are willing to take unpopular positions against society, culture, and the status quo in order to be pleasing to God.

Getting Out of the Way

Recently, I was having a converstation with a young man, who I was ministering to with 60 days clean from crack cocaine. We talked about a lot in reference to his sobriety, and I told him if he had already done 60 days, there's nothing out here that says that he can't be clean for another 60 days. He agreed and stated so eloquently, "I know, I just need to get out of my way."

That statement seemed so profound to me. Most of my issues, problems, and troubles have come because I was in the way. God has given us the plan, the permission, and the power to walk into a destiny of success physically, financially, socially, and spiritually but too often our will supercedes God's will and we find ourselves just like this crack addict. We begin to hate who we are, hate our situation, and hate the bad choices that we made. I could go on and on, but I will begin to get out of my way and let God have His way in my life.

Gaining Ground

Sometimes it feels that we take 1 step forward only to take 4 steps backwards. We begin to get discouraged and believe that we aren't gaining ground. I have a spirtual brother who is addicted to crack cocaine and was feeling very down and discouraged the other day. The house where he stays has no water, and gas. His tags are dead on his vehicle, he owes the city for driving violations, and his family life is the pitts. He was ready to give up, and throw up his hands.

I asked him has he used, and he said no. I then asked him does he believe God is still in control? He said yes. I then got excited, and exclaimed to him that he does not see the blessing in all of this chaos. I said you just don't see it. He wanted to know what. I told him that the friend I knew last year, or 10 years ago would have smoked crack with all of this trouble going on. I told him that last year if he was in this perdicament that he would have been stealing and robbing trying to get high, and the blessing is that all of this is going on, and you have not used. Look at God. He got excited and then told me "G, this is the first summer in 28 years that I have not taken a drink or used a narcotic." I told him although it may seem that he is loosing ground, he really is gaining ground!

Before you decide that nothing is going right and that it's time to quit, make sure you do the proper evaulation of your life.

Passion

What is your passion? What is it that you would die for? What is it that you would be willing to loose everything for? If I could not preach, I think I would die. Preaching is what I was made to do. I know that I am nowhere near a great preacher, but I feel like I am most comfortable, and centered while preaching. It is the mountain-top experience that Peter experienced with Jesus, and wished would never end. Monday through Saturday are my days of uncomfortability - trying to find the place where I fit in.