Blessings to you all!
School. Whew! It's a lot of work. So why do it again? Learning never ends. The real question is what are we learning? God created us to learn, grow, share what we've learned, and then learn some more. I've often said "you can't give what you don't have." Whether we learn in a formal classroom setting, on-line (be careful), church, classes at work, or from a wise mentor or community sage, we should always look to expand our body of knowledge. It's never easy. It's time consuming, can be costly and even aggravating, but once achieved, no one can ever take away your knowledge. Knowledge is a tool to be used for the good of humanity, not only for self gain. However, knowledge without Divine wisdom can be extremely dangerous. Many with knowledge have used it to control, manipulate, and abuse others. Yes, even among believers, it happens. One must submit whatever is learned to the Spirit of God and be led by Him for instruction on how to use it. If formal training is not your thing, just read a book(s). Don't read well? Try audio books. Want a good book reading suggestion? Yep, you guessed it....the Bible. There you'll find 66 books. Love stories, thrillers, drama, action stories, history, poetry, proverbs, and books about the future ( but not the Jetson's version). If you're not seeking and controlling what you learn, trust me there is a vile spirit who will seek to control what you learn. He'll do it through the T.V. and other media, or even the common community, church or around the office gossip. By the way, some say life and experience is the best teacher, but really, many never learn from their experiences. I know the best teacher. Check out Mark 11:29.
TMI is doing well. I recently realized that God has blessed us with ten (10) ministers, not counting Pastor Dena and I. Wonder what God is up to! Pray for us, we're praying for you.
Pray also for God's Will and Grace as I begin to serve as an Adjunct Professor with Strayer University here in Atlanta.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
TRANSFORMING YOUR WORLD
Greetings in our Lord's great name;
It's graduation season and so I would like to send congratulations to all who are graduating from schools. Well done. I especially would like to congratulate Kendrick (DJ) Allen and Kierra Waldron on their graduation from high school. Both plan to attend college in the Fall and I'm sure you will join with me in praying for their success. Alexandria Hawkins graduated with her Master of Divinity degree from the School of Theology at Virginia Union University, go Dria! And Crystal Stevens graduated from Emory University, Candler School of Theology, with a Master of Theology degree AND Jurist Doctorate (Law) degree from Emory Law School. Simply Awesome! Again, congratulations to all graduates, certainly including those I have not mentioned here. We all celebrate your achievements and pray for nothing less than an awesome future for you all. If you know of anyone graduating, give them a big hug and be sure to pray for their future success. I also want to congratulate Rev. Joy (Haynes) and Tareem Hill on their recent marriage. What an awesome couple. It was our joy to officiate and celebrate that great moment with them. Joy will also be attending the School of Theology at Virginia Union in the Doctorate of Ministry Program this Fall. Join with me in praying for this awesome couple. Tareem is a deeply loved and highly respected Navy Officer and Joy serves as a military Chaplain.
Congratulations to you all!
Don't forget, Pentecost Sunday is coming up in a couple weeks. Pray for an incredible outpouring of the Holy Spirit on God's people. If you have not received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, pray and our Lord promises to "give the Holy Spirit to those who ask." I'll say more about this next time. For now, know that you are loved and I pray for you always. God bless you all!
It's graduation season and so I would like to send congratulations to all who are graduating from schools. Well done. I especially would like to congratulate Kendrick (DJ) Allen and Kierra Waldron on their graduation from high school. Both plan to attend college in the Fall and I'm sure you will join with me in praying for their success. Alexandria Hawkins graduated with her Master of Divinity degree from the School of Theology at Virginia Union University, go Dria! And Crystal Stevens graduated from Emory University, Candler School of Theology, with a Master of Theology degree AND Jurist Doctorate (Law) degree from Emory Law School. Simply Awesome! Again, congratulations to all graduates, certainly including those I have not mentioned here. We all celebrate your achievements and pray for nothing less than an awesome future for you all. If you know of anyone graduating, give them a big hug and be sure to pray for their future success. I also want to congratulate Rev. Joy (Haynes) and Tareem Hill on their recent marriage. What an awesome couple. It was our joy to officiate and celebrate that great moment with them. Joy will also be attending the School of Theology at Virginia Union in the Doctorate of Ministry Program this Fall. Join with me in praying for this awesome couple. Tareem is a deeply loved and highly respected Navy Officer and Joy serves as a military Chaplain.
Congratulations to you all!
Don't forget, Pentecost Sunday is coming up in a couple weeks. Pray for an incredible outpouring of the Holy Spirit on God's people. If you have not received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, pray and our Lord promises to "give the Holy Spirit to those who ask." I'll say more about this next time. For now, know that you are loved and I pray for you always. God bless you all!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
TRANSFORMING YOUR WORLD
Greetings in the wonderful name of our Lord;
What do you think? Would the world be any different if you were not in it? Do ever wonder why you are in it? Ever sometimes wish you weren't? You're not alone. People from every walk of life sometimes ask the same questions. When it seems that years are going by and it's hard to see any real positive change, we often begin to give into the belief that..."that's just the way things are," or "I just don't have that special something to make a difference," or how about "that's the way it's always been." Well, the choice is yours. Whose report are you going to believe? Can you believe that God not only can, but will do something so big in your life that all will know it is obviously from God? It seems so hard, but it really comes down to what you choose to believe. If you can believe that God wants to do something huge for, in, and through you, then pray as if you are expecting it to happen. "Ask, and it shall be given..." remember those words of Jesus? It really would have been anti-climatic if Jesus died and rose for our sins, as wonderful as that is, only to not permit greatness for our Heavenly Father's children. But BIG things can't happen on our terms. It must be in God's Will and according to His purpose. He alone determines what BIG looks like. But when it comes, you will know it. So ask God...LORD, do something so BIG in me that everyone will know it is from you, and use what you do in me to be a major blessing to many others, AMEN! Trust God! Trust Him, He loves you so very much. Even if you don't feel like anyone else loves you, He does and He wants great things for your life.
What do you think? Would the world be any different if you were not in it? Do ever wonder why you are in it? Ever sometimes wish you weren't? You're not alone. People from every walk of life sometimes ask the same questions. When it seems that years are going by and it's hard to see any real positive change, we often begin to give into the belief that..."that's just the way things are," or "I just don't have that special something to make a difference," or how about "that's the way it's always been." Well, the choice is yours. Whose report are you going to believe? Can you believe that God not only can, but will do something so big in your life that all will know it is obviously from God? It seems so hard, but it really comes down to what you choose to believe. If you can believe that God wants to do something huge for, in, and through you, then pray as if you are expecting it to happen. "Ask, and it shall be given..." remember those words of Jesus? It really would have been anti-climatic if Jesus died and rose for our sins, as wonderful as that is, only to not permit greatness for our Heavenly Father's children. But BIG things can't happen on our terms. It must be in God's Will and according to His purpose. He alone determines what BIG looks like. But when it comes, you will know it. So ask God...LORD, do something so BIG in me that everyone will know it is from you, and use what you do in me to be a major blessing to many others, AMEN! Trust God! Trust Him, He loves you so very much. Even if you don't feel like anyone else loves you, He does and He wants great things for your life.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
TRANSFORMING YOUR WORLD
Blessings all;
Are you a person of influence? By definition influence means an "ethereal flow," flow from the stars or heavenly flow. It is an unseen power that can draw people to follow, change behaviors, change ideas or beliefs. It can and does have the power to change the course of other people's lives. While many spend their time trying to impress others, the most effective people are not concerned with impressing but with influencing. In 1937 Dale Carnegie wrote "How to win friends and influence people." That book has sold over 15 million copies over the years as people have sought to learn the power of influence. It is a power that can be used for Godly reasons or evil. Adolf Hitler won the election to become the head of the Nazi Party by just one vote and look what happened. What if that one voter would have been influenced differently? Modern history would be very different. Have you noticed? Satan did not make Eve eat the forbidden fruit, he simply influenced her, then she influenced Adam, though he clearly knew what God required. Wow, look what happened to the world when just two people were influenced negatively. Good leaders are those who positively influence their staff in such a way that the staff wants to work hard. Other leaders use their position, title and power over the staff to make them work, with the threat that employees could lose their jobs if they don't perform.
Jesus, our King, makes no one come to Him and serve Him. He invites us, loves us, provides for us, and protects us. His Divine, authentic, Godly influence is what draws many to Him. In Matthew 5:13, Jesus declares that we, believers, are the salt and light of the earth. As such we are to go into all the world and "draw" all unto Him. In other words, influence others, with our testimony, our witness, our lifestyle, our genuine love and compassion, in such a way that they will seek after our Lord Jesus. Who do you influence in your world? In what way, goodness or worldliness? Are you more likely to build people up or tear people down? Do you make it a habit to speak well of others, even the ones you don't like, or speak ill of them? What did Jesus do? Whether you know it or not, you have influence. The question is what kind and for what cause? Jesus said, "if the salt loses its saltiness, it is good for nothing but...." Lord, give us influence, a divine heavenly flow, but let it be all for You!
Are you a person of influence? By definition influence means an "ethereal flow," flow from the stars or heavenly flow. It is an unseen power that can draw people to follow, change behaviors, change ideas or beliefs. It can and does have the power to change the course of other people's lives. While many spend their time trying to impress others, the most effective people are not concerned with impressing but with influencing. In 1937 Dale Carnegie wrote "How to win friends and influence people." That book has sold over 15 million copies over the years as people have sought to learn the power of influence. It is a power that can be used for Godly reasons or evil. Adolf Hitler won the election to become the head of the Nazi Party by just one vote and look what happened. What if that one voter would have been influenced differently? Modern history would be very different. Have you noticed? Satan did not make Eve eat the forbidden fruit, he simply influenced her, then she influenced Adam, though he clearly knew what God required. Wow, look what happened to the world when just two people were influenced negatively. Good leaders are those who positively influence their staff in such a way that the staff wants to work hard. Other leaders use their position, title and power over the staff to make them work, with the threat that employees could lose their jobs if they don't perform.
Jesus, our King, makes no one come to Him and serve Him. He invites us, loves us, provides for us, and protects us. His Divine, authentic, Godly influence is what draws many to Him. In Matthew 5:13, Jesus declares that we, believers, are the salt and light of the earth. As such we are to go into all the world and "draw" all unto Him. In other words, influence others, with our testimony, our witness, our lifestyle, our genuine love and compassion, in such a way that they will seek after our Lord Jesus. Who do you influence in your world? In what way, goodness or worldliness? Are you more likely to build people up or tear people down? Do you make it a habit to speak well of others, even the ones you don't like, or speak ill of them? What did Jesus do? Whether you know it or not, you have influence. The question is what kind and for what cause? Jesus said, "if the salt loses its saltiness, it is good for nothing but...." Lord, give us influence, a divine heavenly flow, but let it be all for You!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
TRANSFORMING YOUR WORLD
Greetings Saints;
I wanted to share a couple pictures from our Circle-Up event we held in support for Haiti. It was an amazing event. It got off to a strange start. We had a sound system out in the parking lot, a Gospel rap artist, and a great number from the church and community. However, it was cold and windy. We had "4 Haiti" spell out on the ground in candles and the people formed a circle around the candles. The wind kept blowing out the candles and the first few times the plane flew over with the photographer, it was light outside and, well, the candles kept going out. After a while the plane had to go back to land because the photographer was becoming ill. We thought they had gotten the best pictures they could and were done. Some people had begun to leave when we got word that the plane was taking off again to take a few more pictures. The photographer was feeling better. We got the candles lit and everybody (who was left) to form the circle. And, wow, the wind stopped blowing as the plane flew over. It was dusk, making for an interesting contrast. The pictures from the ground and air turned out fantastic. After it was all done, the wind began to blow again, but praise God, we got what we needed. All the proceeds went directly for Haiti relief. I am so grateful for those who worked so very hard to make this event a reality and for everyone who participated. Please continue to pray for and support Haiti. They will need both for a very long time. If I am able to bring those pictures to you soon, I will. Some will also be posted on the TMI website.
Our prayers are with Rev. LaVerne Stevens and the Joseph Alliance missions team who are now in Liberia, West Africa. We are trusting that nothing less than amazing things will happen because of the work our Lord has sent for them to do. We're believing for their protection, effectiveness, and safe return.
Transforming Women In Christ (TWIC), the women's ministry at TMI is sponsoring a powerful event this Saturday, March 13th at 1 pm on the topic "Stress Management." For more information, please contact our women's ministry via email at: twic@ymail.com or contact the ministry via phone (visit the TMI website: http://www.tmiministries.org/ for contact info), and we know this will be a great conference. Ladies, if your in the ATL Metro area, come on out and be blessed by the professional presenters and opportunities to be had at this event. We're trusting this to be an amazing event that will bless so many in need.
Well beloved, God bless each of you and I'll catch you next week. Remember, if you live in the ATL area or will be visiting, come worship with us at 1950 Hwy 85, Jonesboro, GA 30238. Our service begins at 11:00am Sundays and Wednesdays at 7:00pm. Hope to see you soon.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
TRANSFORMING YOUR WORLD
Hey Saints,
Missed you last week. Rev. D and I had homework and two tests to do, in addition to all the other "normal" activities and, well, you get the picture. Worship services have been so blessed. We remain in awe of the things our Lord continues to do. We're excited because this weekend we will have our Circle-Up event. This is an event where a large number of people from all over the ATL metro area will come together and form a human sign in support of the people of Haiti. Thanks to the efforts of Annette Vick, along with the assistance of John Russell, we will have an airplane fly over our church parking lot to photograph the human sign. Each participant is asked to give at least two dollars to be a part of the sign. All the money will go to Haiti relief. It promises to be a great time for a great cause. Please continue to pray for Haiti. They will need so much help for years to come.
The final document for TMI's Strategic Plan has come back and wow, the level of professionalism and excellence is great. This plan will serve as our road map for the next ten years. An awful lot of prayer and hard work has gone into this process, but certainly this plan is under the ultimate authority of the Holy Spirit, who may alter or change it at anytime. This plan however, will give us a great sense of direction and purpose as we move forward. Many thanks goes to Rev. Gwendolyn Young of Richmond, VA who has so graciously facilitated this process. If anyone is ever in need of strategic planning, I highly recommend her.
Two thumbs up to our Training, Education and Development (TED) department, along with the Youth department, for outstanding Black History presentations throughout the month of February. Outstanding work! There are more exciting things happening so please keep TMI in your prayers as we continue to expect our God to do great things.
Over the last couple of weeks we have given sermonic focus to the need and blessing of wisdom. God has dealt with us mightily, and it has been great to see folks crying out to God for divine wisdom. I certainly don't have space here to go through those teachings, but let me encourage each of you, wherever you may be in the world, James chapter one says: if you lack wisdom, ask God and He will give it to you without finding fault with you. It is impossible to fully know the will of God, the word of God, or how to live as a child of God, without wisdom. Seek it, cry out for it, and God will give it to you. But ask, only if you believe God will give it to you, and be prepared to be misunderstood by many who are not seeking and increasing in the wisdom of God. It will require patience and endurance, but God will use you to bless even them in a mighty way. Proverbs eight declares that wisdom (Sophia) calls out for you. Find her, and when you do, you will have found something far more precious than all silver and gold.
God bless each of you, and remember, we love you...love each other in the Lord!
Missed you last week. Rev. D and I had homework and two tests to do, in addition to all the other "normal" activities and, well, you get the picture. Worship services have been so blessed. We remain in awe of the things our Lord continues to do. We're excited because this weekend we will have our Circle-Up event. This is an event where a large number of people from all over the ATL metro area will come together and form a human sign in support of the people of Haiti. Thanks to the efforts of Annette Vick, along with the assistance of John Russell, we will have an airplane fly over our church parking lot to photograph the human sign. Each participant is asked to give at least two dollars to be a part of the sign. All the money will go to Haiti relief. It promises to be a great time for a great cause. Please continue to pray for Haiti. They will need so much help for years to come.
The final document for TMI's Strategic Plan has come back and wow, the level of professionalism and excellence is great. This plan will serve as our road map for the next ten years. An awful lot of prayer and hard work has gone into this process, but certainly this plan is under the ultimate authority of the Holy Spirit, who may alter or change it at anytime. This plan however, will give us a great sense of direction and purpose as we move forward. Many thanks goes to Rev. Gwendolyn Young of Richmond, VA who has so graciously facilitated this process. If anyone is ever in need of strategic planning, I highly recommend her.
Two thumbs up to our Training, Education and Development (TED) department, along with the Youth department, for outstanding Black History presentations throughout the month of February. Outstanding work! There are more exciting things happening so please keep TMI in your prayers as we continue to expect our God to do great things.
Over the last couple of weeks we have given sermonic focus to the need and blessing of wisdom. God has dealt with us mightily, and it has been great to see folks crying out to God for divine wisdom. I certainly don't have space here to go through those teachings, but let me encourage each of you, wherever you may be in the world, James chapter one says: if you lack wisdom, ask God and He will give it to you without finding fault with you. It is impossible to fully know the will of God, the word of God, or how to live as a child of God, without wisdom. Seek it, cry out for it, and God will give it to you. But ask, only if you believe God will give it to you, and be prepared to be misunderstood by many who are not seeking and increasing in the wisdom of God. It will require patience and endurance, but God will use you to bless even them in a mighty way. Proverbs eight declares that wisdom (Sophia) calls out for you. Find her, and when you do, you will have found something far more precious than all silver and gold.
God bless each of you, and remember, we love you...love each other in the Lord!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
TRANSFORMING YOUR WORLD
Hey Saints;
Here in the southern U.S. we've been getting a lot of rain and our friends to the north have seen lots of snow and/or freezing cold. I think everyone is ready for summer. For some of you in other parts of the world, it is summer and we hope you are enjoying it, but we here are ready to trade seasons with you. Our prayers and resources continue to go out to the people of Haiti. Here at TMI, we will soon launch a project called "Circle Up" that will bring together people from the surrounding communities to form a huge human sign (formation) in our parking lot. A local news helicopter will fly over and take aerial pictures of the formation which will be aired on T.V. Each participant in the formation, which will be a part of this human sign to show love and solidarity for Haiti, will give a contribution to participate. ALL proceeds will be given to a Haiti relief fund. No individuals will be shown, only the large group as a whole. The anticipated date for this project is Saturday, February 27th from 6pm to 8pm. Anyone in the ATL area is welcomed to join in. I would like to give special thanks to Annette Vick who is organizing this project. Haiti needs help desperately. I encourage you to be creative in how to raise money for Haiti. Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:35-40; "For I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you took me in, I needed cloths and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.......what ever you did for one of the least of these my brothers of mine, you did for me."
True worship is not just our words, our shout or our dance, rather it's in the way we reach out to others in need or distress. We are so often preoccupied with our own issues that we fail to hear the cries of others in far worse conditions than our own. Serving God is serving others. God knows what we need and promises to take care of us if indeed we will do that which is important to Him, reaching out to help others and leading the lost to Christ. Make it your life's goal to serve others and God will bless you. You won't need to seek the blessings and favor of God, His blessings and favor will find you!
Well, TBN was great again. We thank God for Paul and Jan, Dottie and Carolyn for the invitations extended to us. Rev. Gardenia and I also received invitations to the Trumpet Awards. It too was a great experience. The awards show will be aired on TV One on the fourth of April. Thank you Shavonne. Oh yes! And our church sign has finally arrived and is up and, wow, it's nice. We saw it going into mid-week service and, wow, how it lit up the night sky. That's two wows! Thanks Elders Steve Stevens and Tim Young. Well, gotta go. Until next week, God bless you all. We're praying for you!
Here in the southern U.S. we've been getting a lot of rain and our friends to the north have seen lots of snow and/or freezing cold. I think everyone is ready for summer. For some of you in other parts of the world, it is summer and we hope you are enjoying it, but we here are ready to trade seasons with you. Our prayers and resources continue to go out to the people of Haiti. Here at TMI, we will soon launch a project called "Circle Up" that will bring together people from the surrounding communities to form a huge human sign (formation) in our parking lot. A local news helicopter will fly over and take aerial pictures of the formation which will be aired on T.V. Each participant in the formation, which will be a part of this human sign to show love and solidarity for Haiti, will give a contribution to participate. ALL proceeds will be given to a Haiti relief fund. No individuals will be shown, only the large group as a whole. The anticipated date for this project is Saturday, February 27th from 6pm to 8pm. Anyone in the ATL area is welcomed to join in. I would like to give special thanks to Annette Vick who is organizing this project. Haiti needs help desperately. I encourage you to be creative in how to raise money for Haiti. Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:35-40; "For I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you took me in, I needed cloths and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.......what ever you did for one of the least of these my brothers of mine, you did for me."
True worship is not just our words, our shout or our dance, rather it's in the way we reach out to others in need or distress. We are so often preoccupied with our own issues that we fail to hear the cries of others in far worse conditions than our own. Serving God is serving others. God knows what we need and promises to take care of us if indeed we will do that which is important to Him, reaching out to help others and leading the lost to Christ. Make it your life's goal to serve others and God will bless you. You won't need to seek the blessings and favor of God, His blessings and favor will find you!
Well, TBN was great again. We thank God for Paul and Jan, Dottie and Carolyn for the invitations extended to us. Rev. Gardenia and I also received invitations to the Trumpet Awards. It too was a great experience. The awards show will be aired on TV One on the fourth of April. Thank you Shavonne. Oh yes! And our church sign has finally arrived and is up and, wow, it's nice. We saw it going into mid-week service and, wow, how it lit up the night sky. That's two wows! Thanks Elders Steve Stevens and Tim Young. Well, gotta go. Until next week, God bless you all. We're praying for you!
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