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Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Lil’ Son Chronicles ~ A Son’s Appreciation...

Because I was busy at work yesterday, I didn’t get a chance to write up anything, but I made a promise and so here it is:

On yesterday, my mom celebrated her birthday. In risk of getting cut, I won’t say her age (ha-ha), but I will say she does not look her age. More like 10-15 years younger. But this entry is all about Mom...

Rose Marie... girl what can I say? Thank you. You know mom, I have quite of few frat brothers, female friends and best friends who had rocky relationships with their moms. Some didn’t know their mom, while others wished that their mom were dead. But I must say I can never harbor thoughts like that, because of the person that you are.

As a child, you made the sacrifices. And yeah, part of it was because you didn’t want Erika, Monique, and I to go without. But I think there was more behind it. You and Dad had your disagreements like any marriage and yet the two you agreed that the three of us knuckleheads would not be statistics, but rather... stand up and are a voice in this generation.

With Dad, it was Grover Washington... Boney James... Stevie Wonder... Luther and so on. With You, it was Anita Baker... Tina Turner (ha-ha)... Yolanda Adams... John P. Kee and so on. You indeed have taught me what it is to have compassion for women; something that most men find difficulty in. In a lot of ways Dad taught me that same lesson; he also said, find a woman with hair from the scalp (ha-ha)...

But as a child, I was Lil’ Son. I knew every morning around 6AM, “Lil’ Son... time to get up.” (ha-ha)

As I got older, we would talk about a lot; some I understood... some I didn’t... but it was all genuine and seeds that would be beneficial later in life.

As an adult, I now am “jumping from monkey vine to monkey vine.” But the leaps are a lil’ easier. Because of the sacrifices you made for me... the lessons you taught me... the wisdom you provided... the discipline you ordered... this all has helped to shape me from Lil’ Son... to Son... to Vince... to Vincent Jr.

Momma, I praise God for using you... For picking you to be my mother. While times weren’t always good.... the good always out weighed the bad.

And now, God has granted you another year on this earth. For all the wonder things you have done and you do now... it is my prayer that God would bless you beyond measure as you have and continue to bless me.

To me you have the strength of Esther... the determination of Ruth... and a heart for God. I’m sure Erika and Monique would agree that you are our Queen of Hearts and that we are so grateful for your nurturing. I know sometimes you sit back and wonder how the three of us have got so far... And it’s because of you and Dad. I know I can’t fully speak for Erika & Monique (seeing they’re girls and have their own daughter-mom thoughts), but I your son... say Thank You.

Father God,

I thank You for both of my parents... but this woman from You Lord... I give You praise and Honor. Lord I know that the enemy tries to wages obstacles against her, but Lord... renew her strength daily... anoint her daily... remind her always that You are with her... You Love her and that all that she has done for her family and friends and strangers... that You will bless 100 times over... I claim it now....

In Jesus Name...

Amen.

THOUGHT: For some of you maybe it’s a mother... or father... or someone else. Nonetheless... stop for a moment and tell them thank you for all that they do for you. If you have rocky relationships with family... deal with it fast... the sooner you deal with the gaps... the quicker the bridge will be built and you can cross over the troubled waters to your destiny... Be blessed y’all....

P.S. Thanks Momma for your continuous unconditional love. Hope you enjoyed your birthday!!!

Love,

Son...

Lil’ Son Chronicles ~ A Son’s Appreciation...

Because I was busy at work yesterday, I didn’t get a chance to write up anything, but I made a promise and so here it is:

On yesterday, my mom celebrated her birthday. In risk of getting cut, I won’t say her age (ha-ha), but I will say she does not look her age. More like 10-15 years younger. But this entry is all about Mom...

Rose Marie... girl what can I say? Thank you. You know mom, I have quite of few frat brothers, female friends and best friends who had rocky relationships with their moms. Some didn’t know their mom, while others wished that their mom were dead. But I must say I can never harbor thoughts like that, because of the person that you are.

As a child, you made the sacrifices. And yeah, part of it was because you didn’t want Erika, Monique, and I to go without. But I think there was more behind it. You and Dad had your disagreements like any marriage and yet the two you agreed that the three of us knuckleheads would not be statistics, but rather... stand up and are a voice in this generation.

With Dad, it was Grover Washington... Boney James... Stevie Wonder... Luther and so on. With You, it was Anita Baker... Tina Turner (ha-ha)... Yolanda Adams... John P. Kee and so on. You indeed have taught me what it is to have compassion for women; something that most men find difficulty in. In a lot of ways Dad taught me that same lesson; he also said, find a woman with hair from the scalp (ha-ha)...

But as a child, I was Lil’ Son. I knew every morning around 6AM, “Lil’ Son... time to get up.” (ha-ha)

As I got older, we would talk about a lot; some I understood... some I didn’t... but it was all genuine and seeds that would be beneficial later in life.

As an adult, I now am “jumping from monkey vine to monkey vine.” But the leaps are a lil’ easier. Because of the sacrifices you made for me... the lessons you taught me... the wisdom you provided... the discipline you ordered... this all has helped to shape me from Lil’ Son... to Son... to Vince... to Vincent Jr.

Momma, I praise God for using you... For picking you to be my mother. While times weren’t always good.... the good always out weighed the bad.

And now, God has granted you another year on this earth. For all the wonder things you have done and you do now... it is my prayer that God would bless you beyond measure as you have and continue to bless me.

To me you have the strength of Esther... the determination of Ruth... and a heart for God. I’m sure Erika and Monique would agree that you are our Queen of Hearts and that we are so grateful for your nurturing. I know sometimes you sit back and wonder how the three of us have got so far... And it’s because of you and Dad. I know I can’t fully speak for Erika & Monique (seeing they’re girls and have their own daughter-mom thoughts), but I your son... say Thank You.

Father God,

I thank You for both of my parents... but this woman from You Lord... I give You praise and Honor. Lord I know that the enemy tries to wages obstacles against her, but Lord... renew her strength daily... anoint her daily... remind her always that You are with her... You Love her and that all that she has done for her family and friends and strangers... that You will bless 100 times over... I claim it now....

In Jesus Name...

Amen.

THOUGHT: For some of you maybe it’s a mother... or father... or someone else. Nonetheless... stop for a moment and tell them thank you for all that they do for you. If you have rocky relationships with family... deal with it fast... the sooner you deal with the gaps... the quicker the bridge will be built and you can cross over the troubled waters to your destiny... Be blessed y’all....

P.S. Thanks Momma for your continuous unconditional love. Hope you enjoyed your birthday!!!

Love,

Son...

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Lil’ Son Chronicles ~ God’s Rose Garden...

Inspiration: “Food for Thought” Conversation w/Godbrothers...

Yesterday I had on my mind... roses. For one, my mom’s name is Rose... and furthermore... I love white roses... why I don’t know... A pretty flower like roses can get a hard deal. They are very beautiful, but they have thorns can if you touch them can hurt. The stems of flowers or shrubs are armed with thorns serve as protection from herbivores.

Of course then I start to think of 2 Corinthians when Paul talked about his thorn in the flesh. All the time I would look at chapter 12 and would be like... okay so I gotta thorn in my flesh and God’s grace will be sufficient. But now I think about it and I’m like. Okay, Vincent... granted life hasn’t been a utopia, but it has not been bad at all. And the thorn, while it pierces you to keep you humble... it also can serve as protection from “your” self (human side that is).

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

[1] I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

[2] I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.

[3] And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows—

[4] Was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell.

[5] I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.

[6] Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say.

[7] To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

[8] Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.

[9] But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

[10] That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Many times... our most intimate blessings lie within the pain that we experience. And while it is appears easier to walk away or run from the pain; the further you run away from it... the closer you are to it. It’s never easy dealing with the past pains. One will question him/herself, why me? Why do I have to go through this? And the text above explains it all. And even when you come out of it, you still are reminded of what you endured. And that’s not to condemn you, but rather to remind you to stay humble and grounded in God’s Will. Hence the thorns. Yeah the thorn does hurt, but know that the thorn can be your protection from what this world wants for you. If you wanna think about like this: the thorns in your life can serve as protection from what the enemy tries to wage against you.

THOUGHT:

You get prick once and you bleed... well it hurts, but you not going to go back and get pricked again lol...

My god brothers and I were talking and something stuck out to me that got me the thinking. We all start out as seeds... and with nourishment... we take root... prayfully in God’s Fertile Soil. But of course there are the weeds lol. And granted the weeds are coming... we must always seek God so that He can prune us from time to time... that way we can grow and bear fruit.

Matthew 6:33... But seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Who knows He just might put a thorn or two on us to remind us 1) individually and collectively, where we come from 2) if God had not been there every step of the way... where would we be 3) of the lessons that we learned... so that we won’t repeat... and 4) the thorns can represent another level of God’s covering from Satan.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Lil’ Son Chronicles ~ Keep Your Head Up...

You know, there are a host of things that ongoing in this world. Some days it seems to be more than one mind can handle. But I just wanted to send out a word of encouragement:

Psalm 91

1) He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2) I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

3) Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.

4) He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5) You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,

6) Nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7) A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

8) You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

9) If you make the Most High your dwelling—even the LORD, who is my refuge-

10) Then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.

11) For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

12) They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13) You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14) "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15) He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

16) With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

I have to remind myself so I’ll remind us all... that we all must keep the faith in God and trust in Him. It’s hard at times; we see with our physical eyes and that seems to be the governing force and yet... we are to trust God; whom we can not see with our physical eyes. But nevertheless, God is with us all. God loves us. He wants the best for us, because He knows the best for us. So I say, do not give up on God; because He will not give up on you. If you have to cry, then you go ahead cry... if you need to give God praise and honor; then you do that. Whatever you must do; you do... and know that if you do follow God... He will persevere you... teach you... and give you power to combat the war that the enemy and/or inner me tries to wage.

Dear God,

Thank You. Like Paul, we ask, why we have this thorn in us. And we know that You provide us with grace, but Lord remind us that it is all a process. Your Word says that we must be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. Lord let Your Word be one with us in our spirit; so that we live it in everyway that You have ordain. God, we must honest with You. We don’t like the pains of the past, lost of loved ones... brokenness, but we Thank You, because You know what we can endure and You know that when we face the demons that we can rebuke them in Your Name and yes; be bold in Your Name to save someone else. God Thank You for Your Shelter. Thank You for protection... for Your Perfect Love. It is Your Perfect Love that sustains us when we should have committed suicide... lost our minds... and it is that same Love that will help us to move from one level to the next in You. Lord we Love You... we Appreciate You... we Honor You.

In The Name of Jesus Christ... We Pray...

Amen.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Lil’ Son Chronicles ~ The Wilderness... The F.O.G... The River...

Wilderness. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the wilderness? For some we think of the forest... others may think of the stories of Moses... David... Jonah... Jesus... and so on and so on. But for me... I use to think of the wilderness being a time where nothing seems clear at all. But God knows better. You think you are in the wilderness lost but in actuality... but as my god brother’s pastor said... you’re being cover and taught in the F.O.G. (Favor of God).

One of my favorite books in the Bible that I enjoy reading is Haggai. It speaks on the rebuilding the temple and its diminished splendor.

Rebuilding. Let’s think of ourselves as a clear glass pitcher. You pour water in it until it’s filled up. Mind you... transparent. So now everyone can see this glass pitcher with water filled up.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16, NIV

With us... God fills us up with the Living Water... so that others may see that God is in you. But of course life happens... Helping others... Going to work... Hustle and Bustle... Bills... sicknesses... deceit... and so on. In life, bit by bit, that water is poured out. To a point where one feels like they are on empty. Instead of going back to the source... we choose to fill these voids with what world will present to us. Temporal fixes. That is until you hit the bottom or get to a point where you know within yourself that you need God to fix you. And so He does...

Haggai 1:3-9

3) Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai:

4) "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?"

5) Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways.

6) You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."

7) This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways.

8) Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the LORD.

9) "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house.

We are so concerned with being successful in world’s view, but we forget that we ourselves are temples and that we must be a strong house so that God can be reside within. We can’t be the temple He calls us to be when we are filled with anxiety, anger, bitterness and selfishness. And until we deal with that ... we can never fully prosper in what God is calling us to. We have to be willing to submit to the Will of God and be obedient. And as difficult as it is know this:

Haggai 1:13

13) Then Haggai, the LORD's messenger, gave this message of the LORD to the people: "I am with you," declares the LORD.

Once you get in your spirit that even in the wilderness that God is for you and more than the world... then and only then will you be able to meet God at the half point and He can then start to do some things in you and through you. That’s the key... we have to submit to God’s Will and He will lift us up as we lift Him up...

Now a while back, I wrote about this once before courtesy of Bible Study. Let’s take a look:

Haggai 2:1-9

[1] Then on October 17 of that same year, the Lord sent another message through the prophet Haggai.

[2] “Say this to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of God’s people there in the land:

[3] ‘Does anyone remember this house—this Temple —in its former splendor? How, in comparison, does it look to you now? It must seem like nothing at all!

[4] But now the Lord says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

[5] My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.’

[6] “For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land.

[7] I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

[8] The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

[9] The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”

We asked God for this and that and He gives it to us. And we are happy in the beginning, but then we become frustrated but with blessings come responsibilities. In most cases, we don’t want the responsibility to pay for a car, home, new demands on the job, but we want the S-Class, the single family home and the six figure salary with no exceptions. Furthermore, we don’t want to sit down and be still long enough to deal with us... the temples. God is simply asking us, do you remember your house; you? How are you now? Many of us have the notion that God has given up on us and that He’s not concerned and that’s not the case. We equate His greatness in us to that we are going to get all this tangible stuff and get to flash it around like it’s no body’s business... Whatever... God wants to do great things in us not so that we can gloat about it like we did ourselves, but so that He may receive the Glory.

In the verses 6-7, God said that He will shake up everything. Seeing that we are on this earth, we get shaken up as well. And it’s not fun at all. Either we complaining too much or we get too comfortable, so God has to rock us sometimes. But the key is that we do not break. If you look at 2 buildings. During an earthquake, building A may shake until it hits the ground in millions of pieces. Building B on the other hand may shake some and some windows might break yet the structural integrity stays firm. We are like building B. While we may be shaken up sometimes, because we stand on a firm foundation, which is of God, we can take the shaking.

Why do you call me, "Lord, Lord," and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, which dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete. Luke 6:46-49

NOTE: The opinions that we have of ourselves are irrelevant, seeing that God has thoughts of us that far greater.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

Haggai 2:8 & 9 say the following:

[8] The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

[9] The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”

Why we in such a rush to get the silver and gold? Especially seeing that God will give us all of that and more... There’s nothing wrong with prosperity on earth. But not if that means you going to sell out your soul for it. If it’s that serious, submit who you are to God and trust and believe He will create in you a new creature. A vessel that can be used to glorify God all the more.

The Lesson in Wilderness.

God’s Presence & God’s Glory.

Matthew 13:53 -58

[53] When Jesus had finished telling these stories and illustrations, he left that part of the country.

[54] He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?”

[55] Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas.

[56] All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?”

[57] And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.”

[58] And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.

How many of us have gone away to the military, college or some job and when you come back “home” folks looking at you strange and hating. Here’s a case with Jesus. He went back home to teach in the synagogue and folks were hating on a brother. Talking about he’s a carpenter son’s. Because they were offended and refused to believe in him, Jesus only performed a few miracles because of their unbelief. Same with us; because we want more, the very ones that think they know us want to carry us. Because all they can talk about is your past, but they don’t know; God knows your past too and holds tomorrow.

Here’s the main point to pull away from these verses: These people were in the presence of Jesus and yet not in His glory. How many of us are like this? We think it’s enough to have God’s presence, but what good will it do if we don’t invoke His presence with praise and worship? That’s how His Glory comes through and when that happens... everything changes.

THOUGHT: Yes the wilderness is not fun... but think about the lessons and preparation God is showing you. We ask to have a closer walk with God, and to do that... we must be willing to make some sacrifices... to give up some old habits... close the door on some folks... and let God have complete control... So you gotta ask yourself: Are willing to go through the wilderness and understand that you are being taught in the F.O.G. (Favor of God) so that you appreciate the flowing river? Think about it.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

The Songs of Ascent ~ A Vigilant Eye...

The Songs of Ascent ~ A Vigilant Eye... (Look Up...)

Psalm 121

[1] I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?

[2] My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

[3] He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;

[4] Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

[5] The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

[6] The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

[7] The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;

[8] The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Ted & Sheri – Come Ye Disconsolate

Come ye disconsolate, where'er ye languish your mind.
Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel;
here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish,
earth, oh, has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.

Here speaks the Comforter,
tenderly say, saying that
earth, oh, has no sorrows
that heaven cannot heal.

Earth has no sorrows
that heaven cannot heal.

If you can have it, God can heal it,
If there's a void, God can fill it.

If you can have it, God can heal it,
If there's a void, God can fill it.

If you can have it, God can heal it,
If there's a void in your life, God can fill it.

If you can have it, God can heal it,
If you can't have it, oh God can.

God can heal it, yes, He can.
God can heal it, oh, God can.

God can heal it,
God can heal it,
God can heal it, oh God...

Earth has no sorrows
that heaven cannot heal.

+++++++++++++++++

Earth has no sorrows that Heaven cannot heal...

This statement alone is so powerful. A while back, I went to a play, “Sexposé.” This play hits every angle that many of us deal with. The drug addict, the alcoholic, the prostitute, homosexual, secrets, sickness, despair, just utter confusion and even murder and suicide.

There was one scene at the end that was very powerful. (God really pulls things together). The character Monica had been raped, shunned by her mother, her boyfriend (who raped her), her best friend (who became her lover and stabbed her) and whole host other things. At the end, she finds herself in a struggle to get to Christ. Each person comes to her and initially embraces and then shuns her, causing a spirit to rise around her. At her lowest of lows, she realizes that God is the way and starts to press her way to him. At that point all these evil spirits try to hold up back; pulling at her, knocking her down, bounding her. Yet she keeps pressing. Then the Lord steps in, bears it all, and covers her with His perfect love.

The key here is that she press her way to the Lord. Even with opposition... and the enemy... she knew deep down that God was more than the world against her.

How many times have I tried to press my way to God and do right only to be pulled back and knocked down? My desire to do what is of God is clouded by my desire to do what the enemy would want for me. Ultimately my desires for the enemy will destroy me. Yet God is with me through everything. And because God is with me, I have the opportunity to press my way to Him.

Each of us has a cross to bear. Unique in every way. Each of us is pressing towards what God has for us, yet the enemy is presenting positions and scenarios and suggestions that would hinder us from God and keep us from our relationship with God. But sometimes in the press towards, we have to look up with a vigilant eye.

In this Psalm the first verse says... “I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?” We are quick to look up, but what do we see? We look up for hope and strength and that’s good, but are we looking up with an oblivious sight? We look all round and try to find our comfort in the world and what it presents. But what the world presents is temporary and tangible. Instead of looking for temporary to fill the voids, why not try the permanent Love that is unconditional, without bounds?

All God is asking us is to come to Him. He’s there with open arms. And granted going to God and what He has for us is a struggle. It’s a struggle, because Satan is aware that you have power in God and that he can not touch that and so Satan will wage war on you...

But remember... this battle is not ours to fight... all we have to do is press a praise thru... For a moment; even in the situations... stop and think about it:

Today you are alive...

A year ago... 5 years ago... 10 years ago... you should’ a been dead...

The bullet should have killed you...

The cancer should have destroyed you...

Your innocence was taken from you thru being raped or molested and beaten...

Yet today you are alive...

What the enemy meant for evil... what was meant to destroy ... God told us that in Romans 8:28 that all things.... work together for the good.

And because we are called by God to be His anointed, we can press a praise boldly. And if you can’t press it now, trust many will press a praise to God on your behalf...

THOUGHT: God can heal... saved... deliver.... and so much more... but are we willing to look up with a vigilant eye? Are we willing to praise God in spite of? Are we willing to build our hope, our faith on things that are eternal? Are we willing to simply let go... and Let God?

Think about it...

Monday, October 6, 2008

Lil’ Son Chronicles ~ The Image Keeper

Lil’ Son Chronicles ~ The Image Keeper

Inspiration: Service on yesterday... “The 5 Dysfunctions of a Family... Part I”

Yesterday was an interesting day all around. For one... I actually did a 10 hour fast. How about that? It was good. While this is the first time for me, I think a few things were accomplished. I can be disciplined... and it really does energize the spirit within. I think I will shoot for once a month. The first Sunday of each month and take it from there.

Now... Sunday service was amazing... Pastor Cameron really has a heart for the people of God and it’s all due to his past and how God is directing him. Yesterday’s service was part one of a series called, “The 5 Dysfunctions of a Family.” I will have to get the cd for each service, especially next week; I’ll be out of town. Here are some points that he laid out; with some additions from me.

Reference Verse: Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he/she should go, and when he/she is old he/she will not turn from it.

Part I: The Image Keeper

Our thoughts and actions have been shaped by our upbringing. Our world, view, self image and perception of God have been influenced by our family structure.

3 Goals

  1. To become aware of our family dysfunctions
  2. How to bring down those dysfunctions
  3. How to rebuild a healthy family structure

The Battlefield is in

  1. The Mind (Read 2 Corinthians 10:5) – If the enemy can get in your mind; then he has control.
  2. The Offspring (Read Exodus 20:5) – If our minds are messed up then it will go to the children.

Before our marriages and families can heal, the INDIVIDUAL that makes the family HAS to begin TO HEAL. Romans 12:2, Psalm 24:4-5

Now... Here are the symptoms of the Battle-Scarred Person (THE ADULT CHILD)

  1. Life of extremes. Anyone that is risky in a dangerous and reckless way. With major emotional swings.
  2. Self condemnation. You put on a mask to show everyone that you are on top of the world and yet on the inside you hurt. The real problem is that you are afraid to show the human side of fear of being rejected and so instead of taking the chance of others putting you down... you choose to let yourself down on the inside.
  3. Distant. Now we all have this problem. I can speak for me that I am truly distant from some of my cousins and a couple of my aunts on my father side. With one aunt in particular because her and my father had an interesting relationship. They always bickered and she always felt that she had to be in competition with him. Well she has kids as well as my dad. Her daughter (my cousin... Brandy) is doing so well and I am so proud her. She is a teacher and she absolutely enjoys it. Brandy has always had a nurturing spirit (in my opinion; she got it from Grandma... it skipped my aunt). Nonetheless, my aunt felt that Brandy and I were in competition and that’s not the case. Both of us support each other and are proud of each other’s success. But that’s part of it. Since my dad past, my aunt tries to put her relationship with my father off on me... and I choose not to argue with her like Dad did. And so I’m distant from her...
  4. Denial. You know, the fake families that on the outside er’ thang looks good. Married with 2.5 kids... dog... white fence... and all along... stuff hitting the fan at all cost. And yet they play the role of bougieness (if that’s a word), and you can’t tell ‘em that they a mess.
  5. Underachieving. Never making the mark... and dealing with parents, siblings, or relatives that always put you down. When in actuality... they missed the mark and wronged you by not raising you in the fear of God.
  6. Addiction. (Now Pastor Jay told the truth when he said this)... Do you realize that you can be addicted to people? That claim they love you but feeding you the physical? Instead of families taking the time to let the son or daughter know that they are somebody and they can find joy in God, the son or daughter goes out and finds it in him and her and they... and it’s a mess.
  7. Confusion. Self explanatory.
  8. Spoiled. This is why I have don’t have a girlfriend in the DC area... These heifers here... (GUD GOD ALMIGHTY) You talk about pressed for a dollar? How you gon’ say you independent and yet you wanna spend all my money? How about we pray before we hangout... how about that? Seriously... as kids... we cry and get er’ thang we want... Parents... do like my parents and say HELL NAW er’ once in a while...
  9. Timid. Afraid of authority. Now this was me ALL THE WAY... Growing up, I use to be so scared of my father, due to his drinking. I would see him and be like... “That’s not my dad.” But as I got older, the fear turned to anger... but as I became an adult... and came to DC... fear kicked in again... The fear to take authority over what God has given me control over. Thank God for August 2005... It definitely woke me up to my voice... and the fact that God will lift up a standard. Now you can’t get me to shut up LOL!!!!
  10. Control. I’ve had a mess of arguments with my best friend and sometimes I’ve had to pull my eldest sister on this card as well. NOTE: It’s a blessing to have folks to assist you when you don’t know. But it’s your job to take what you learn from others and then YOU take control. Now that can’t be tricky because those that have helped still want to have the final say so and at this point they have to learn to take a step back. This can always go back to childhood; especially if you have to be the one to make a decision when one else would. But be mindful of it. Remember God is still in control of it all.
  11. Depressed. You got too much to be thankful for. Stop swimming in blessings and drowning in complaints (Grainger know he told the truth... thanks Pastor Browning).
  12. Survivor. You have to make it do what it do... and leave no opportunities for failures... but if you do that... you miss out of what God is trying to show you and to be honest... you look older for your age and that’s not a good look.

a. NOTE: Be youthful with wisdom, rather raggedy with no sense.

  1. Workaholic. Take a break and refer to #12.
  2. Co-Dependence. Stop depending on somebody that doesn’t know that they have to depend on God.

Now here’s a thought (Courtesy of Pastor Jay): Many are too dysfunctional to seek help for these issues. They feel like, “Oh I am together.” And I’m like “whatever...” Emotional denial fuels these symptoms and give us the illusion of being in control. When in fact... you never had control of any of it. Rather... you don’t realize that God is in control. Each family has a structure and a function. Our relatives are a part of this structure and how we interact with them is a part of the family function. One person cannot repair the dysfunctional structure. Each person has to be analyzed and worked on individually. And this can be done through prayer, examining family structures, and identifying unhealthy patterns and lifestyles.

THOUGHT: In this message, I get yet another opportunity to dig deeper into who I am and self examine who’s I am. And this is something many people do not want to do because there’s a lot hurt and pain that you have to go back and deal with. The questions of why... when... who... how. I talked of how my dad was an alcoholic and how the fear turned to anger. But I am so grateful that the anger for my dad was erased. And I am truly thankful that my dad and I were able to bridge the gap. I think it helped him as he went across the Jordan River to Heaven. It definitely is helping me because now the fears and angers of authority are becoming less of a threat to me. Rather, the love of God in me has become direct and indirect threat to everything that has come and is coming against me. And for you as well. Don’t be afraid of the self examination. Don’t be afraid to cry, to hurt. At that point, you start to face the demons and say NO MORE... IT ENDS NOW. Use that right now faith that God has given you and PRESS FORWARD WITH PRAISE TO GOD. Know that your tears of pain and sorrow and joy will be the nourishment for the seed and you will reap a harvest and bear fruit that many can eat and be blessed. Start the self examination right now and tell the devil and yourself... that you will get back all that was stolen and claim all that is due to you... And then tell yourself and God that I am out of this and over that and now I’m ready to be made real.