Rickey Bernard Harvey's Blog

2011-07-01T19:11:00.001-07:00

Notes from the American Baptist Biennial Session - San Juan, Puerto Rico

2011-07-01T19:05:00.001-07:00

Some of you know that I attended the American Baptist Biennial Session in San Juan, Puerto Rico a few days ago... There are just too many notes to list them at one time. I will list them ALL periodically, but as for now..Here are some notes taken from one of the sessions. You must understand that these are notes, and some of them were simply bullet-type points. I hope you can make sense out of it!

The Facilitator Referenced Reverend Leardrew Johnson...
He Referenced Mount Olivet Baptist Church/Rochester
He talked about Transformation – "I wonder what they have done differently?"
They were singing the “Glory Patri”
They called it their “tradition” they were married to it….
He hummed the song out……. Asked questions about it…..No answer!
It was like a marriage….Gloria Patri – MOBC just kind of went together….
Upon Research - He Discovered that the tradition was handed down from the Jewish Synagogue. It's more of a Catholic practice than a practice of ours….. We don’t know…We get it…. Call it “tradition” and die on its behalf….and don’t know what we died for or of…

Many references to the tradition of the Glory Patri and its relevance and its understanding…

Who understands it….? Why?
These are the questions that this generation is asking…
And if you say, “Because we’ve always done it like that…” they leave…
They go where relevance and understanding is….
There is a generation gap….
There is a war/struggle between the two….
There must be a coming together of the two….
There must be a relinquishing of power in the worship experience….
You can feel the worship wars on Sundays…..
Young people won’t fight for it…they go where it is offered……
Notice…we have Young folks in some churches and Old folks in others…..
Which one is a growing church….?
Which one is a dying church?
What do you do about it?

June - Transforming Experience

2011-06-29T00:56:00.001-07:00

June has been an awesome month in the life of our church. On the first Sunday; soon to be Reverend Doctor Irie Session, a Doctor of Ministries Candidate of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School was our speaker... She spoke from Nehemiah 4; "It All in Your Mind." And did she have a wonderful message? Oh my gosh she did. The second Sunday in June was what has come to be known in the life of our church as Baccalaureat Sunday; traditionally known as 12th Grade Sunday or Youth Day or Seniors Day.. At the hand of our Most Capable Youth Pastor, Winterborne LaPucelle Jones, an historical service was launched in the life of our church. Baccalaureat Sunday. Youth Pastor Jones delivered a stirring message that yet resignates with each of us who was present for the service. The third Sunday was Father's Day and members of my staff suggested that one of my many Fathers in the Ministry should speak for us; thus, Fathers Day. Reverend William Bunton of Buffalo, New York has been a Father in my life the entire twenty-five years of my preaching and pastoral ministry. He and Mom Wanda Bunton came from Buffalo and were our weekend guest. It was so wonderful having them with us. He preached a stirring message to Fathers and encouraged us to be faithful to God, our Families and our church. The fourth Sunday was another historical event in our church. It was a real YOUTH DAY. It was one done with creativity, imagination, transformation, energy, dance, drama and excitement. Youth Pastor Winterborne LaPucelle Jones at the direction of the Holy Spirit and Senior Pastor produced an amazing service. He also rendered an amazing message. I am thankful yet to God, for a wonderful church, a great growing stafff and for the transforming, creative and spirited experience thats unfolding each week in our church.

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T00:56:00.000-07:00

Many outstanding Christian Men have contributed to my life and well-being as only a Father would and could do. I must be 0ne of the most fortunate African American Men in America to have had the close ties of so many men GREAT PREACHERS who thought it not robbery to make life lasting impacts in my life in my early early yesrs. Some of them have gone on to be with the Lord in the natural. In the spirit; they never die. Their works, word and witness yet live through me and others whom they invested their life. I am who I am because these men were and are who they were and are. It takes a good seed to produce a good seed. Matthew 7:18, A good tree cannot bear bad fruit not can a bad tree produce good fruit. I'm fortunate to have come from good trees. Men who loved God, loved their wives, loved their children, loved their churches, loved their lives and loved good living. I have come from a lineage of pastors who cared for their churches. They were not afraid of anything and anybody. They knew that "Right" ALWAYS prevailed... They taught me to do the right thing, think the right thing, preach right, live right and treat my family and church right. Are there any Fathers of such in 2011? Are there any Christian Men who will embrace younger men and mold them into manhood? Can you still do that in 2011? I traveled a million miles with these pastors. You didnt hear of the harmful things happening as you do today! I say to many young pastors today; "I'm glad I got in when I did." I have been in for 25 years now... It's so different. It's so much harder today than it was when I started. It's so less fun than it was when I started. And to think that these guys did it for 30 and 40 and even 50 years..... Whew.... How? I dont know.. But they did. AND... I'm glad that I have their DNA running through my veins... HAPPY FATHER'S DAY.. especially to those who have participated in me being the FATHER that I am. Pictured above: J. Alfred Smith (Oakland), James Netters (Memphis), James Tucker (Oklahoma City), R.W. Mclendon (Detroit), William Bunton (Buffalo), J.L. Payne (Memphis), Kenneth Whalum (Memphis), Clay Evans (Chicago), Melvin Charles Smith (Memphis), Jeremiah Wright (Chicago), Melvin Rodgers (Memphis).

God Understands

2011-06-17T00:27:00.000-07:00

A young grocery chain executive parked his car on the edge of a treacherous two-hundred-foot cliff at the edge of the Pacific Ocean some twenty-five miles south of San Francisco. Devil’s Slide, it was called, and to Bill Mansdoerfer it seemed an appropriate place to plan suicide.

The next morning alone in his home, burdened with sin and guilt, the desire to take his life gripped him again. In the midst of writing a suicide note, on impulse, he went to the hi-fi and turned it on. It was turned to KEAR. What happened next has been described by doubters as a mere coincidence but to Bill Mansdoerfer it is looked upon as a miracle, a divine appointment. From the radio he heard:

God understands your heartache,
He knows the bitter pain;
O, trust Him in the darkness
You cannot trust in vain.
God understands your sorrow,
He sees the falling tear,
And whisper, “I am with thee,”
Then falter not nor fear.

The song was being sung by Flo Price and it was written by Dr. Oswald J. Smith. Comments Bill, “If that had been a preacher, I would have turned him off, but that song … it broke me.” Bill telephoned KEAR’s Station Manager. Without any preliminaries, he blurted out, “Thank God, your station is on the air. You just saved my life.” That broadcast and phone call resulted in more than that. During the next six months, the station kept in touch with Bill, and finally offered him a job as Public Relations Director. Today he not only is the Station Manager of KEAR, but as Director of Communications and Operations, he is a vital part of the six-station family radio network.

Do Innocent People Suffer??

2011-06-16T01:55:00.000-07:00

This is one of the most difficult questions for Christians to answer. The “problem of pain,” as the well-known Christian scholar, C.S. Lewis, once called it, is atheism's most potent weapon against the Christian faith. All true science and history, if rightly understood, support the fact of God. This evidence is so strong that, as the Bible says: “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” (Psalm 14:1). Most atheists, therefore, without any objective evidence on which to base their faith in “no God”, must resort finally to philosophical objections. And this problem of suffering is the greatest of these.

That is, they say, how can a God of love permit such things in His world as war, sickness, pain, and death, especially when their effects often are felt most keenly by those who are apparently innocent? Either He is not a God of love and is indifferent to human suffering, or else He is not a God of power and is therefore helpless to do anything about it. In either case, the Biblical God who is supposedly one of both absolute power and perfect love becomes an impossible anachronism. Or so they claim!

This is a real difficulty, but atheism is certainly not the answer, and neither is agnosticism. While there is much evil in the world, there is even more that is good. This is proved by the mere fact that people normally try to hang on to life as long as they can. Furthermore, everyone instinctively recognizes that “good” is a higher order of truth than “bad”.

We need also to recognize that our very minds were created by God. We can only use these minds to the extent that He allows, and it is, therefore, utterly presumptuous for us to use them to question Him and His motives.

“Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25).

“Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, why hast Thou made me thus?” (Romans 9:20).

We ourselves do not establish the standards of what is right. Only the God of all reality can do that. We need to settle it, in our minds and hearts, whether we understand it or not, that whatever God does is, by definition, right.

Having settled this by faith, we are then free to seek for ways in which we can profit spiritually from the sufferings in life as well as the blessings. When you think of what grieves Jehovah God and the pain and suffering of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; have we suffered really? We may have days that are painful, that make us cry, that are not pretty and we dont look as good on those days.... but Suffering.....?? Come on! I'm not sure if any of have ever suffered a day in our life. Through it all.... we have yet so much to be thankful for! Let me speak for myself! I do!

Does God Know All Things?

2011-06-15T06:32:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting in an Old Testament Class at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School... It has been suggested in the class that God may not know everything. Can you imagine? All of my life I have been preached to and taught that God is Omnisicient; meaning All Knowing.. I have heard and been made to believe that God knows ALL....God knows the number of hairs on your head..
God knows the the past, present and future...
God knows the strength of the hurricane....
God knows the speed of the tornado....
God knows the terror of the earthquake...
God knows the power of the volcano...
God knows the number of stars in clouds at night...
God knows what you have need of before you ask....
Listen to me.....While
Job 42:2 says; No thought can be withholden from God...
Psalm 44:21 says, For God knoweth the secrets of your heart...
Psalm 139:7-8 says, whether shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there. If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

Proverbs 15:3 says, The eyes of the Lord are in every place...

Now all of the scriptures are in line with my life long theology of God.

Now please consider the scriptures below which suggest that God may not know everything!

Genesis 3:8 says, Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of God..amongst the trees int he garden.

Genesis 4:16 says, and Cain went out from the presence of God...

Genesis 11:5 says, and the LORD came down to see the city and the town...

Genesis 18:9 says, God ask, where is Sarah thy wife?

Genesis 32:27 says, God asked, What is your name?

Deuteronomy 13:3 says, God proveth you, to know whether you love him

Job 1:7 says, God says to Satan, From whence cometh thou?

Hosea 8:4 says, ....they have made princes and I knew it not....

Now hear this......

God suffers.... because of us...

God suffers.....for us....

God suffers....with us...

A Wee Hour of the Morning Moment

2011-06-15T01:00:00.000-07:00

Wow! Blogging friends... I had no idea that five whole months have past since I last spoke to you via the Blog. It's hard to imagine also that the BLOG has gotten nearly 17,000 views. But when I was Blogging daily it was getting over 100 views a day. Where have I been? Well, from January to March, I was back and forth in Memphis seeing about my sick brother Morris. Seeing about him; simply meant being there at his house or by his side in the hospital. It was really nothing that my siblings or I could really do. That would wind up being the most difficult time of my life. My brother was dying. It was nine of us and my brother was dying. Oh my gosh that was hard. That is hard. Its so hard. I got up this morning like 3:00am and went outside, stood on the deck looking toward heaven-ways with tears flowing like a river. I had no clue as to what to say to God, but only asked that He would help my sister-in-law, niece, nephews, mother, siblings and me as we are yet moaning the loss of our loved one. We all have to transition from this life to life eternity! God loves us all. He cares. He's yet loving and full of compassion and mercy. God will never leave us nor forsake us. God with outstretched hands says, I will come in and sup with you. God will give all who grieve losses of loved-ones the strenght to carry on! But in the mean time... Lord.... While you are healing, while you are coming, while you are strengthening.... I understand life now in a way that only this death could have taught me. Family is important. There is a connection there. Blood it is.. And nothing breaks that connection. Neither distance nor disputes shall be able to separate you from the connection that binds you together. Oh well.. the good thing is that I also know now that I dont have to wait until I die to see Junior again. I have so many dreams NOW that brings us right into each other's presence. And the presence is so real and so true and so us. Have you had a dream lately that brought someone and you into each other's presence? Is that not a dream to treasure? From the latter part of March to mid April there was preparation for what would be our biggest Holy Week of Sacrificial Worship yet here in Rochester. I lead a couple of Church Leadership Conferences; one in January; one in March that would start us down a path of "transformation." May and June have been meeting after meeting while writing my Doctoral Thesis at the same time. We had so many funerals from January to May that it was unreal. Things have slowed down a bit now and there is a since of relief among all of us now. A lot of people are sick and shut-in, especially in my congregation. I am in an "Old Testament" class now.... writing my Thesis.... leading the church.... taking care of my family in Rochester.... praying for my Son as he grows his "Custom Tailor" business... praying for my daughter as she prepares for life after four years at Jackson State University....praying for my middle son as he enters into ministry... (its so different now than from when I started twenty-five years ago) "I hear you Oprah.... praying for Yvonne and me as we raise our baby in our old age! :-) Well..... Believe it or not.. having a chance to tell you that I was grieving so hard and in so much pain has made me feel better. Knowing that you care enough to read this; is so comforting. You really do need people. You need love and a support system and knowing that people are praying for you... and that God is yet there! Good night folks..... or Good morning....

Happy New Year

2011-01-05T06:41:00.000-08:00

This is a New Year.....and who of us reading this ever thought we would be here to see 2011? Remember it was supposed to be over when the bell toned at midnight in 1999. Y2K would wipe the world out as the computers had no abilities to turn with the turn of a century. 11 years later, we are here and doing rather well... I thank God for every step of the way and for every path He has allowed me to cross. I thank Him for every person that came into my life over the last years! Wow, its been so good! Stay tuned to the Blog... I have a lot of stuff to share with you! And in many cases, I need your prayers.

For starts, my brother fell today and broke four bones. He's so sick but such a trooper with his condition. Pray for him, Morris! It's so tough when sickness is in your close family and you cant be there; but such is life! The Lord is there, other family members and those of us who are not there are in prayer.

Secondly, someone outside of my home and church spoke to me in ways that came close to bringing the person that I used to be back! I stayed calm and collect! I also learned anew that the old man is not totally crucified and that certain stimuli can bring him back! Well, he didnt surface totally in me and now; I'm glad! I'm also glad because I don't owe any apologies this morning and had I said somethings that I may have thought it could have been UGLY.. But I absolutely hate being disrespected, and I know thats a part of life, but when the OTHER folks do it to me it makes me steam like the engine of a train. Racists ways still exist and in the folks who continuously act and say that it doesnt! Ahh.
Oh, Did I say, HAPPY NEW YEAR! That's all I really wanted to say for right now....thanks for tuning in to the Blog today! I love you!
Happy New Year Again..... And, as you view the year of 2011 through the eyes of faith may God give you as far as you can see!

The President - Promises and Polls

2010-09-23T08:14:00.000-07:00

President Barak Obama promised to reinstate Executive Order No. 13173 which President Clinton issued just before he left office. Executive Order No. 13173 failed to achieve its mandate of hiring an additional 100,000 federal employees with disabilities within five years. Obama will issue this executive order early in his first term and designate a senior White House official to assure that all federal departments and agencies meet the mandate." He actually reinstated the executive order on the day of its anniversary. He promised to work with military commanders on the ground in Iraq and in consultation with the Iraqi government to end the war safely and responsibly within 16 months. The last of American combat troops are leaving Iraq, "Goodbye Iraq: Last US combat brigade heads home." The Obama-meter reads: Promises Kept 122, Compromises 39, Promises Broken 22, Stalled 82, and in the Works are 238. The President is doing much of what he promised and sinking in the polls. I mentioned this to Reverend Jeremiah Wright when he was with us and he responded with this story: "If Barak, Biden and Hillary were on a boat and Hillary's hat blew off into the water. Biden exclaimed; What are we going to do? Barak said, Hold tight, he gets up, walks on the water, gets Hillary's hat and comes back to the boat and gives it to her, the pondents would say, "See there, he cant even swim." Mr. President, I offer to you the advice that the late Reverend Dr. E.V. Hill of Los Angeles gave to me many many years ago, and as the years passed on it became the most helpful piece of advice ever given to me; "DO WHAT YOU CAN."

Bishop Eddie Long

2010-09-22T06:17:00.000-07:00

My prayers go out today to Bishop Eddie Long of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia, his family, his congregation and his supporters around the world. My prayers go out today for his accusers. This is so painful for the Body of Christ. Scandalize the man if you will, find him guilty before his day in court if you will, throw him under the bus... What has that done for the Body of Christ? It hurts ALL of our abilities to witness and draw the unsaved into the foal. I hope that these allegations are untrue. I hope that the all parties could settle this outside of the media... Of course; that's impossible now! I do know that God requires much from those whom much has been given. I believe His patience is running out with the Body of Christ and with us not being true to our calling. I believe that our heart must be totally sold out to the work of God and the salvation of God's people and that God has had enough of our pulpit crap....and that all of us will be brought to an open shame if we don't become more commited to the cause of Christ. Bishop Eddie Long may be the poster child for what can happen to All of us, either again or in the future...

God forgive all of us for our sin, our shortcoming, the weights which so easily beset us. Give us the fortitude to stand boldly and holy in and out of the Church. Let our lights really shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify you! Help us to win souls to you through your word and through our walk and ways. God, Bless Bishop Eddie Long, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, and the accusers. If this is true; let not the Body of Christ suffer, but allow your all sufficient Grace to pervail.

Family Fitness

2010-09-19T03:39:00.000-07:00

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? You are fearfully and wonderfully made, and our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit of God. God paid a greater price for you than that unknown man paid for that baseball. And, you are not your own, therefore God hath commanded you to glorify God in your body, and in your Spirit. Psalm 139:14, I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Your body is a carefully crafted finely tuned machine and thank God it comes with a maintenance manual. We are God’s purchased possession. We are the temple of God and it’s about time we look at some temple maintenance.

God is interested in the total person. God is a Holistic God.
God is interested in your Spirit, Soul, and your Body
With my Spirit I have Spiritual Life, I know the world above me.
With my Soul I have Psychological Life, I know the world around me.
With my Body I have Physical Life, and I’m related to the world below me.
When my Spirit is right I’m Holy, When my soul is right I’m Happy,
When my body is right I’m Healthy.
A perfectly tuned person would be Holy, Happy and Healthy.
And today many people are unholy, unhappy and unhealthy.
They’re exactly what God did not intend for us to be.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 - I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We live in a world that has the curse of SIN upon it.
We’re sick because of the curse of sin.
We’re sick because we have violated God’s natural law.
Every kick has a kickback.
Sin fascinates and then it assassinates.
Many people die just because of sin in their lives.
We’re sick because of the curse of sin.
We’re sick because we have violated God’s natural law.
We’re sick because we are afflicted by Satan.
We’re sick because of a discipline of God
Psalm 119:71, It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

Sometimes we have to be flat on our backs before we can look up, Sometimes we can only see more clearly through eyes that have been washed with tears. Many people are poisoning their bodies with nicotine. Someone asked will smoking keep you from going to Heaven. It won’t. As a matter of fact smoking will get you there a whole lot quicker. If you abuse your body, your body will rise up and smite you for it. Your body is very unforgiving. Most folk value money more than they value health, Yeah!We value things more than we value health until we lose our health.So many people spend the first half of their lives accumulating wealth by wasting their health. Then they spend the last half of their life spending their wealth trying to get their health back.

And they are unhappy in both halves of their lives.
FAMILY FITNESS IS A MATTER OF DISCIPLINE.
Lamb is killing the Jews.
Beef is killing the White Folk.
Pork is killing the Black Folk.
The Bible talks about healthy foods. Whole grains, herbs, fish, fowls, no eating of fat, no eating of blood.
FAMILY FITNESS is a Matter of DISCIPLINE
FAMILY FITNESS is a Matter of DISPOSITION
Your soul is the seat of your emotions. There are two kinds of emotions. Positive and Negative, Healthy and Unhealthy,
You can choose your thoughts like you choose your friends.
Why have you let the devil do your mind like he has done it?
Why have you let the devil put that expression on your face?
Why have you let the devil put that feeling in your heart?
Why have you let the devil give you that disposition?
Choose your attitude. To rejoice is a choice.
FAMILY FITNESS is a Matter of DEVOTION
That is, when you serve God, you will be healthier.

Church going Christians live longer and happier than those who say they don’t believe in God.” Religion is good for you health. Going to Church will make you feel better. Devotion to God is good for FAMILY FITNESS.

FAMILY FITNESS is a Matter of DECISION,

Joshua 24:15, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. It’s a matter of Decision, Your Spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord. Body in discipline, Soul in disposition, Spirit in devotion. But you have to make a choice, As for me and my house, As for me and my Family, We will serve the Lord.

Reverend Johnteris Tate

2010-09-18T00:34:00.000-07:00

You have to join us in Revival each night next week. Monday night Reverend Mary Brooks will speak, Tuesday night Reverend Robert Long, Wednesday night, Reverend Daris Dixon-Clark, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Buffalo. He has become a good friend to Mount Olivet Baptist Church and me. We played in each other's golf tournament this year... He's a great golfer I might add and an even better preacher. Thursday night is YOUTH night...and you've gotta be here to see and here this young man preach.. 17 year old Johnteris Tate; pastor of First Thessalonians Baptist Church in Memphis... I watched Johnteris grow up from an eight year old kid preacher to where he is now and I just cant wait for Mount Olivet Baptist Church and Rochester City to meet Johnteris Tate again. Tell EVERYBODY in town to have the Youth present on Thursday night!

Michael Bruce Sings at MOBC

2010-09-16T17:09:00.000-07:00

Michael Bruce, one of Rochesters own talented and gifted singers will join the Mount Olivet Mega Choir on Sunday night; September 19th in concert. They are ready! Michael Bruce has worked with the Mega Choir for a few weeks now and my oh my gosh are they ready! This guy is so gifted. He plays most instruments, directs and sings. Michael received a Grammy nomination with Pastor Timothy Wright and a Stellar Nomination with Chronicles. He song background for Michael Bolton, has shared stages with Yolando Adams, Fred Hammonds, Joe Ligon and the Clouds, the Winans and many others. I am looking forward to this concert. This kicks off the "harvest time" revival.... "Harvest time" being a time to bring in the fruits and vegetables. For those connected to the Kingdom of God, its a time of gathering the "fruits of life" unsaved souls. Remember the Concert starts at 7:00pm and not 4:00pm as printed on the poster!

Sunday Night Musical

2010-09-16T08:21:00.000-07:00

The musical will open up the Weeklong; "Harvest Time Revival".... Sunday; September 19th at 7:00pm. The post card says 4:00pm but the actual start time is 7:00pm. It has the makings of a huge concert. Michael Bruce is headlining the concert and he's phenomenal. Lewis Banks, Wade Davis and Rickey jr each have a key role in this musical and the Voices of Mount Olivet aka Mount Olivet Baptist Church Mega Choir are as ready as can be. Actually I heard a song or two in rehearsal or which I might get a piece. You wont want to miss this concert! Lewis Banks and the band that will accomplish him on Sunday night are too hot. Jerome, Bunt, Kendall, Shalamar, and a few others, you have to hear!

Reverend Jeremiah Wright

2010-09-16T04:20:00.000-07:00

Believe it! The Reverend Jeremiah Alvesta Wright Jr; Pastor Emeritus of the famed Trinity United Church of Christ of Chicago, Illinois was our special guest speaker on September 10th at 7:00pm. Blog friends, it was the MOST momentous ocassion ever.. We will have footage available soon. Never have I met a man any more fun, down to earth and intelligent at the same time. I am being approached about getting Reverend Jeremiah Wright back to Rochester for another organization in the city. Will he come back? Of course he will. Why? Because the Mount Olivet Baptist Church and the people within the Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse community welcomed him so graciously and treated him so kindly while he was here. Reverend Wright is now a friend to the Upstate New York Community and Upstate New York is his friend. What do I hate to see? I hate to see wannabees. These are pretentious folk who want everyone to think that they really got it going on in life and in actuallity they may have; but when you got it for real and you're confident in who you are you dont have to be all pompus and all. Jeremiah Wright is in such such demand for speaking. Universities, Seminaries, Churches, and Organizations keep him in different parts of the world continuously; yet there is no pretense about the man! Folks; Kenneth Twigg Whalum; the late pastor of Olivet Baptist Church, in Memphis, Tennessee, and the person who introduced me to Jeremiah Wright over 20 years ago, said "Be Who You Is; If You Aint Who You Is, then You Is Who You Aint." Relax, take life by the inch and its a cinch, take it by the yard and its hard. Its not so hard being big, its only hard when you're not and you want people to think that you are! Humility and loving people genuinely will get you further along in life than pretentiousness....... No more "biscuits" and "sheepdogs"...Thank you Reverend Jeremiah Wright!

Reverend Jeremiah Wright

2010-09-13T04:01:00.002-07:00

I know you know about this... Just wanted it logged in the blog for historical references. The event has come and gone but will always be in the minds of Rochesterians and surrounding cities. It was phenomenal. Our many thanks to the Right Reverend Jeremiah Wright!

Okaay! I Will... I Will.... I Will Blog!

2010-09-13T03:34:00.000-07:00

I am back to the Blog! Regardless of Facebook and any other network; I will return to the blog each morning. You must know that its quite humbling when you ask me to blog and why I have not blogged. To know that you care enough about me to want to know what I'm thinking or what's going on in my life is amazing.

Now of course somewhere in my innermost; I know that a bit of it is nosy, however; all of us are, but only a few of us are willing to admit it! As you may know, I'm in the homestretch of a few things! One and most important at the time is the 100th Church Anniversary celebration of Mount Olivet Baptist Church. This has been an awsome year. Never imagined it being so demanding of our time, energy, efforts and money as it has been. I should have known it because this is my 3rd 100th Church Anniversary Celebration within my career. All of them are entirely the same. I remember coming out of my last 100th year Celebration with Mount Calvary and not wishing that tedious year long journey upon any of my friends..... Well, I must not be friends with myself! I walked right into a brand new ministry embarking upon its 100th year! What does that mean? It means that there has not been breathing room since landing in Rochester. Thus; so many wonderful things have happened within this year. You probably know about ALL of the events! Stay tuned each day now to the Blog! These are also the final days of my Doctoral Work at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. Pray for me as this Thesis is being prepared.

The Just Shall Live By Faith

2010-08-06T00:24:00.000-07:00

Habakkuk is troubled over; Jehovah’s silence: how long wilt thou be silent? Judah’s sins: There is destruction, spoiling, violence, arguing, fighting, and injustice everywhere.
He asks God a question; Will Judah be punished? Jehovah God responds, Judah will be punished. The soldiers: God will use the Babylonians, The severity: They are notorious for their cruelty. The symbols: Their soldiers are like Swift leopards, Fierce wolves, Devouring eagles, The scorn: They laugh at their enemies, holding them in great contempt. He asks God a 2nd Question, Will Babylon be punished? Babylon is more wicked than Judah. Jehovah god responds, Babylon will be punished. The record: God tells Habakkuk to write the vision on a tablet in large, clear letters so that everyone can get the message. The reassurance: Even though it might appear that God is delaying judgment, Babylon will eventually be crushed.
The righteous: Until then, the just shall live by faith.
Those who are Upright and Moral must live by faith,
Those who are Honorable and Truthful must live by faith,
Those who are Righteous and Honest must live by faith,
Those who are Virtuous and Reputable must live by faith,
Faith is the substance of things hoped for,
Substance comes from the words Sub and Stance,
Sub means under, Stance means Stand,
So Faith is something Under you that you Stand on……
You've got to believe that;
God rewards those who diligently seek Him, and Stand on it!
The best of your days are ahead of you, and Stand on it!
This sickness is not unto death, and Stand on it!
All is not lost with my son, with my daughter, and Stand on it!
All is not lost with my marriage, and Stand on it!
God aloud some Ruthless, Callous, Coldblooded, Hardhearted, Insensitive, Babylonian to almost destroy your marriage, Some low-cut wearing, big-chested, high heel stepping Babylonian,
And that's what Habakkuk is saying about the Babylonians, God they're worst than Judah and you use them to punish Judah,
God responds by saying,
You've got to believe that whatever happens in your life, Its for the good of those who love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose, and Stand on it!
You say, but Lord, I don’t see it,
He says, The Just Shall Live by Faith!
And if you can see it, It's not Faith!
The Record (2:1–2): God tells Habakkuk to write the vision,
The Reassurance (2:3) Wait and See, today the Lord says, Wait and See,
28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
The Righteous (2:4): Until then, the just shall live by faith.
We cannot see in the future,
We cannot see through dark clouds,
We cannot see through tear drops, but walk on by faith each day,
On Monday, walk on, On Tuesday, Walk on,
Let Jesus carry your load, for He can see way down the road,
Walk on by faith each day!
The Reasons (2:5–13, 15–19):
God will judge Babylon for her many sins:
Drunkenness and greed (2:5)
Brutal treatment of the nations (2:6)
The shedding of blood (2:7–13)
Being merchants of terror (2:15–16)
Destroying other lands (2:17)
Gross idolatry (2:18–19)
The Respect (2:20): “The Lord is in his holy Temple.
Let all the earth be silent before him.”
The Lord is already here,
Can't you feel His presence, He's already here,
All you got to do, open up your heard, He's already here,
And so God says to Habakkuk, I'm already here,
In the midst of your suffering,
In the midst of your pain,
In the midst of your fears,
In the midst of recession, job losses, sickness and worry,
Somebody said, how do you know?
I just know it, He's here right now. I believe it. I receive it!
I know that the Just shall Live by Faith.
Live by Faith,
Breath by Faith,
Believe by Faith,
Talk by Faith,
Walk by Faith,
Understand by Faith,
Praise God by Faith,
Love Him by Faith,

Doesn't Matter What You Call it...

2010-08-06T00:19:00.000-07:00

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. ... Who in your life helps you see the beauty and power of who you are? While we need to look inside for direction, we can also benefit from the support and fresh perspectives of those who know and care about us. You don't have to walk the path alone.

May 22nd Concert

2010-05-10T00:17:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day Sermon 2010

2010-05-09T17:38:00.000-07:00

In everything that you’ve needed to know, somewhere along the line a mom probably taught you. Mothers taught us LOGIC: "If you fall off that swing and break your neck, you can’t go to the store with me," as well as, "If everyone else jumped off a cliff would you do it too?" Mothers taught us MEDICINE: "If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they’re going to freeze that way." Mothers taught us TO THINK AHEAD: "If you don’t pass your spelling test, you’ll never get a good job!" Mothers taught us TO MEET A CHALLENGE: "What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you...... Don’t talk back to me!" HUMOR: "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me." BECOME AN ADULT: "If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up. GENETICS: "You are just like your father!" ROOTS: "Do you think you were born in a barn?" WISDOM of AGE: "When you get to be my age, you will understand," or, "I will explain it all when you get older." ANTICIPATION: "Just wait until your father gets home." RECEIVING: “You are going to get it when I get you home.” The all time favorite thing mothers taught us, JUSTICE: "One day you will have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you. Then you’ll see what it’s like! I can’t wait!"

Eunice was Timothy’s mother, She was the wife of a pagan Greek; She was a “Jewish woman who was a believer” Lois was Eunice's Mother and Timothy's Grandmother.
Eunice taught her son Scriptures “from childhood” (2 Tm 3:15). Eunice, Greek Εὐνίκη Euníkē; It's a feminine proper noun. Meaning "happily victorious". Mother's were singing "Victory is mine" before the song ever was written or recorded. Lois, Greek, Agreeable; desirable, she's described as a "Good" woman. It is right therefore to connect this home training of Timothy in the fear of God, with his conversion to the gospel. The Apostle Paul loved Timothy as if he were his own son. He writes to him, in verse 5 "I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. 2 Timothy 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
Mothers Have a Sincere Faith
Mothers Have Stable Faith,
Mothers Have A Stable Faith
“The faith of my mother stirs my soul!”
“Nobody can pray like my mother can!”
“Nobody can stir the heart of God like my mother can.”

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-09T17:16:00.000-07:00

What a nice Mother's Day Service at Mount Olivet Baptist Church today....Actually a sweet day today and the spirit of the Lord was in the place.... Our Organist Mr. Lewis Banks was moved in the spirit and blessed us with his testimony.... Powerful piece in the service today. "Not a normal brother" but one whom the Lord has anointed. Nice... Todays Message; 2 Timothy 1:5, "The Legacy of Faith" of Eunice and Lois... they both had Sincere Faith, Stable Faith, and Stirring Faith.... Lord knows I enjoyed delivering that message to the people of God today! hmmmm hmmmm He's a Good God.... Happy Mother's Day to each of the lovely Mother's in Blog land! I must be the most blessed Men in the world to have so many beautiful mothers in my life. I wont post my Rochester Mothers for fear of missing one. Im blessed, Im blessed! Thank God for Moma and the wonderful Mothers of my life!

Good Friday in Buffalo

2010-04-12T03:17:00.000-07:00

Nearly One Hundred and Fifty or more of the members of Mount Olivet Baptist Church and our friends in the city joined us on a trip to Buffalo, New York on Good Friday to be with the my Pops and Mom William and Wanda Bunton and the Antioch Baptist Church 1327 Fillmore Avenue. This was so special to me in that I started in my formative years preaching here in Buffalo back in the late 1980's. This was of course the first time that I could attend with my church and boy oh boy did we have our church there. Mount Olivet is second to none in supporting their pastor. They make no bones about it; they love me and they know that Yvonne, Rishard, Rickey Jr and I love them. Ricketa and Rico love Mount Olivet dearly as well.. and would be right here with the family if they were in Rochester. Antioch cooked and served our people a wonderful hearty meal filled with so much love that you could taste it in the food. While we had been in service each morning at 5:00am for Holy Week Services it didnt stop the choir from piling onto the chartered bus and vans and cars for Buffalo. Yvonne and I are so thankful to have such a congregation! It was clear to Antioch that we came to worship just as Antioch's choir made it clear to us that they came to lift him up as well. I really enjoyed preaching the "Story of Good Friday"

Pastor's Leadership Conference

2010-04-12T01:49:00.001-07:00

Perhaps it was one of the finest and most productive "Leadership Conferences" ever. Though some of my Leaders were on travel, at work and/or commited otherwise about sixty of them showed up for our Pastor's Leadership Conference 2010. We covered both our Vision and Mission Statements which we always want to keep before our Leaders who in turn will help keep it before the Congregation. Because we believe that above all the the church is soulwinning organism established by God to bring souls in, build them up and send them out; we open all of our Conferences and Ministry Meetings with the reading of the "Great Commission" Then Jesus said unto His disciples, "Go and make disciples of all nations, Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost; and teaching them to observe all things I have commanded of you, and Lo I am with you always even until the end of the world. This is always our focus and we thank God for it! We thank God for the fruit of His Commision which is ALWAYS souls to BAPTIZE and Celebrate each month. There are no NEGATIVES AND POSITIVES in our Church. Not even the Language. There are of course things that we are THANKFUL For and then there are GROWING AREAS. During a Breakout Session eight groups made a list of both and one person from the group presented the findings. We were all pleasantly pleased with the results. The list has been compiled and Pastor will present it to Church Council and Diaconate for further and continued processing! As we move toward the Home Stretch of our 2010 - 100th Church Anniversary Celebration we had updates on our Building Project that is before us, The 2010 Events Past and to Come, as well as where we are financially and how we hope to reach our goals for the Spectacular 2010 100th Church Anniversary... Of course we are an African American Baptist Church, so yes there was food, But coming off of the Country Styled Holy Week Breakfast, this was by all means a light and healthy lunch. Interestingly, we only eat the fried everything meal during Holy Week!

It Is Well With My Soul

2010-03-17T01:01:00.000-07:00

This is the fifth and last lament of Lamentations, the fifth cry, poem, dirge, expression of grief, requiem, The writer Jeremiah; speaks to God on behalf of all the people in stacatto-like fashion. He describes the suffering, the pain, the torment, the affliction, the anguish and distress endured by the people and he appeals to God for relief. This lament opens with a plaintive appeal to God to take notice of the humiliation and suffering that had come upon the covenant people. They only had to heed Jeremiah’s words to avoid having become what they had ignored: aliens, widows, and orphans..
Jeremiah 7:5-7 - If ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; If ye thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor; If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: 7 Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, forever and ever. The lament closes with a prayer of hope that God would restore them to their days of old. The present generation was bearing the consequences of their sins, Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
You sow good, you reap good,
You sow bad, you reap bad,
You sow love, you reap love,
You sow sour attitude, you reap sour attitude,
You sow discord, you reap discord,
You sow disrupt behavior, you reap it,
You sow compassion, you reap it,
Judah got a taste of her own medicine…
Vs 16, "The crown has fallen from our head” would refer to the end of the Davidic dynasty with King Zedekiah’s capture. Job 19:9, describes Judah's fate when he says, God has stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head. Is 28:1, Woe to the crown of pride…… Jeremiah 13:18… Humble yourselves, sit down:

You're on your way to wellness when you discover the cause,
You're on your way to wellness when you take responsibility,
You're on your way to wellness when you stop blaming others,
We have more Adam in us than we do Jonah………
When things went bad in the Garden, Adam said, "the woman"…
When things went bad on the Ship, Jonah said, "It's me"
What do you say when things go bad in your life?
The Doctor's fault,
The Lawyer's fault,
The Teacher's fault,
The Policeman's fault,
The Boss's fault,
The Friend's fault,
The Postman's fault,
It's Daddy's its Moma's fault,
It's Brother's my Sisters fault,
It's the milkman's fault,
But when you can own to your own shortcoming,
When you own up to your own mistakes,
When you own up to your own faults,
Own up to your own weaknesses,
Own up to your own imperfections,
Own up to your own deficiencies,
It's my own fault,
And so in this last lament, Jeremiah cries out to God,
In this last poem, dirge, requiem, expression of emotions,
He cries out for the Favor of God,
The reason why you woke up this morning,
It was the Favor of God,
He said Lord, vs 19,
You reign forever,
Your throne endures from Generation to Generation,
Don’t forget us Lord,
Don’t forsake us Lord,
We've struggling so long,
We've been hurting so long,
We've been in the storm too long,
It our fault, but take us back,
We messed up, but take us back,
We failed you, but take us back,
History records, God restored Judah,
God restored Jerusalem,
God restored Zion,
At the end of the story, they were able to say, It is well,
You've got to run all the way.....
Through the storm, through the valley
Through the dark
Through the hurt, disappointments, let downs and set backs.
to get to the end
You dont know if its well at the beginning or not..

you've got to see what the end is going to be!
and you've got to go THROUGH to get Through
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;Whatever my lot,

Thou has taught me to say, It is well,

It is well, with my soul,

Generation I didnt know

2010-03-17T00:21:00.001-07:00

These are my nieces. One of course is newly born and I had never seen before. The two older babies I have seen once before. Now the nick-names are the names that I kind of recollect. KeeKee, MeeMee and believe it or not, the baby is called Maggie. These babies are my second oldest nephew's (Kendall Joy) children and he is a wonderful father. I will get their real names and post them someday. I'm just glad these are Kendall's babies.. Babies by all means are for young folks not for folks my age and older.. We only look at them, say how beautiful they are, spoil them and send them home!

2010-03-17T00:05:00.000-07:00

Bishop Vashti McKenzi was here in Rochester for the Deltas as well as here earlier for Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. Vashti McKenzie represents the African Methodist Episcopal Church, she characterizes equality for all women in the ministry. The AME Church has historically made some major accomplishments concerning women in ministry. Dr. Vashti McKenzie is a woman of firsts. She was the first woman to pastor at Payne Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland. On July 11, 2000, the AME Church elected her its first female bishop in its 213-year history. The AME Church will never be the same. She came to Tucson years ago for Prince Chapel AME Church..... Never ever has there been a Woman's Day in the city even close to that event! She's yet climbing high mountains!

That's My Moma

2010-03-16T23:19:00.000-07:00

Moma is an amazing woman. Mamie Louise Willis Harvey. I am such a fan of hers. She is yet a tall beautiful high heel stepping queen who holds her own in every way! Each of the nine of us (siblings) have so many of her ways! I have been blessed with Mothers across this country, but this is MOMA. I so thank God for keeping her strong and healthy and able to offer advice to us. She's my queen yall. Raised us the right way! Didnt play! If she said go to bed; she meant every word of it, and meant for us to do it right away! She visited us in school, got up every morning of our school days, cooked hot biscuits, (no cans) Salmon Croquets, Pancakes, Eggs, Rice, Bacon.... .That is if we had it in the house... Many times, Moma had to literally make a meal on whatever was there. We really didnt know how poor we were until we got up and actually out of the house, because Moma knew how to make the house go! Rice pudding, Bread pudding, Banana Bread...the works.... We didnt realize it was digging from the bottom of the barrel. She walked to the Busline every morning after getting us off to school, got on the bus and went to work. She would ride the bus home each day, and have a full course dinner for us everyday of our life as chldren. She is and always has been a wonderful mother! She's the Matriarch of her family now and with God's help she will lead us just well. While God has placed many mothers in my life and for each of you I am grateful... I want the world to know "That's My Moma" birthed me, named me, raised me, taught me, loved me, whipped me, chastised me, made a man of me! Thank God for Moma!

It's been a while Yall....

2010-03-16T00:15:00.001-07:00

Hello to all of my faithful Blog supporters.... I miss you as you have missed me. So much has transpired but I promise to return to the Blog so that we can continue to be in touch. Well, you know that I have finished my first year in Post Graduate School at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. That's some of the reason you haven't seen me here. Reading, Reading, Reading! Papers, Papers, Papers! And its been good. Can't begin to tell you how the reading is blessing me and I'm hoping that it's blessing those who hear me each week as well. In short, my church is wonderful, family is wonderful and my life is wonderful. You may know by now that my Grandmother passed a couple of weeks ago and we all gathered in Tennessee to celebrate her wonderful life and memories. I have so many pictures with stories that I will post soon which tells you so much about who I really am and shows you kind of where I come from. Be Blessed and tune in to the Blog for more of Rickey Bernard Harvey's Blog.. Oh by the way... Facebook has taken some of my writing time as well. See the link to your right and join the folks who communicate with me daily on Facebook!

Welcome Back Tiger Woods

2010-02-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

Tiger Woods... Go out there today and say what you need to say from your heart to your fans and sponsors, take whatever time you need to get your family back in tact, give Elin time to work through this with you..... Get back on the course and whack those balls... Many of us have experienced scandal on lesser levels.. While we know that some of what we hear is true, and we also know that some folks are liars and scandalous vultures. ... Nevertheless, Love your family, WHACK that Ball, and stay close to God, We Love YOU!

U.S. Census

2010-02-02T14:53:00.000-08:00

All occupants of every household need to be aware of this.
With the U.S. . Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data. The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.

Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.

While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau. AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by E-mail, so be on the lookout for E-mail scams impersonating the Census. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an E-mail that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

When the Praise is Handcuffed

2010-01-31T03:52:00.000-08:00

According to Jewish, Muslim and Christian traditions, the Prophet Jeremiah is the writer of the Book of Lamentations. 2 Chronicles 35:25 And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: It is said that Jeremiah retired to a cavern outside the Damascus Gate and there he wrote this book. Lamentations describes the funeral of a city. Lamentations is a tearstained portrait of the once proud Jerusalem that is now reduced to rubble by the invading Babylonians. Lamentations is a 5 poem Dirge, Requiem, Lament, Eulogy, Cry, or Expression of Grief. It's Jeremiah exposing his emotions. In the face of death and destruction, with life seemingly coming apart, Jeremiah turns tragedy into a triumph of faith. But it doesn’t happen in this chapter.
In life; Every Chapter is not hunky-dory.
You don’t get Sunshine, in every chapter of life.
You don’t get Roses in every chapter.
You don’t have Friends and Well Wishers in every chapter.
You don’t have praise in every chapter……
You don’t even have Life in every chapter of Life.
Sometimes you have Rain, Storms, Thorns, Thistles, Enemies,
Sometimes you have Disappointments, Lamentations, even Death!
Sometimes your Praise is in handcuffs.
Handcuffs are metal devices that locks around a person's wrist,
And once handcuffed, a person is restrained from freedom,
Restrained from independence, from choice, self-sufficiency…
That's a problem for people of God, for worshippers, for me…
Praise is what I do when I want to be close to you,
I lift my hands in praise.
Praise is who I am; I will praise Him while I can.
I'll bless Him at all times.
Jerusalem is in Affliction,
Jerusalem is in Catastrophic times,
Jerusalem is in Handcuffs, and lonely.
There is No Visitation, Verse 1 - how lonely sits the city that was full of people, how like a widow is she. Who was great among the nations. She sits alone! She sits in Solitary. She sits in Solitude.
Like a widow. She is become a vassal, peasant, a slave!

There is No Consolation
Verse 2 She weeps bitterly in the night; Her tears are on her cheeks, Among all her lovers, she has none to comfort her. All her friends have dealt treacherously with her, Egypt, Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon… (Jeremiah 27:3) They have become her enemies. Be careful who your friends are. Unworthy connections will afford no Consolation in times of trouble. Look at your Buddies list, Friends list, and the people that you are connected to… Look at them NOW!
There is No Relaxation
Verse 3 She dwells among the nations; she finds no rest……She's gone into captivity, gone into exile, Jeremiah 52:27 And the king of Babylon smote them, and put them to death in Riblah in the land of Hamath. Thus Judah was carried away captive out of his own land. Jeremiah teaches us to never despair, though our calamities are ever so many and grievous. He teaches that there is no assured safety, but in the fear of God. Blessed Assurance Jesus is mine, what a foretaste of Glory Divine,
There is Desolation
Desolation is unhappiness, sad, bleak, gloom, discontentment, Verse 4 The roads to Zion mourn because no one comes to the set feasts: All her gates are desolate; Her Priest sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness. The table is spread, the invitation is extended, the Gates are open, But Desolation… Nobody shows… no calls…. No RSVPs…… As Zion went, As Jerusalem went; As Judah went, so goes life! A Song in the morning, Tears in the night, Joy in the morning, Pain in the night, Friends when you wake up, Enemies before bedtime, Cash flowing by day, Bankrupted by night, Clean Bill of Health by day, Fighting for your life by night, Praising at the dawn of day, Handcuffed at the dust of night.
There is Agitation
Verse 5 - Her adversaries are the master, her enemies prosper; When the rival rules…… when then enemies do well, When the challenger rules, when the villains do flourish, When the antagonist rules, when the saboteur succeeds, It's a sad feeling when you see your enemies prosper! Asaph said in Psalm 73:2 2my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 3For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. 5They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Job got so upset in Job 21:7, he asked Why do the wicked live and become old, Yes, become mighty in power? Your Praise may be Handcuffed this morning…… but I got a secret to tell you…… You can put this in your pipe and smoke it!! The Wicked may Prosper, thrive, do well, but its only for a Season. The Wicked never Prevail against the Godly,
The Wicked can only go as far as God giveth unto them to go, Job 1:11, Touch what he has. Job 1:12, Don’t touch him, his body. Job 2:5, Touch his bones, touch his flesh, Job 2:6, Don’t touch his life. Don’t let Praise Get Handcuffed,
Praise is Vindication,
Praise is proof that God is the source of my strength,
Praise is proof that the Holy Spirit moves in my soul,
Praise is proof that Jesus is my Savior
Praise is Justification,
In spite of what we're going through, we owe it to God,
Praise is Evidence that Jesus lives in me,
Praise is Evidence that He abides with me,
Praise is Evidence that I am not alone,
Praise is Liberation,
Praise is like Alka Seltzer, Flop Flop, Fiz, Fiz, oh what a relief……
There is a Relief in Praise,
And there is a Sweet Relief in knowing, The Lord will make away……
When you Praise God, there is Deliverance,
When you Praise God, there is liberty,
When you praise God, there is Release,
Praise is Expectation
I'm looking for a miracle, I expect the impossible, I feel the intangible, I see the invisible
Tell the Devil, Tell the Adversary, Tell the Enemy,
Handcuff me if you want to,
If I can't lift my hands,

If I can't lift my hands,

If I, can't lift my hands,

Lord....I'll lift my voice,

I'll lift my mind,

I'll lift my heart,

Great Time in Memphis

2010-01-26T22:57:00.000-08:00

It was wonderful being home with my siblings. The greatest gift that one could ever have is the gift of family. That can be through blood or through the Holy Spirit...both are wonderful and equally as fulfilling in life! Loving and being loved is the best thing in life! Life is short.... Love your family! Appreciate the people whom the Lord has linked to you! Laughter is good for the soul as medicine to the body! This was a time of being home (MEMPHIS) when everyone was well, out of the hospital, off of sick-beds and seemingly just blessed of the Lord. I tell you its great when everyone is well.... My Brother was doing better than I had seen or heard about him doing in a long time.. He was able to make a couple of the family gatherings. My Grandmother is holding on as well as any 98 year old ever will or could... In the first few pictures are my sisters, Patricia in the Brown, Betty in the White, (Rochester has met her) Linda in the Red, my cousin Donney in the white jacket, (Rochester has met him) my nephew Kenny in the Brown and Red sweather, my niece Kim standing with my great nieces Kendra and Kennedy along with Donny again. In a different type picture is my sister Cookie , (Rochester has met) and Reverend Gregory Stokes who came by Moma's house to visit me.

Mount Olivet / Colgate Rochester Day

2010-01-08T02:20:00.000-08:00

Pictured are some of the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinty School Doctorate of Ministries Students. As it turned out, we had a great day! It started at 9:00am with Bible Meditations on Ezekiel, Jeremiah and Jonah. Some thoughts about the text that none of us had considered were brought out by our most capable instructor, Dr. Mark Brummitt....We discussed the works of Walter Brueggeman in "Prophetic Imagination" and R.W.L. Moberly in "Prophecy and Discernment". Wow this was a rich day! What you're looking at is dinner after we saw "AVATAR" together and joined each other at "Stickylips" to discuss the "Prophetic" seen in the movie and of course to down some good "Memphis Style" BBQ.....Pictured above with me is the Reverend Kurt Clark who pastors the Sardis Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama...... Kurt will bring the morning message at Mount Olivet on Sunday, January 10th. Next to Kurt is the Reverend Irie Sessions, pastor of New Life Christian Church of Dallas, Texas who will do the Morning Prayer and Altar Call, and across from Irie is the Reverend Calvin Rideau, Sr, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church of Saluda, Virginia who will do the Responsive Reading for us! Not pictured is the Reverend Carolyn Lester of Aenon Baptist Church-Rochester who will do the Invocation on Sunday, January 10th at Mount Olivet Baptist Church. You want to be present and accounted for as the Doctorate of Ministries Students attend and worship with Mount Olivet Baptist Church! Sunday, January 10th 2010..

Draw Me Nearer Blessed Lord

2010-01-06T03:32:00.000-08:00

As I was reading R.W.L. Moberly's book, "Prophecy and Discernment" I came across this and it and as I meditated upon these words tears fell from my eyes... I hope you will meditate upon this: Moses is to be so close to God that he is able to hear what god is saying - the assumption is that, with the possible exception of direct address of YHWH to Israel in the Ten Commandments, God does not (as it were) shout, so that PROXIMITY to God matters for hearing God. Where are you? How close to God are you? How far have you wandered from Him? If He is speaking to you right now, can you hear Him? I am Thine Oh Lord, I have heard your voice, And it told Thy love to thee..... But I long to rise in the arms of faith, and be closer drawn to thee, Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord, to the Cross where thou has died, Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord, to Thy precious bleeding side!

Back to Blogging 2010

2010-01-05T07:49:00.000-08:00

Hello to all of my Blog Friends... I am so sorry for not being here as much as I was in the past. You just would not believe how consumed my time has become... Its like a "Wonderful Crazy" if there is such an animal. Yvonne and I talked last night as I fell into bed; as to how full both our schedules are as we have been with Mount Olivet Baptist Church, Rochester for such a short time! Yesterday I was in class (Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School) from 8:00am til 4:30pm. I may have gotten home about 5:00pm! Got some dinner, changed from heavy layered school clothes and big boots and heavy coats to you know..... one of those Church Black Suits, shirts, shoes and socks in time to get to a 5:00pm Wake in the Main Sanctuary, 5:30pm Ministers' Meeting, 6:00pm Diaconate Meeting, and quite a few side bars before the night ended for me at 8:30pm. I planned to Blog last night, but trust me...... by the time I left the office, went to Yvonne's Hair Care and Nail Salon to check on the progress of the plummers who were finishing up on a "Busted Pipe Job" I was just too tired when I got home! Thus, thank you for following me on my Blog and return frequently as I have returned to Blogging! I miss you just like you miss me! Aight... gotta get to a funeral at noon today, cemetary, back to class at 2:30pm, out at 4:30pm, library much of the night with classmates.... See yall!

Thanksgiving Service

2009-11-26T19:38:00.000-08:00

Wow... A capacity house filled the Mount Olivet Baptist Church today to offer praises to the Lord on this beautiful Rochester Thanksgiving Day. What a beautiful Thanksgiving Day this has been. My family and I woke up to a hot breakfast prepared by the most beautiful and loving wife, Lady Yvonne. Rickey Jr, Rishard, Yvonne and myself sat down and Thanks was lead by Rishard and Rickey Jr. I am truly greatful for my family! Ricketa is in Memphis at my mother's and Rico is in Atlanta with Danielle's family! Church today included Pastors James Cherry, Jr. and Antioch Baptist Church, Richard Douglass and Zion Hill Baptist Church, Frederick Johnson and First Genesis Baptist Church. Moderator Ruben Golf, Reverends Duhart, Kittleberger, and a host of local Pastors and ministers attended the service. People brought non-perishables, gave old fashioned testimonies, and the Combined Choir blessed us tremendously! I was honored to serve as speaker for this event! Well thank God.... My family is taking a "last call" in the kitchen before the food is put away for the night! This is my second "Thanksgiving" in Rochester! Everyday is Sweeter than the Day Before!

Happy Birthday Moma

2009-11-12T00:42:00.000-08:00

Moma Mamie Harvey celebrated her big __th Birthday a couple of weeks ago. You talk about a woman whom the Lord has been good to... it's my Moma. She raised nine children and all of them (us) are God-fearing, none-smokers, drug free, Christians, Church members, Church workers, gainfully employed, family men and women. School Teachers, Administrators, Nurses, Politicians, Electricians, and of course her Best Child is a Preacher! :-) Now that's a direct of result of both Moma's prayers and whippings! Lawd she could out whip any man any day when it came to us! And she made us get our own switches... We had a "Switch Tree" and Moma didnt play! She only said go to bed one time, and when she thought it again, we had better already be sleep or in the bed with our eyes closed! We dared not ask for that expensive $25 tennis shoes in those days, because we knew Moma didnt have the money for that! While we didnt have all of the latest and trendiest fashions, we were clothed, fed, educated, taken to church, and more importantly loved. We were taught how to work because we saw Moma work. She would get up in the morning, cook a pancake, salmon croquettes, butter and syrup. While we were eating breakfast, she would be running a load of clothes, sweeping, making beds, doing house work so that home would be nice and clean when we returned. After breakfast, Moma would wash the dishes, get us out to school, then walk to the busline, catch the bus, work all day....but somehow, she managed to get home in time to have a hot dinner for us Everyday! Often it was pinto beans, with some type of meats, neckbones, fried chicken or something like that! Well, those days have changed! Moma's little children have grown up and are able to first thank God for a Mother who raised us in the Lord.... secondly, give back to Moma as she gave to us! Somebody wrote these words in a song: Give me my flowers while I yet live, so that I can see the beauty that they bring. Friends and loved ones may give me flowers when im sick or on my sickbed, But I'd rather have just one tulip right now, than a truckload of roses when I'm dead. Speak kind words to me while I can hear them, so that I can hear the beauty that they bring. This was our way of sharing with Moma flowers while she lived. Happy Birthday Moma!

Katherine Logan Ice Cream Social

2009-10-26T23:49:00.001-07:00

This Ice Cream Social took place with Katherine Logan right behind the Youth Day where Scholarships were awarded to Graduating Seniors of Mount Olivet Church... Ms Katherine Logan is like the founder of this Scholarship Program... She was honored at the Church and celebrated with fellowship, fun and ice creams.... Pictured are those who worked on the Scholarship Committee....

The Caravans

2009-10-25T22:42:00.001-07:00

One of the joys of my ministry has been the opportunity to know the Famous "Caravans" who paved the way for so many gospel singers. I have a picture with Cassietta George of the Caravans who pinned the tune, "Walk Around Heaven"... I actually booked her last couple of programs and traveled extensively with her... Of course that was before the day of digital cameras but I did manage to get some footage with her. Blessings be upon the lives of the living Caravans who continue to carry the message of Jesus in song... Albertina Walker, Dorothy Norwood, Inez Andrews, Delores Washington, and Shirley Caesar... Mount Olivet has hosted already, Dorothy and Inez.... I hear a ringing for Shirley Caesar.......

Dorothy Norwood

2009-10-25T22:32:00.000-07:00

Dorothy Norwood showed up in the place as Mount Olivet Baptist Church celebrated its 99th Church Annivesary and she was dressed to kill..and she blessed our hearts... she readily tells her audience of having reached her three scores and ten years...and yet she's still going strong. Of course she took us down "Old School Boulevard" with a litany of old churchy hymns that we really appreciated...After a great worship service on Sunday as today.... we are yet thanking God for a wonderful and unforgettable 99th Church Anniversary Celebration!

Reverend Roy Headman

2009-10-25T22:22:00.001-07:00

Reverend Roy Headman was the first Pastor with whom I worshipped and heard preach upon moving to Rochester and joining Mount Olivet Baptist Church in their Thanksgiving Tradition which includes a Tri-Church Fellowship with Zion Hill, Antioch and Mount Olivet. The fellowship was at Antioch and Reverend Roy Headman delivered the message! The next time we shared a pulpit together was at Mount Olivet's recent revival with Pastor James Cherry Jr delivering the message. Our next time together was at the Baptist Ministers Association a couple of Monday nights together. Our next time together will be in heaven! Roy Headman's life and work Wake - Monday 10/26/09 - 6pm-9PM Funeral - Tuesday 10/27/09 - 11AM Both at the: Antioch Missionary Baptist Church 304 Joseph AvenueRochester, New York 14605-1940Rev. James L. Cherry, Jr. PastorPhone Number 585-454-6096

Baltimore Pit Stop

2009-10-25T22:10:00.000-07:00

You would have had to be with us to understand the wonderful time we had as we traveled together on the Chartered Bus to Baltimore. It was a great bunch, good travelers, plenty of fun and laughter, good Tyler Perry Movies to watch along the way. We even watched the movie with the Black woman who had the white daughter who was ashamed of her.... You know the Black woman sold her pancake recipe... It was a tear jerker along the trip. Well.....somebody remembers the name of the movie... I dont! But it was good.. .Kinda like we do sermons, can't recall the name, but it was good! Oh we were headed to Silver Springs and Baltimore, Maryland.

Dorothy Norwood In Concert

2009-10-21T23:54:00.001-07:00

You already know by now.... Listen... Get the tickets..... I have a few tickets to the Private Reception that will take place just prior to the 6:00pm concert.. Call the Church office today and get them from me... 585 232 6742 I want to see you there at the concert... I only have 10 Private Concert Tickets left.... so you will need to contact me personally TODAY in order to attend this fabulous Reception with Ms Dorothy Norwood.... Meet her personally, take pictures, fellowship with others and enjoy the great foods prepared for this reception!

Thursday Night Revival

2009-09-26T01:25:00.001-07:00

Reverend Melvin Brooks and I go back some fifteen years or more in Pastoral Ministries... I think we met in Detroit while the both of us were conducting revivals in that city back in the day! Then in later years, whenever I went to Detroit, Melvin would come over from Buffalo on Friday of the revival...and we along with the host pastor would fellowship.... That's where I started eating Alligator meat... That's good eating.... We always went to Fishbones.... Well, Melvin did a great job in our revival...he's a great preacher and friend... By the way... Melvin and I date back to the years when I was pastoring in Memphis and he was pastoring in Chicago..

Wednesday Night Revival

2009-09-26T01:06:00.000-07:00

A great cloud of witnesses from the Faith Temple Apostolic Church followed Bishop Jerry McCullough over to Mount Olivet Baptist Church on Wednesday night as he came in the doors flanked by his Armourbearer and his brother; Alphonso McCullough. His wonderful choir, well prepared, and great worshippers sang just before he got up to preach. We had lots of laughs about our fishing experiences and the fellowship among us! Bishop was very candid in his message "God Is More Than Enough" about how God has been good to him and how God has spared his life and how grateful he is to God for the blessings and grace of God in his life. Thank you Bishop McCullough for the great blessing you were to us!

Voices of Clouds

2009-09-24T02:26:00.000-07:00

The Voices of Clouds have made a great name across the country in quartet singing... We were honored to have them as our guests on Sunday night..... It was a delight to sing the old quartet "Search me Lord" with them... They will celebrate 55 years of singing this year. We salute them in their great works....These guys can and will stand tall with any of the groups out there..

Tuesday Night Revival

2009-09-24T02:03:00.000-07:00

Reverend James Cherry Jr (center) and the the Antioch Baptist Church came to revival to worship...In no uncertain terms did either come to play. The choir did a great job singing and Reverend Cherry brought a good word.....The Fellowship was good, the churches enjoyed being together, the community was out in support of both churches. Reverend Myrick; the President of the Baptist Ministers Alliance was there last night as well along with associate pastors from the Antioch Baptist Church. We look forward to Thanksgiving when our churches along with other community churches will be together again in fellowship....Join us tonight in our 4th Night of Revival as Pastor Melvin Brooks and the Cedar Grove Baptist Church of Buffalo, NY share with us in this service...

Great Night In Revival

2009-09-22T01:49:00.001-07:00

Wow! Wow! Wow! What a great night it was last night in our first night of Revival.... Mount Olivet Baptist Church came out in tremendous numbers as well as people in the Rochester Community! I'm noticing a pattern that has been consistent my entire time here... This is it: Mount Olivet members supports their church fully! I told them last night; that this is a great time to be Pastor of Mount Olivet and a great time to be a member of Mount Olivet...Perhaps one of the most unique churches ever... Last night; the Mega Choir sang, Mr Michael Ruffin did scripture, Mrs Irene Ingram prayed the evening Prayer, the people worshipped God, I delivered the Word on the "Butterfly Effect" 2 Corinthians 5:17.... and the Spirit moved from start to finish! It was T-shirt night, and the place was adorned with the Mount Olivet 2010 T-Shirts.. We will wear T-shirts on Friday as well..... Pastor James Cherry and Antioch Baptist Church, will be our guests on tomorrow or tonight; depending on when you're reading this Blog... You dont want to miss these services.... Dorothy Norwood Concert Tickets are available every night before and after service! Get your tickets quickly!

October "Baltimore Trip"

2009-09-20T22:37:00.000-07:00

Plan to travel with me to Maryland, October 10th thru 12th. Silver Springs, Maryland with the People's Community Baptist Church and Dr. Haywood Robinson III, on Saturday evening and Israel Baptist Church and Dr. Harley Wilson on Sunday morning. Call the Church office for Bus and Lodging information... Lodging arrangements must be made by Tuesday, September 22nd in order to secure the discounted rate. We will have a great time.... Look forward to traveling with you! Among the cities that I have traveled to for ministry, Baltimore remains one of my favorite places... Folks there have always been warm and very welcoming and the hospitality is second to none and the Crabcakes and Crab there are the best I have ever had! hmmmm I can taste them now!

Revival Starts Tonight

2009-09-20T22:33:00.000-07:00

Make plans to attend the Mount Olivet Baptist Church "In Christ Jesus-New Creature Revival" tonight! We will wear T-shirts, guests may come casual... as you are... or put your suit on.. We simply want to praise and magnify the name of the Lord... See you tonight! Dorothy Norwood Concert Tickets will be available each night! Sign up for Bible Study each night! cya!

God of Impossibilities

2009-09-20T22:29:00.000-07:00

"… Jesus … said … with God all things are possible." What prompted Jesus to say such a thing? He wanted to show us that what we think can’t be done, is no challenge at all to God; for God can do anything and God will make a way where there is no way.

God promised Abraham that Sarah would give birth to a son, Abraham had to ignore his natural circumstances, He had to have faith in God’s promise, And he had to believe that God was able to do what He said he would do.The text makes one thing clear: If we’re going to receive from God, we’re going to have to do the same things Abraham did; Blindly Trust God!

You can think you way right out of your blessing,
You can consider you way right out of your blessing,
You can't think like God,
You can't think for God,
Let God do the thinking, His Thinking is better than mine,
His thinking is bigger than mine,

Our responsibility is to be fully trust and obey God,
God's responsibility is to do what He said that He would do,
Don’t try to figure out how He’s going to bless you,
God said it, He will do it!

It may be through fish and loaves of bread,
It may be through ravens, one a butcher, one a baker,
It may be through mud and spittle from the ground,
It may be a red sea opening up for you,
It may be a wild cow leaving its calf,
It may be an ax head finding its handle,
God is able,
Got any rivers you think are impossible? Got any mountains you cannot tunnel thorough? God specializes in things thought to be impossible, And he can do what no other God can do.Ever been on your bed of affliction?
Doctors, with all of their medicine, did you no good?
God, specializes, Oh in things, that seem impossible,
He can do, What no other power, Can do….

T-Shirt Sunday

2009-09-04T07:08:00.000-07:00

The 2nd Sunday in September is T-Shirt Sunday at Mount Olivet Baptist Church. You should have your 2010 T-shirt or a Mount Olivet Baptist Church T-Shirt. This will pretty much be the last opportunity for such a Sunday this Season. Marilyn Powers has T-Shirts or anyone on the 2010 Team can help you! Call the church office.... I will wear my shirt perhaps with some black slacks..... hint, hint.... Well.. here we go... So many wonderful things continue to happen... Call folks and make sure that the word gets out! T-shirts will also be available on Sunday... and I'm not sure who doesn't have a Mount Olivet T-Shirt.... Well.. We'll See, Sunday, September 13th in the Morning Worship Service.......SPREAD THE WORD...

Mount Olivet Musical

2009-09-04T00:13:00.000-07:00

September 20th, 4:00pm, The Mount Olivet Mega Choir is getting ready for the September 20th "In Christ Jesus New Creature" Revival Concert... You should get ready too... It has the makings for one of the greatest concerts ever in the city! I will join the choir in selections; local artists and praise teams will join the effort....

Other Guests:

The Voices of Clouds, Rochester, NY

Sheldon Baylor and Friends, Baltimore, MD

Mount Olivet's Youth Choir

Mount Olivet Musical

2009-09-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

September 20th, 4:00pm....Sheldon Baylor and Friends hailing from the great city of Baltimore will come to Rochester pimarily to perform at the "In Christ Jesus New Creature" Revival Musical September 20th, 4:00pm. They are a talented group of young people with a new CD that they want Upstate New York to hear and we're jumping at the opportunity to hear it and see them live.. You can see them live at Mount Olivet Baptist Church, September 20th 4:00pm, in a Big Musical.....

Other Guest: the Voices of Clouds,

Mount Olivet's Mega Choir

Mount Olivet's Youth Choir

Pastor Rickey Harvey

Mount Olivet Musical

2009-09-03T23:06:00.001-07:00

September 20th, 4:00pm - The Voices of Clouds were organized by Reverend Charlie Wells in 1954 in Panama City, Florida. After years of toiling the group released their first recording with the Songbird label (a division of the Peacock Record label). Many recording soon followed and so did demand for appearances. Later the group went on to record several albums HSE and Champ Records (owned by Hoyt Sullivan). The success of the albums "I Heard The Angels Singing" and "Someone To Care" positioned them as one of the top groups in the nation. HSE Records was considered one of the top labels at that time due to the success of their many artists: Many other groups on the road learned to respect the talent of The Voices of Clouds. In April 2005, the group took 1st place at Evangelist Barbara "Golden" Lewis' T.A.O. Pressing Toward Your Vision Conference (Rochester Gospel Music Workshop of America Chapter) in Rochester, New York. The previous recordings by The Voices of Clouds have been released and a new release (CD and DVD) was made avaliable in 2006. The Clouds have appeared on the Bobby Jones Show and on the Word Network channel. In 2007 the clouds won Male Quartet Group on the PTY Vision Award in 2007 . The Voices of Clouds are member G.M.W.A. Also the group is a part of A.Q.G.C. under the direction of Bishop George Stewart , The Luther Barnes Fall Classic , Esther L. Wooten and many others christians functions.

The Voices of Cloud will are the Special Guest at Mount Olivet Baptist Church, 141 Adams Street, in the "In Christ Jesus New Creature" Revival Musical...

You are invited.... September 20th, 4:00pm....

Other Guests:

Sheldon Baylor and Singers, Baltimore, Maryland,

Mount Olivet's Mega Choir, Rochester, NY

Mount Olivet's Youth Choir

Harvey Household Update

2009-09-01T16:41:00.000-07:00

Ok...Yall.... just a FYI... We got Rickey Jr settled in RIT yesterday, a very Prestigious Schools, He's home tonight with a fever. Wade Davis just gave Rishard a back to school hair cut and his clothes are ready for one of if not the most reputable public school in Rochester. He's home with a sore throat too. Mrs.Yvonne Harvey claims she's wonderful. I have a 1:00pm appointment tomorrow with Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor. Help this house. I was up early this morning at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School as speaker for the Black Church Welcome Program. I felt good then and I feel pretty good now. I will go to work in the morning and thanks to Ms Glenn Geeter., for using her pull to get me in to the Doctor on tomorrow. Yvonne's mother will be here next week and it seems that her hands will be full taking care of the Harvey house hold. No need be alarmed.... So many people are looking after us...as a matter of fact....The Blog helps us to keep you informed so you dont have to be alarmed or anything....and by no means are we in need of anything because the most wonderful people in the world, (Mount Olivet Baptist Church Family) won't allow us to need anything. Gonna do some chicken soup....go to bed....and be up and at it early in the morning!

Pain All Sorted Out

2009-08-30T21:02:00.000-07:00

I dont know if I have told you or not, but for the last week or so I have suffered severely with my throat. It later turned into headaches and tonight it was my ears that were affecting me. I was in bed like all day Thursday and Friday....no good for anything! Got up Saturday (medicated myself heavily) in order to do a wedding, and by the time the wedding was over; the meds were no longer working. I did the same thing this morning before going to Church. And of course the Lord is good. Only God could have given me the strength to preach as I did today, get through the services, family care five luncheon, and make it home. Lord, I enjoyed Church today.....Oh its Sweeter everyday.... and the folks just love the WORD... By the time I got home all the meds were worn off and I was like..... This just isn't working. I went to bed early in hopes of sleeping it off and the pain woke me up... Throat burning like fire and now the ear is throbbing... about 10:30pm I went to the Urgent Care of the Walk-in Care for treatment... Not one soul was there to be treated.... I got treated quickly! Blood pressure 145 over 91 and temperature 98.6. Immediately the Dr detected that my problem was my ears... "Grossly Infected, Inflamed and Fire engine Red" is how she described it. Gave me some meds and a prescription and I'm back home. This is the second time we have needed the services of this place. Being new here, I dont know if this is a place where certain people go or not. Let me break it down... In Memphis we have like Classes of Hospitals... Upper Class etc...and then we have the Poor Folks Care. I dont know what this one is... Had no time to research it.. I do know that I have never been there to visit any of my members..... and that's what brings the whole matter into question. But, But, But.... we were satisfied with this place... I'm still in severe pain...It's gonna take the meds a minute to kick in I guess, but I feel better knowing that I went and what's wrong with me.....Now I have yet to find a good African American Male Doctor for my primary Doctor.... Physical time....

Rickey Jr Goes to School

2009-08-30T04:20:00.000-07:00

This is a wonderful day in our house. Rickey Jr goes to Rochester Institute of Technology today for orientation and to move into the dormitory. How exciting it is to see your child grow up and mature into a Christian young man and go off to school to prepare himself to be self-supporting and educated. It's not easy to get a child to this point... Only by the Grace of God. Pray for him as he is introduced to a brand new freedom, lifestyle and discipline. I'll say more after church..gotta go!

Feeling Better Today

2009-08-28T05:47:00.001-07:00

Blog Friends... You would not believe how sick I was Wednesday night and all day Thursday. I dont know what happened.. I went to bed Tuesday night with a slight sore throat; and about 1:00am I woke Yvonne and myself up shivering. Windows open, room had a nice temperature, but I was freezing, not just freezing but shivering like I have never done before. I turned the electric warmer on, wrapped up good and went back to sleep... Woke up feeling good enough to go to the office for the full day. Visited some Sick and Shut-in.. A great day.. Wednesday night, Throat, head, aching everywhere, and to top it off they kept running over CNN the number of cases of this New Flu; H1N1 Flu and talking about the number of people who will die from it within a year. I'm like OH Lord.... We got Revival Musical, Revival, Dorothy Norwood coming to the church, 99th Church Anniversary, State Convention in Memphis.... LOL You know a little sickness, especially for one who is seldom sick..... can make you think some weird things! But the Lord is faithful and just and kind and true to his WORD and his Child. I have to go into the office for awhile today... But I intend to be home and back in bed resting shortly thereafter. Folks, read Romans 1:24 - 32, That's the last sermon in the Chapter one series... If you got some titles for this or some points or help to make this one easier on ALL of US, let me know! OK now apart from praying, which we must all do; Sick or Well, the physical remedy for me was Ibuprophen. 1000mg. Here's the interesting part and maybe some preaching in this too.... When my head was out of whack, I could barely get up and down the stairs.. I was no good at all.... Once my headache was cured, the other pain and aches really didnt affect my body or my going up and down the stairs or in and out of the house. No fear until that pain hits the head.

Keep the head right,

Head of the Church,

Head of the Home,

Head of the Schools,

Head of the Government,

Head of the Security,

Head of whatever and everything else seems to flow.....

Lord, having been placed as the head of the Mount Olivet Baptist Church by the leading of Holy Spirit and by the people of the Church, please keep me day by day. Guide my thoughts and deeds, keep me upright, honest, true, loving, and walking circumspectly before the people and before you! Order my steps in your word, lead me guide me in your word, keep me anointed Father I pray, Order my steps in your word.

Antioch Baptist Church

2009-08-25T22:42:00.000-07:00

We were real happy to celebrate the 64th Church Anniversary Service with Antioch Baptist Church and their newly installed pastor, the Reverend James Cherry, Jr.. While I reigned as New Kid in Town for at least five months; that title no longer is mine. Reverend James Cherry, Jr, a seasoned and experienced Preacher, Pastor, Pulpiteer and friend of Preachers, was installed in just a couple of weeks ago. His father, James Cherry Sr has served Aenon Baptist Church here in Rochester for over three decades as senior pastor. We had a wonderful time and a great fellowship and look forward to a continued fellowship as the Lord grows the Churches and Pastors in this town. Cherry Jr and I both agreed that this is a wonderful time to be pastoring our churches... We have churches that are ready to serve the Lord and both of us are excited and in love with our churches and on fire for the God.

That's Who I Was

2009-08-24T14:41:00.000-07:00

Time brings about Changes... But often the changes are not that bad! This is a throwback from 1982 as a Senior High School Student at South Side High School. This was the Mr OEA... Office Education Association where we typed, learned short hand, and basic business. Interestingly, the classes we had in school to help prepare us for real life cease to exist now! Well... Anyway these pictures capture the physical changes that have taken place with me over the last twenty-five years plus.... Im thankful to God for his preservation. Lord Keep me day by day is my prayer!
Really the difference is about sixty pounds and twenty-seven years... Before you laugh; post two of yours with a three decade gap and see if you have treated yourself well over the years!

Abandoned to the Gospel

2009-08-22T03:46:00.000-07:00

New Progressive COGIC - Rochester

2009-08-21T21:04:00.000-07:00

What a great time we had at the New Progressive Church of God in Christ with Presiding Bishop James Wright and speaker, Bishop James Campbell. It's the 90th Convocation of the Churches of God in Christ for this area! Bishop James Wright's church was full from 7pm until long after 11pm, when the service was over. You actually didn't realize how long the service lasted. It was praise and worship and good preaching all night! Upon my arrival to Mount Olivet Baptist Church; Bishop James Wright befriended me immediately. We have enjoyed lunches together. He's got to be the most humble man ever to hold such a lofty position. I was born in Memphis; just a quarter of a mile from Pentecostal Temple Institutional Church of God In Christ pastored by the Bishop J.O. Patterson, Senior. Though I was too young to meet him personally, I knew and fully understood the magnitude of his position. I was fortunate enough to know Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson of Bountiful Blessings Church of God in Christ...If you knew him, then Bishop James Wright would put you in the mind of Bishop G.E.Patterson. After finishing my Sunday activities with Mount Olivet at Antioch for Pastor James Cherry and the Church anniversary, I will rejoin the New Progressive COGIC in their 90th Holy Convocation as they celebrate and honor Bishop Wright!

The Biggest Catch of the Year

2009-08-17T19:44:00.000-07:00

Bishops Jerry McCollough and Melvin Cross both agree that this big Bass is the largest that they have seen caught this year. We were yelling for dear life as I struggled to pull this big boy or girl out of the Honeyo Lake today! It was wonderful. As a matter of fact; upon getting set in the water today, I was the first one to get a catch. While Victor, another brother who was driving the boat caught the most fish, my catch was by far the supreme catch! This big boy along with four very nice bass and blue gill are in the freezer. I almost have enough for a great fish fry. We will be having a fresh fish fry coming up soon at the Bishop's place. Ok. I had a great day today!

Rickey Harvey Throwbacks

2009-08-16T01:13:00.000-07:00

You have seen nothing like this is your life.... I thought you might enjoy these throwbacks. I sure did as I ran across them in packing! Yep; packing again... getting ready to move. Of course I will tell you more about that as the time draws nearer! In the mean time enjoy my first thru fourth grade pictures. This is the way everyone went to school in my day. You had to look like Sunday School at Prospect Elementary School because Mrs Brooks, the Principal was a devout Christian, and so were all of my elementary teachers, Mrs Fouse, Mrs Davis, Mrs Donoho and Mrs Feaster. Often, Mondays started out with telling about what happened over the weekend with us, and for sure that had to include Sunday Church or the teachers were like livid.... "You mean you didn't Go to Church" LOL what a day that was! I'm so glad I came through when I did... Looks like I got in just in time, because shortly afterwards, there was no more discipline in the school (of course they could have taken that out when I was in school) even though I learned the system as My mother told you during installation, and never got a paddling until the last day of the nineth grade! Well... Now as you look, do you see a hole in my shirt, and how uncombed my hair is.....? Wow! I remember that day as though it was yesterday.. I loved that shirt though and was determined to take a picture in it! Now combing my hair was a problem. I was tender headed and would get out of the house as often as possible without combing it. Then later, the pressing comb came in style for Boys, (aka Blowouts) LOL I hope you enjoyed these!

Meet Debra, My 5th of 6 Sisters

2009-08-14T23:59:00.000-07:00

So many times people ask me if I am the only child. Why? I dont know. Surely I dont act like an only child; and it's obvious that they have not followed my preaching throughout the years. Neither have they followed my Blog or anything else that deals with me. I'm very often in my sermons talking about the nine of us, and how poor we were, and how we made it pretty much on the bare necessities. It's not that I brag out about being poor; but I'm so thankful for everything that God has done for me. And as you will hear in an upcoming sermon, its the Bad News that makes the Good News good! You know, whereas I was blind, BAD NEWS, Now I SEE; GOOD NEWS.... We were as Poor as Job's Turkey, BAD NEWS, Now We're ALL Doing Fine, GOOD NEWS. All of my clothes as a child were first worn by white children, washed and given to my older brothers and then passed on to me as third generation hand-me-downs, not really BAD NEWS, just the fact, but now everything is either bought or tailor made just for me, While it may not bee GOOD NEWS, it's a far cry from BAD NEWS. Thus, it's nine of us! All nine are saved, seven of the nine are diligent church workers, all of the nine are gainfully employed, or gainfully retired. Most of them are super supportive of my ministry! Most of them like to hear me but a couple of them wouldn't raise the window up to hear me! I guess that's pretty good, as far as I see it... The Bible talks about no honor among kindred; I'm no exception! In South Bend, where I have two sisters, two Brothers-in-Law, four uncles, four aunts, 2 nieces, 2 nephews, about a dozen cousins, ALL of them will come to hear me EVERY NIGHT that i'm in town! My Sister Debra has not heard me many times or ever outside of her city, but when I'm in South Bend, Debra is there every night along with her husband John and this time her daughter Ashley and Ashley's friend, Troy! Never has it been any different! Blogging friends I wanted to introduce you to Debra....She did make it to Tucson for my Installation and stayed like a week or so with me there..... I'm sure with Rochester being a hop and a skip away, they will get here soon. As a matter of fact; I hear that I'm hosting my family in Rochester for Labor Day! Ok.. Say Hi to Debra Elaine Joy-Alexander. She's like a few years older than me before you ask! LOL. Above, I am engaged in a serious conversation with Pastor Ray Owens, and Debra is sitting behind me as you can see! WI did not realize that she was sitting behind me just clowning as I engaged in conversation! Just look at her! :-)

Revival In South Bend

2009-08-14T15:37:00.000-07:00

The Macedonia Baptist Church and their Pastor; the Reverend Ray Owens and the good folks in the city of South Bend, Indiana just 90 miles north of Chicago came out each night for what turned out to be a wonderful, spirit-filled revival service. I was more than honored to served a second time as the evangelist for the week. It's a WORD church where the people come to hear preaching, they love preaching and they love preachers! Ray Owens and I met many years ago in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and little did we know that the Lord would cross our paths as he has done! We have established a great frienship, love and respect for each other's ministry! I am looking forward to both Pastor Owens and Macedonia worshipping with us in 2010. When asked last night if they would like to come to Mount Olivet Rochester, with a roaring response of cheers they let it be known that their Pastor would not come here alone! We will plan for them and anxiously await the fellowship!

Proof is in the Boat

2009-08-14T15:27:00.001-07:00

For those of you who dont believe that I really went fishing and that I really caught some fish myself; here is the proof. LOL... Bishop Jerry McCollough and Melvin Cross and me were doing our thing in Honeyo Lake. This was a wonderful and very new thing for me! We will hit the water frequently according to my fishing partners. I'm looking forward to the next outing; especially on this boat. It's big enough to lay a queen size mattress on the deck and still enjoy all the seating space! I have been looking at my own rods and reels and even my own tackle box and cooler for the fish that are caught. The mess of fish that you see in a previous Blog are still in the freezer and will be there until I catch that much more about twice; then it's going to be a Fresh Fish Fry all of my own catchings! Ok, so my fish doesn't look all that big on the picture. You can always believe the picture....This one is so big it like took two of us to reel him in.... Must have been like a whale... why he doesn't look like it on this picture, I dont know. I don't! But it's a whale.... catch a dozen more and it will be a good meal.....for one person!

More Blogging when I wake up!

2009-08-06T00:42:00.001-07:00

Ok....Ok..... Ok..... I know you're wondering what in the world is going on.. Where is our Blogger... Listen....Mount Olivet Baptist Church Rochester is soooo busy until Blogging time is limited this week; of course paper writing.... You know I'm in school again.... I love it.. Its just "Is what It Is" and that's a lot of reading and writing! So while im always online; most times i'm doing some research on "Transformational Leadership" or getting ready for a meeting! Let me tell you something that you may have not known... My sleeping habits were terrible when I moved to Rochester to become the tenth Pastor of the soon to be 100 year old Mount Olivet Baptist Church. Well, needless to say... My Church has completely healed me of my sleeping disorder. LOL As a matter of fact; its like the issue is reversed.... whereas I could not sleep now I can sleep Morning, Noon, and all Night... We work here.... The funny thing is I came to the Church in the Fall of the year when the Bible Studies were in Full Bloom.... and during that season, there is seldom a time of day or night when the church is not busy, classes, meetings, programs, fellowships, services, the works..... When the summer got here, and the Bible Study was no longer in session, I was like... OK....... take it easy! LOL... Oh NO.... That simply means gear up for another course....... like Festivals, Summer Bash, and VBS, I'm really telling my Blogging Friends that we have a Wonderful Church, that's very much alive and in every sense of the word, ALIVE and WELL....and I'm yet thankful to God for every person who is a member of the church, for all of the work that the church is doing, for every stride that it takes, every addition to the church, every service and all the activities.... This Church and I are like a hand - glove fit! It works.... No question about it..... Mount Olivet loves the Harvey family and the Harvey family loves Mount Olivet. We come home after every event, and generally talk ourselves to sleep talking about our wonderful experiences with Mount Olivet! When I knew I was leaving Tucson, I only asked the Lord for a Church that would love my family and me to the extent that we would know it and feel it... and one we could love to the extent the Church would know it and feel it! We got it! Amen Holy Ghost! We're gearing up for our

Revival Musical, Mount Olivet Mega Choir and The Voices of Clouds, September 20th

"In Christ Jesus, New Creature" Revival in September, 21st thru 25th

Dorothy Norwood Concert.... October 24th

Church 99th Anniversary....October 25th

Thanksgiving Service,

Christmas Cantata,

More to come!

When I wake up!

shurrrrr.....

Fishing in New York

2009-07-28T02:58:00.000-07:00

First, you're not going to believe that I went fishing on yesterday, secondly, you're not going to believe that I caught these fish, and thirdly, you're not going to believe that I have three wonderful fishing partners now. We went to Honeoye Lake in Honeoye, New York. That's like about thirty miles from Rochester. I know you're dying to know who my fishing partners are! Bishop Jerry McCollough of Faith Temple, Bishop Melvin Cross and Vick, one of the associate pastors of Faith Temple. We we're like on this ship-size boat, all the way out in the water. I have pictures on my iphone that will prove this....... let me get them downloaded and you will see for yourself! It was like an all day fishing trip.... Most relaxing day ever! Ok... So what do you think of my first mess of fish? Wish I had taken pictures of the worms too.... I have to go "Fishing Shopping" now.. I need my own Reels, tackle, tackle box, and stuff! oh yeah... decided to attach me "First Fishing License" ever in my life! I have a license to fish! hmmmm Gonna have a "Fresh Fish Fry" after my next batch is caught!

Mount Olivet's Golf Tournament

2009-07-26T18:36:00.000-07:00

Rishard and I held up rather well at the Mount Olivet Baptist Church 14th Annual Golf Tournament to just have traveled 2500 miles across country and still being jetlagged. The weather was wonderful, the fellowship was second to none, the food was superb, the sodas and water were plentiful and free, the greens were emaculate, the foursome was awesome, the tournament was one to be remembered. Mount Olivet Baptist Church sponsored its fourteenth annual golf tournament at Victor Hills Golf Course in Victor, New York. John Hill and George Opira lead the event... It was an awesome experience. I know there is a picture of my foursome floating around somewhere. Cecil Lee, Rob Small, Rickey Harvey Jr, and I were a great group if I had to say so myself. Of course playing best ball, each of us at points had best ball; one of us having more "best balls" than Lee, Small, and Jr, but who's counting? Rishard was there with lil Mat Blue under the care of Mrs. Blue and fully wired.... I dont know what he was doing under the table while I was addressing the golfers and blessing the food... (Steak, Chicken Cordon Blue, Veggies, Fruit, Sodas) You would never have thought that Rishard was jetlagged until of course he got home.. as a matter of fact; you would have thought that Rickey Jr was jetlagged too... I'm not sure if either of them even remembers gettting home... He was sleep as fast as he got in the house. Well, it just seems that the entire time we have been in Rochester, all we have been doing is having fun. Speaking of fun, next weekend is Summer Bash, which is simply more fun! Oh, As you can see; the picture of the foursome was found, sent and posted.... I take back everything I said about having more best balls! LOL

Flying Just Isn't Fun

2009-07-25T18:30:00.000-07:00

My first flight was in April of 1988 to Los Angeles from Memphis to preach at Evangelistic Baptist Church for youth events.. Flying was wonderful back then. All of my family took me to the airport and walked me to the gate and stood there waving as I was getting on the plane... Then they stood in the window and watched the plane from taxi to take-off.. No security, you could take anything that you could carry on the plane.... Now; long story short; its all together different. You just about have to strip, although I must admit, security is loosening a little bit from what it was shortly after September 11 in New York City.... Rishard and I had to take off our shoes, empty our bags, and walk through security.... as we waited on our plane in Phoenix that would take us to the wild and crazy JFK Airport in New York City.... That was such a long flight.. It so much has to do with when we return to the WEST Coast.. Four + hours of flying is a lot of time to be in the air.... For me that is.. I know many of you are frequent "Out of the Country" flyers.. I'm not! Airports are so crazy... At least Delta will give you those wonderful Biscoff cookies that I love so well... Be good... Talk to you soon!

President - Professor - Police

2009-07-25T04:31:00.000-07:00

President Barak Obama was right in every word that hs said... "he acted stupidly" dont handcuff and man in his own home after having seen his ID and knowing that he is not a burglar; and is upset over the whole matter... "dont have his keys, cant get in the house, finally bust in, and here comes the police to take him to jail after the fact... I think I'd rather Al Shaprton and Jesse Jackson on those cases though! As the President was speaking; it seemed that the racial upheavel that still exists in America was about to levitate to an unprecedented plane. I was like; Yeah Mr. President you're absolutely right, and thank you for saying what you said... you spoke truth, you showed America (especially those who have doubted) that you are fully aware of the pain and hurt suffered by Black America. Had a Black Cop done that to a White man; the Cop would have lost his job, his retirement, and the chance to ever gain law enforcement employment again. It reminded me of watching the Rodney King tapes and Bush 41 saying "He was tired of seeing the tapes" and a White Jury finding the Cops not guilty of brutally mistreating a Black man. Damn this makes me mad! If this happens to a Black man who is in his seventies, on a cane, living in an upscale community, walking on a cane, then what are the chances for a Black man in his twenties, pants hanging off, in a lower scale community, and harmless as a dove. The President did well in calling both of the children (police and professor) into the office, give them some cookies and milk and tell them to be good boys... This quietens things down and allows everyone not to think too harsly about where the world really is! America has seen, the President has spoken, the Media has shown us, and now we know even the more; that We have not "OVERCOME".

Yvonne's Hair Care - Grand Opening

2009-07-24T22:55:00.000-07:00

Well its official now..... Yvonne's Hair and Nail Care Salon, 900 Genesee Street, Rochester, New York; 14619 is officially opened. The people of Rochester and of course of Mount Olivet Baptist Church brought her in in grand style. The salon offers great hair care services... Yvonne is a magnificent hair stylist who loves her clients and pays close attention to their hair care needs as well as to their time. We are both so appreciative to our Church family, Mount Olivet for their wonderful support! Of course many many people have their stylists and are happy with them, and that's good. Rochester is a city where there is just a plenty for everyone....be that Church, Business or just plain ole Fun... Its a plenty! Come in and see her Tuesdays thru Saturday.....like from 8:30am to like whatever closing time is.... LOL I'm just her husband and my job in the salon is simply whatever she needs done... My Job description says; WHATEVER and that's all! The Mayor Bob Duffy and city officials were there to celebrate in the ribbon cutting ceremony!

A Mount Calvary Tucson Moment

2009-07-24T21:54:00.000-07:00

I returned to Tucson, Arizona on July 21st 2009 for the first time since leaving permanently in October 2008. It was such an experience. It felt like I was returning to my real home; Memphis, Tennessee where I was born and raised. Whenever I go to Memphis, after being gone for almost 12 years; there is always some type of reception, plenty of breakfasts, luncheons, and dinners; always more than my short schedule can accommodate. Going to Tucson was no different and for some reason I was not surprized. It was a memorable decade served in both places and I'm thankful to God that as He as moved me from place to place He allowed life long relationships that were established through ministry to last forever. Life is designed to build bridges and not burn them. You never know when you may have to cross it again. I will never forget the precious times spent in Arizona; thus I have forgotten every tough, hard, or painful time. Why? It's not necessary to store foolishness, pain, and hurt in your heart. Love people, forgive people, do justly and show kindly affection to others and it will come back to you! Just look! Not only will it come back but; DOUBLE, as it has happened to me with the wonderful church family, friends and people in good ole Rochester, New York, where the grass is green, the flowers are blooming, the people are outside, the air is cool and fresh, and the water is blue, and the Lord is good! :-)

Grand Opening Celebration Today....

2009-07-17T04:00:00.001-07:00

Today, July 17th 2009 is Yvonne's Hair Care and Nail Salon's Grand Opening. It starts at 4:30pm and will last until 7:00pm. Refreshments, music, fun, fellowship, a blessing over the business, and a ribbon cutting will take place today. Both Yvonne and I are extremely pleased at this opportunity to serve within the community. It's a Full Service Salon; Hair, Nails, and Feet are properly cared for here. Come today and celebrate with Yvonne and her friends, laugh and have fun, eat the good foods, book appointments, and help get the word out about Yvonne's Salon! Feel free to call Yvonne at 585 436 2122

Yvonne's Hair Care and Nail Salon

2009-07-15T01:04:00.001-07:00

Not sure why it has taken me so long to post this great announcement. As you well know Yvonne has opened her Salon; Yvonne's Hair Care and Nail Salon on 900 Genessee Street. It just another one of those signs that God continues to give us confirming our being where we're supposed to be for such a time as this. It's unbelievable if you dont know how the Lord works, and if you know how He works then you know that; "Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, nor has it entered into your hearts, what Good things the Lord has in store." Grand opening is Friday; July 17th from 4:30pm to 7pm.... Several of the City's Officials have agreed to come and particiapte in the Grand Opening Celebration; to Include Mayor Bob Duffy, former Mayor Bill Johnson, Council John Lightfoot, local Pastors, Hair Stylists, Clients and of course the Mount Olivet Baptist Church family! Pass the word and invite your friends to Yvonne's Hair Care and Nail Salon Grand Opening.

Where Has All the Power Gone

2009-07-13T03:03:00.000-07:00

The Holy Spirit is the power of God and Jesus has promised us the power.
You will receive the power.
The power of the Holy Spirit is unlike any other power.
It is not a power that is invented sculpted, or demolished by human hands.
It is not a power that can be manipulated for political or social purposes.
It is not a power that can be manufactured, canned or distributed like dry goods.
The power Jesus promises is a transforming, liberating redeeming, life changing power that can change the course of nations, history, you and I and this church.
It is a power unlike any other.
The Greek word for the power is dunamis, it is the root of the word dynamite.
It is explosive, changing power.
It is not limited to strength beyond the ordinary.
It is not just the power of miracles;
It is also a power that brings courage, boldness, confidence, insight, ability and authority. Jesus knew the disciples needed this power to fulfill their mission.
This power to face the challenges and temptations of this world,
This power to fulfill our individual and corporate church mission,
We need the infilling of the Spirit,
Jesus promises we will receive the power.
Verse 8 - you will receive the power and you will be my witnesses. Now I know this means that we will be testify and tell others about God’s power but also Jesus was making a little play on words here.
Jesus said you will be witnesses,
Jesus said amazing things will happen.
The disciples waited on the power of the Holy Spirit,
They became witnesses for God,
They saw astounding results.
120 Christians, empowered by the Holy Spirit began to speak a new language,
A language of love that breaks down all barriers.
They saw three thousand come into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in one day.
They saw a new synagogue of faith formed in the birth of the church.
They saw their numbers grow daily – every day someone else came to faith in Christ.
On the Day of Pentecost the disciples were gathered together in one place, in a house, with four walls just like this church.
When they received the power of the Holy Spirit they could have remained in the house.
They could have kept the power for themselves and I believe that power would have worked in them to bring changes in their lives and bring them closer to Christ and give some peace.
But I also, know that power could not have worked in those people to the fulfillment of God’s plan if they had not committed themselves to going out to where the people where.
If they hadn’t committed their lives to following God’s lead.
If they hadn’t committed to sacrificing their own desires and wishes for the glory of God.
And they had to commit together.
It was not a job for one or two people.
It took all 120 of them to convert 3000.
It took all 120 of them to bring others to Christ every day of their lives.
when we commit together to make a difference in the community, when we commit to sacrificing our own priorities and schedules in lieu of God’s plan and purpose for this church – we too will witness amazing results.
The Power is still here,
The Power is in the Atmosphere,
The Power is in your praise,
The Power is in your hand,
It is time to open up to the life changing power of God.
The power of God that can invade the body,
The power of God will inflate the mind,
The power of god will swell the soul,
The power of God will lift the Spirit and make us more than we ever imagined.

No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus

2009-07-09T17:03:00.000-07:00

My Bloggers... I need you to see the words to a song that put me on the floor one evening it blessed me so.....I was like fit to be tied when I heard Douglass Miller sing this song. I ran across the lyrics and wanted you to hear the song that speaks to my testimony!

I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus,
Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true.
I would tell you how He changed my life completely;
He did something no other friend could do.

No one ever cared for me like Jesus;
There's no other friend so kind as He.
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me;
O how much He cared for me.

All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me;
All my heart was full of misery and woe,
Jesus placed His strong arms about me
And He led me in the way I ought to go.

No one ever cared for me like Jesus;
There's no other friend so kind as He.
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me;
O how much He cared for me.Ev'ry day

He comes to me with new assurance;
More and more I understand His word of love.
But I'll never know just why He came to save me,
Till someday I see His blessed face above.
No one ever cared for me like Jesus;

There's no other friend so kind as He.
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me;
O how much He cared for me.

Gone Kings

2009-07-08T07:21:00.000-07:00

The “King of Pop” is gone . . .The “King of Comedy” is gone . . .The “King of Soul” is gone . . .The “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” is gone . . . BUT . . . The “KING OF KINGS” lives forever!!!

The King of Pop

2009-07-08T03:08:00.001-07:00

While I was familiar with James Brown's, (the King of Soul) music, "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" "Black and Proud" "A Man's World" "Lickin Stick" "Please Please Please" "Popa Dont Take No Mess" and many other hits.....; James Brown was before my time..... Michael Jackson, the King of Pop was "MY TIME." I grew up on "I'll Be There" "ABC" "Ben" "Never Can Say Goodbye" "The Love You Save" "Billy Jean" "Thriller" "Dancing Machine" "Man In the Mirror" "Earth Song" and hundreds of Michael and the Jackson Five Hits... It's no secret that we all loved Michael and that Michael impacted the world like no other artist of our time; perhaps saving Elvis Presley; thus Graceland, Neverland; WOW...... Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll is gone. James Brown the King of Soul is gone. Bernie Mack, the King of Comedy is gone. Johnny Carson, the King of Late Night is gone. Luther Vandross, the King of Rhythmn is gone. Tupac Shukur, the King of Rap is gone. And Now Michael Joseph Jackson, the King of Pop, is gone. While I may have used my Blogging Power to make some of these men King, the point is they're all gone. None like Michael Jackson. I was happy that Michael had a will....Folks reading my Blog... get a will...If you have anything; little or much, then you have a need for a WILL. I was happy that Michael gave his Mother, Children and Charities his estate. I was so happy that he put someone in charge of helping Mrs Jackson handle the estate... So that no one can take advantage of her. Wasn't it great to see such a classy service with dignified people speaking so intelligently and well of Michael and the Jackson family! Al Sharpton was off the chain. I was holding my breath and so afraid that he would get up and play the racial card, just make a fool of himself, the Jackson family and the African American race. He didnt. He was excellent; and he did not hog the spotlight and left no place for media criticisms...Al Sharpton's stock went up with African Americans. Where was Jesse this time? hmmmmm, interesting! Where was Oprah? Usher killed me crazy with "Gone to Soon". Lionel Richie was filled with emotion and challenged but did very well. It was just a great classy service. The Martin III and Bernice could have sat down much sooner, and Shelia Jackson Lee, responding to Michael's critics....she could have been left off the program for the insignificant comments that she gave and the length of time she took in giving them. I was told that responding to negativity only feeds life into it. We were not there to defend Michael; only to Eulogize him. Al Sharpton may not have been most truthful in saying it but he said it best, "There was nothing strange about Michael Jackson" it was strange the things that he had to deal with and how he dealt with it....Even his brothers said, Michael could not walk out side of his door without being Mobbed.. Michael, you did the best you could with what you were working with! Rest in Peace!

God and Water

2009-07-06T08:05:00.000-07:00

God has a way of using troubled water to manifest miracles. For Noah it was rising water, but God gave him a blueprint. For Elijah it was a lack of water, but God gave him a brook. For Elisha it was bitter water, and God gave him a bowl of salt. For Jonah it was stormy water, but God gave him transportation to his next destination. For the disciples it was raging water, but gave them the Peace right in the ship! Now if that wont preach!.... lol

5th of July Sermon

2009-07-06T07:11:00.000-07:00

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
This statement is recorded in history as "One of the best-known sentences in the English language"
The passage has often been used to promote the rights of marginalized groups, and it came to represent for many people a moral standard for which America should strive.
Independence Day is the national holiday
in America commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
America, as myth and reality, has for centuries played a part in how other peoples think about their own societies.
America has frequently been viewed from abroad as the embodiment of one or another kind of Freedom. Some foreign observers have taken a rather jaundiced, distorted view of Americans stress on their own Freedom. Other nations are killing for Freedom, To worship, to vote, to choose, to Christianity, for Democracy, America is killing for Ipods, Cell phones, Laptops, TVs, Rims, Because God has already blessed America with Freedom,
This message is designed to help Believers recognize the Freedom they we have in Christ Jesus; and to motivate Seekers to accept Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives.
We must remember that freedom isn’t free.
Freedom is very expensive. (Choice, Independence, Nonconformity)
It has cost some people everything, including their lives.
Freedom isn’t free, it's infinitely valuable.Fortunes, families, and reputations, and their honor were risked.
November 13, 1787, Thomas Jefferson wrote, “the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants” Freedom is not free. The price is always paid in blood. Jesus came in order to bring us freedom from a host of human maladies, difficulties, troubles, woes and ills.
John 8:34-36 Jesus says Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.
36 So if the Son sets you Free, you will be Free indeed.
Chapter 8, begins with the story of the woman who was caught in adultery. The scribes and the Pharisees brought the woman to the temple where Jesus was teaching.
They knew the law and what was to be done to her, “stoned to death”. But in an attempt to test Jesus, they asked Him, “what do you think we should do with her?”
Jesus simply bent down and begin writing on the ground. Some suggest that perhaps He was writing the Ten Commandments.
They were persistent in wanting a answer. If Jesus would have said not to stone her, then He would have contradicted the Jewish Law.
If He would have said, “Stone her”, He would have been contradictory to the Roman law which did not allow the Jews to carry out their own executions.
John 8:7 they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first."
One by one they begin to leave, being convicted of their owns sins.
John 8:10-11 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."Go and sin no more. He did not condemn her, but neither did He condone her sin as well.
Jesus said to the Man at Bethesda's Pool, Go and Sin no more,
Lest a worst thing come upon you…Sin No More. Don’t do that again.
In the text today Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him,
"If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
They answered Him, "We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ’You will be made free’?" Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
Romans 8:2 - The Apostle Paul says that the Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air,
The Spirit of life in Christ has freed us from a fated lifetime
of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death
Celebrate our independence from the tyranny and bondage of guilt, Celebrate our independence from sin, fear, and death;
Celebrate our independence from oppression, repression, burdens,
At the Cross, where I first saw the light, and the burdens of my
Heart rolled away, it was there by faith, I received my sight, and now I'm happy all the day…
Celebrate an independence that will last for all of eternity.
Celebrate Freedom from the weights that have tied your life down, No more being buried under mountainous loads of fear and guilt,
God has Blessed you!
I'm talking to somebody today…
Who knows that you have been Blessed,
The Lord has freed you,
You're Free say Amen, Show some sign!
Praise the Lord, You're Free,
I'm no longer bound, no more chains holding me,Soul is restingAnd it’s just another blessingPraise… the Lord
Hallelujah, I'm free

Update on Moma Louise

2009-07-06T06:55:00.001-07:00

Moma Louise Willis was at my mothers house; her oldest child for the 4th of July. She was singing, laughing, and charging the grandchildren to take pictures of her. I'm told that she was the center of attention. God has spared this 97 year old Great Great Granny to live a good strong life. When asked how old she was for the sake of her birthday cake's candles she simply said, "50 candles is enough, foot." Foot has always been Moma Louise's curse word. Make her mad and she woud say something like, "You know that's not right, FOOT," and when she said "FOOT" she was mad! Well, you know we all thank God for His blessings and mercy on Moma Louise and for His healing hand....

Upper Marlboro Maryland Trip

2009-07-02T05:43:00.000-07:00

This trip started off hard. I drove from ten at night til five in the morning with only one stop to get to Upper Marlboro Maryland. No problem, right? Wrong! We reached our destination at five a.m. and I was in the bed like 5:30.....Problem..... We had like an 8:00am Tee time scheduled at the Presidential Lakes Golf Course; the second finest public golf course in the state of Maryland. 18 holes too. So; I get up, go play as best as I could under those conditions; somewhere between terrible and fair.... It was best ball; and I had a few best balls from the Drive, the second, third and putt. That's not really a terribly hard thing to do on 18 holes...Then it was time to leave the course, get back to the house, rest a bit and hit the road again at 4:00am. It was pouring down raining and I wasn't about to let Rickey Jr or Yvonne drive in the rain around the hills and mountains.... So I head out in the rain, driving like a Trucker, but as soon as we were fairly free of the hills and the rain slacked, I was totally out of it... That's where a truck like Expedition or so comes in handy... Now for sure; those SUV's are by far the best traveling vehicles ever..Especially with few people so you can stretch out and rest.... Regardless of the gas prices; I hope to always own one for that purpose alone...You just cant beat them on the road.. So I got a nap for about two hours and I was up and at the rest of the way! Sometimes two good hours will do a world of good! By the way; driving to Maryland is an easy drive on a dry day! So is driving to West like to Chicago, South Bend, Detroit.... Just straight, no hills highway.... Hills going to Maryland, but no problem... You just have to watch out for the deer.

No Room in the Inn for Toto

2009-07-02T05:35:00.000-07:00

Look! We just dont have the time for Toto. He's beautiful, friendly, housetrained, playful and a super little watchdog around the house, but for us its like another child and we dont have the time to run a business, work the church, plan to move and properly care for Toto. He's AKC registered, a rather expensive dog, great quality, born Novemeber 11th 2008. If you want Toto, you can have him, he needs to be placed liked TODAY..... Blogging family, make some calls today... let me know if you will take Toto.....

Update on Moma Louise

2009-07-02T00:18:00.000-07:00

Moma Louise is back at her home in Bolivar, Tennessee where my family from all over the country will gather beginning today, Thursday, July 2nd through the middle of July! Moma Louise is responding well; sitting up in chairs, eating, talking, laughing, (some that is) she's not telling jokes and all but doing pleasingly well. She's 97 or 98 years old (that's disputed frequently) you know how that goes... I will not be joining the family for the 4th of July; actually I will wait until all are gone and then I will shoot into Memphis/Bolivar to see Moma Louise. You know how that "Everybody come at one time and leave at one time" deal can be... How well do I know? People would all come at one time to Tucson to visit us and leave at the same time.... That really didnt happen in Rochester... I almost had to show people the calendar.... My Lawd....LOL Besides, I'm not in a mood for traveling anywhere. Just got in from Detroit and Los Angeles; I dare not jump up on a plane to go anywhere but Mount Olivet; Yvonne's Hair Care and Nail Salon, 900 B Genessee Street, Rochester, NY (I will be Blogging about that next) and HOME. We have been invited to many houses and events for the 4th of July... Thanks to everyone of you! Yvonne and Rickey Jr and I will be home with a good BBQ dinner, sodas and the works... Not going out of the house; maybe the Deck... that's the extent of it... watch movies; eat, rest, might pack a little bit; (I'll Blog about that soon too) Thus; thank you for praying for Moma Louise; none of us knows about tomorrow, but we surely thank God for today! Amen Holy Spirit!

All Hail the Queen

2009-07-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

Probably one of the best Concerts I have ever witnessed was that given by Ms Aretha Franklin, the Undisputable "Queen of Soul." Queen for many reasons. One; her voice last Friday night was very similar to her voice twenty-five years ago. She was crystal clear and rocking and rolling. When you see Aretha in Concert, you then know what she means when she says "She has never left the gospel or the Church." One she is a member of New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit. Secondly, when she sings; she not only sings to her audience, but she ministers to them. I dont know if this had anything to do with Michael Jackson dying, but Aretha wanted her audience to know that Jesus is her Lord and Savior, and in many of her songs, when she went to the "vamp" instead of "Freeway" it was "Jesus." While I have always appreciated her work; I really adore this woman for not being ashamed to own our God in the midst of 30,000 fans. And all the big whigs out there Hail the Queen......Halle Berry, Angela Basset, Billie Dee Williams, Jesse Jackson, and the list of Celebrities go on and on who were there listening to the Queen! This was probably the biggest back stage crowd of celebrities ever. All was well.. All were nice! Did somebody say that Ms Aretha no longer demands huge crowds? WRONG...She does.... and Ms Aretha opens her concerts and closes.... No other acts....The Queen and others of her friends are on their way to NYC.... Yours truly and Yvonne will join the Queen and her friends there.

Mount Olivet's Men's Day 09

2009-06-29T21:15:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-29T20:54:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-26T10:29:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-21T03:18:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-18T14:55:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-15T03:07:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-14T04:26:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-11T10:40:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-10T11:35:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-10T06:18:00.000-07:00

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