Lawn Mowing Fun Lessens

Today was my second time mowing the lawn.. Not nearly the fun it was the first time. This yard is too big. I started like late evening and worked til dark. Now that's not fun. I scratched my leg taking the bag off; wasted gas all over my hands.. What's wrong with these new gas cans? Its so hard to get the gas out without it spilling everywhere.. No its impossible. Im so glad I kept my receipt; its going back to the store and I want a much less fancier can. My neighbors had a birthday party or something and their guest kept stopping to talk to me. Yes, I like people, but I like trying to get the yard done before night and it didnt happen! Not sure if I will keep this job! Ok, Im out; going to rest, read a little bit and hit the sack! Bye!

Now That We Know

With Ash Wednesday, Lent Services, Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Sunrise and Easter morning service; sermons and songs and praise dancing and worship have been geared toward the risen Savior. Jesus Lives! The stone has been rolled away, the tomb is empty, the napkin is still folded, Sin is Defeated, Hallelujah! He's not there, He has risen from the grave with all authority. Jesus lives is the story. We believe that to be Truth; according to the songs we sing, the testimonies we have, and the WORD we hear. God is looking for men and women “who can see” with their spiritual eyes and catch the wind of God’s Spirit. God is looking for men and women who are dependable, focused and fearless when it comes to their God given assignments. Jesus said, "All power and authority in heaven and earth has been given to me". As members of the Body of Christ we have a major assignment from God. Disciples need to be made, unsaved must be ministered to, the unchurched must be reached, the unsaved must be saved, the empty pew must be filled, the Body of Christ must come outside of the four walls of the Church and begin to minister to individuals; that they may come into a Saving Relationship with Christ. There are not enough people being saved! Our Churches are so wonderful....Our People are so smart.... Our accomplishments are so great....Yet the Unsaved and UnChurched and UnCared for are so left alone, unattended, unapproached for their soul's salvation, undisturbed, and unmoved...with all the Church that's going on in our cities. God help me to be the vessel that will lead your people outside of the walls, outside of tradition, outside of denomination, outside of limitation, outside of fears, outside of economic and race, barriers, into the bold place of witnessing and making disciples and baptising men and women into the Body of Christ in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Speak to my heart that I may speak to your people that which invokes a desire to see men turn from unrighteousness and unfaithfulness into a faithful, loving relationship with you; In Jesus name I ask, Amen!

1970 Skylark Buick

Out West people were into Second Homes and Time Shares and Old Cars. The folks who are so called doing ok have one, both or all three. I bought this 1970 Skylark Buick shortly after getting to Tucson in 1998 or 99... somewhere like that... Fixed it up to where it is now.. Really enjoyed the Buick Car shows.... Which is the one it could compete in best. A couple of times I won Best Sedan of the 1970 Class.... My daughter drove it every Summer and there is now evidence on the car that she did. I'm not sure if I will continue to play with the Old Buick anymore... I'm not sure if the salt is off the streets or not! I'm not sure if there are Car Shows here.... I'm not sure if I want to repair the damages that were done to it in Walmart last year.. I'm not sure if folks are into Old Cars here. You dont see a lot of old cars on the street... I have not found an "Old Car Club." Maybe as the Spring and Summer get in a few oldies may come out of the garages. I need a good mechanic for this car; bout like needing a good Doctor for my Body! I'm not sure if you can get parts for it on the East Coast. I bought this car to keep the miles off of my Jaguar.. The Jaguar died of timing chain failure and bad engine in the middle of the street last February and the 1970 Skylark continues to puur.... It also means a three car garage to store it, upkeep, and not driving it may be too much! May take it to Memphis and leave it there. Now dont think it wont go to Memphis... I drove it to Memphis and left it while I was attending school there; flying home every week.. It was my transportation when I got to Memphis and drove it back across country with no problem. Now anyone could not drive a car like that across country. You do have to pamper it. Check your oil and fluids each time you stop for gas. That kind of thing, but to hit the road and run it 75 and 80; even today with a good servicing is no problem. And It now has New York State tags... Car Clubs? Chicken Clubs? I guess you're wondering what other Clubs were I apart of. I will tell you soon! Looking for the pictures!

My New Lawnmower

Now this is totally different for me! I have not had my hands on or my legs behind a lawnmower in over a decade. In Tucson, I'm not even sure if they sold Lawnmowers.... If so; It would be like trying to buy a water hose in Rochester in the winter time. I thought that was funny! Water hoses are seasonal items here. A man knocked on my door the other day asking to cut the grass. Obviously the grass has reached proper cutting height when folks knock on your door...When the man told me $75 to cut the grass.... I'm like, do the math! While its true that I dont really have the time, $75? The grass only needed mowing, not plowing or seeding or sowing or the sort..... I'm like no sir! In Tucson, you pay $75 maybe once a season for someone to come by and clean your rocks, pull weeds, wash the patio, prune the trees, and then haul all of whatever garbage or brush they gathered. I'm cutting grass again! Neighbors were like looking at me as if its strange to cut your own grass or something. I'm like; I'm not paying the neighborhood Lawn-man to cut my grass... and they're like just starring at me..... .I'm like, what are yall looking at??

Happy Birthday to My Sisters

Today is two of my sisters birthday. Patricia Scales and Jennifer Harvey are both celebrating birthday on this 20th Day of April 2009. Jennifer turns forty-one (41) today. She is like four years younger than me. I was really supposed to be the baby. Let me tell you the story, My version of it anyway. My mother had seven children before me, and none of them were really what a mother would hope for in a child....Then I was born.... and My mother was so pleased with me for years... until she said....never again... "I finally got me a wonderful baby... so I will just let that do..." She thought. Well.. she was so pleased with me, her eighth (8th) child until she said.. .what if I had another one, and he or she turned out as wonderful as Rickey.... So she and Popa..... You know... and Cookie was born four years later... Well... Cookie turned out to be just like the first seven... left me as the only good child..... So Moma said never again... While Cookie is four years younger than me, Patricia was like grown when I was a little boy. I'm not sure how old she is or if I can even count that far. All I know is when I was a little boy she was like in High School, kind of thing. She kept us, made us mind, spanked us kind of thing. Anybody that spanked you was considered grown and old...in those days... Patricia also is a Cancer Survivor. God has richly blessed her... Over a decade ago when I was pastoring in Memphis, Pat was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.... and Geesssh.... It was something for all of us to go through. But her faith and trust in God and tithing, and never giving up, brought her through. And today she's healed, delivered and set free. So here we go....

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to Pat 50+ and Cookie 41,

Happy Birthday to you.....

May the Lord Bless you,

May the Lord Bless you,

May the Lord Bless you,

May the Lord Bless you...

And both of them will have my head when they see me! LOL

That's the good thing about having your own BLOG...

You can say what you want....LOL

Brother Milton Lewis

Brother Milton Lewis was at Church on Easter Sunday too. Now he's gone to be with the Lord. We're planning his homegoing service today. His folks have made it to town and arrangements are underway. Now, there is a kind of first with Brother Lewis too... Nothing like J.R. but there are some memories here. When I got off the plane as Pastor of Mount Olivet Baptist Church I had already before landing received word that Ms Wendy Rose and Ms Ophelia King had been in the hospital in between my candidating and being elected. So I got off the plane going to the hospital and to homes to visit my folk that I had met and were sick by the time I got back. While I dont remember Milton Lewis during candidates weekend, When I got my first Sunday Diaconate Communion List, Brother Milton Lewis' name was on the list. So he is one of the first members that I called on the phone as new Pastor of Mount Olivet and I do remember how gracious and blessed he and Mrs Lewis seemed to be that the New Pastor was already making phone calls. They returned to Church shortly afterwards and introduced themselves to me, and Brother Lewis expressed his appreciation for the call... I will talk more about that in the Eulougy. I have to get with my Communications Ministry. I want a "Precious Memories" page on our website so that we can continue to remember the precious people of Mount Olivet after they are gone on to be with the Lord. Now tell me....Is that morbid or no? I think it to be a wonderful idea. What's your honest opinion. You can blog it to me, email it to me, or call me at the church and tell me. I guess the question would be; How far do we go back....? I say we start at My Administration or we would have to go back to the inception of the Church. To that end... we want a "New Members" page on the site as well.... We are not just dying around here, we are living and giving birth to new disciples daily!

Back in the Saddle

Hello all of my Blog friends.... I know you've been looking for me here... It has been some kind of Month. As you know this month was the closing of a series of Lent Services, Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday, coupled with a State Congress and a Funeral. Today I am working with a family getting ready for a Thursday or Friday funeral. We really have to think through on the Saturday funerals... A Saturday funeral more or less paralyzes the Church... There are so many many many activities going on at Mount Olivet on Saturday until it has to be dire necessity to shut out the church for a funeral or other activity. Thus, the aim is Friday at the latest, with meeting the family's need the priority above everything. Well, I am resting somewhat, feeling good, and anxious about the work ahead for us! Let me tell you about yesterday at church with my "Sound System." To say that it was terrible would be putting it light. For some reason my Technicians could never get the system to work...Mikes were squealing some awful. But we made it through with a good day.... Had a the most beautiful Baby Dedication ever with the Denis/Davis Baby Boy! The entire family was dressed in White.. It was nice. I may have a picture soon to show you. The Baby was present to the Lord and Pulpit Tables were presented to the Church. Amen. Now I will no longer suffer in my pulpit. The way my set up was prior, water, mints, tissues, etc were set on the bottom of the pulpit, and you would almost have to get on your knees to get it. Needless to say, I just never did the water thing in the my new pulpit. God is good. Gotta run... Really got other things to Blog about and pictures to post, but I have to get to the funeral home shortly.

J.R. Richardson

Today is probably one of the my toughest days in Rochester with Mount Olivet Baptist Church. Yesterday my first member of Mount Olivet that I have developed a relationship passed. While I have had several funerals since being here and done eulogies; this is different! J.R. Richardson was one of the first Deacons in the Church to really get close to me; come and see me each Sunday morning, full of compliments, and often lots of jokes. One of the frightening things about new places is relationships and/or the lack thereof. J.R. embraced my family and me very quickly, supported me to the fullest, enjoyed the friendly and private dress competition that we had from the day I candidated until Easter Sunday; when J.R. said to me; "you're sharp, but I got you today," and I told him, yeah, but wait til next Sunday! Well, next Sunday J.R. wont be with us in the Mount Olivet Sanctuary because the Lord called him home yesterday. My first member that I knew and loved and cherished and laughed with and watched him glow as his son and grandchildren were coming into the Church... We baptized his son, grandson and granddaughter while he helped me into and out of the pool. Aaaaaaah....... Man......He worked so diligently with his Family Care Team...... The first Family Care Team Leader to be presented to the congregation......and he wore a somewhat brown/mustard looking colored suit....Doubled Breasted....and I got him that day... .I say J.R.. where in the world did you get a Double Brested Suit in 2009...... ???? Wow....Wow....Wow.... I know that these things happen....and I have done this for 23 years...... It doesn't get any easier... It may get harder.... The older you get and the more true of relationships you establish, the harder it is when there is absolutely no warning whatsoever! But...... J.R. told me he was sick........When he was at Church last week.. But I didn't think SICK, SICK.....

Cord Me in "C"

Wow.... Its almost 11am.... Im up... just finished an Omelette and orange juice. I am whipped. Was it worth it? Absolutely so! I have done Holy Week of Sacrificial Worship Services now for the last eighteen years. I'm used to the wear and tear that this week brings to you physically and I think there is a spiritual connotation in that..... It's designed to let you feel perhaps as physically drained and stressed as you possibly can and then remind you that at your most tiring moment, most fatigued time, its nothing in comparison to what Jesus went through on the cross for us! Thus; I repent at every thought not pertaining to worshipping Him who suffered and bled and hung between two theives on a rugged cross so that I would be free and have a right to the Tree of Life! Thank you Jesus, for every time I feel weary; I think of how you felt on that cross; and I say thank you for what you have done for me! Yesterday was a wonderful day in my life. I Preached yesterday morning at 6:00am, "The Napkin is Still Folded." Wow; I love how God revealed Himself to us through that Word! Wow; He's an awesome God. Last night was somewhat different in that the Spirit was willing but the Flesh was weak and I could not hang with the five preachers who had gone before me and the one who would come afterwards. Those guys and gal; I might add, they each preached a whole sermon; in the Seven Last Words. I was number six. By the time it got to me; I could hardly hold my eyes open, my voice was shot, and I was all but fit to be tied. My message was as follows: John 19:30, Jesus said, "It Is Finished." He dropped his head in the locks of his shoulders, gave up the ghost and died. It is Finished was not a cry of defeat, It was a victory shout, it was Jesus saying to the Father, I have done what you told me to do. Jesus was saying to the Father, Well done! "Cord me in "C". And, if when you give the best of your service, telling the world, that the Saviour has come, be not dismayed when men wont believe, He'll understand and say, Well done." Then I took my seat. While the crowd overwhelmingly seemed pleased with the brevity of the four minute message, there were those who immediately expressed their dissatisfaction. I think them to be people who really dont understand how a Seven Last Words Service is supposed to go! It's not really Seven Sermons, It is One Sermon preached by Seven Preachers.

Seven Last Words of Jesus

We will all join together with our Churches tonight at Baber AME Church here in Rochester for the Seven Last Words of Jesus! We have been together the entire Lent Season and at various churches. We finished the Holy Week of Sacrificial Worship at Mount Olivet Baptist Church with attendance reaching five hundred people.

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Soldiers have just driven nails through his hands and feet and hoisted him up by those nails. He does not fear those who kill his body; he pities them and prays for them."My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" But physical torment takes its toll. He suddenly discovers that he cannot hear the still, small voice; he has lost his two-way communication with God. "Behold your mother!" Not quite alone. He looks down. Which hurts worse: the pain of being crucified, or the pain of a mother watching her son be crucified, or the pain of a boy whose beloved teacher hangs bleeding before his eyes? "I thirst!" This is the moment the Tempter has been waiting for: through the voices of cynical men, Satan tries again, as he did in the wilderness: "If you are the Christ, prove it! Save yourself and impress the people." "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." His kingdom is not of this world. He ignores them and reassures the thief. "It is finished!" He has defeated the Tempter again. Despite the agony, he has rejected temptation and cared for those around him. His temporary duty on earth is complete. Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit." Like a trusting child, he turns to the Father and takes the next step.

Holy Week Day 1

Mount Olivet Baptist Church Rochester, has proven its sincere desire to meet the Lord early in the morning; as a full house of people have come out each morning at 5:00am for service. The Choir and all of my musiciains are there bright and early and raising the roof in songs each morning. Word has it that people come to Church on Sundays because they may love the pastor, and the people; they come to Bible class at night because they love their classmates and teacher, but they only come to a 5:00am service for five mornings because they they Love the Lord. Obviously; there are a lot of folk in Rochester who love the Lord. The response is phenomenal. Folks are coming out in amazing numbers and the service is everything that we hoped it would be and more. Monday morning we had guest preachers and pastors as Mount Olivet's Sanctuary Choir rendered music and I gave the message; "I know my Redeemer Lives." The Culinary Crew did a marvelous job with the bacon and sausage and eggs and other foods for country style breakfast. Emails are pouring in as people are expressing their appreciation for the service! I thank God for the overwhelming participation from my leaders and choir and ushers and the Community. Mount Olivet Church and the Rochester Community are being blessed each morning...

Palm Sunday Eve Dinner

I thought you might want to know that my wife, Yvonne had cooked for me today, turnip greens, lima beans, baked chicken, and okra when I got home today from work and from two nights in Buffalo. Forget about diets and eating good and all.. Im tearing into it like its Christmas.. Oh, oh, oh, I forgot to mention the dressing. Yes Lord; a big pan of dressing like its Thanksgiving! The moral of the story; Yvonne is a sweetheart! and a Beautiful woman.

April 1st Lent Service

The folks showed up for the third of a series of services put together by pastors in Rochester from the AME, AME Zion, and Baptist Churches. A total of six Pastors and Churches are participating in these services with the Presbyterian Church joining us for Maundy Thursday service at Mount Olivet Baptist Church. None of these services have had less than a capacity crowd and each service has been spirit filled with a variety of styles of choirs; dancers and preachers. Each guest church has come with its unique approach to the worshp. All have been different, yet the purpose and intent in each worship; "Magnifying the Lord" have been met! If you have not yet joined us in person or in prayer, we continue to encourage you to do so! I hope to see you Rochesterians Thursday night as Trinity Emmanuel Presbyterian Church and Pastor Arthur Dilbert and Mount Olivet Baptist Church join together to host Maundy Thursday Service with Memorial AME Zion being the guest church and their pastor; Dr. Kenneth James being the guest speaker. In the picture of pastors posing is Marlowe Washington, (Baber AME Church) Kenneth James (Memorial AME Zion Church) Fredrick Johnson (First Genesis Baptist Church) Johnny Harris (St Philip International Church) and Weldon Thomas (Bethel CME Church).

Jesus Is The Best Thing....

Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:3) This is the season of the year when we give special attention to Christ’s suffering, death, and victorious resurrection. In the church calendar, an awareness of these events begins with the Christian observance of Lent, a 40-day period (excluding Sundays) that is set aside each year prior to Easter to concentrate on the circumstances that led to the death of God’s Son on a Roman cross. (Easter is always the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after March 21—the spring equinox. This date was first set in a.d. 325 by the ancient church). The Lenten period should result in a spiritual self-examination and in rededicated living for each devout believer, preparing us for the celebration of our risen Lord. The cross of Christ is either a blessing or a curse, depending on our response to it. Either it leads to our eternal redemption, or it condemns us to eternal damnation. This is demonstrated by the two thieves who hung on either side of the Savior. One responded and received divine mercy; the other rebelled his way into hell. God never violates man’s free will and forces His love on anyone. But He has never rejected anyone who cries out to Him in believing faith. It is man who rejects God and the salvation that He provided at Calvary.

Lent Service Tonight!

Today will be a wonderful day. Our church will join five other Churches and Pastors tonight at First Genesis Baptist Church here in Rochester for a Lent Service. Our Choir will sing and I will preach. Its always exciting to preach in new places but more importantly to preach when the Church is with me! I love it! Well; If you can make it tonight, Join us on Hudson street at seven o'clock for a great time! See ya!