Merry Christmas!

Let me take this opportunity to thank everyone for your support over the last year. As many of you know, last year in November, my wife was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Needless to say, last year we struggled to make the holiday bright (at least for the sake of the children) and it was hard. Over the last 12 months, we have been in a battle; an ongoing battle through chemotherapy, multiple surgeries, radiation and never quite seeing the "light at the end of the tunnel."

This year, my wife and kids are looking forward to the best Christmas ever! Everyday my wife is gaining strength. And every day I have gained perspective on what are truly the important things in life.

Please take time to tell the people you love, "I love you." Be bold and give of your self regardless of the response you may receive in return. Be grateful in and out of season for the blessing of life. But most of all, Keep the Faith…and follow your dreams! Don't quit… Don't give up or give in… Stand on what you believe and BELIEVE you can make it…and you will!

With that said, I am reminded of the words of the apostle James:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created."

Merry Christmas!

Reinventing Juanita Bynum

I was watching “Today with Juanita Bynum” which is her daily show on the cable station The Word Network, while doing my normal morning routine of dishes, clothes, coffee and lunches. There has been many incarnations of her talk/teaching/preaching/infomercial, but for the last few days she has been running edited versions of some of her past sermons, featuring the likes of “No More Sheets,” “When the Righteous Cry” and other sermons which are now considered classics.

While the replay of these sermons is great and allows us the tremendous opportunity to “check her record” as she so aptly puts it. There was one addition to her programming that troubled me. It is not a format problem, I am sort of use to the varying format of the show--and let me state for the record that I consider Juanita Bynum one of my personal spiritual mentors. I love the prophetess’ fire-brand of ministry, and she has made a real deposit in my life and in the lives of many that I am personally aquainted with. I believe that she is a prophet of God called to the nations...but.... I was watching the show and during one of her self-imposed commercial breaks, they showed this 90 second montage designed to let us know in no uncertain terms, how wonderful, how powerful, how admired, and what a genuine women of God, the “Prophetess” really is. I mean this segment, so highly touted the virtues of Juanita Bynum--the minister, the Ambassador, the prophet, the business woman, the recording artist, the author-- I almost didn’t know if they were talking about Juanita or some mythical creature from days of old.

What really bothered me about the promotional piece is that it really reminded me of the kind of promo segment that Michael Jackson would run about himself as the self-proclaimed, “King of Pop.” You know the one I mean-- Michael performing with his much older brothers at the age of 9, the Motown 25 special, the fainting fans, 'Thriller' the biggest selling album ever, world-wide acclaim, multiple Grammys, more screaming fans, and sold out tours. With all of that said and done, with more than twenty-years passing by, we all see where the millions of dollars, and millions of fans got Michael Jackson—a broke and broken shell of his former glory, and a virtual nomad with his three kids in tow. Wow! And now here is Camp Juanita Bynum self-aggrandizing in much the same manner as Michael did, jocking for the position of our new “Queen of the Pulpit and Beyond?” God forbid.

I am sure that with all the negative press that she has received concerning the very public domestic abuse allegations, and her husband Bishop Weeks’ alleged promise to destroy her reputation and ministry, someone in her camp thought that such a video resume would be a wonderful opportunity to remind us of her accomplishments and her greatness. Unfortunately, they are attempting to sell us a bag of goods without the receipt--we don't know if its legit or not!

Instead of reminding us of all of her accomplishments, what should be highlighted is her humanness. Her sense of brokenness, and her connection to the people she is called to serve and guide. We don’t need another ‘she-ro’. We need a real, honest to God, person willing to hear from God, preach His Word, and can carry the mantle of His anointing without self-gratification.

Don't be fooled, this is not, hear me, NOT just a Juanita Bynum problem. This is a Leadership problem which has created a pew problem. I am not bashing Juanita in anyway, but I am concerned about our leaders falling pray to prideful displays of greed, sin, and lust all in the name of image control and "kingdom" building. It is amazing to me that within the last year or two, those in Christ and those of the world have witnessed the fall of some of the biggest PERSONALITIES. Not since the rise and fall of the Bakkers’, and the Swaggerts’ of the last generation have we seen such a shameful display of man's sinful nature. Now we have, Ted Haggard, Richard Roberts (Oral’s son), Paula and Randy White, Creflo Dollar, Carlton Pearson, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Eddie Long, Joyce Meyers, and Bishop Thomas Wesley Weeks, who has admitted that the “devil made him do it” in reference to his altercation with his wife, Juanita Bynum—I am not a prophet, but I know that God has to be saying, "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH."

Our Christian leaders must return to building God’s Kingdom rather than, building their Christian enterprises, businesses, and marketing endeavors. To all of us, Proverbs 16:17-19 (NIV), reminds us that: “The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.”

Special Impartation for Men--January 3rd!

Pastor Darin Allen of Greater Works Ministries Church has invited us to attend a special worship service for Men, Thursday, January 3 @ 7:30 pm.

There is a special guest speaker for that night and the stated goal is to seek God as men for an impartion from Him for what is needed for us to lead in our homes, church & community in 2008.

If you can attend, I look forward to seeing you there! Directions to the church are as follows:

Directions to the church:

Take I-270 to Broad Street / Newark exit and go up to Mt. Carmel East Hospital . Make a left at the light onto Taylor Station Road . Go straight approximately 1 mile over bridge and the church will be on your right hand side in a building complex. 1020A Taylor Station Road .

Transparency In Ministry

All along I expected God to do something... I am simply amazed at the clarion call that went out to the men that attended the REGNR8 Men's Worship and Prayer Conference. If I had to sum up all that was said and done in one word-- that word would be TRANSPARENCY.

Pastor Daryl Wicker opened the day with worship. His music, song selection, and ministry gave way to the heart of a worshipper. Daryl is a worshipper and without effort he led men in contemplative sounds to God's glory. Daryl was TRANSPARENT.

In probably, one of the most brilliant ministry presentations that I have personally witnessed, Elder Jacob Ellzey moved the men from introspection to brokenness by sharing sensitive details of his life's failures and God's ultimate triumph. Jacob was TRANSPARENT.

Elder Lance Darden was equally as brilliant while he skillfully admonished the men that he had 72 days left before the new year to unblock and get rid of some issues in his life that he knows is holding him back! Lance was TRANSPARENT.

Pastor Darin Allen, ministered by the anointing of a psalmist as he exhorted and encouraged the men with one of his original selections. Darin was TRANSPARENT.

Pastor Todd Hoskins, was electrifying as he preached about the trails and ultimate triumph of Joseph. Pastor Todd taught me how to continue to persevere by holding on to the dream God gave regardless of what the circumstances look like. He also gave us some good advise by letting us know how to keep track of our dreams by writing them down, putting them in sealed envelopes with instructions to "Open upon Completion." Todd was TRANSPARENT.

Everyone that participated in ministry from Grailing on the sound, to our Host, Pastor Timothy W. Carpenter, to all the volunteers, were transparent. There were no egos, or attitudes, or even sports analagies just a gathering of men who desired not only more from God, but more OF God!

Let me take this time to especially thank our ministers, speakers and guests, but more importantly, thank you to my brothers for their support in making this conference a tremendous success: Billy Williams, Will Thomas, Jon(My Captain)Perry, Ray Chapman, Michael Gravely, Grailing Newman, and Marvin Mitchell. Also, a special 'Shout out' to Robin Hunter, who catered the event (Girrrl, that salad was slammin'!)!

In seeing beyond the now of my circumstances, I only see increase and overflow for the REGNR8 Conferences! Prepare yourselves for what God has instore for next year:

REGNR8 in '08

Men's Worship and Prayer Conference

August 8-9, 2008

"New Beginnings..."

Men Need Ministry

The question has been asked, “Why try to do a men’s conference?” Outside of the fact that I believe, such a conference is God-inspired; the plight that men face on a daily basis is harrowing. According to the National Coalition of Men’s Ministry, for every 10 men in the average church:

• 8 will not find their jobs satisfying
• 6 will pay monthly minimum on credit cards
• 5 will have a major problem with problem with pornography
• 4 will get divorced (divorce affects 1 million children each year)
• Only 1 will have a truly Biblical worldview
• All ten will struggle to balance family and work

Remember that these are not the statistics of the men in the world, but of men who love God and are IN THE CHURCH! As you are reading this, I am sure that many of us have had the same thoughts, issues, and concerns. I know that I have been very close to being overtaken by several of these disturbing statistics while considering myself saved, sanctified, and yet filled with the Holy Ghost. My problem has gone misdiagnosed for years due to a lack of knowledge—I don’t want that to happen to another man of God!

My desire is to see men grow. Grow in their relationship with Jesus; to grow in their knowledge of what it means to be a man of God; and to fulfill God’s purposes in and through them. Don’t be fooled! This is not a black thing, a white thing, or even a cultural thing. THS IS A MAN THING! We are affront on every side. The enemy is destroying us through our families, our insecurities, but most of all through our lack of knowledge.

I believe that in this next dispensation of God we will need both the “new” and the “old”--meaning, that we will see individuals walking in several ascension gifts all at once. We will see some old truths blended and amalgamated into a fresh new anointing for such a time as this. This will require the men of God to ascend to a new level, a new dimension of spiritual discernment, if we are going to be successful in warring for our lives, our families, and our destiny!

The REGNR8 Conference is purposed to engage men right where they are. I need you to work with me to fulfill that purpose. Not only do I need you in ministry on October 20th; I need you to tell other men of every age, race, or creed about what is going to happen. This is a day of supernatural change and of choice. I hope you choose to continue to support god’s vision for His mighty men of valor!

The countdown is on…http://re-gnr8.blogspot.com

Hello, God Calling!

I am of the belief that we are more alike than different. Let me test this theory with the following statement: "As Men of the Kingdom of God we are all seeking to live a life that it pleasing to God, to make a positive difference in our families, in our communities, and in our world."— do you agree?

How about this statement: "I make a positive difference, by going to work, attending church when I can, getting an education and living a good moral life." –am I still okay? Are we still more alike than different?—don’t worry keep reading, I am not trying to trick you… just relax.

Okay, now let me take it a little further; Let me know if we are still in agreement with this statement: "Because of my responsibilities and the demands of the job, school and family, I have not taken time to hear from God on a regular and consistent basis."

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these statements, you find yourself in much the same quandary that all men face in trying to find a good response to the issues of bringing all of our responsibilities and avocations to the point of balance. I know that I feel pretty darn good if I get my work hours in, have a small conversation with my wife, find out how the kid’s day have faired and go to bed for my nightly five-hours of sleep. And it’s a regular party at my house if I try to steal a little time for me to veg-out in front of the TV.

However, the challenge remains—how do I bring a sense of balance to my life? With all that, I am required to do, how do I place my spiritual life on the same level as my family, my vocation, my health, my recreation, and any possible community activity? I believe that we may be asking ourselves the wrong questions, and pursuing lofty ideals without biblical foundation.
In contrast to our "Kingdom Pursuits," as males we are naturally socialized to ‘work hard,’ ‘be strong,’ and to ‘seek success.’ Therefore, the idea of balance only comes to play if we are able to juggle it all and succeed without any of the balls falling--ever. No wonder we are all stressed, over worked, and have neither time, nor energy for God. The problem is that this ideal of balance in perfection is not biblical. Something has to give and all too often, it is our relationship with God.

We can quote with ease Matthew 6:33, ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you’, but do we truly understand that this is God’s priority for us? Dr. Myles Munroe writes in his book, "Kingdom Principles: Preparing for Kingdom Experience and Expansion":

"Our first instruction from Jesus is to seek. This means to pursue, study, explore, understand, learn, consider. Seekers must have a desire to know, and possess a passion for the object of their search. To seek means to give diligent dedication to and to preoccupy one’s self with that which one is seeking. The Kingdom must be pursued, studied, understood, and learned.

Second, Jesus tells us to make the Kingdom first. In other words, the Kingdom must be our top priority, the principle thing to place before all others as most important. We must place the highest value on the Kingdom of God, setting it above everything as our primary focus. The Kingdom must be placed above everything else and should have no competition. It must be our highest priority."

The Kingdom of God must be our highest priority, because it places us in our highest position of authority here on earth. As I seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, I am placed in right standing and right relationship with God therefore I gain the legal right and authority and spiritual empowerment to fulfill God’s purposes in my life. Once my priorities are changed, I am anointed to bless my family, to work with creativity, to live in health and abundance! God is calling, what is your response?

• The RE:GNR8 Men's Conference 2007 is a great opportunity to connect with other men and be inspired to be a Godly man of influence. The powerful messages will equip you to face the challenges of the world today openly, honestly and confidently. There is power when Men get together to worship their Creator and rediscover their God given direction. It energizes their souls to persevere in being the leaders God has called them to be while empowering and encouraging those around them. For more information, see the RE:GNR8 link above.

Update Your Calendars!

God is truly amazing! I thank God for what each of you bring to my life and to the many lives that you touch on a daily basis. I wanted to let you all know that we have rescheduled the Men's Conference for Saturday, October 20! I knew that the September date was a stretch and I didn't want to over tax any of you, so I moved the date. It is my hope that you will not only participate in the event, invite others, but also help to plan the event! This event is for you... about you... and about men very much like you!

We have talked about the "Women on the Front Line", well now it is time for men to forge and create their own brand of ministry. Not taking anything away from the women, but brothers, we are lagging behind. Outside of Bishop Jakes' "ManPower" or "HEmotions" events, what other ministry opportunity has there been geared toward the hearts and needs of men? We must take up our rightful positions and walk in power! Join me!

You don't have to be up front, a preacher, or limited to the bus driver, or usher! The Body of Christ needs YOU--your talent, your time, and your treasure! You were made for such a time as this! Let's walk the walk!

Also, please mark your calendars with the next meeting dates together. I believe that God has something in these meetings for each of you... remember, "Iron sharpens iron" so you don't have any excuse to be DULL!

Here are the dates, and of course I will send out reminders, times and locations:

• Saturday, August 25
• Saturday, September 29
• Saturday, October 20 (the Men's Conference)
• Saturday, November 17
• Saturday, December 15

I don't know about you, but I still want MORE from God! More for my family! More of His Spirit! More of His Power! More of His Glory! Get involved and get one step closer to MORE!

Expecting Miracles Daily...