Quartet Singing in Rochester

For those of you who know that I like quartet singing, I wanted you to see the type of programs that we have here in Rochester. This type of program reminds me very much of a Sunday night in Memphis. 01-01-2009 5:30 at Peace Baptist Church. 8 Oregon Street, Rochester, New York. Cost is Free - Its the Annual New Years Day Celebration. Featuring: Star Gospel Singers, Enlightening, Gospel Crusaders, Bells of Joy, Voices of Clouds, Children of God, New Gospel Times, Golden Light Gospel Singers, Bright Clouds and others. This town has as good of quartet singing groups as any other place I have been; saving Memphis. Memphis has so many heavy hitters until its hard to compare just yet.. So far I have only heard three groups who can stand up to Memphis and others places with no problem.. I love this kind of music. The thing about quartet is, anybody cant do it as opposed to choir... You can be taught to sing a choir song, but quartet has to be in your genetics... There is a soul that goes with it, that cant be taught... Well, This is where you will find me New Years Day; after my blackeyed peas... Im done with Chitterlings... That's just taking me back further than I want to go.... Everybody knows now that all that pork stuff is not good for you and continue eating it... Well, the buck stops here.. Im breaking tradition New Years Day.. No Chitterlings for me!

World Famous 87 Year Old Jazz Musician

Candido Camero who was born April 22, 1921 is Cuban percussionist (mainly conga and bongo) backed many Afro-Cuban jazz and straightforward jazz acts since the 1950s. Early on he had recorded in his native Cuba with Machito. He moved to New York in 1952 and started recording with Dizzy Gillespie. During 1953-54 he was in the Billy Taylor quartet and in 1954 he performed and recorded with Stan Kenton. He also enjoyed some hits during the disco era, most notably with the Babatunde Olatunji penned track "Jingo" which he recorded for Salsoul Records, which was off the Dancin' and Prancin' Album He was honoured with the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award. A great performance with Kenny Burrell on his 'first blue note sessions'; available on the CD 'Introducing Kenny Burrell'. It was such a pleasure to witness this Legendary Icon in person at the Clarion Riverfront Hotel here in Rochester. While he is 87 years of age, when he gets behind he conga and bonga he plays like one in his 20's.

Yvonne and I are very happy to have been the guests of those who hosted Candido. Our table was proof positive that we were the guests of the powers that be....Thanks again.

God is With Us

Isaiah 7:10 Moreover the LORD spoke again to Ahaz, saying, 11 “Ask a sign for yourself from the LORD your God; ask it either in the depth or in the height above.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, nor will I test the LORD!” 13 Then he said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
Many who gather at the house of faith, are dealing with so much.
Many of you today are smiling, simply to keep from crying.
Many of you, if walls could talk,
Many of you have stories; that you work hard to keep private,
We are crippled with worry;
We are overcome by trial;
We are loaded down with depression;
We are troubled by tribulation;
We are captured by confusion;
because we have moved and made so many decisions without God.
We struggle many times, because we leave God out of the equation.
Oh what peace we often forfeit,
oh what needless pain we bear;
all because we fail to remember that “God is with us”
He is here for us and He is here with us.
What the devil meant for bad,
God is going to blow on it (whew)and make it for your good.

You’ve got to look the Devil in the eyes and tell Him,
You thought I wouldn’t make it, but I’m making it,
You thought I couldn’t take it, but I’m taking it,
You thought I would be dying, but I’m living,
You thought I would be stressed, but I’m chilling,
You thought that I would be weaker; but I’m stronger,
You thought that I would be broker, but I’m richer,
You thought that I would fail; but I’m on top,
You thought It would be over by now, but I won’t stop,
Because, God is with you,

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for thou art with me;

Hasn't God always been with His people?
Hasn't God always delivered His people?
Hasn’t God always brought you out?
Hasn’t God always made a way for you where there was no way?

Be not dismayed, whatever betide, God will take care of you,
Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you,
No matter what may be the test, lean, weary one, upon his breast,
God will take care of you.

Oversized Fruit Basket

As a point of reference and certainly as an expression of total appreciation and this is without any exxageration I must tell you that "Everyday this month, my family and I have received some 'love expression' from our Church." I know that's normal for this season, However, I just want you to know that Yvonne and I are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from our Mount Olivet Baptist Church Family! We were literally blown away with this fruit basket. Is this the first fruit basket that we have ever received? Of course it isn't. Its actually the second fruit basket that we have received from Mount Olivet.... and each time the baskets weigh like 35 to 40 pounds.... Yvonne and I want everyone who knows us to know how much we appreciate the kindness rendered to us, and its extremely humbling, nothing is taken for granted, but acknowledge and appreciated to the highest... One of the Trustees of the Church said this week that Mount Olivet and I are a great fit..... You know; that's really the TRUTH... A GREAT FIT....I'm going to post a picture of the Altar pretty soon... Each time that I enter into the Church I make my way to the Altar and bow on my knees and whisper a word of Thanksgiving to the Lord for all that He is doing in the life of our church and for Yvonne and me...Apart from the extra pounds, this is a wonderful holiday season.....

Blizzard In Rochester For Real

Now this is the my first real snow in Rochester or in my life period... I have laughed at the idea that people have snow plows, and companies to plow their driveways (as I do to but thought it was a silly investment). I only got the service because so many people were saying you will need it.. I'm like, just drive over the snow....Well as you can see below.. You cant just drive over the snow.. The Lincoln is stuck and Rickey Jr and my neighbors are helping me to dig the car out so we can get it back in the garage.. I only pulled it out to move it to another space and this is what happened.. I am going to owe some Rochester people apologies for saying to them that Rochester snow was "sissy snow." This is the real deal... But do know that my children and I have been out in it all day, having a blast.. Yvonne loves the snow, but prefers seeing it from home and not from the car or truck! The snow plows could not keep up with the falling snow today.

First Church Meeting

Well, I had my first church meeting last night and it was one of the best meetings, (church meetings) I have ever witnessed; maybe like a Corporate board meeting simply because the presenters were so highly intelligent, well prepared, and able to intelligently answer the questions that were presented from the people... Maybe because the people ask real genuine questions of concern and not questions just to hear themselves talk. No power-mongers, or folk trying to be seen. Was this different? You bet it was! .... Of course I'm the new Pastor and I have been a new Pastor five times, so I fully understand how the first church meetings can be better than the last ones, :-) but I also have done this long enough to tell authencity! I tell my friends and family everyday that "The Lord has blessed me with a good group of people; a Wonderful Church, a great ministry" and I am forever grateful to Him for uniting this people and pulpit together. Now stay with me..... Bloggers, If things should drastically change.... I'll tell you! Monday I had a Wake, Tuesday I had a Funeral, Wednesday I had a Church meeting, along with a meeting at Colgate Rochester Crozier Divintiy School with Dr Bay, the President of the Seminary. I started my regisration for the Doctor of Ministries Program today, first assignment is in April. Amen. Today, I have meetings starting at 1:00pm with my last meeting scheduled at 7:30pm. Tomorrow, Christmas Musical, Saturday Gideon Gathering, Sunday Worship, and of course a Quartet Program as a treat for myself. (Here I dont have to put a group together to hear quartets, Just tip in a number of churches on Sunday evenings and hear some of the best quartet singing in America) No kidding. I will tell you about some of the groups here later. Monday, I will be can found somewhere resting easy in the confines of my house.

Shoes at the President? No!!

I dont want to get on the Soap-Box of just feeling badly for everyone, and make you think that i'm just a softy and everything and everybody gets next to me, that's not the case. But throwing shoes at My President.... Man... That was like the worst ever. Look at him as he's ducking for dear life, dont know what is coming or even who... Once again that brought tears to my eyes to see such open, blantant, disrespect for leadership. Is it because of my leadership role that I hail leadership at such a high regard? Maybe not and maybe so, it really doesnt matter why one has respect for another, what matters is the fact that one does have respect for other. President George W. Bush is the current President of the United States of America and I hate to see people dog him out as so many are doing. President-Elect Barack Obama will get the office January 20th but until then, I fully respect our current administration, sorry Democrats and disgruntled Republicans; but I always have respected him because he has been the President for the last eight years. And somewhere like in Hebrews 13:17 it talks about obeying leaders, respecting them, etc.... I know if I ever expect to get respect as a leader then I have to respect my leaders... Please yall, No more shoes, and no more laughing about the shoes that have been thrown.

Unto Us a Child is Born

The greatest event in human history was not when man first put his feet upon the moon but when Almighty God came down and walked upon this earth. We call that; the incarnation, and we celebrate it at Christmas. If you do not understand that, you miss the golden key of history.
It would be sad to know biology,
the study of life, and not know Jesus Christ the Giver of life.
It would be sad to know astronomy,
the study of the stars and of the heavens,
and not to know Jesus Christ the bright and morning Star and how to go to heaven.
Sad to know geology,
the study of rocks and geological ages,
and not know Jesus Christ, the Rock of ages.
Sad to know botany, the study of flowers,
and not to know Sharon’s sweetest Rose, the Rose of Sharon.
Sad to know history, from beginning to end and to miss the central event in history, which is the story of Jesus — His story.
A wise man is ignorant,
A rich man is poor, and
A strong man is weak until he knows the Lord Jesus Christ.
A Supernatural Person
Isaiah, seven hundred years before the birth of Christ, wrote, “Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given.”
Now that's not just a repeat of the same thought.
There are two distinct thoughts there.
“A Child” speaks of the humanity of Jesus, and
“A Son” refers to His deity.

A Supernatural Person
A Sovereign Position
Jesus was born as a King? Isaiah 9:6 says "the government shall be upon his shoulders". Verse 7 says: "of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom to order it and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever".
Isaiah says in the last part of verse 7, "the zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this".
He is already the King,
He is already Lord!

You can’t celebrate the His cradle if you have a problem with His crown.

A Supernatural Person
A Sovereign Position
A Saving Power
"His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting father, The Prince of Peace". Acts 2 says: "And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the of the Lord shall be saved". Some of us have you become oblivious to His name. Insensitive to His name,

Because “unto us, a child is born,
Unto us, a son is given,
His name is Wonderful,
His name is Counselor,
His name is Mighty God,
His name is Everlasting Father….
His name is Jesus,

Praying for Another Brother

Here we go having to pray for another Brother. Jesse Jackson Jr brought tears to my eyes as he and his wife Sandi did the interview this week on CNN... You will soon learn that I cry very easily about anything that makes another person cry. If you hurt, I will hurt with you... Even if you're wrong, nobody wants to hurt, and I empathise with you! You know that could be one of my weaknesses; I'll look into that! I hope too that he's not guilty of trying to cut a deal on a seat that obviously could have been his. From what I'm hearing and have heard from the powers that be, it was like a given that Jesse Jr would get President-Elect Barack Obama's former Senate seat. While it doesnt look good for him, he is still presummed innocent until proven guilty! I say to all of our people who have convicted him to hold up, let the investigation take its course and whatever your hopes are; hope that! I'm simply not sure what to think, I just know what I hope! I hope Jesse Jr hasn't messed up such a promising career that was and can still be ahead of him. I'm not to keen on the race card deal... We have got to come up with something better than that! It gets me that everytime we get in trouble, we use the race card. He has admitted meeting with the governor recently, fund raisers for the governor recently, presenting his resume to the governor recently, and expressing his desire for he Senate seat recently. Of course, If I was in politics in Illinois, and the US Senate seat was open and I thought I had a chance at it, my resume would be in the governor's hands as well and yours too. If that's the extent of it, then so be it. If not, perhaps through thorough investigation, the truth will be revealed, Jesse will be punished for illegal behavior or he will get his good name back as he is requesting, and I am hoping the latter, and then someone will be appointed or elected to the Senate seat, this case will close, and on to other scams... Inez Andrews of the famous Caravans sings a song that says, "If Trouble Dont Come today, It Will Be here Tomorrow" while that's not the most encouraging song title, its one of the truest!

Trouble With Government

Just what was Rod Blagojevich thinking? Come on Governor, you cant sell the man's seat! Well it looks like Rod is in some serious trouble. For me, I think there is a lesson in this for all leaders especially politicians and preachers and people in high places. You have to be careful of every deed that you do, every word that you say, and your yea has to mean yea and no has to mean no. Your intent must always be for the good of the people in which one is called or chosen to serve. I believe even when one is found in some type of corruption, if it is seen that the people are first, then survival chances are better. That's why John Mcain and Sarah Palin failed at trying to bring President-Elect Barack Obama down wit the "Sharing the Wealth" statement. Even if that's not a good idea, you know he has the people at heart and is concerned about their well being. Obviously, given the opportunity to look further into the matter as the President-Elect has been given, he will look further into the matter and make the best decision for both the people and politics. It's hard to knock a man down who continues to say and show that the people are first. But when you put the something that's not yours up for sale for personal gain, chances are, "That's not Good!" and it comes back to haunt you! By no means am I in any position to cast a stone, but I can cast an opinion, Amen! The Pondents are doing all they can to link President-Elect Barack Obama and Jesse Jackson Jr to this case.

Getting Weight Under Control

Oprah has it right this time with the weight thing. Everyone I know is seemingly having weight issues and this season is in no wise any help to what We are going through. I'm sure that Oprah suffers from much of what many of my colleagues and I suffer from; "On the Job Eating." This week alone, at least four different groups have had food at church and all of my appointments have brought food, and all of my meetings which have been many have been met with food and all of the gifts that I have received this week have been gifts of food. Now Oprah is up like 42 pounds over a period of time, I guess we're all up 42 pounds over some period of time. So, lets get a hold of ourselves and do better. You know you really understand why she wanted to walk off the stage so many times...I feel the same way; it feels like sometimes that everyone is saying, "Look at him" and not because he is or is not handsome, tall or short, light or dark, funny or serious, but because "He's Fat." Monique can talk about FAT being FUN and IN as much as she like. While she has capitalized on her sized, made a ton of money and TV shows about FAT being Fun; I personally think she's lying about the Fun part... It's not fun feeling stuffed and wanting to stuff yourself even while you're stuffed. Stop it Monique, You're lying! So the game plan is to join me starting January 2nd in not a diet, but a "Better Eating Program" Caring more and enough for ourselves to do something about these fat jaws, bulging stomachs, and more important the mental anguish that this Fat is doing to us and the diseases that we're more prone to because of being overweight! No sense in lying to ourselves, we know that we're killing on Christmas and New Years day so I'll begin talking about Weight more after Christmas, letting you know my progress, what i'm doing to get it under control and checking to see how you're doing! Believe Oprah, but you can miss Monique with that garbage about FAT is fun... How is it fun not being able to tie your own shoes? LOL

You Cant Play In the Snow

I had the lesson of a lifetime today. First it snowed as we were on our way to church. I got to church and had to rush home to get some goods that I left and on my way back to church the weather had grown progressively worse in a very short time. Today is the first day that I have driven the car in the snow (rear wheel drive) and it makes a huge difference. The Expedition (4 wheel drive) has been no problem. As I was approaching the church I took a turn off Ford Street and thought the car would never stop spinning. Fortunately, no one was in harms way and car wasn't harmed. Lesson, you cant play in the snow! It was so cold cold cold today! What suprizes me most is the number of people who show up for church on these cold, snowy days! I'm totally not used to that, but so glad to be in Rochester with these wonderful folks! These people are great and on fire for the Lord and if they dont love Yvonne, Rishard and me, then they are doing a great job at fooling us!

Mary's Little Lamb

A Little Lamb, the Great I Am, was born in Bethlehem. It was not incidental nor accidental that this Lamb would be born in a village about 5 miles south of Jerusalem. None of us would have heard of this little town had it not been for Mary's Little Lamb.
For years the Jewish Priest raised passover lambs in Bethlehem. Very special breeds of sacrificial lambs were raised and nurtured that they might be brought to Jerusalem and slaughtered at Passover. It was there where God's perfect Lamb, Jesus was born in a stable.
How fitting that a sacrificial Lamb would be born in a stable? Your destiny and the destiny of this world is wrapped up in Mary's Little lamb. Thank you Jesus!
Slaves would be delivered by this gentle, meek, humble, defenseless Lamb. A Lamb seems to present himself to the slagughter; a Lamb so mild; and God uses this Lamb to deliver Egypt. Egypt's symbol is a Serpent, and here will be a battle between a Lamb and a Serpent.
A defenseless Lamb against a venoumous, hissing, poisonous Serpent. Not just any Lamb, but a Special Lamb, one without spot or blemish, a Slain Lamb, the congregation of Israel would kill it in the evening, a Saving Lamb, the blood is on the doorpost, so that when everyone comes into the house they will come through and under the Blood and they will be saved. This Lamb is a Standing Lamb because Revelation 5:6 says there stood a Lamb, a Strong Lamb having seven horns, a Searching Lamb having seven eyes, and a Sovereign Lamb, He took the book out of the hands of the right hand of them that sat upon the throne.
The Blood of the Lamb saves;
Not Silver and Gold,
Not Rubies and Diamonds,
But ONLY the Blood of the Lamb saves!
Salvation does not come from the Life of the Lamb,
Salvation comes from the death of the Lamb, the Blood of the Lamb....
God says when I see the Blood of the Lamb I will pass over you!
Oh I have to quit now, because I cant see the screen for the tears.......
I know it was the Blood of the Lamb that saved me!
I was lost but now I'm found,
I was blind but now I see...

OJ Simpson Sentenced

How no one seems to be affected or concerned or hurt over OJ's sentencing, beats me! I'm sorry but I am and have always been an OJ fan. I'm having a terrible time with the "sentence" today. I was so hoping for the "Juice" to get one more chance and thinking that this time he would have learned his lesson. Does he have problem? Something is terribly wrong and I have no clue what it is, but I sure hate to see him have to learn whatever lessons from behind prison bars. We were so there for OJ in the 1990's when he was in trouble. We were glued to the trial, we all hated Marcia Clarke and Christopher Darton for prosecuting OJ and we loved the late Johnny Cochran, F. Lee Bailey, and the dream team of lawyers for defending OJ to a "not guilty" verdict! And you would think that would be enough; but no! However, If I love you, I love you and I dont turn because a person makes bad choices! My real friends have been with me through thick and thin, sink or swim! That's the kind of friend I am! I'm not saying that OJ and I are/were friends, I'm only referring to my loyal commitment; when you get it once, you got it forever!

OJ is/was my guy; my first athletic hero. You remember the commercials of "Juice" running through the airports and doing the "Hertz" rental car commercials. The first athlete that many of us know to receive endorsements from major companies was "Juice." and the person who brought me into the game of football was "Juice." I have all three versions of "Naked Gun" where OJ played Detective Nordberg.

Was OJ off his rockers by continuing the negligent path that he was on after the 1994 acquittal? Of course! I just wish someone could have gotten to him and he would have come to Jesus and lived as one who appreciated God for the double murder acquittal... I hope for a successful appeal. The saddest part about this case is that we heard about it back in July, we all knew that OJ was going up for long time this time! Ray Charles could have seen that coming!

Inauguration Day January 20th

Presidential Inauguration Galas will be held on January 20, 2009 all over the the USA; Rochester, New York included! A week of festivities will include the Presidential Swearing in Ceremony, Inaugural Address, Inaugural Parade and a night of Inaugural Balls and galas honoring the new President of the United States. District and federal officials are preparing for as many as 4 million people for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. The majority of them will not get anywhere close to being able to make out the historic moment nor will they be able to attend the galas in DC. Its too many folks and too few of venues, space, transportation, housing, etc... Mount Olivet Baptist Church is sponsoring an Inauguration Gala at the Hilton Hotel Downtown Rochester; January 20th from 6pm until. While admission to the galas across the country range from $100 to $495, this beautiful gala is planned in Rochester at a nominal fee of $44 Join us early for hors d'oeuvres, music, speeches, dance, singing, big screen viewing of Inaugural events, a great sit-down meal, and wonderful fellowship. Stay tuned for more information, get ready now and tell everyone you know to plan to celebrate the historical event right here in Rochester, New York with Mount Olivet, other local pastors and me!

Day Time Already

It seems like I just went to bed and its already time to get up. I have to get to the gym, get to my 9:00 meeting, with 4 subsequent meetings. I have a late lunch with a local pastor who also has a full day. This will be a pretty long day as well...Got some major people to talk to, the shakers and movers of Rochester.... I'm being introduced to them pretty quickly..
Way to go Barack Obama... Im really pleased with your selections..You know what you're doing obviously..I want my brothers and sisters to stay on board with you and not be angry because RayRay and Tisha are not being appointed.. lol Stop it folks! The man has to do what he has to do to make things work for him..
It's ashame that folks would kill a person trying to get in Walmart. What does Walmart have that's worth someone's life? How big of a sale can you get in Walmart? Why would folks trample over a person, kill him, to get into Walmart for 50% off of a $40 item.
Heard from Tucson this morning... things are going well with them. Tucson has elected its first lady to a Baptist church. Congratulations my sister. Do a good job.. Do what you are lead to do and not what you see everyone else doing. Every church is different from the other one, and the first thing that will hurt is trying to be like someone else..Be who God has called you to be!
No, this is not my former church!

Thanksgiving Day

Yvonne, Rishard and I woke up in our city, Rochester and thanked the Lord for all that He is/has doing/done for us. For breakfast it was sweet potato pie and coffee. Unfortunately we have like a ton of sweet potato pies and the problem is, they are all from "excellent sweet potato pie makers."
Our church participated in a three church Thanksgiving Fellowship service this morning. Rishard and I arrived at 10:25 for what we thought to be a 10:30am service, just to learn that it actually started at 10:00am. I was met in the foyer by lots of Mount Olivet members because we thought it started at 10:30am. We caught the last half of devotion...
Three Church Fellowship? It seemed more like one church service with two other churches there to support the one church's service. Host church singing and preaching.... A good sermon by Interim Pastor Headman, I might add. "Please Pass the Salt" I thought it was an old Adrian Roger sermon, but as it turned out, it may have been an original. Well, I have the Adrian Rogers version. I do. I have preached many of his sermons, and I'm sure others have as well.
Antioch is on the verge of selecting a new pastor! It was announced that the three Church Thanksgiving Fellowship will be at Zion Baptist Church in 2009. Some said Mount Olivet, of course I dont know, but I do know where ever it is, we will all be there.. per James 4:15.
We didnt do a turkey today, rather, Cornish hens and dressing with the trimmings and iced tea, (we didnt have ice, so we filled our glasses with snow) is that safe? We had dinner like three times.... Watched TV... Slept, ate, Watched TV... talked.... laughed at the funny stuff that Rishard always does and say.....slept and ate... I'm up ten pounds... off to the gym again.. I felt like a stuffed animal in my suit today.... Now we plan to hit the stores tomorrow in this "Black Friday" thang. I rhink its more Green Friday. We will make a selection on a refrigerator today.. We dont have one, and decided to wait until "Black Friday" to purchase one...
Would you believe that our heat went out again today? Now I just paid $200 to get something done to this thing.... and we noticed tonight that the house was cold and the heat was not kicking in... so we will call the man back... No I'm not Joe the Plumber or Joe the Heater man!

The Night before Thanksgiving

This is my life in Rochester, New York. I had a few appointments today; Scholarship and Nominating Committee business today, but was still able to leave the office early, stop by the store, shop for Yvonne a bit and get home in time to see Janet Lomax on the news... Janet is news anchor and Rishard recognized her really fast when he saw her on the news. We were just thrilled seeing our church member doing the news... Mount Olivet is filled with people in high places who are humble, down-to-earth, fun, God-loving, Christian folks. It's just an "Out-and-Out" great Church. It is just about snowing everyday...but one truth here is, "It doesn't stop anything!" See the beautiful new building and the old building too. This really is a beautiful church; it goes well with the beautiful people! We're staying in tomorrow for Thankgiving dinner. (Macaroni and Cheese, Cornbread dressing, Cornish hens, turnip greens, candied yams, sweet potato pie, pound cake, and beverages. Im hungry... Be back shortly!

House for Sale in Tucson

Now listen, Somebody buy this house. Paying this note from Rochester is not exactly what we had in mind! President-Elect Barack Obama, keep doing your thing so that the market will open up again! Mercy! LOL .. Seriously, this is the home we left in Tucson and it is/was very special to us. Its the only house that we built. There were a lot of tears in leaving this place because it has so many stories for Yvonne and me, but as we have relocated here in Rochester, we realize stories dont stop! Our story continues; so this house was a part of our story but in no wise all of the story! We're not building a house this time rather we're building a home. It's a new chapter now, that chapter has closed, house is for sale, and we're on with the new and wondrous chapter that the Lord has begun in our lives! Amen Holy Ghost!

Rochester New York's Weather

When I left the desert coming to beautiful Rochester, New York, I knew exactly what I was doing, where I was going and the type of weather I was coming to. I came so looking forward to the four seasons and the snow and the beautiful fall leaves that met me here upon arrival, and what a site this city is. Rochester is actually having much warmer weather than I anticipated and its causing me not to know how to adequately dress. The word here is "Layers". Rochester people dress in layers. You leave home in the morning with shirts and sweathers and as the day progresses and it warms up you take off a layer as needed. Well, I have had to "unlayer" because the real cold weather hasn't come yet! I know you folks from Arizona are looking at the pictures and thinking that it cant get any colder than that! Nah....! That's nothing... You have a beautiful snow overnight or even during the day and I have already seen it snow all day for a couple of days, but by no means is it anything less than beautiful. Yvonne, Rishard and I have already agreed to do as the folk here do, get out in the snow and do our thing! Friday night we were out in what would be called a "big snow" in Memphis and a "Double Facto Shut-Down the Town Blizzard" in Tucson, but here, the streets were full, restaurants, stores and malls were full... and we were out taking pictures and having a ball.... Stay posted, I'll tell you if it gets worst, but for the moment, it's wonderful!

The Reverend Doctor Ella Mitchell

Dear Beloved, Our elder, Dr. Ella Mitchell, died peacefully in her sleep last night (Nov 20th 08) and is now at home with God, surrounded by the saints. In her final days, she was comforted by family, friends who loved her and her faithful husband, Dr. Henry Mitchell. It is asked that you keep the Mitchell family in your prayers as you move throughout the day and in your quiet moments. Dr. Ella Mitchell was a sturdy Black bridge over whom we have crossed. We owe her much and give praise for her passing our way.
The Reverend Doctor Ella P. Mitchell (1918-2008) was a teacher, preacher, devoted wife, mother and outstanding author. She is known as the "dean of Black women preachers." Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Dr. Mitchell graduated from Union Theological Seminary in New York City, where she met her husband Dr. Henry H. Mitchell, with whom she has ministered for over sixty years. Together, they have served as co- mentors in the Doctor of Ministry Program at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, and were founders of the Ecumenical Center for Black Church Studies in Los Angeles. Dr. Ella was the first woman Dean of Sisters Chapel at Spelman College and also taught at the American Baptist Seminary of the West and the School of Theology at Claremont. Dr. Mitchell was the editor of five volumes of the series, Those Preaching Women, and, with her husband, completed their joint autobiography, Together for Good, which shares the secret to lasting love and friendship.
Both Drs Ella and Henry Mitchell were overnight guests in our home last year as well as speakers for us at Mount Calvary, Tucson!

I'm Where I Am Supposed To Be

Church was good today. From the moment you walk in the door until you departed, you can sense a warmth and love that's flowing in the place and more importantly it feels so natural and right. It's no question that this is the Lord's doing and He is pleased and the Mount Olivet Family is pleased and so am I. We are loving how God is establishing us together. Mount Olivet is very patient with me and embracing the changes that are coming forth as well as encouraging change.
Those of us who have Pastored Baptist Churches for any length of time know that transitions can be very difficult! Not this one! It's the most comfortable of any transition yet! It's a very challenging work ahead of me I might add. Meetings all day and everyday. The people are so ready for the blessings that we all know that are ahead for our Church.
I got to hear the children's choir sing for the first time today. My men sing every Sunday. Mount Olivet's Male Chorus is one of the best ever. I'll join them with a song or 2 real soon. My Director of Christian Education and I visited the children's church and nursery today. It was interesting. Our church is suffering for space. We have one of the most beautiful sanctuaries ever, actually two but are very limited in classroom, and other ministry areas. I will look at the plans this week for new facilities and we will have a shovel in ground soon.

I Cant Find My Green Suit...

Now that all the clothes are unpacked, Where is my green suit? This was my Seminary Graduation gift and I wear it on planes for some reason. I flew here October 31st wearing this suit. I wore it to a meeting the next day at the church, returned to the hotel and remember hanging the suit in the closet and seeing it in the closet. My robe and all the suits that were hanging with that suit are with me now, where is my green suit? Wait, I wore the suit to a dinner in Buffalo also. So when did I last see the green suit? The shirt to the suit is hanging up at Mount Olivet. How have I lost a suit? I'll let you know if it appears. Before you ask, I have already checked every closet in the house, the trunk of the cars, all of the luggage, and my last hotel. Where is My Green Suit? PS. That's Moma and me at my Seminary Graduation celebration..

Inauguration Here We Come

Mr President Elect I am so happy for your family and you and for America and and to be in America. When did we ever envision this? Mercy! What a sense of pride and greater self-worth and respect for self and appreciation for "Our Country" we have as a result of your tenacity, your calmness, your ability to withstand pressure, stay focused, regroup when necessary, and push through! Though I will be in DC and have tickets to the Inauguration, I will probably watch the speech from the comforts of a recliner and by way of television. If Oprah had to stand in the rain to hear you in Chicago then I might be in the Tornado Hurricane section to hear you in DC. I love you my Brother and if you need me give me a call... You have the number... LOL

Connected Cable - Big Screen Broken

I never thought I would have withdrawals from cable TV. Tonight was the first time I had access to Cable TV since the night of the election. I have not seen my President Elect and his family since he gave his acceptance speech in Chicago. So tonight I got a chance to see my favorite TV shows again. "CNN, I Love Lucy, Andy Griffith, and Court TV." Still no President Elect yet! Now in everything theres always some problem or another. We own that original big screen. It was Circuit City's best 10 years ago; You know that big 61" Hitachi that's square and not rectangular, and is self standing, and not on some table or the wall as are the new big screens. It was "IT" in its day and has never given us a minutes trouble until now.

JoAnn (Mount Calvary Member) suggested selling everything and buying over when we got to Rochester for that same reason. Road trips are not good for furniture and appliances or me. The picture in the TV shows several pictures behind a black like veil. Repairman, if you are reading this, call us immediately, or somebody suggest a Rochester TV repair company. This 19" is sufficing for the moment!

Weekend Number Two

Here I am in my big beautiful pulpit. I waited a few days to express my opinion of my first full week at Mount Olivet which would be my second Sunday in worship. Why did I wait? I waited because it took some time to adequately describe the weekend. In the words of the younger generation, it was off the chain. I joined my men in Male Chorus rehearsal. They were good. My musicians are fantastic but fortunately, I have always had the best musicians, so no real biggie. The men didnt tarry long before being joined by the Sanctuary choir who worked on Christmas music and rushed to a soon close to get home for the election returns.
(By the way, not only "(YES we can, but YES we did").

There was something going on everyday of the week afterwards which would allow interactions between the congregation and me; and personally I think thats what contributed to such an awesome Sunday. We had some time to get more aquainted, establish some relationships, learn some names, laugh and simply enjoy pastor and people together as the Lord would have it.

Saturday tons of people flowed in for the Mission Fair and that was great. I was in the midst of folks taking pictures and meeting new members as they attended the fair.

Sunday came and I was as ready as I could be. I had prayed, studied, and set my mind on a good worship and God didnt let anything short of that happen.

My Male Chorus blessed us and then God blessed us with a good word.. Yes He did. I was far more comfortable with my congregation this Sunday and I think they were with me as well.

The sermon "NO Time for Gazing" Acts 1:9-11 was a blessing for our congregation. One lady left church saying, "Pastor, we got it, no time for gazing up."

Look at God.!

My First Sunday In Rochester

Wow.. What a day. People filled the beautiful spacious sanctuary anxiously waiting to see and here the new pastor of the Mount Olivet Baptist Church preach his first pastoral sermon. The people are some of the most warmest folks I have ever met. They are super friendly and most loving and welcomed my eldest son Rico and me with open arms. I was so excited and ready to go, I thought, but it never happened. I was so off until it was embarrassing. I know that the dynamics are different from what I'm accustomed to on Sundays, but I'm really used to diverse congregations across the country so that's no excuse. I didnt fall into that groove preaching and tried to sing "I Know the Lord will Make Away" in B-. Wrong key, LOL......
Let me see..... Could I blame it on the microphones...? Well those of you who know me know how the mikes can throw me off. The mikes, yeah, were problematic to say the least, but not sure if thats what threw me!
On the other hand, Hundreds of folks filed in a line to shake my hand afterwards, welcome me to Mount Olivet as its 10th pastor and express their appreciation for the message. I was somewhat encouraged by their kindness.
Many of them are looking for the person that they see on Youtube and hear online, and He has not arrived up yet! Well, I'm not uneasy, I just know that I have a lot of praying to do, some adjustments to make, and some settling in and down!
Yvonne and Rishard are not here and wont be here for a few weeks, the cars got here Saturday evening, so getting out of the rentals helped tremendously. The movers called earlier tonight; my furniture is somewhere near Chicago, on its way to Rochester. I could be much more comfortable when I have left this hotel. A meal at home will help some too, restaurant food gets old real soon!
So what can you do to help me? Just pray for me that the Lord settle me in, calm my nerves, strengthen me in His will, humble me in His blessings.. Yes, Mount Olivet is truly my blessing and I am ever so grateful at the opportunity to serve them!
Hey.... Be sure to Vote tomorrow!
Bye!

Nine Days Out and No Regrets

Well, I returned to Tucson Monday October 2oth after a nine day trip to Baltimore, Rochester, and Buffalo and believe me, coming from the East Coast air to the desert heat in mid October was no joke. I returned wearing a black trench coat and a black kango cap that I bought in Buffalo to keep warm. I got off the plane in Tucson and it felt like fire was rushing down my throat. My head began hurting and has nagged me through the night; that's actually why I'm up now, "this nagging headache." Maybe it wasn't the heat, maybe its the nearly 100 boxes that Yvonne and I have packed at the house ready for the truck to pick up and take to Rochester. Maybe its the decisions that have to be made. Are we shipping all the cars? Are we driving any? Are we stopping in Memphis? Are we going to take some of this house's furniture to the Condo in Memphis? Are we taking all of this stuff to Rochester? Are we having a yard sale? Are we having a free-for-all? When are we really leaving? When am I leaving? Do I get a physical before leaving? Are all of the bills here paid? Will the house sell? Will the Beauty Salon sell? Do I take my classic 1970 Skylark Buick to Rochester or to Memphis or do I get rid of it? (The latter is Yvonne's suggestion) How do I do all of what has to be done here and get to Rochester in time to be rested, prayed up, studied up, and ready to preach my first Pastoral Sermon November 2nd? What happens to the chickens? (that's a whole-nother story for those of you who don't know about the chickens lol) Well the one thing that I do know is, this is right for my family and me, it feels good, the Lord's hand is in it, no second thoughts about Tucson or Mount Calvary.. I love them dearly, but God has comforted me completely in knowing that the season here is up! So, I'm going to pray again tonight for some answers to the many questions that are before me, many of them are not listed above, get a cold glass of juice and return to bed!

Bless you for taking the time to listen to me!

Buffalo New York - Antioch Baptist Church

This was my second Sunday away from Mount Calvary. I miss them and love them and will always be grateful to God for our ten years together. My life is so impacted by them; the worship, choir, children, my senior citizens, my young people, the love, the joy and the pain. I have to admit its different and even difficult being away. I spent some days in Rochester last week securing a house for the family, and thank God that's done. Yvonne and I actually have an address in Rochester, New York! Wow! God has us so covered during this season and has shown us so clearly that this is His doing and ITS Marvelous in His eyes. Rochester has welcomed us with warm, outstretched arms and we're adjusting to a brand new people loving us. I was invited to preach at the Antioch Baptist Church in Buffalo, New York, a church that I preached in many times during my most formative years. (see YouTube) Reverend William and Sister Wanda Bunton are nothing less than parents to me and have been for almost 20 years. Their house is 60 miles from my Rochester residence and less than 1 hour door to door. What a blessing it was to be with my Dad this weekend. This was a time when I needed to be the son and not the father and Reverend Bunton took good care of me. Antioch was ready for church today, received me wonderfully and what a worship time we shared together. Upon returning to Rochester after a few exhausting days in Buffalo to fly back to Tucson to complete the move, I stopped by my new church to speak to whomever was on the campus. I was pleasantly met by the few who had not yet vacated the premises and accompanied to dinner by one of the very fine gentlemen of the church! I got to the airport in good time, turned in my car, went inside just to find that my flight had been canceled. I dare not call anyone to pick me up, rather, walked across the street to the Marriott Hotel to rest for the evening. I know that God knew that my body was too tired for the long flight and He wanted me rested, so rest is what I was doing prior to waking up to share my day's feeling with the blog! Good night!

Baltimore City Simultaneous Revival

This was my first Sunday away from Mount Calvary as pastor and it was an honor to be guest speaker in Baltimore, Maryland. Pastor H. Walden Wilson II, invited me to Israel Baptist Church for the Simultaneous Revival. 21 pastors from across the country were in town for the event; Donald Parson, Sedric Veal, Craig Oliver and others. Twice on 2nd sunday and each of the three nights I was privileged to preach for Israel Baptist and Monday during the Simultaneous at Friendship Baptist (Baltimore) I had the honor of preaching in the day session as did Sedric Veal and Donald Parson and Bill Curtis. This revival is one of the biggest this year. People attended and participated like back in the day except it wasnt a back in the day Church. Israel Baptist Church in Baltimore is by far one of the most progressive Churches in the country and continously growing and ministering to the community.

Making Major Decisions

Major decisions in my life have been made this week that will affect my family, Church, State Convention, and hundreds of wonderful people. The decisions we make will come most easily if we abide in Christ daily, begin each dawn in humble surrender to God, seek to please Him in all our ways, and live our lives out of the overflow of our personal relationship with Jesus.

To assist us in decisions God has given means of guidance.

The Bible. "Do not go beyond what is written" (1 Corinthians 4:6). Obedience is the trademark of a biblical Christian.

Prayer. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete" (John 16:24). Pray over all decisions.

The Holy Spirit. "The Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will" (Romans 8:27). The Holy Spirit will never lead in contradiction to His written Word.

Conscience. "Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God" (1 John 3:21).

Circumstances. God's will is often revealed clearly by the circumstances in which we live. "He determines the times set for them and the exact places where they should live" (Acts 17: 26).

Counsel. "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed" (Proverbs 15:22).

Fasting. Fasting demonstrates a seriousness about your concern to the Lord.

I Hope You Dance

Yesterday may have been the very best Sunday that I have had at Mount Calvary since being there.! The congregation greeted me as if I was a guest preacher from out of town. "You know folks respond to guest often times more than they do their own, not the case here..." Mercy! The choir was off the chain, the message "I HOPE YOU DANCE" from 2 Samuel 6:14, And David danced before the LORD with all his might; was received wonderfully by the congregation..

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

National Baptist Convention

Wow... I'm yet moved by the impact of the 2008 National Baptist Convention on many of us this year! Dr William Shaw's message was unbelievably inspiring! My life is better, my desire to study is greater, my preaching inspiration is strengthened as a result of the powerful messages that I heard in Cincinnatti last week. Dr Shaw encouraged us to commit to the things that Jesus committed to, accept the things that Jesus accepted, and reject what Jesus rejected!

Dr. Lamont Munford was the surprize of the week when he came in as a substitute and preached for the Foreign Mission. Mercy! While the sermon was great, his story was phenomenal.

Nathan Nance was a blessing as several pastors listened to him on Thursday night. It is such a blessing to see growth in individuals as we saw it in Nathan. I pray that my life is of such that people can see the growth, that my light shines, that my testimony is authenic, and that the Lord is pleased as I stand, often here and there as His representative.

Praying for Barack Obama

As Barack prays for himself, his family, and this country, lets join him in prayer!

Remember..... this is a long, hard, rough road for our brother!
Pray for his success and SAFETY.............. Dear God, I pray for optimum health, wisdom, mental clarity and political prosperity for Barack Obama, and for his protection, as he seeks to become our President, Amen.

The Prayer of Deliverance..... It Works for Me...

In this prayer David earnestly requested that God hear . . . answer. . . . guard. . . . save. . . . have mercy, and bring joy to him. If you need that as I do; hear is the prayer!

Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

Children off to College

My daughter Ricketa returned to college a Sophomore this term! She had an excellent 1st year with no trouble, Praise the Lord. She completed a 10 week internship at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ. Thank God for such a blessing! Parents, these are the times when "the rubber meets the road". If we have taught them, prayed with them, trained them up in the way they should go, it could possibly tell in this season of their lives. Leaving them in dormotories and apartments with full responsibility of themselves and in the hands of the Lord will be the test of their lives. Our children must understand that the choices they make today will affect their lives forever. Succeeding in school with all of the snares and temptations lurking is tough, but the strong and the wise and the ones who have their hands in God's hand and totally lean and depend upon Him for guidance will make it! School is a short term investment for a lifetime of returns. Do well college students... We're pulling hard for you!

The African American Church

The role of the black church in the community is so numerous until it will be difficult to impossible to address the African American Church’s role for the 21st century so I will suggest some pertinent matters that I feel the church must address in order to maintain and enhance its effectiveness.

- This is the time for the African American church to reclaim its voice and power and call for the renewal of normative, nuclear families, for Christian unity, and for spiritual rebirth. In order to do this, black churches must vigorously promote a clear and biblical view of human sexuality, marriage and the family, love, respect and honor for itself and others. As the pastors and churches continue to fall from grace through scandal, abuse, deceit, and mistrust, so does the influence of the church and its ability to persuade, impact and inspire.

- The black church must find the humility to confront the sin within its walls and lead by example, which will over time increase its influence in families and among young people.

Success in ministry today is too often measured not by the response to the altar call but by church attendance, the number of preaching invitations a pastor receives and whether the congregation gets revved up during worship services. I believe true ministry isn't measured by what happens inside church walls, but by the change that takes place in the communities outside it. God's purpose for man on this planet has not changed. He told us in Genesis 28 to be fruitful, multiply, replenish, subdue and take dominion of the earth. That’s a clear picture of community transformation.

Pastoral care has come to mean care of the pastor with no guarantees of care by the pastor. Hence in some circles (though not all) the congregational environment presumes permission to exploit the mental, financial and spiritual health of black people, who once looked to the church for direction and sanctuary from their own sinful life contexts. The black church today must purify its own pastoral care ethic and reinstitute the stringent safeguards that make for sanctuary.

- While I believe that the ministers of African American Churches and their families should be taken care of and not be in want that they may sufficiently take care of the flock of God, I believe that there must be a focus within the church beyond the needs of its leaders to the needs of its people and the community that surrounds the church. Most churches today could leave the community and never be missed because while they situated in the community they have no communication, interaction, contact, relationship and in many instances concern for the community. The church must acquaint itself with the community.

The role of the African American Pastors and congregants is to remember that we do not exist for the sole purpose of meeting in comfortable buildings to worship God.

The African American Church is not called to sponsor special events with well-known speakers to make it look important. While this is good to us and sometimes for us, it’s fun, exciting, often electrifying, and I have seen it stimulate the church, but the African American Church must return to its calling in which God instituted the Church.

- We are called to be agents of transformation.
- We are called to be disciple-makers.
- We are called to witness, teach, and baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
- We are made in the image of God, and when God sees us He should see a reflection of His love for mankind. Romans 8:19 says, "For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God." Get equipped and get busy. The Spiritually deprived communities are waiting on the church!

- The role of the Church in the 21st Century is to return to Biblical principals, model after God and flee from the temptation to pattern itself after man and the ways of the day that are seen on television, heard on the radio and viewed and in worlds outside of godliness.

Seeing Life Clearly

Mark 8:22-25 The man that was blind gets his sight, but only after he goes through something, and makes a couple of honest confessions! At some point you have to be honest and say what it is that you see... even when you have been touched by the hand of Jesus! I am amazingly struck at how Jesus performs this miracle.. Unlike any other miracle he ever wrought!

This was not an instantaneous miracle, it was one done in parts! Maybe God is saying to us, that all of our blessings are not instant! Some will come in parts!

Jesus does not honor the request of those who brought this man to Him and asked Him to touch him, rather Jesus reaches His hands to the man and leads him away; away from familiarity, away from friends, away from comfort zone and then He spits in the man's eyes!

Spit is nasty! Anyway you look at, talk or think about it, spit is nasty! But after the spit, the man no longer sees men as trees he sees men as they are, he sees clearly! Is God saying to you, that you may have to go through something nasty on your way to the real blessing? I think He is! Those losses, disappointment, tears, heartache, pain, mistreatment and lies by folks you never expected is a part of the miracle formula. God has factored all of that into the blessing that awaits you!

Hang in there, that nasty divorce is factored into your miracle, that nasty layoff, foreclosure, reposession, or fight or attack that came to you is factored into your miracle! Its how God gets you to see clearly! It's how God gets you to confess, its how he gets you to the next demension!

I can see clearly now that I have come through the nasty part! Hang in there, stay the course, keep the faith, stay in the race, dont give up! Your ability to see clearly comes after the nasty stuff! Keep me in your prayers and I will keep you in mine! Let's always pray for each other!

Gas prices - The Biggest and Oldest Joke Ever

Have we not noticed yet how this game goes.... Raise the gas to a ridiculous price, often a dollar and a half or more above what consumers had originally been accustomed to paying..... Keep it there for a period of time, then lower the gas by 50 cents and consumers call that cheap gas... That's what's happening right now...... people in America are calling $3.60 gas cheap... because we have been brainwashed by the same old multi-million dollar system........ Gas is cheap when its under $2.00 not above......How long will the American system keep robbing us blind and we call it good?