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.