You would not believe how well it has been for me with the exercise and commitment to stay away from meet and bread thus far. This morning I had oatmeal for breakfast at Unkle Moes; nothing more than oatmeal and coffee. Afterwards I did some work in the office, visited one of the elementary schools in the city for a walk through with the Principle to show me his school, teachers and students. I thought that was pretty cool; one that the Principle would want a Pastor's presence in his school. Did that "No Prayer in the School" law reach Rochester. In many places in America they dont want that Spiritual figure in the public school be it Preacher or prayer. Can you imagine that? Condoms and birth control pills in the school system, but not Prayer. Paul said this almost 2000yrs ago. 2 Thessalonians 2:1: Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2: That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3: Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Oh, that's not what Im talking about, I'm really mentioning here how well I ate today. After leaving the school; I return to Unkle Moes today for a bowl of lima beans and a bowl of collard greens. Believe it or not, they were not filled with meat. For dinner I had Outback's "Blooming Onion, Garden Salad, Creamy Onion soup, and a Baked Potato." You know that the Outback has a good "Bread" that they serve... They served it and I did not touch it! I refused to blow today the 40 minute treadmill workout. Let's see how this progresses. I think I'm really committed to shedding at least 10 pounds. Are you trying to take better care of yourself these days or no? You just cant eat all this food and keep yourself together. Come on now!

Facing the Challenges of Life's

“And the Lord was with Joseph” Everything happens in our lives for a reason, and a great part of that reason is to help us grow in our faith. Life has to be lived in a forward motion; but that can only be understood by looking back. We have to trust in the loving purposes of a sovereign God. We must trust that He is in control of our life, When life seems to be out of control, God says: "I know the plans I have for you; plans for your welfare and not for evil" (Jeremiah 29:11)Joseph's life was filled with dark, difficult experiences - yet the final outcome was amazing!
He was determined to overcome the challenges of life, by the unction of God. Joseph’s life teaches us much about how to deal with our entangled lives. His example can help prepare us as we face the issues of lifeGod knew every detail about Joseph’s life,
God knows every detail about your life and my life.
God knows the good things, and He knows the ugly things.
God knows your genuineness as a Christian or otherwiseGod put a dream in Joseph's heart as a youth; yet it was fulfilled in his late thirties. In these days of prosperity preaching, some people are expecting too much to happen too soon. Paul says: (1 Timothy 6:10) “they erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" God takes us through seasons of preliminary preparation. Seasons are processing times and not finishing times. Habakkuk 2:3 “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” In agriculture, there is a season for planting, another for waiting and a time for harvesting.
Don't frustrate your future by launching out when you should be going through your waiting and preparatory season. When flying in an airplane, before the take-off, the engine must reach its full velocity or else it will crash.Following God’s plan guarantees the continuous presence of God. Habakkuk 3:19 the Lord” will cause you “to walk in high places”It does not matter how hard the experience is, or how long we have been in our present location, situation and circumstances, we can still move on. Many Times we stay too long in our “comfort zones” and do not “cross over.” Joseph was despised, hated and resented by his own kin, his own brothers. He was de-robed (of his coat of many colours - which was symbolic of his vision in life).
The coat was a symbol of resentment. People will de-robe you; take away your source of joy; attack your confidence, and belittle your testimony because of your coat! The family can be a breeding ground for hatred. Joseph’s own brothers threw him into the pit. The height, breadth, width and depth of the vision will determine the intensity of the pit experience.
Joseph was sold into slavery. Joseph had to be prepared for the responsibility of leadership, God has strange and unusual ways of preparing you,Potiphar's wife falsely accused Joseph of sexual improprieties. He was falsely accused for his refusal to compromise. He was character-assassinated. People with low images of themselves, tend to assassinate the character of those above them. Your enemies see in you a great future. Your enemies will do everything to discourage and frustrate you. God will take the evil of men in your life and use them for your good and for His glory. "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28) Joseph went through humiliating experiences because of the dreams he had: "A tea bag will not release its flavour until it goes through hot water" Your current location is not your destination – it's part of your journey of life. There is a chosen destiny for every man who walks on this planet. When you practicalise your God-given vision, faith will be energised in you and others will begin to agree with you and confess it with you. Joseph was diligent: "And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man - and his master saw that the Lord was with him" It is important that you are diligent, Joseph prospered, even in slavery, the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man, Move from where you are to where God wants to take you.
There was a sea between where they were and where God wanted them to be. There will be waves, there will be seas; there will be winds. There may be some seas. It may be the sea of an impossible boss. The sea may be a tottering marital life, a physical ailment, a business loss, a pigheaded child, or examination failings, person who lacks understanding of where you are going. Don’t let that sea stop you. It takes courage to push yourself to places that you have never been before. Everything has to change, attitude, personality, prayer life, faithfulness to God, or lack thereof, Stewardship, faithfulness to church, study of God's work, It all has to change and That's a Challenge! Abraham Lincoln failed businesses, had a nervous breakdown, endured the death of his sweetheart, was defeated for public office more than 10 times within 30 years. Then, elected 16TH President of the United States. Don’t let NO, and apparent failures, and personal tragedies hinder your future.
These should rather strengthen your character and commitment.
The light of day will finally enter your prison.
The answers to our problems must be sought from God’s truth.
Put away the strange gods in your life.
Fellowship with God,
He'll help you to handle Life's Challenges,
Get closer to your God,

Draw nigh to Him,
He will always be there with you,
THE LORD WHO WAS WITH JOSEPH,
And, The Lord is With You,
God had a plan for Joseph, God has a plan for your life,
God has a plan for my life, A plan for Mount Olivet,
Keep trusting God, Holding on, Looking to the hills,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arm, Waiting upon the Lord,
The Lord was With Joseph,
If you can take it, you can make it!

Lent Season Commitment

Now I know that this is not the season to let folks know what you're doing in terms of commitments and all but also I know that what you do can encourage others. So I am telling you simply for the sake of encouragement. I have given up meats and breads for Lent. This is Day 3 of forty so I also tell you so that you can encourage me! I weighed in Monday morning at 215.6. This morning which is three days later at 213.4. Remember I told you at the close of the year that I was going to get this weight thing under control and never did! It is just rediculous how I picked up weight so fast upon arriving to Rochester. But you have to know Mount Olivet Baptist Church eats at almost every meeting, Bible Study, after church, and before church. Now I'm on to it and moving right along. As soon as I am done with this Blog I'm heading to the gym. My breakfasts have been Oatmeal, grapefruits, juice and coffee. Lunch has been like Caesar Salads with no meats, nuts and water. Dinner last night was; check this out, Portabella Mushrooms cooked in Olive Oil and a cup of bean soup. Now you need to know that the Portabella cooked right taste like a good piece of meat. So I will get more of them. They are much better simmered in a nice wine. I went to get a bottle of wine and saw one of my members getting out of the car going into the liquor store as I was pulling up so I just eased on away. You could never make folks believe that you were getting a bottle of wine with which to cook. Of course I would not have thrown the excess away; but simply decided that I didn't need any stories starting on me yet! You know someone would be glad to say, "I saw Pastor Harvey going in the Liquor Store." Generally that doesn't bother me; but I decided against going in for some reason. In Tucson, all of the Grocery Stores, Walgreens, Gas Stations, and Walmarts sold liquor so there was never an issue with getting your cooking wine! I'm not sure about Target. Did they sell it too? I'm laughing myself now! Anyway get back on track, Portabella Mushroom simmered slowly in Caesar Dressing and wine is a wonderful dish. Today I will do Grapefruit for breakfast, I'm going to Unlke Moes for lunch; which will be 2 cups of lima beans and a cup or 2 of collard greens. May have ice tea. You have to remember, this is not a diet, just an altared eating style. Now here is my delemma, I have a dinner invitation both March 1st and March 8th immediately after Church. March 8th wont be as difficult as March 1st because its at a Restuarant where you can order what you want. March 1st is one of those throw down, country styled, moma's kitchen, kind of deals and this will be the test. What will I do? I will tell you after dinner. And no, this is not an occasion to pray for me; I can handle this one!

Opening Service Last Night

We had a great opening Ash Wednesday service Wednesday night at Memorial AME Zion Church last night. Whatever the capacity of the very nice sized church is, then that's the crowd we had. It was wonderful being with the five relative new pastors in the Rochester Community. Three of the pastors are Methodist, three of us are Baptist and one is Presbyterian. Its a good blend in terms of ages of the pastors, All of us all within five years of each other. Its good in terms of gifts, each of the pastors can carry his weight in and out of the pulpit. No chances of jealousy there. The churches all seem to enjoy the fellowship and the worship. Marlowe Washington who pastors Baber AME Church was the preacher last night and he brought it on! He pursued Psalms 51 like I have never seen and shot one out last night that probably had everyone squirming the entire time. Baber's choir rendered the music and they were fanstastic. The initial plan was that there would be a combined choir singing, and I think that has changed to the guest church choir rendering the music. That's fine because we not only get to hear the Pastor now, but his choir as well. March 11th we will be at Baber AME Church and on April 1st we will be at First Genessee Baptist Church. Mount Olivet and I are the guest at First Genessee meaning our choir will sing, ushers will serve and I will bring the message! Listen out for more about these services. I'm sure there will be pictures soon.

40 Days of Lent

Another day in the church’s liturgical year has arrived. But unlike Christmas and Easter, most of us don’t like this one. Ash Wednesday launches us into self-examination, discipline, and the ever-dreaded decision of what to give up or add to our daily walk. But the scripture for Ash Wednesday, given to us through the wisdom of the ages, reminds us anew of today’s importance. Jesus tells his disciples, “Beware of practicing your piety before others,” knowing fully how tempting it is to do precisely that. We wear devotion on our sleeve, exhibiting our faith as a way to impress those around us. To return to the self-examined life, we must use the journey of Lent, a time of intentionality, to ask ourselves how we have hurt others, how we have caused pain, how we have failed to live into the image of God. Lent is our opportunity to practice piety without being seen by others, so we can see ourselves as we truly are before God. Instead of dreading the discipline of these next six weeks, jump head first into God’s redeeming love. With that love, let God show you a path toward a new wholeness, a new vision, a new life within you as God’s amazing and wonderful creature.

Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent. Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. —Joel 2.12-13 This season marks a time of forty days set aside for introspection and reflection. Messages about Lent are multi-faceted. We are called to fast, weep, and mourn, and yet, we are asked not to tear our clothes as signs of mourning, but to tear open our hearts. Joel reminds us that even as God is gracious and merciful, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting in punishment, so we must be gracious and merciful to ourselves. We must be slow to anger with ourselves and less afraid to open up our hearts and to look inside. Today, may we lovingly rend our hearts and look inside to see more clearly where we need mending.

Ashes remind us, with a shock, that we are God's creation, made for God, and not the other way around.

Ashes remind us of the brevity of the gift of life, and the grace of eternal life in the heart of God. Ashes remind us that we are born to live, really live, before we die.

Ashes remind us of a resolve to a Lent, and a lifetime, of a more authentic relationship with Jesus the Christ. Ash Wednesday is the gateway to Lent. We have forty precious days to open ourselves up most particularly to God, to examine ourselves in the presence of one who created us, knows us, and loves us. We have forty days to face ourselves and learn to not be afraid of our sinfulness. We ARE dust, and to dust we shall return, but with God’s grace we can learn to live this life more fully, embracing our sinfulness, allowing God to transform us. May God grant us: the wisdom to know ourselves; the courage to admit our sins; and the grace to receive God’s never-failing mercy and forgiveness. Amen.

Conference in the Dark

Last night probably tops off every event that has happened with me since being in Rochester. First, we have like a dozen and a half or more of learning opportunities here at Mount Olivet! 10 Discipleship Classes, Men and Youth classes, various Bible Studies and of course Sunday School. The learning opportunities are available everyday except Friday and on most days, more than once or twice daily; some days as many as four times, always morning, noon and evening classes. Mount Olivet could easily have one of the strongest Christian Education Ministries in the country for a church similar in size and strength. Last night was planned as Pastor's Teacher's and Facilitators' Conference night, where I would meet with ALL of the teachers and assistant teachers within the Ministry and teach, give some guidance, instructions, encouragement, hear questions, and address any and every need that the instructors may have had, ok? simple huh?

Those of you who know my teaching style, know that I am the power point presentating presenter! They told us in Seminary to always Present it Pretty. Thus, I had the pretty presentation ready for presenting. Mrs Ingram set up a beautiful table of refreshments. (Now everything that Mount Olivet does include food.. even many of the Discipleship Classes) and like about a half hour before starting time, the Lights went out! Boom! Dark! Out! Needless to say, there went the Power Point Presentation.... I just hope that I had already saved the data before the power went out! About 40 + people arrived for the Conference... They pulled out the candles, lit the place up and the Conference went on as if Lights never failed! Among the many nuggets that I tried to share with our Teachers and Facilitators; I really shared my appreciation for them working in the Dark! They Blew me away last night!

Now the lights popped on for a few minutes during the Conference a couple of times, and off again, nevertheless; The Conference went on as planned and once again I got to see My Church for who they really are! They are wonderful people!

Up and At it Today

Im up early today getting ready for what should be another productive day! Yesterday was a good day! Actually all of my days are good days! Its good to be alive, healthy, happy, and living for the Lord. Without sounding self-righteous or bragging in any sense, you know that I am alive, I am very happy, and by all means living my life for the Lord to the best of my ability; Rising and Falling as the old folks say! Now it is time for my family and me to find a Good Black Family Doctor here in Rochester and get a good physical! I hate the new way of medical help now. You have to run all over town to get a physical. My first Doctor in Memphis office did everything. That was years ago before the HMO, PPO, CEO, GEO, and OOO's became a part of the health plans. Well, enough of that, I need a good Doctor, and preferably a Black Doctor. Please dont email me and tell me that "there are no good Black Doctors in Rochester" as folk did when I was looking for a Dentist, and I found one who was absolutely great. Now if you can get the tooth out of the mouth and get the mouth back together without the patient hurting and in a timely and gentle matter, what more do you want out of a Dentist! I'm looking for the same in a Doctor. Anyway, I started off to tell you about my day! I hope my sermons are not running off on tangems as did this blog! Mercy me! I am attending an 8:30 meeting this morning with the AME, AME Zion, CME, and a couple of Baptist Pastor's who are around my age to discuss Lent Services. That should be pretty interesting! Unfortunately we are meeting at a resturant and since returning from Memphis last week, 2 of the 6 pounds that I worked so hard to get off have returned! Thus, I'm having Oatmeal w/brown sugar, and coffee or juice! That's pretty typical for my breakfast. Folks call me from abroad just about everyday when they look at the news, I guess, and see Rochester weather, to ask "how is my family coping with the snow?" Do they not realize that folks here just get up and do what they have to do, without discussing the weather. I believe that the folks who dont live here worry about Rochester weather far more that Rochesterians. Put your Johns on and go! I will say this, "I have never had a drawer full of Long Johns as I do now! That's different! But to that end, and thank you for your concern, "We are doing great!" Not one time have we not gone somewhere because of the weather! Oh, sorry, We cancelled the Christmas musical because a snow storm hit on a Friday and the musical was scheduled on Friday nite.... I mean, come on now; you do what you do! Memphis wanted to fire their new School Superintendent from the East Coast who didn't close the City Schools the day I was there, because the city had like 1/100th of an inch of snow! President Obama is wondering what's up with DC closing schools for what he calls no reason at all as it pertains to weather. Perspectives are something that we all have to realize! Six months ago, I would have frozen stiff in 30 degree weather. Today 30 degrees is a warm front! It's Perspective!

Super Bowl 2009

This is the first Superbowl Sunday in 8 years that Yvonne and I were invited and accepted an invitation to a party as opposed to hosting the party! We could not have been invited to a more classy, elegant, fine party anywhere! I hear that Barack Obama had guest in the White House. It may have been more people but no more finer than where we were. The food was not your typical, same ole basic party stuff, LOL No hot wings and meatballs here, It was one of those Eight Course Deals, where you know, you eat this, and then this is served, and then this is served, you know; served on beautiful china / stoneware whichever, It was gorgous! While I dare not tell you anymore, I tell you this; some of the most wonderful people I now know are in Rochester and I'm very fortunate that they are members of Mount Olivet Baptist Church. To the Host, who is a frequent viewer of My Blog, Yvonne and I would like to thank you for a wonderful time and feel free to invite us to any of your events at anytime! We will keep our calendar clear for your invites! Oh yeah, the HOME was OFF the CHAIN... Gosh! Plush, Beautiful, Laid from front to back and top to bottom. Thanks again, and may the Lords Continued Blessings be upon you! Oh, by the way, Who won the game? Who Played? Smile....