What a Fall 2010

I can't believe that the end of 2010 is so near! We only have a few session left and it was one heck of a ride. Our numbers were low but we were mighty in spirit. We set our expectations high, however, the results was moderate. Yes we did reach our goals to reach young men, however, it wasn't the effort that I expected. One youth told me last night that we have talked about doing things with the young men and we have never done them. All talk, no action. I felt, totally bad about this. I (we) want to do things with out youth, however, it is difficult for me and particular with my own children. The men that attend our sessions are also family men and have other responsibilities. I can't make them do anything that they do not want to do because I fall in the same category myself. God will have to make a way. I find myself wondering what happened and what we did different from the spring to the fall. After our last session on December 2nd, we pray that we renew our dedication and minds to this program. That God will give us the time and the strength that we need to reach the youth of our community. Lord knows that something needs to be done in the city of Columbia.

I see it every day and particular on facebook a lot. I was reading an article posted by the Tribune about what you are going to do for Thanksgiving Break. Most of the responses were go out of town, spend time with family, etc. Well some child posted, that he was going to shoot everyone and rob people on Black Friday. And this was a young man. Please keep the young men in our community in prayer. Hey may have posted these type of things as a joke, however, in the end, this was hurtful to many who are scared to post what is on their minds.

I will also begin to write more what is on my heart as God allows. I have been spending a lot of time thinking, praying and meditating on what the future holds for me. At this point, I do not know, but I must "be ready". The Rev. is no different than anyone else out there. I have problems, just like the next person, I just have my own way of dealing with them. But with God's help, like all of you and the boy who screamed obscenities on Facebook, we will get through.

Be Blessed until next time.

College Prep and career Planning

Just wanted to type a quick spiel on what is going on with us right now. We are still in our study, with out 60 keys. However, it seems like our discussions are geared toward career planning and academic. If there any volunteers that would like to join our discussions about how to take the ACT-SAT prep etc. Drop me a line.

Learn, Listen and Focus: Part 1

I will try to make the blog entries as simple as possible. I know and understand that when someone sees lots of paragraphs, words and lines it’s not appealing to the eye and makes you lose interest. So I will try to be brief yet straight to the point, definitely easy enough for a child to understand. In particular, young men.

The first section in our studies comes from the subject matter of Study, Obey and Teach God’s word. I see that in today’s society, we try to teach the word yet; we do not study or obey it. Step one is to open up the word, and read it. This is hard for a young man because of the “thou, shall”, “thy”, “doest” and etc. There are many different versions available to everyone such as the message Bible by Eugene Peterson who also has the Message remix, etc. Not only that there are bibles to suit particular needs, African-American Men’s Bible, Women’s Bibles, Hispanic Bibles, etc. In this day in time, especially with the internet, there are no excuses. I found it awesome that when we stand to read the word that I see many people using their Iphone as I use my Blackberry sometimes! All are available; it just takes the discipline to pick up the word. Remember, don’t just pick it up read and study it.

Ezra was a great example of a Man of intense study. He was a scribe in the Law of Moses in the Old Testament and was extremely well versed with words, ready for any conversation. Ezra was very important reviving how the law was read and interpreted. In order for Ezra to do this he has to Study the word. As with anything, from your classes in school to those who with jobs, we need to study. Take words that we think we know and look them up in dictionaries and Thesaurus. For example as I am writing this, I looked up the word study in the dictionary and I saw that it means:
o Learn about or investigate something
o Look at and consider something
How can I write/teach about how to study the word or what it means to study if I don’t know what study means! Ezra took this thought a step further. Not only did he study but he also taught and promoted the word. The book of Malachi enhances this:
o Now that prophecy was about to cease it was time to promote scripture knowledge, pursuant to the counsel of God by the last of the prophets
(Mal 4:4)
Ezra collected and collated all the copies of the law he could find out, published and accurate edition of it, with all the prophetical books, historical, and practical, that were given by divine inspiration

As Ezra, God has asked us to be diligent in our studies with him and understand his word. We must gain knowledge from the scriptures in order for us to be happy in life. Studying the word is a continuing process from Genesis to Revelation.
1 Th. 4:11
And that ye study to be quiet, and to your business, and to work with your own as hands, as we commanded you
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be as ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Young men (and mature too) we need to understand that when we have a problem we need to go to the word of God. When crisis comes and we are well read in the word a scripture comes to mind, at least in my experience. There are times when I face issues and problems, immediately a scripture comes to mind because God has placed it there. I know it’s hard but we need to make it a habit to read the word daily. It’s just like lifting weights, if you continue to do it, it will become a habit. With each day, you will get better and better. It will be difficult from the start because you will feel like you can’t understand the concepts. That’s when you get a bible study group together, join online chat or call a friend who may be “seasoned” than you are. Even though, I am minster, there are things that I don’t understand and seek other resources. First you should always seek God for wisdom and knowledge. Second, ask someone else and talk about it. This blog is also dedicated to understanding the word and having discussions about the word can apply to your life. That is the vision that God has given to me. I have seen different young men who try to apply by the word but then they don’t study the word. When I was a teen, I would study the word diligently, but I didn’t apply. Today we have to do both. It’s a hard task but we can do all things through Christ.

new things, new stuff

Well I hope this finds those who read this well. I don't have any followers but maybe someone will someday!!! It's all good. I just wanted to let folks know that I will be posting our Boyz to Men studies on line. We (I) will be the study called 60 keys to the Godly Man. If you want a copy let me know and I will take care of you now problem! I do have last weeks insert done so that will be added by Monday. Then I will keep adding things as we go. If you want to chat or video chat, let me know also. We can work that out s schedule allows. I just want everyone to absorb this word as God has given to me. As I continue to study, I will post up dates for events that I am involved in. Until then, I pray every has a good week. I know for last week, it was rough. As a matter fact I almost quit my job. That's another story. But until then....I'll catch everyone on the web later.

Appreciation

(This is a little old, Ramah has now gone on to be the Lord. I wanted to post this and get this out to the world on how I felt)

Everyday I am getting a new appreciation for life. I’ve seen people come and seen people go, mainly because of health reasons. For the last 3 months I have watched my grandmother go through her battle with stage 2 breast cancer. This isn’t the 1st time this has hit my family; mom had it twice with stage 2 and stage 3 and she is still here today. Mom is a fighter and true woman of faith. But something that has really bothered me about cancer is that a very close friend of mine has stage 4 cancer. She was diagnosed at the same time as grandma was so I have been going on a parallel path with their family and my own. Grandma has been winning her battle, a tough one, but she is winning. My friend Ramah has not. Ramah has had a lump the size of a baseball for the last 7 years and refused to go to the doctor. I have been in contact with her husband as much as I can and visiting them and their kids who are taking it very hard. Ramah does not have medical care because she has been in fear of her immigration status. She has slowly become weaker and the cancer has seemingly moved into her bones. She has been home for the last 3 weeks under hospice care and they have given up hope. She is too weak to talk and it seems that the end is near.

The point of writing this is not to scare anyone but to really encourage. Cancer is something that can be beat with early detection. Studies have also been proven that cancer is a genetic disease which puts me at my kids at high risk. Cancer is now officially confirmed in every generation of my family on both sides. This is really pushing me to live a healthier life and to actually go to the doctor, no matter how much the cost. After seeing Ramah, all I could do is call the people that I care about and tell them I love them. Don’t wait until you get on your death bed 7 years after the fact. We have to live for the moment now that God has given us. If you have aches, pains or lumps that you just can’t get rid of, go to the doctor and seek help. If you are medication, keep taking them consistently.

Dear God...

I wrote this on my facebook page tonight and I wanted to share this with everyone who may not have it...It's how I feel and maybe this will help someone else out there.

Dear God, I know that we keep talking everyday and you have brought me a mighty long way. For 33 years, you have kept me and have kept me from danger. You have taught me the benefits of doing right and the downfalls of doing wrong. But the key to this is that you have never left me or forsake me. THANK YOU! You are always there when no one else is. When I sit alone at my house, I sometimes cry because I have no one talk to and no one calls. I don't feel very loved at all, especially by people on earth at times. Yeah, I'm not perfect but geez, right? i've always had dirty looks given to me. People talked about my weight, crybaby, yeah, the whole thing. Well, it's always good to know that you are there, always. When I go in my prayer closet, you are listening to me. That's all I care about. And truly, that's all that people on earth should care about.

You have been there with my family through the good and bad, with my sisters and brothers, with mom and yeah even dad when I felt like he was nothing to me. I thank you for being God and I thank you for being my true friend. The one that I can talk to you with unlimited minutes on the line. I wish that people on earth would learn to be more like you and talk to each other. Could you imagine how this world would be be. There would be peace, no more wars and love abounding. I just had to open up my facebook and tell the world how much I love you. I try hard to do thngs that are pleasing to you to make you happy. To give me a head nod or pat on the back. But things are hard for us on earth now. Lots of temptation and the devil is attacking us at every agle. I know that you are my rock and salvation. a healer and provider. I pray for those right now who need you and those you don't have a relationship with you as I do. FB, God is the almighty and Jesus is his son who died for you and me. Get to know him before it's too late. And when you get to know him talk to him and you will know like I do that he is and will always be your closest friend. I love you God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Without you, there would be no me. And I will keep pressing on...and on...and on.

The comforting Promise...

God, thank You for Your comforting promise that You will never leave nor forsake me. In times like today, I need that assurance. You are my Rock and my Salvation. I trust You, even when I feel like I cannot trust anyone else. I look up to You, because I know You will always be there for me, even if the whole world forsakes me. Thank You, so much, for Your love and dependability. You are awesome! With love and appreciation in my heart, amen.

Love me....

God, please build your nature in me, so that I will love other people the way you want me to. Prepare me so that I respond in righteousness when attacks come from those who would mistreat me or act under an unholy power. Help me to be a vessel of honor to you and a light in the darkness. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for protecting me. Thank you for being you.

Provided by Ephesians 4 Ministries

How Busy are you...

Dear God, People are always asking me "How are you?" Most of the time, it is just a greeting. They really don't want to know how I am. I admit that in a rush, I'll pass by someone and greet him or her with a "Hi. How are you doing?" Even though I care, I don't really expect to spend a long time in conversation to get all the details of how that person really is doing. That's sad. Please help me to be willing to sacrifice a little of my time and to take a few moments to offer a sincere and caring response. Maybe I should just say, "Fine...and how can I help you today?" or "Been a little under the weather, but doing great today. May I help you... or May I pray for you..." or whatever you lay upon my heart to say and do. I want to give a more personal touch...to be a blessing to others and show your love in my response. In Jesus' name I thank you.

Provided by Ephesians 4 Ministries

A Prayer I saw on the web today

I just wanted to share this with everyone today. Rooted and established in Love. It's tough, but we still have to love one another no matter what.

Dear God, I pray that out of your glorious riches, you may strengthen me with power through your Spirit in my inner being, so that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith. And I pray that I, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wise and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that I may be filled to the measure of all your fullness. In the name of Jesus I come and trust you, amen. (Based on Eph 3:16-19)

sorry the wait

It's been a while since I posted. Apologies to all. I hope that you continue to see what we are doing with Boyz 2 Godly men. We have lots plans for the young men of the community and we hope adn pray that you are able to participate and join!