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!