Enjoy what You have and BE Happy!- Ecclesiastes 2:24-26, 3:12-13

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I CONFESS, a lot has been on my mind recently, too much actually. I’ve allowed the enemy to alter my perspective; see lately I’ve viewed my problems bigger than my God, instead of God being bigger than my problems. Over the past 18 months, life has been turned upside down, I mean real crazy. In June/July 2012, I had a job I loved(working to keep students in school), fulfilling my call and purpose in Pastoring a church, just been fully ordained in the AME Church, just married, fresh off the honeymoon, making the most $$$ I’ve ever made (in the smallest town I’ve ever lived in),relationships with friends and ministry colleagues,  sense of calling in my life, and my first child on the way– a bouncing Baby Boy! Now, I don’t want to engage in revisionist history, life wasn’t perfect, but I was in my groove!

Well, fast-forward to NOW(December 2013), I’m no longer working that job, instead I’ve had to take jobs to put food on the table and pay bills, not currently Pastoring(I miss this so much), not currently attending an AME church(praying about this one), still married(Erica is a blessing in my life), we work hard to re-create honeymoon experiences, making less $$$ than I did when I first came out of college with just one degree, a lot of those friends/ministry colleagues I haven’t spoke to since the wedding and beyond, still called to Pastor(praying about how that looks), in an new city that I’m trying to learn and enjoy(Charlotte), and the most devastating of all this is– we’ve lost 2 children, a boy and a girl!

So, needless to say, life has been a whirlwind. However, through all of this, I’ve grown closer to God! I pray more! I read my Bible more! I love my wife more! God’s grace has been with me, through all of this! It hasn’t been easy, some days are much better than others, but I know this storm will pass over! I’d be a liar if I said, the storm has passed, but it hasn’t! My wife and I are still healing and still grieving! Tomorrow, December 11, was supposed to be the due date of our daughter Brielle! That’s going to be tough for the both of us! My wife still hurts, because she hurts, I hurt! So, the storm is still here, but it’s passing over! Not too long ago, I heard Rev. Dr. Freddie Haynes say, “WE ALL have Storms in life, we’re either coming out of a storm, in the midst of a storm, or headed into a storm.”  So, pray for us! Pray our strength!

So what’s my prescription to all of this? What does God’s word say to us during these times? Honestly, the Bible says a lot of things to encourage us and give us hope, but I’m going to leave you with the action item from my devotional this morning!

Ecclesiastes 2:24(GNT) The best thing we can do is eat and drink and ENJOY what we have earned. And yet, I realized that even this comes from God. 25 How else could you have anything to eat or enjoy yourself at all? 26 God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness to those who please him, but he makes sinners work, earning and saving, so that what they get can be given to those who please him. It is all useless. It is like chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 3:12 (GNT) So I realized that all we can do is be HAPPY and do the best we can while we are still alive. 13 All of us should eat and drink and ENJOY what we have worked for. It is God’s gift.

So, in closing, this is my resolve…..To be HAPPY and ENJOY the GIFTS of GOD! All of this happens, through PLEASING GOD! So, I resolve to PLEASE GOD and BE HAPPY!

Peace,

@RevBmack

For an added bonus, allow Bobby McFerrin to drive the message home!

Think on These Things…Happy Monday

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I truly believe, that with God, ALL THINGS are POSSIBLE!!! Let’s Make it Happen!
 
Job 22:26-30 (Message Bible)
26-30“You’ll take delight in God, the Mighty One,
and look to him joyfully, boldly.
You’ll pray to him and he’ll listen;
he’ll help you do what you’ve promised.
You’ll decide what you want and it will happen;
your life will be bathed in light.
To those who feel low you’ll say, ‘Chin up! Be brave!’
and God will save them.
Yes, even the guilty will escape,
escape through God’s grace in your life.”

Neighbors Know My Name…. (old post)

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I bet the neighbors know my name
Way you screamin scratchin yellin,
Bet the neighbors know my name
They be stressin while we sexin,
I bet the neighbors know my name
My name my name
I bet the neighbors know my name
My my my…

 

I’ve been waiting to blog about this song for the longest, the truth of the matter is that I’m actually not a big fan of the literal lyrical content b/c I feel that there is way too much sex on the radio, but I do like the way I’ve interpreted the song for myself and for my audience to read and possibly listen to differently the next time they hear it.

 

It is clear from the lyrics of this song, that Trey Songz is “putting in work,” I mean screamin, scratchin, yellin….the neighbors must be irritated. I once had a professor say that sex between two people in love should be such an experience, that they should see God. Well, I doubt that these two are in love in this song and I doubt anyone is seeing God, but that is besides the point. The point is this, the sex is that good, that this woman is effected by the experience, as well as the neighbors. The clinician, Mr. Songz is making everyone bear witness to his craft of lovemaking.

 

What is your craft? What are you good at? We all have something that we are gifted at that may make some yell in excitement, scratch their heads, and scream your praises. Their is something that we do so well that may also disturb your neighbors too, thats okay, we all need haters…it just lets us know that are doing a good job. Do you do it so well, that the people know your name? I bet if you continue to work hard, be persistent, and consistent on your craft, people will begin to recognize you, people will begin to know you by your gifts and talents. People will know your name, it may not bring you fame and fortune, but I bet you NEIGHBOR will know your name, besides if they are you neighbor, then all that means is that when you’re performing their in your NEIGHBORHOOD so they can’t miss you! So who is your Neighbor?

 

Keep doing you! I bet the Neighbors Know Your Name!!

 

-bInSpired

Did You Realize? (old post)

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“Did you realize that you were a Champion in their eyes? Yes I Did” These are the words rhymed by Kanye West in his song “Champion” Kanye says he realized that he was a champion in their eyes, but for most of us, we can’t say the same thing. We say, “No I Didn’t.” The reality for a lot of us is that we don’t know we’re champions, we don’t fully know what we’re capable of, and the possibility that lies within us. A lot of us have an inkling of what God has put inside of us, but we end up confusing humility with self- deprecation and too often negate our gifts. We sell ourselves short and think we’re not worthy of certain things God has in store for us. Did we realize? Nope we didn’t? There are countless stories of persons who sell themselves short and lack the confidence needed to “seize the moment.”

 Just like the song says, ….”you were a Champion in their eyes.” Simply stated, in the midst of negative reports on TV, people dying, violence in our communities, money troubles, post recession, oil spills, felonies, and other realities, there are a host of people out there, who see the CHAMPION inside of you! Who see the potential inside of you! Who see the greatness! Who see that your an overcomer and much more! They see it inside of you!

A Champion is someone who has defeated or surpassed all rivals in a competition, or an advocate for a cause.

All of us are champions, b/c we’ve constantly had to defeat rivals and surpass things and people in our way. We’ve advocated for something, for someone, for ourselves, our dreams, our communities, We are all Champions! All you have to do is change the way you view yourself from the inside and your outlook will change. We will see things much different.

 God saw a king in David, an economist in Joseph, father of nations in Abraham, liberator in Moses, leader in Esther, and a savior in Jesus!! What do people see in you? What do you see? What does God see!?

 Did you realize that you were a Champion? Yes We Did!!

 

-bInSpired

 

 

The Right One(1)…..(old post)

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In my 26 years of living, it seems like a lot of life has to do with finding the right one! We grow up looking for the right school to attend, the right friends, the right toys to play with, the right sport to play, and the right activity to get involved in. And as we get much older life starts to become more serious and we take on more responsibility.

 

For some of us, this starts with going to the right college or university, the school that has the best reputation, best programs, best professors, and perhaps the best dining halls. We look for the job that is the right one as well. We want the job which pays the most, offers the best benefits, most promising opportunity for career advancement, and best work schedule. We’ve seen sports teams such as the Miami Heat or Dallas Cowboys, who seem to have all the right players and coaches to win the big one. We look for the right one when it comes to finding a car to purchase, the car with the right size, fully loaded interior, right color, best consumer reviews, right price and best financing. When it comes to companionship, we too want to find the right one! Right height! Right size! Right shape! Right complexion! Right zodiac sign! Right job! Right income! Intelligent! Yada yada yada……..you get my point.

 

However, as with everything, a lot of time we think we’ve found the right one, but something ends up missing. The right university ends up not being the school you thought it was, food is terrible and the weather is way too cold. The job ends up being stressful, a long commute, long hours, and just not worth it anymore. The Cowboys, don’t even make the playoffs! The car ends up being a lemon! Lastly, the person that you thought was the one, ends up having you singing, “Fall For Your Type.” They’re nothing like you thought they would be.

 

I wish I could to tell you what to look for or pay attention to when searching out the right one, but the honest truth is, we’re all in the search for our own “right one,” whether it be a career, car, house, school, soulmate, or something as simple as an outfit to wear on Friday night!! All I can say is you know when you’ve found the right one(1)!! Good luck!

 

-bInSpired