7 Steps to fight poverty

Ideas to end poverty:

1. Training for jobs that's coming not for jobs that are on their way out.
2. Teaching in schools that don't teach our kids to be good workers but inventors and thinkers that expose them to other lifestyles and technology.
3. Affordable housing that is not inflated
4. Healthy foods and restaurants at affordable cost
5. College college college
6. The talented ten come back to the neighborhoods they were brought up in.
7. Change laws that are geared to keep the poor poor

What 3 Things Did You Learn From 2013?

2013 has gone.  I made it another year.  Thank you Jesus! 2013 was a year of discovery for me.  I discovered that I had to let some people go in order to get to the next level.  The crazy thing is that as soon as I did, doors started to open and I begin to get opportunites I only dreamed of.  I also learned or was reminded that the race isn't given to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but to those who endure to the end.  In 2013, I continuously fought/advocated/protested/etc. for the rights of the least, lost, and left-out.  To God be the glory things started to move on our behalf.  Although, we have a long way to go, it was good to see some victories.  Finally, I learned how to accept this path that God has me on.  I realize that if I just keep pushing, everything else will fall in place in time.

God is great! I am excited about the things that are getting ready to happen this year.

Affirmation

We all need to be affirmed. But for some strange reason the people we want to validate us are the same folks who dismisses our works.  There is a son who all he wants out of life is to hear his father say good job.  There is a daughter who is yearning for the approval of her mom.  There is a wife who tries hard to make her husband happy but he ignores her work but yet compliments every woman on the street.  Also there is a husband who just seems like whatever they do is not enough.

I am write this to say that at the end of the day don't allow Satan to mess with your mind to get depressed and in a funk. God made you in His image and thinks very highly of you. He is perfecting you and is perfecting you for His purpose. You are great!

Premeditated Praise

Psalm 100:1 - 4 commands us on what we should do while coming into the presence of the Lord. It tells us to:

1.) Make a joyful noise (v. 1)
2.) Serve the Lord with gladness (v.2)
3.) Sing unto Him (v.2)
4.) Understand who He is and our relationship with Him (v. 3)
5.) Come to church (v. 4)
6.) Come with thanksgiving (v. 4)
7.) Come with Praise (v. 4)
8.) Bless His name (v 4.)

It is imperative to the people of God to begin to begin in the act of "premeditated praise." Every Sunday I am expected to lead the congregation in praise and worship to the Lord while making way for the preached word. This is not always easy depending on the difficulties that life brings. I have learned that no matter what situation I am going through in my life that God deserves my worship and praise. It is also an act of complete trust knowing that He sees my sacrifice and my willingness to fight through anything that is trying to hinder me.

As preachers, lay members don't realize that while we are preaching a word that is helping them to stand, while we are singing a song that is soothing their pain, and while we are praying a prayer to help them make it, many times we put our sorrows on the back burner because we have made up in our minds that we will have "premeditated praise." Suppose most members would come to church with vow of giving more than they expect to take home. Our churches would be on fire. Suppose members came with the fire that Psalm 100 commands. We would no longer have to ask people to "give the Lord a hand..." Stand on your feet..." and shout hallelujah.

Eagles & Chickens

Anybody who knows me understand that raising my children is my first ministry. I look at all the broken families, and how whenever satan wants to destroy a race of people, he first attacks the males, takes their ability to have wealth, and changes their thinking. I am trying my best to raise two young men, and a young lady who understands what it means to be an eagle and not a chicken.

I am not a big Kobe fan, but I respect him because he is an eagle on the court, while most other NBA ballers are chickens. Kobe's mind soars higher than most out there on the court, so when he wins, or does something great, he is not surprised, because he feels that is what he was suppose to do. Eagles don't see anything special about their abilities, because they were born and trained to do what eagles do.

It is clear that Lebron James is the best player in the league. He has more ability, more speed, strength and youth, but why can't he win a championship? Some blame the team, others the coach. Well Lebron hasn't learned how to be an eagle yet. Everybody in the world understands he is an eagle, but instead it seems that Lebron sometimes wants to be with the chickens.

The difference between Lebron and Kobe is, Lebron is playing for a championship, while Kobe is playing for a legacy.

I am trying to teach my first ministry not to play for a championship in life, but to play for a legacy in life.

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.