We Can Be Heroes

Raw sermon notes:

Sermon: We can be heroes (of #faith)

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, 
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and 
let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1 KJV)

Joseph: 

When life isn't turning out the way you planned, don't give up on your dreams. 
Don't give up.

Don't give up on your dreams...

1. Even if you don't start off well.

2. Even if those close to you don't support you.

3. Even if your journey is full of surprises.

4. Even if it takes a long time to realize it.

Read Joseph's story.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to 
them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 KJV)

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and 
not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not 
tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just 
shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:3, 4 KJV)

1. Focus what happens in you not to you

What I'm I supposed to learn from this?

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing 
this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her 
perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you 
lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and 
upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:2-5 KJV)

2. Your response to offense will determine your future 

And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for 
you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, 
as it is this day, to save much people alive. (Genesis 50:19, 20 KJV)

3. Every dream has tough times but God is with you.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch 
forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall 
save me. The  Lord  will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O  Lord , 
endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. (Psalms 138:7, 8 
KJV)

Hope For A Better Tomorrow

myfreewallpapers.net

We all know in the news there is always more bad news than good. However, it has been more grim than usual this summer. IS[IS|IL|whatever], Ferguson, Boko Haram, Ebola, Gaza, Ukraine, etc.

It is really easier than usual to just say $cr@w it and stay in bed, or worse, run down into the panic room. To be sure, there are serious issues of global proportion out there, and sometime they hit home in ways we never see coming.

There are also those issues that are local and even personal. It is not too hard to give up.

A youth pastor I know revealed that one of the biggest complaints teenagers confided about the adults in their lives, is that they've got a bleak outlook on the future. Their point was that why should they even bother looking towards adulthood when the adults closest to them are all doom and gloom.

My kids are all still in their single digits, and I still see all the joy and hope in their eyes as they enjoy this life. We must give their generation something worth looking forward to.

"...old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new"*

A friend of mine asked via social media what was so good about Good Friday; Jesus Christ being crucified and all that (my words not his). He ended his question, by clarifying that it was a serious one. I know this friend pretty well, and it was a serious question.

He is of the Muslim faith and I am of the Christian faith. We have learned a lot about each other over the years with mutual admiration and respect.

His post got several answers. Some explained in brief. Some explained, but came off as a bit chiding. Some knowing that an intelligent and opened minded person asked the question, responded in kind. I simply thanked him for asking a serious question.

With all the intra and inter-religious-related violence in our modern world today, it's important, more than ever, that we each try to teach and learn from one another with humility and openness. It's important we treat each other with courtesy and respect. It's important to emphasize what we have in common, instead of emphasizing what we have in contrast.

I'm blessed in the sense that growing up partially in Nigeria, literally living next to Muslims (as I do now, coincidentally enough), that growing, learning, and living in a community of co-existing faiths is normal for me. While I know not everyone is in the same place, I also know the bridges we have in common can help bring us closer together towards healing our world, one connection at a time.

*2 Corinthians 5:17

#GenerositySpeaks

So last Sunday I was still not feeling myself after what I can only describe as male morning sickness. After watching the church service by live stream, I found our pastor's challenge of extending ourselves in generosity intriguing. There were even green rubber bracelets to encourage us. I wanted to text the missus to grab me a bracelet, but didn't want her texting mid-sermon either. I decide I would grab one next Sunday. When my wife got home, she smiled and told me she had something for me.

Today, two days later, I decide to make a trip to the library before work. I wondered about the green bracelet on my left wrist and what would become of it. After gathering a few books I headed to the checkout line.

In front of me was another brother, about a decade-plus older than me, checking out a couple of novels. I figured he must either be retired or on vacation. I thought, wouldn't it be nice to be retired so I could have enough time to finish any novel. When I snapped out of my fantasy, I heard the librarian tell the man that he had four dollars in fines due on his account. It seemed to take him by surprise.

After a bit of back-and-forth with the librarian, and eventual resignation about the fine, I mustered up courage and told the librarian that I would pay the man's fine. She recoiled, startled. The man kindly protested but I persisted in insisting, and explained to him that it was to help me understand something my pastor was trying to tell me. He smiled, and relented. He told me he was a pastor himself, and that the world would be a better place if more people acted like this.

Words Becoming Flesh

Raw sermon notes:

Sermon 02mar14: Words Becoming Flesh

Use your words to declare what you want in the name of Jesus, to set you free.

Don't settle for less than what God has promised you.

You will have what you believe.

If you want something different in life it starts with you.

You can't stop the birds from flying over your head but you can stop birds for building a nest on your head

2nd  Cor. 10:5
Rom 12:2
Jos. 1:8
Prb. 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (Proverbs 18:21 KJV)

Do you want more of your reality? Or the life-changing power of God to change your reality.

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Change your thoughts, change your words.

The Young Man On The Train

I guess there was a reason I caught the train I did tonight. When I got on, I noticed a young man, not more than 18 or 19, sitting across from me with his head down to his knees groaning. I thought at first maybe he just had a bit of too much something. By the next stop, it was clear. He was crying. No...He was sobbing.

The young woman to his left, my right, pretended he didn't exist. She was very uncomfortable. We all were, initially. The young man sat up. His inexperienced face was red and filled with despair. His fingers swiping his mobile phone, checking something, and not seeing it, returned to sobbing. One man moved away. The sister to his right, my left, took out one of her earphones (yes, he was sobbing that loudly). She asked him if he was okay. He said he was okay, and tried to man-up a bit. All the while, I'm really studying him now. I'm trying to figure out why he's crying. The young man asked her what stop we were at. She told him. She asked him if he new where he was going. He said he didn't.

He was dressed pretty well for was appeared to be a later-year, high school student. Based on his hair style and attire, and his comfort and easy in them, I would guess he was not from the city. He asked politely, and responded in kind. Nothing on him, including his school backpack was obviously, commercially branded. I decided I couldn't get off the train without connecting with him somehow. My stop was next, and my initial reticence was gone. When he lifted his head again, I let our eyes meet. I tried to convey that it was okay, whatever he was going through. Sometimes, a man for one reason or another needs to let it all out. Sometimes it won't be convenient. Better a cry on the train now, than taking out one's aggression on others later. He dropped his head again.

What could be that bad, I thought? Did he commit a crime? Did he get in a fight (I saw a dime-sized gash in the based of his palm)? It's a girl, I said to myself. It's gotta be a girl. It didn't matter. I started to say a prayer for him.

As the train slowed to my stop, with everyone now realizing this young man had something going on and watching, I got up. I stepped to the young man sitting across from me. His head down again between his knees; hand clasped behind his head.

"Hey," I said, then patted him softly on the shoulder. He rose slowly, and then looked up into my eyes. I told him, "Whatever it is, it's gonna be okay. You just hang in there. I'll be praying for you okay?" He said, okay, and then, thank you.

Trayvon Martin Sunday

Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin's mother, was the honorary guest today at Saint Paul A.M.E Church, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where my daughter visits to sing with the youth choir once a month. While Ms. Fulton was only able to attend the first service (I was at the second), I was told she gave very brief but powerful words to the congregants.

Pastor Rev. Melvin E. Wilson had asked everyone to don a hoodie to the services in remembrance of Trayvon. I had to admit that at first I was a bit taken aback. The only times I wear a hoodie is when I'm home working on my motorcycle or other manual labor. This was Sunday, going to church with my daughter. We'd both be wearing hoodies.

The first thought in my head was, I really don't want to be DWB today, not even by chance, not with my kid in the car. But then I thought, there really isn't anything inherently wrong with wearing a hoodie. It's just the fear of becoming a target (e.g. KWB). So, I had another conversation with my daughter (at her level), about who Trayvon was, who killed him, and why he got killed. We also talked about being perceived as being a treat because of one's appearance, including skin color, and how to mitigate that.

In the service it was remarkable to see three and four generations of congregants, of all backgrounds, with hoodies. Professor Chales Ogeltree gave the word (i.e. sermon) for the second service; focusing on remembering Travyon and those before him (e.g. Emmett Till), honoring Trayvon by understanding the laws of our municipalities, to listen to and teach our children about "the rough side of the mountain", and not letting our fears keep them in the dark about the realities of life they ought to be aware of. Unfortunately, my son is too young to understand at the level of his sister. However, I've kept the church program, so we can start to have the conversation, one hoodie at a time.

A Word On The Afterlife

"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 

But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 

Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 

Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 

And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 

And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."

Luke 16:19-31 KJV

Take Heart, Have Courage

More raw sermon notes, from the iPod:

Sermon "courage":



Take heart. A God-size dream is bigger than you and your resources 

Courage is to proceed despite fear.

1. Courage is not waiting for fear to go away.

Wherever there is uncertainty there will always be a need for leaders 

2. Anyone can be courageous 

What would you do if you aren't afraid? (from Who Moved My Cheese

3. Courage is not innate but developed

Progress requires courage 

4. Courage is feeling fear but choosing to act anyway.

Have the courage to listen and obey God

If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his 
years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no 
burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he. For he cometh in with 
vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness. 
Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than 
the other. Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no 
good: do not all go to one place? (Ecclesiastes 6:3-6 KJV)

There is no security in that which is no longer meaningful.

Navigating The Storms of Life

More raw sermon notes, from the iPod:

Family Matter 2013: Storms

A storm can be to your benefit.
Press into the storm.
We lose sight that The Lord is with us through the storm. 

"Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them,  Let us go over unto the other side of the lake.  And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them,  Where is your faith?  And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him." (Luke 
8:22-25 KJV)

God wants us to exercise our faith with the storms that come. 

1. Do not be intimidated by the storm, use the storm to your advantage. Ask the Lord what He wants you to do now. The storm is a test. Go where God wants you to go despite the storm. There will always be storms. Let God figure out how He is going to resolve the storm, because the resolution is beyond our comprehension. 

2. Give up controlling the situation to God. Focus on what you do know, not what you don't know. Keep your spirit strong. 

3. It's the word of God that gives us peace. Get into the presence of God.

4. Don't be bitter. Encourage people in the storm. 

5. Persist and persevere for you have a destiny. God says, "I have given you everything, you will overcome." Storms do not last forever. There is a due time and an appointed season to reap. 

6. Don't forget the storms you've already been through.

Oklahoma Will Be O-K

The tornadoes' wrath across Oklahoma shown in news images of ravaged miles of buildings, reminds me of the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995. However, the fury of nature has no person or state to hunt, demonize, or prosecute. I can barely comprehend the vast carnage over such distances, and how those affected will rebuild. Although I know, rebuild they will. 

The courage of the victims, their friends and families and neighbors give me hope of our better nature as Americans, as human beings. Their grace amidst the chaos that seemed to take so many by surprise, is a stark reminder that it can all go to heck in an instance. Every moment is a gift.

Like we often hear after each of these life altering and shattering events, hug your children, tell them you love them. To this I add, hug your family, your neighbor, your friend, your dog, your cat, your fish. Give and receive love.

I pray that the departed are in peace. I pray those left behind continue to persist and persevere and take nothing for granted. I know from the determination in their eyes, and the conviction of their resolve, that the people of Oklahoma will be O-K.

Four and One

What I've learned:

• Choose your own adventure, or you may find yourself trapped in someone else's
• If history keeps repeating itself, there's something you haven't learned yet
• Acknowledge and respect who you are, and what you are made of
• Memory * Time = (Good | Bad) / Your Attitude
• Playing chess provides rewards beyond checkmate

The Most Important Thing I Can Tell You Today

Look for the joy in this and every moment. Eventually, you will find it.

December 17, 1903

The Wright brothers made history on this date in 1903 with the first powered flight. Celebrate! Go try to fly something! It's okay if it doesn't work out the first time you try. Keep at it. Keep believing.

We Are...

More raw sermon notes from the iPhone:

Sermon 01apr12: Love finds a way.

We are here to make a difference 
We are to preserve and season
There's constant pressure to not realize who  God ordained you to
We are the light in a darkened world

Worry, Not

I was sorting though my sermon notes from my iPhone (yes, iPhone 5 is here and I'm not getting it, so there), and I found a bunch of old, but memorable, raw sermon notes I took down.

Sermon 6may12: Worry

Don't worry be happy
+Take life as it comes 
God has equipped us to take life as it comes
+Refuse to live in dread
Fear looks into the future and imagines the worst happening
How we approach life (enduring versus enjoying life)
Dread drains our peace and strength for living.
Having faith and being positive energizes us
The future is coming whether you like it or not.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath 
torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18 KJV)

+ Know God's character 
Praise God for his faithfulness

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, 
and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing 
wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind 
and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the 
Lord. (James 1:5-7 KJV)

+ Follow after peace
Peace will decide for you with all finality questions you have when you need 
guidance.

Let peace be the umpire 

Peace is there to keep from making dumb mistakes 

Refuse to let worry and fear steal your peace.

+ Cast all your cares on the Lord

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you 
in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 
5:6, 7 KJV)

Have You Lost Your Edge?

Today's church sermon revolved around the Bible scripture found in 2 Kings 6:1-7. This is where the prophet Elisha recovers a servant's axe head from the water by tossing a stick where it descended.

The pastor shifted to illustrating the axe head as a metaphor for our passion or skill-set. More importantly, not being able to succeed without sharpening ones axe head. The problem, he went on, was what happens when one has lost his axe head, or edge. Here are somethings to ask yourself if or when that happens:

1. Where did your edge fall?

2. When did your edge begin to get dull?

3. What are you going to do to get your edge back?

Freedom Is The Elbow Not Bending Outward

That's a Buddhist quote I read in a magazine a decade ago, although I don't remember who it's attributed to. I was reminded of it when I came across a Christian scripture I had highlighted.

"All things are lawful for me, but all things are expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not." - 1 Corinthians 10 (KJV).

I found the latter easier to explain to others than the former.

3 and 9 Life Lessons

1. Whatever or whomever you believe in must be at least able to sustain you through life.
2. People make time for what's important to them.
3. There is a special place where the end of logic and the beginning of faith meet.
4. It's our relationships that keep us warm and alive.
5. Have kids, even if it's only for a Saturday afternoon, the rewards are astounding.
6. Sometimes, even when you're right, it's better to let the scenario play out.
7. Find something, or better yet, someone, to love.
8. Calculate, risk and win or lose, but if you love it, keep playing the game.
9. Take pictures, because one day, that's all you may have left of a friend.
10. Give.
11. Learn what Peradventure means.
12. Get your affairs in order.

The Third Heaven (2005-2006)

"The Third Heaven" (2005-2006). Its purpose: "to encourage people of all beliefs to explore how their desires can lead them to something beyond themselves."