Play The Drums!

My son is a musician at heart, always has been from the time he was born up until now. He faithfully goes and sits by the musicians in every service, no matter where we are. Sunday Morning we were visiting with another ministry during their 8am service. Langston brought his drumsticks as he always does. The drummer had to get up and the Pastor was ready to close his message....Langston saw that opportunity, hopped up and stood by the drums. He was waiting for somebody to give him the "go ahead!" one of the members looked at him and said go 'head. I was reluctant because it's not my church and I know some people are funny about children getting on their instruments. Well Langston took that "go 'head" and ran with it and jumped on them drums. When the drummer came back in...he was going to get off, but the Pastor said "No, let him stay right there!" and Langston finished out the service and did a great job! So much can be taken away from that:

#1...Langston was Ready...he was in a position to be used...in the right place at the right time with the right stuff!
We must ensure that we are ready to be used of God, possessing everything that we need to do his work. Whether its a pair of fresh drum sticks, a fresh anointing, a fresh word, a fresh revelation or a fresh praise. We must be #ready #willing and #able to be used of God. Now just suppose if Langston didn't have his drum sticks that Sunday. He would've missed his opportunity to showcase the gift and talent God is developing inside of him! Always be prepared! Always Stay Ready!

#2....He didn't move until he got clear directions from someone in authority. He was obedient and willing!
Langston knew what time it was...he knew that the preacher was closing his message out and that the drums needed to be added to the closing. However, he also knew that this wasn't his church and he didn't have permission to get up there, so what did he do? He waited! He waited for instructions, he waited for someone in authority to tell him, to get up there. He didn't move until he received his cue. Once he got his cue he moved expeditiously in order to execute and fulfill his calling for that moment. We must wait for God's instructions whether they come thru the Holy Spirit, His man/woman servant or from confirmation through His word. And once we receive that, we must move! Quick, fast and in a hurry! Move while God is moving and while he has given you the "go ahead" to proceed. The best time to move is while God is giving clear instructions. Don't fear and don't be hesitant. Know the voice of God for yourself and MOVE!

#3...He seized the opportunity and made the most of it. 
Despite me being unsure, Langston was sure. He knew within himself that this is the moment I've been waiting for! He didn't let the puzzled look on my face stop him..he said now is my chance and I've got to move! In spite of what those say around you, you've got to know for yourself! You've got to know that God has called you to do what you are doing and do it! He made the most of his moment! He took full advantage of the opportunity presented to him. He wasn't interested in anything negative that I had to say, but he was READY TO MOVE! He was confident in his gift and knew that he possessed the skills to step in and go forth! Confidence is needed in order to do what God has called you to do, because some will question your ability and others will question the call on your life, but you have to know for yourself!! #confidence #readytomove

#4....The pastor recognized the willingness of his heart and didn't move him when the actual drummer came back in. 
A good leader will recognize the sincerity of your heart. Now, no Langston didn't hit every beat just right, he messed up a couple of times, but there was a sincerity and willingness that you could see and even though the regular drummer came back in, the pastor saw Langston's heart. In addition, this tells me and you not to be so quick to think that no one can take our place. God can raise up somebody to do what we think, only we can do! Now, the other drummer had a valid excuse for getting up, but not always in life do we have a valid reason for moving out of place. We just do it because we are so sure that no one can do what we do as well as we do it BUT God always has a ram in the bush, a back up plan, somebody who isn't full of pride, but just wants God to be glorified and if we slip up, God will have them waiting in line! On the flip side those of us who are faithful, must continue to be faithful because we don't know when God is going to give us the opportunity of a lifetime....and Be not weary in well doing for in due season!! Due season is coming and you must be in place to receive and ready to move!

GOD WANTS US TO BE READY AND IN A POSITION TO BE USED BY HIM. FURTHERMORE WE NEED TO WAIT FOR CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS FROM HIM AND THEN SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES. GOD WILL MAKE ROOM FOR THE FAITHFUL WITH AN OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME! DON'T BE SO QUICK TO GET OUT OF PLACE...YOU JUST MIGHT BE NEXT IN LINE TO "PLAY THE DRUMS!" Keep being faithful to what He has called you to do and in due season you will soar like an eagle! Get ready for take off!!!

Bitterness

I was sincerely praying the other day and as I was praying, the word "Bitterness" came before me. So of course I was trying to figure out what was the meaning of this. After prayer, I immediately began to research bitterness and prayers against bitterness. I discovered that bitterness is tied to so many other things and it brought the saying "roots of bitterness" to life for me because bitterness is the underlying problem of it. Unforgiving, resentment, jealousy, hatred, etc. they all go back to bitterness. It is amazing, how you can think you are over something, only to discover you just simply buried it. You assume because you don't think about it anymore, or have learned to cope with it that it no longer exists, but that is so far from the truth in many cases.

Sometimes we act different towards certain people or are snappy with them or may occasionally catch an attitude over something silly and it all results back to bitterness. I find that it is especially easy for men to harbor bitterness and allows it to take root in our emotions, because most men are not expressing themselves. Most men are not openly expressive about their feelings and do not disclose the hurt they encounter and as a result they are withdrawn or build up walls not even knowing the lasting effect that it may have.

There is a lot of fatherly neglect in the African-American community, I find so many young boys, have no contact with their father and many are clueless as to who their father may even be. A sense of responsibility is missing; the element of fatherly instinct to protect, care for and cover his family is void and non-existent in many of our communities. I believe bitterness plays a vital role in this issue we face today.

So many fathers are upset at how relationships turned out with the "baby mama," but I must bust your bubble....that is totally, absolutely and utterly irrelevant to the care and concern for your child! You have a responsibility to be a part of your child's life and help raise him in the way of God. So don't let bitterness take root in your heart, because its roots will bury deep and cause grave effects. Guard your heart, keep a consistent prayer and fast life and if you have an issue with  someone discuss it, forgive and move on! It's not worth occupying any of your time, as my dad use to tell me "I've got bigger fish to fry!"

It's Been A While....

WOW! It's been about 4 years since I last blogged! So much has changed, so much has evolved, but the one thing that remains the same is the Power Of Jesus! That's what this entry is about, the Power of Jesus and how he never changes and never fails. Despite how life can change in a moment, or how things can happen so fast, Jesus never changes. I can hear my grandmother singing the old hymn "Life is filled with swift transition, naught of earth unmoved can stand, build your hopes on things eternal and hold to God's unchanging hand" His hand never changes, that's simply amazing. No matter how many changes happen in our lives, Jesus is always a constant! This isn't a long entry

but its powerful. It's a blessing to know that no matter what life throws at me, whether it be lemons, oranges or watermelons...Jesus will never leave me or forsake, he will always be on my side and help me through every issue, situation and problem. Situations change, people change, jobs change, attitudes change and some of the changes are good, but even so Jesus always remains the friend that sticks closer than a brother!
We can always depend on Him, even when we can't depend on ourselves. Take confidence in the unfailing and unchanging Power of Jesus! #heneverchanges