It is also the birthday of my sister-in-law, Ms. Gloria Wright. I'm sending you this cake with plenty of candles. Take your time blowing them out so you will conserve your energy (smile).
Be blessed and continue to be a blessing!
It is also the birthday of my sister-in-law, Ms. Gloria Wright. I'm sending you this cake with plenty of candles. Take your time blowing them out so you will conserve your energy (smile).
Be blessed and continue to be a blessing!
Abraham Maslow is credited for developing a chart that depicts the
hierarchy of need. He suggests that one begins at the base level of need before
progressing to higher levels of need. Until the base level is met, one cannot
proceed to the next level. Ultimately, one moves to a point where the drive to
achieve to your maximum potential becomes paramount.
As I preach today
from the Philippians text found in Chapter 4:19 , “But my God shall supply all your need
according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Paul flips the
Maslow chart on its head and lets us know God begins with your mission before
addressing your means. In God's economy where He guides, He provides.
Therefore, instead
of looking for things, needs and wants; look for God's plan for your life. When
you walk in God's purpose, God ensures your supply.
In a spiritual sense, we need to examine ourselves with greater regularity. No way we can live without a regular examination of our spiritual lives.
Our amazing minds are able to construct solutions to difficult problems. Check out the span this bridge had to cross to get to the other side of this body of water. Imagine all the engineering and construction, not to mention the financing necessary to develop this solution to a problem. Why, is it so difficult for our minds to overcome the minor difficulties we have in relationships with each other. If we put our minds to it, our hearts into it, and our best spirits, we can solve our personal problems and difficulties without resorting to violence and abuse.
We spend to much of our lives on the ground dealing with the small stuff. God wants us to lift up our eyes to the hills. When we look up, we see the beauty God intends for us. When we look up God provides the vision glorious to us. When we look up God instills the strength in us. Thank God for the eagles in our lives that life us up into the clouds. Unloose the weights to keep you on the ground. Mount up on the wings of eagles. I heard a person singing, "I believe I can fly." Yes you can!
Had
an interesting meeting last night before the Baltimore City Council's Committee
on Finance, Taxation, and Economic Development, Chaired by Councilman Carl
Stokes. A presentation was made for the committee to approve a PILOT for a
project known as The Superblock. The organization, of which I am a principal,
Community Churches for Community Development has been working with the
developer and various stakeholders for over a year crafting an Economic
Inclusion Plan that ensures local hiring of Baltimore City
The
EIP was ratified by a number of prominent organizations with the developer.
Attending
the meeting were a number of community activists that were advocating for local hiring.
They organized a number of people and banded together under the name Community
Churches for Baltimore Jobs, a group supported by the labor's union. An
interesting footnote is over a year and a half; I was instrumental in founding
CCBJ by sponsoring local training at Union Baptist Church
I
depart from that point of view and believe local residents should be trained
and prepared for a wide range of job opportunities. There are a number of job
opportunities attainable right now through working with existing job-creation
systems.
For
example, the Mayor's Office of Employment Development has a listing of jobs,
which are available from day to day. A focus upon that agency to improve its
system of job training, referral, and delivery, I believe, would yield far
greater results than to mobilize persons to advocate for local hiring on a
construction job which is limited in duration even if obtained. Furthermore, a
protest today does not lead to a job tomorrow.
During
testimony a cry was made for city jobs for local residents. I flashed back to
my early days cutting my teeth organizing within Baltimore Baltimore Baltimore City Baltimore City
The
community lost that fight over thirty years ago and today the effects of that
lost are seen in only 15% +/- of the Baltimore Fire Department staff living in
the City of Baltimore; less than, 25% of the Baltimore City Police Department
staff living in the City of Baltimore, and it continues through every
department of City government, including the Mayor's office, where employees
who work for the City of Baltimore live outside of the jurisdiction.
If
we had won that fight over 30 years ago, we would have a far different city
today.
After
that flashback moment, I focused again upon the discussion and debate that was
going on last night and reasoned that the community activists and community
residents who took the time to become engaged in the public hearing did the
right thing. The battle for full employment for residents of Baltimore City
The
summer season brings an increase in travel and vacations. An exciting aspect of
the season is trips to visit family, friends, relatives and loved ones. From
walking down the street to international travel, the experience of gathering
together with kindred hearts injects a refreshing spirit into the routine of
life. Take time to visit and share with the ones your love. Life is so short
and moments together are really so rare. Treasure each and every minute you are
in the company of the ones you love!
Whether on the mountain top or in the valley we need to learn the value of taking a break during the journey of life to rest. Rest permits one to renew, refocus, and recharge your battery to continue in ministry.
God promises rest from your labor and your laden.
Matthew 11: 25 - 30
When I was young there seemed to be nothing like aches and pains.
If you had an injury it would soon heal. If you had a bruise let Mamma kiss it
and it was alright.
Now with the
accumulation of years, come aches and pains; I really don't know where they
come from all I know is that they appear with no warning. Using Icy Hot patches
only makes you smelling, doesn't really cure the ache or the pain. Maybe if you
take an aspirin that could help for a moment.
I'm learning to
live with aches and pains. I'm realizing that the body just like a machine has
parts that wear out over time.
The Good News is
"there is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin sick soul."
Two dominant symbols for the 4th of July are fireworks and the
American Flag. As a youth they were influential images of freedom. As an adult
they are being distorted by violence and an abusive political climate.
My prayer is that July
4, 2012 signal a
return to "Mayberry" type values with an inclusiveness and tolerance
for people that reflect the image of the rainbow.
We cannot be free
until everyone is free!
The
summer sizzler sermon series continues with the theme, "Living God's
Promises," be focusing upon "The Promise of Rest."
In the
pressure of life and the unexpected issues that impact us from day to day, the
soul, mind and body needs rest; rest from tension, turmoil, trauma, and tragedy.
One of God's
promises is that if we take up His yoke and learn of Him, we will find rest for
our souls. If you spend your waking moments learning of Him, then you will
obtain the rest your need in your reclining moments. Sleep in heavenly peace!
Matthew 11: 25 - 30
I looked into a store at the Lafayette Gallery in Paris
I wondered about
the nature of the phone calls I receive during a given day, "Is there
anything I really need to talk about with someone who merits my spending
$78,000 to listen to them?"
I concluded I'm hard-pressed
to find anyone I need to talk with on a phone as expensive as this.
Most of the people
I know and communicate with are done very well on the phone I currently
possess.
Okay if you need me,
call me, even if it is on an out of date flip phone!
Yesterday, I began a nine part sermon series entitled,
"Living God's Promises." The series began by sharing the "Power
of God's Promises." If one understands the power of God's promises, then I
believe one will seek to live His promises because of the power it brings to
one's life.
This scripture
reveals that God's promises are "great and precious." Great means
immeasurable. Precious means invaluable." How wonderful to know God's
promises are of such, mass and worth that he covers everything you possibly
would need or want. To live within His promises provides you with the
protection, provision, promotion, and peace that are exceedingly and abundantly
more than you could ever ask or think.
Stand on His
promises for your daily living!
