Mount Olivet's Men's Day 09

Father's Day was also Men's Day at Mount Olivet. Wonderful Men's Chorus, Great Crowd and three of the laymen delivered the messages... I guess I'm still considering how the day was. It was quite different and different is bad; it's just different! The blue ties and black suits and white shirts were awesome. I was dissappointed that my Tie-folks could not get the ties for my men that they promised and sent a tie that was not satisfactory at all.. Fortunately; they will take them all back and send the requested tie as soon as they are able to fill the back-order. Ok for that! Each of the men gave a bit of testimony of their life and how the Lord had brought them through and up and out of some situations and even how He saved them. Of course; Father's Day doesn't get the same hoopla that Mother's Day gets.. Rightfully so! Mothers are Mothers.

Memorial AME Zion

I enjoyed the opportunity serving as guest speaker for Pastor Kenneth James fourth Annivesary at Memorial AME Zion Church; just up the street from Mount Olivet. Kenneth James is by far one of the greatest preachers in the Northeastern part of the country. This guy is known all over the country. Everywhere I go someone ask me about Kenneth James. He preaches for all of the Conferences all over the country. I really appreciate him for reaching out to me in my earlier days being here in Rochester. If I make no mistake he is the only Pastor; saving Rabbi Kotok who came to visit me and introduce himself to me upon my arrival. We all got together for Lent Services and James spanked all five of the participating pastors. His gifts, education, talent and experience shows greatly when he takes the pulpit. Many of our members were there to support him and Memorial in this celebration. Thanks for inviting us!

Michael Jackson 1958 - 2009

This hurts badly. We knew that Farrah was sick and some even asked God for His will to be done, and if that meant taking here away from her suffering and pain, then let the will of God be done. No one had a minute to even think about Michael leaving. It reminds me of the text where Jesus says "No one knows the day nor the hour when HE shall appear." Wow! Michael Jackson is gone. When you stop to think about Michael as we knew him; he didn't just leave yesterday; He died years ago. How did we let Michael do that to himself. Couldn't somebody get to him and deal with the emotional wreckage that he was dealing with? Couldn't we listen to his music "Scream" "Bad" "Leave Me Alone" "Man in the Mirror" and hundreds of others of his work and hear him screaming for help? This hurts so badly. Does it not feel like a very close family member has died? It doest to me! Californial is simply like a mortuary today. I'm ready to leave; back to New York... Well Michael.... Rest in Peace. Folks may not leave you alone, not with four million dollars of outstanding debts.. I suspect we have not heard the last of this; but this time, you can really rest in peace. Much love and appreciation for your craft and for how you unselfishly gave yourself to the world through
your music, dance and amazing appearances. I hope now that you will get your due benevolence. The world loves you and I hope you knew that before you took that last breath. To all my Blogging friends... Enjoy your life. Don't worry about stuff and pleasing people. At the end of the day, All is vanity. Vanity, Vanity... All is Vanity. Time is coming when the only thing really matters is that you KNOW Jesus Christ. Public opinion, silver and goal, riches, rubies, money, education, status, etc.. In the End... None of that matters. Get to know Jesus; become Satisfied with who he made you to be. Live your life in a way that God is pleased, thus you are happy and nothing else matter. Remember only what you do for Christ will be counted in the end! Good night Michael Joseph Jackson.....

Lake Presidential Golf Course

While I dont really care to drive on the road too much, I can do it. We stopped a couple of times; you know... hey no big deal....not on the clock. Reached our Upper Marlboro Destiny at 5:01am Friday. Cool. But I forgot I had agreed to play golf with my "Brother-in-law" (you know you got brothers and sisters and inlaws that are not really family, but closer than family, this is one of those cases) Richard. I have two Richards, so dont get them confused. Upper Marlbor-Richard and Memphis-Richard. So, I laid down for like an hour or so and we went to what is known as the second most beautiful golf course in the state of Maryland; Lake Presidential Golf Course, 3151 Presidential Golf Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774. Coming from Arizona, the areas where Tiger Wood, Jordan, Barkley and so many other celebrities frequent golf courses, its hard to really be impressed any more by courses. This one was impressive. How well did I do....? I know you're waiting. Well listen, it was a tournament, Bern Nadette Stanis - Thelma of Good Times was the visiting Celebrity, very expensive to play. I played the first few holes with as much energy as the other three playing with me, Dr. Richard Kennedy, Dr Joseph, and Rickey Jr. It was Best Ball...We actually started from hole number 17. I think thats called Scramble... I had the best Drive a few times, best second and third shot a few times and made the Putt for the team a time or two. We started out only Parring, but later wound up with some Bogies.. We had a lot of fun...nice photo ops....great BBQ luncheon afterwards....

Upper Marlboro, Maryland

I'm trying something new.. Never posted from my cell phone before.. We will see how this works. We are on the road to Upper Marlboro, Maryland to take Rishard to the Holifields; Papa and Mimi. He is so up in the air about going to Maryland and from there to Tucson. We are excited to see him this excited too.. Its actually exciting for all of us. This drive is ok... Its like six and one half hours. Each of us; Rickey Jr and Yvonne and myself will do like two hours... You know; I will ultimately do most of the driving because I just cant ride with people...lol They scare me terribly! See, I never know what the driver is thinking; when he/she is going up on the car in front. I dont know if their mind is still rational; if they have fallen asleep with their eyes open, or what.....So, I typically drive until I just cant....Six hours is not bad... A Red Bull and Sunflower Seeds and I'm good to go! We will hit the golf course tomorrow; and be on the road Saturday back to Rochester....Pray for traveling grace for us as we take this road.... Rishard will fly back to Tucson with his Papa and Mimi.... and spend quite an extensive summer with them. Of course; its no different from what it would be really, if we were still in Tucson. We will go out the latter part of July to vacation on the West Coast; check on the house, see our Tucson / Mount Calvary Family and bring Rishard home.....That will be fun.
Yvonne and I feel very often like we're two of the most blessed people in the world. We have our Rochester Family; that's church and community; South Carolina, Tennessee, and Arizona families... along with families that the Lord has given us all over the country...Wow...God is good! We love all of you in a very pure and perfect way!

A Morning Thought

Free Time spent in study is never time lost.

We've studied Christology, Pneumatology, Soteriology,

Old Testament/New Testament Survey, Eschatology,

Hermeneutics and Homeletics, The Doctrines of the Church,

Pastoral Counseling, and Administration, but have you specifically studied the KINGDOM OF GOD. Matthew 6:33 Whatever you make first, automatically makes the kingdom come second. Seek, search, dig and discover treasure.

You Can Make It

No matter how far down you have gone, you can get back up again...In Christ we have staying power...Tap into the power on the inside of you.....Flow in faith

Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinty Class

Dr. James Evans does an outstanding job teaching the "Prophetic Preaching" class from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Sixteen of us have gathered each morning this week to hear his firery, informed, inspiring lectures. Today has been unusually interesting as our lecture has included an "astounding multiplicity " of dynamic discussions from "The Sorrows of Empire" by Chalmers Johnson to the Dignity of Difference" by Johnathan Sacks. The class consist of Senior Pastors and Ministers from the United Churches of Christ, Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodist and Episcopalians. Each of us; even within similar Denominations has brought challenging religious distinctives to the discussions with much to be appreciated as the differences are highlighted. Thus, for the majority of us; our Theology is the same; it's our religious practices where the great difference and often divide lies. Seated, Kurt Clark and Dr. James Evans. Standing, Allan Potts, William Johnson, James Cook, Brian Snyder, Vicky Eldridge, Barbara Blone, Bonnie Bates, Sam Hwang, Jill Bradway, Mary Korte, Roula Alkhouri, and James Murphy.....Great Class...... We were privileged to have Lawrence Hargrave as a surprize guest to stop by and greet our class today! He is well respected in the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School....

Dreams

What do you do when your dreams are blown away?

Cry and be still, and when you are ready dream again.

Now don't be afraid of new dreams.

New Dreams have a right to be different, bolder, and riskier.

But befriend them, host them in your heart.

Embrace them, but not too hard.

The best dreams are soft in order to more readily reshape, if life should blow them away.

(Kirk Byron Jones)

An Installation Flashback

Reverend Dr. James Evans, Reverend Shawn Buckhanan, Reverend Melvin Rodgers, Reverend Pierre Lyons, Reverend Kenneth James, Reverend Allan Newton, Reverend Lee May, Reverend Kaye Farley, Reverend John Wilkinson, Reverend James Preston, Reverend Victor Wilson, Reverend Marvin Wiley, Minister Johnteris Tate, Reverend Harmon Stockdale, Reverend Orante Jenkins, Reverend Haywood Robinson III, Reverend Marvin Wiley

By Regina Brett, 90 years old

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.
Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others.
You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye.
But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life,
Don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.
Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Papers are Done

Can you believe I had 4-5page papers to turn in to Dr. James Evans today at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. We had a great day at Church yesterday. Went to dinner afterwards; came home and sat up until like 4:ooam writing papers.... Papers on books like:
"Whose Religion is Christianity"
"Out of the Depths"
"On Human Worth"
"Crossing the gods"
"The Dignity of Difference"
"In the Name of Identity"

Actually a total of fifteen books... It really was a brutal assignment. I guess that's what the Doctoral Program is supposed to be like. Now to tell you the truth; the reading was wonderful once I feel into that zone! Folks who have been with me especially when I was on the road; know what that "ZONE" is..... That's when the "anointing" falls fresh upon me! I can write a paper, sermon, song or anything else once the Spirit of the Lord takes control... I know you may think that to be a little unusual for school work..... It is so! I rocked those papers out....Usually it could have been done quicker, but the reading was actually good reads. Now dont think I'm not tired behind a wonderful day at Church yesterday..... Our Church is just wonderful... My folks are the greatest......One person said in Seminary once, "Never let your folks know how much you love them, they will think you need them and give you a hard time...." Now if that isn't the craziest thing ever.... I love my Church with a Passion.....and either they "Love me" or they're great actors. I think the first to be true! Thus; I am tired....and will be in the bed at 7:30 this Monday night! Oh I have to call Monique Lattimer first..... then I'm going to bed!

Yvonne and Rishard are in South Carolina.... Rickey Jr and I have the house...and honestly; we have not hit a lick at a stick... No dish washing, bed making, or anything.... Not until Wednesday! Oh; I will need a good inexpensive housekeeper Wednesday morning! Now I do miss that! You can't find housekeepers here like you could in Tucson. There you saw signs on every other telephone post for Women looking to do housework.... Generally these were well trusting hispanic women; that would come in and do a great job! I have not seen one sign from someone here looking to do housework..... Oh...Now rule number one... Do not allow members of your Church to come into your house to clean...... Dont want folks who know me seeing my underware on the side of the bed.....socks on the floor.....suit hanging on the stairwell.....shoes still by the door....

Peace In the Midst of Conflict

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God. Conflict is everywhere,
In a classic Winston Churchill comeback, Lady Astor once said,
“If you were my husband, I’d put poison in your coffee.”
Churchill responded with cutting wit:
“If YOU were my wife, I’d drink it.”
We laugh at such sarcasm,
but it reveals that all of us are predisposed to conflict.
Some of us have clashed with so many people,
that we don’t really know how to live peaceably with others.
It’s easy to be naïve about peace,
because it is indefinable in our church, in our relationships, in our culture, and in our world.
Confusion traces back to the book of Genesis.
Humans have been at war with God ever since Adam and Eve sinned.
Siblings have been in conflict since the days of Cain and Abel,
In the midst of this continuous conflict and incessant strife,
Jesus says “Blessed are the peacemakers",
The scripture paraphrased says:
“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight.
You discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family when you learn how to make peace.
Hebrews 13:20 refers to God as the “God of peace”
Isaiah 9:6 describe Jesus as the “Prince of peace.”
Peace is not merely the absence of activity. (Quitting isn’t it)
Peace is not just getting away from reality. (Not vacations)
In the Old Testament, the word peace is shalom,
It is the state of wholeness and harmony that is intended in all relationships.
Peace with God – that’s the vertical dimensionPeace of God – this takes place internally Peace with others – when we have peace with God and we experience the peace of God,
we can then extend peace horizontally
In Numbers 6:24-26,
Moses uses these words when blessing His people:
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you PEACE.

Faith In Action

Yvonne and I were introduced last night to the Rochester Faith in Action Program at their Awards Banquet where Perry Wheeler and Beverly Burrell-Moore were honored through The Faith in Action as faithful and hard working members of the Mount Olivet Baptist Church and community. Both are wonderful wonderful people and well deserving of the honors bestowed upon them. Perry is Co-Chair of the Trustee Ministry, Beverly is Director of Christian Education. The Faith in Action National Network is a membership network of local Faith in Action programs, regional and state Faith in Action collaboratives, and individuals who support Faith in Action. The purpose of the National Network is to promote the sharing of knowledge, experience and ideas that can help to strengthen and support the hundreds of local Faith in Action programs that are currently active throughout the United States, and to foster and support the establishment of new Faith in Action programs in all communities that want and need the services that Faith in Action volunteers can provide. Local Faith in Action programs bring volunteers of different faiths together to care for their homebound neighbors who may be isolated and living with chronic health conditions or disabilities. The Faith in Action volunteers come from churches, synagogues, and other houses of worship, as well as from the community at large. The food was good, at least three tables of Mount Olivet Family were present. Reverend Lawrence Hargrave another wonderful Brother and Reverend; was honored by Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School.

A Busy Day Today.....

Yesterday was my first Day in the Doctor of Ministries Program at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. Classes are from 8:00am to 12:00noon and 1:30pm to 5:30pm Monday thru Friday of this week. This Class is Transformational Leadership taught by Dr. Christopher Evans with students from like Birmingham, Hampton, Buffalo, Shreveport and other parts of the country. Great class and wonderful opportunity it is to bounce ministerial opportunities and challenges back and forth with Professors and colleagues. I left class; went to my office to prepare to meet my Deaconate Ministry of which I generally stay only an hour or so, but as fait would have it, on the night of class, we had more business than the Whitehouse to handle. Bereavement Procedures, National Baptist, American Baptist, New Members In-Take Procedures, Family Care Team Matters, Worship Procedures, Communion, Bible Study Graduation Day, etc.... I was so tired when I got home at about 9:30pm. I read until about Midnight, hit the sack, I'm up.... I actually tried to figure out what I was going to wear to school today before I got up, so that I could use that time resting, and not standing in front of the closet making choices. Sometimes it seems better when I only had one suit... It's a time consuming thing to select sometimes.. See, I need something suitable for school and to wear to the "Faith In Action Banquet tonight where our Trustee Co-Chair and Director of Christian Education will be honored. Ok.... I decided on Gray... Is it GREY or GRAY? Anyways... you know what I'm talking about; that is if you even care... Probably not! I asked Yvonne, what do I wear today... she said, Anything! LOL.. The girl is a mess! Ok... See yall....Hey, I got something to tell you all really; really big.....dont have time to tell you now... I gotta get to the Drug Store to get some reading glasses..... I can't find my first pair, and the ones being made cost too much. Think they can just stay at the store and I will do the Drug Store Reading Glasses... Mother is having a fit about it... but oh well.. it works for now!