Invited but Unwanted Guest

Have you ever been invited to an event or church then mistreated? Doesn't it have you scratching your head and pondering what you've done to deserve the lack of gratitude?

I once heard a sermon. The preacher stated that he was invited as a guest to deliver a message (sermon) at a church then after the preaching was over he was snubbed by the pastor who invited him. Seems the pastor was a bit jealous of the response the guest preacher received from the congregants.

Now, I wonder what would motivate a person to invite you into their home or church then give YOU the cold shoulder?

One time, I was invited to a soiree. As the evening progressed, I began to settled in and enjoy the remainder of the evening. All of a sudden, this cool breeze of an attitude approached me with a fake smile and then vague hello.

OK, I'm thinking, "if you didn't want to speak, why did you make your way to me and stand in my presence?" After all, it was YOUR invitation and I just accepted. Don't front be real!

The nerve of some folks! Some people get ahead and obtain some form of success then begin to have delusions of grandeur. Sure, the home was nice but it wasn't Caesar's Palace. Why did you extend to me an invitation if you really didn't want me present? I know overnight success does not buy you character and God has no respect of a certain person and He loves us all despite our shortcomings so why do some folks feel more superior than others when they gain a little something to leave behind for other's to fight over?? (too funny)

Mama said there would be days like this...

Anyone can rise to the top and just as sure as they rise to the top, they can fall on their face. Some folks should assess themselves before they wreck themselves. God does not like prideful attitudes.

Please do not pretend to want me around when all the while you are fishing for something and it's not my company. Don't feel like you have to invite me into your home or church because you know I have a strong following. People respect me because I have much respect for myself. I am true to my friends I just wished I could say the same.

Do me a favor, the next time you have an event or party or even decided to invite me to preach, be sure that you are accomplished enough to not be overshadowed by my presence. After all, why would you be jealous of someone you are suppose to admire or is that just a front?? Time will tell.

Be blessed and be true to your cause.

~ The Rock

After A While

After a while, you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul. You learn that love doesn't mean leaning, company doesn't mean security, kisses aren't contracts and presents aren't promises.

You begin to accept your defects with your head up and your eyes open with grace. You learn to build all of your roads on today because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans.

Futures have a way of falling down in mid flight and after a while you learn that even the sunshine burns if you obtain too much. So, you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

After a while you learn that you really CAN endure; that you are very strong and have worth. Then as you live, you learn and learn....and grow....and learn some more....

With every hello and goodbye....you learn.

Prayer Answers Our Every Need

Prayer is the answer to every problem of life. It puts us in tune with divine wisdom which knows how to adjust everything perfectly. So often we do not pray in certain situations because from our stand point, the outlook is hopeless. But nothing is impossible for God. Nothing is so entangled that it cannot be remedied; no human relationship is too strained for God to bring about reconciliation and understanding; no habit so deeply rooted that it cannot be overcome; no one is so weak that he or she cannot be strong; no one is so ill that she or he cannot be healed. No mind is so dull that it cannot be made brilliant. What ever we need, if we trust God, He will supply it. If anything is causing worry or anxiety, let us stop rehearsing the difficulty and trust God for healing, love and power.

Review & Herard, October 7, 1865

The Poetic Love of God

God's love makes me love

Not bitter but sweet

The trees that grow

In the rain or snow

Lean down on me below

The love of God dwells within me

High or low, fast or slow

Through thick and thin

And the change within

Seems to be offered for free

For the love of God is in me

The world should often repeat

Thank You Lord!

Today, as I sit in front of my monitor, listening to some soft spiritual music, I’m thinking of all the many ways to say, Thank You Lord. You have done so much to see me to this point in my life and I just want to pause and give thanks….

God, you’ve been so good to me and I just can’t tell it all. You’ve kept me from dangers seen and unseen. Thank you for protection and direction. Thank you for wisdom and knowledge. Thank you for all that you’ve given and all that I have yet to receive. Your promises are never broken and your grace is infinite. You are worthy to be praised, glorified and honored. Thank you for loving me and caring for me, even when I couldn’t care for myself. You’ve carried my burdens when they became too heavy for me to carry. Thank you Lord! You’ve watched over my family and loved ones; thank you Lord! You’ve answered my prayers and said wait when the timing was not right for me. Thank you Lord.

I love you with all of my heart. From the very depths of my soul, you are Lord of my life and there will be no other. No one will be able to separate your love from me; and for that, I thank you Lord! Thank You for mercy; thank You for grace; thank You for peace; thank You for courage; thank You for health; thank You for spiritual wealth and the many promises to come. I bless your Holy Name and give you all the praise because that’s what you deserve from me. You alone are worthy.

God, I’ve learned to trust in you and only you. My strength comes from you; my joy comes from you; my peace comes from you; my life comes from you. I am your child and you are my Father. Thank You for sending my brother Jesus, the Christ, the Savior and friend to rescue me from sin. I am free and have salvation because of His blood. I have everlasting life because Jesus paid the ultimate price and sacrificed His life for mine. Humankind has been reconciled with you God, because of Jesus’ blood and for that, I thank you Lord! Thank you Jesus! Thank You Lord! Thank You Lord! I just want to Thank You Lord!

In Jesus’ matchless name, Amen.

No Turning Back, I Rest My Case

Folks, I have good news for you. I’m going to offer you a "free" gift. How many of us like the word free? Well, what if I told you this is something you already have in your possession? All you have to do is put your keys in the ignition and turn towards God’s grace.

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.....

Does your spirit need a face-lift? The good news is the Gospel Message -- which is, the free gift of grace.
Paul in his epistles used the word grace to describe the vital difference between striving to win God’s favor and accepting God’s gift of salvation, which is an expression of God’s grace. Your face-lift (gift) is waiting for you! No surgery or make-up is required; no coupons nor mail-in rebates are needed; this offer is good 24/7. You are "free" to accept this gift at anytime. Seek the Holy Spirit for guidance and walk in your grace. No turning back!

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind…

You are no longer a prisoner of someone else’s misery. Take those shackles off your feet and run towards heaven. Go from the pit to the palace. Look to the hills for we know our help comes from the Most High. Let us begin to be mountain thinkers instead of resting in the valley. Look towards heaven and not down to the the ground. Take off those blinders! Remove the scales from your eyes and see the glory of the Lord. God has done great things for you. God is worthy to be praised!!!! No turning back to self hate! No turning back to self pity! Take CAN’T out of your vocabulary! Rest your case on God and give your life to Christ. No turning back!

…to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

Cheer up my sisters and brothers! If you begin to magnify and glorify God, those demons of sadness, depression and oppression will flee from your presence. Claim the victory today and ask Jesus to come into your hearts. The favor of the Lord is upon US in 2007! All who are ready will receive the favor of God. Those who are not ready will have to wait for the next harvest.

Let us be ready in season and out of season. When God is ready to bless you, will you be ready? No turning back! Reflect but don’t regret! Look back but don't digress. Remember: only what YOU do for Christ will last then, you can really rest your case in that heavenly place called grace! No turning back.....I rest my case!!

Reference Scriptures: Luke 4:18-19