Diversity

"Promoting diversity is not the same as practicing it"

I have discovered that one of the best methods in testing diversity in your circle, is to have a different view from the majority.  Once your view is skewed as a non-conformist, then ad-versity rears its ugly head and di-versity goes right out of the window. 

Hmmm...something to think about when you are in mixed company...

Relationships: Make Them Last Forever...

How DO we handle the stress of dealing with a spouse/partner and our families? What DOES it take to strengthen the relationships? How do we make our relationships last forever? Well, let's define forever: For everlasting time; eternally.

Now, since none of us live forever, how about we re-direct the question to: How do we make the relationship last for a lifetime? Glad you've asked! Here are 5 ways to maintain a successful union (relationship) for a lifetime and it all begins with the Word of God.

#1 Christ-centeredness
Mark 12:30 - Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. (NIV)

It didn't say love your spouse, partner, friend, child, ex...it says love the LORD you God with all...

If we make God our ultimate love, then He will make it a priority to send us the divine love that He has designed for our lives. We have to be purposed to be together in order for our relationships to really work successfully. Some of us are linked to an illegal soul tie (a relationship that God has not pre-destined nor ordained to bless). God will not bless any mess so stop asking Him to! If your relationships have gone 'south' the ask God for direction and guidance and I guarantee you that He will aide you in your request.   Seek God first...Matthew 6:33

 #2 Commitment
Hebrews 13:4 - Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral (NIV)

Now, ALL is inclusive language. No gender mentioned! So, if you enter into a marriage or covenant relationship, it is best you take that commitment seriously. Don't sleep with your spouse's sister or brother or both.  Don't have sexual relations with your partner's best friend.  Don't sleep with your husband's brother or wife's sister... "Nasty Edna...N-A-S-T-E-E…Nasty!"

Of course, in order to commit, you have to be submissive to your spouse or partner. Not sub-servant but submissive to one another. You have to commit to your spouse and not a 3rd, 4th, 5th party...
If you try and commit your body to too many people, eventually you'll end up hurting yourselves and others and everyone involved in your circle. 

God does honor the divine and loving commitments we vow to our spouses/partners! Better not to commit than to commit and not honor the commitment.

#3 Communication
Colossians 4:6 - Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

How well do you communicate with your spouse/partner? At times, we do not speak the same language therefore; we must define our words of choice. For example; a mouse pad can no longer be considered just a place where a rat/rodent dwells; it's also labeled as a surface to enhance the usability of a computer mouse.

In today's society, our language must be defined and understood. We should speak with certainty and precision. We should be truthful and honest in our communication practices. Matthew 5:37 says to Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Amen!

#4 Compromise
Luke 6:31 - Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. (NASB)

Don't be so obsessed with getting your OWN advantage. Forget about yourself long enough to lend a helping hand to others. It's not all about you. I have discovered that during the holiday season can be the most difficult time for spouses/partners to support each other's families; because not all families embrace our spouses/partners. If we have the opportunity, we should make concessions for each other.

If your family is not accepting of your spouse/partner, create your own traditions such as my spouse and I have; you'll find that compromising is easier. ("Ok honey, let's stay home.  You prepare the collard greens or green bean casserole and I'll heat up the turkey").

Sometimes, you have to do your own thing! Oftentimes, we expect too much of others that we are not willing to give of ourselves. How can you get what you are not willing to give? Give and it shall be given to you...Luke 6:38

 
#5 Care
Philippians 2:4 - Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (NASB)

Do not let your care and attention be wholly absorbed by your own concerns. Diana Ross challenged us in "Reach Out and Touch" with this question: "and would I be talking to a stone if I asked you to share a problem that's not your own?"

We can definitely begin to change the world around us if we cared enough about each other. Care enough about your spouse/partner to be concerned with their needs. Be conscious of their strengths and weakness. Know what they are good at and know their challenges.

We have to move beyond this one-dimensional thinking so that we may enhance our relationships to last the life-time which God intended. In order to grow a garden, you have to care for it. We must manicure our relationships just like we manicure our lawns and gardens; if you don't water it, it won't grow to its full potential.

Let's get away from this 50/50 relationship idea. "There is NO SUCH a-thang!" I say - bring your best 60% and allow your spouse/partner to bring their best 40% then you can look forward to 100% together! What ever is missing, God can and will make up the rest if you let Him. 

 

Know that we ALL have flaws because we are imperfect people. We cannot expect a perfect relationship when there are imperfect people involved. Yes relationships can be challenging but they should not be hard or "FB complicated." (LOL)  Of course, God never promised us an easy life; He promised us salvation IF we accept it!

Now let's revisit these 5 points on how to make IT last 4ever...a lifetime:

Christ-centeredness

Commitment

Communication

Compromise

Care

I call these the 5 C's of Grace! Practice these exercises and see how your relationship(s) will be strengthened and long-lasting!

God bless and keep you,

- Pastor D

 

Get Your Brick Today!!!

Hello Saints of the Most High God!

I pray that each of you are well and in good health. Join Church of the Solid Rock's Brick by Brick Building Fund Campaign for 2011-2012.

To learn more about Brick by Brick, you may reach us at 972-679-0635 OR stop by and worship with us on Sundays @ 11am. Our current worship location is: 2701 Reagan St., Dallas TX. God bless and keep you!

- Pastor Deckard
http://www.crock4christ.org/

God Will Rescue His People Soon!

Habakkuk 1:2-11

How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts.

The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted. The Lord replied, “Look around at the nations;look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.

I am raising up the Babylonians, a cruel and violent people. They will march across the world and conquer other lands. They are notorious for their cruelty and do whatever they like. Their horses are swifter than cheetahs and fiercer than wolves at dusk. Their charioteers charge from far away. Like eagles, they swoop down to devour their prey.“On they come, all bent on violence. Their hordes advance like a desert wind, sweeping captives ahead of them like sand. They scoff at kings and princes and scorn all their fortresses. They simply pile ramps of earth against their walls and capture them! They sweep past like the wind and are gone. But they are deeply guilty, for their own strength is their god.

Habakkuk 2:4-9(a)Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked.
But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God. Wealth is treachrous, and the arrogant are never at rest. They open their mouths as wide as the grave, and like death, they are never satisfied. In their greed they have gathered up many nations and swallowed many peoples. But soon their captives will taunt them. They will mock them, saying,‘What sorrow awaits you thieves! Now you will get what you deserve!
You’ve become rich by extortion, but how much longer can this go on?’Suddenly, your debtors will take action. They will turn on you and take all you have, while you stand trembling and helpless. Because you have plundered many nations; now all the survivors will plunder you. You committed murder throughout the countryside and filled the towns with violence. What sorrow awaits you who build big houses with money gained dishonestly!
God is on the way children of God so hold on! He is our help in times of storms. He is our comfortor! He is our refuge in times of danger. He is our fortress! Don't give up but give "it" to God! He's our shield and buckler and will fight ALL of our battles. Don't be afraid! Evil will NOT prevail! Whatever the situation or circumstance is, God will work it out! Oh Yes He will! It's already worked out -- just trust Him!!!
Be blessed saints and have a wonderful rest of the week!

- Pastor D

God Matters

Chase after the Cross and get your crown. At the end of the rainbow, you will not find gold but you should seek to find God. God matters.

Just when you think that what you have is all you need, then one day wake up and discover that "IT" is not, you have the power to call on God to cancel the illegal debt with "IT"...God matters.

Lean and depend on Him; the Father, our Creator. He is our Strong Tower and Leaning Post. God will not lose ground. His post will not uproot nor tip over if we lean and place the dead weight that keeps some of us bound to a yoke of enslavement to the world. God matters. His love matters. His peace matters. Our joy depends on it!

God matters. He made us and will keep us in His care. He will protect us from the wiles of the enemy and guard us in all of our ways.

God matters. What He says. What He feels about His children. And what He loves...that's it and that's all! God matters. Make sure God is first in your life then watch that artificial light be exposed by the Real Light - that is, Jesus Christ! God matters.

Peace and Blessings,

Pastor D

Seeking The Lord in Prayer

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Ps 34:4

I sought the Lord, and he heard me (David); (Doris); (Jane) (Sue) place your name here_________.

When David was exposed to the persecutions of Saul, and when he sought refuge in the country of Abimelech or Achish, at that time, he did not confide in his own wisdom, or trust to any devices of his own, but that he sought the protection and guidance of God, alike when he fled to Gath, and when he fled from Gath.

God will deliver us from all our fears! From all that David apprehended from Saul, and again from all that he dreaded when he found that Abimelech would not harbor him, but drove him from him, the Lord swept his griefs away. Prayer can clear us of troubles if we seek God for protection.

Anytime we're faced with danger, we should pray to God and ask Him to deliver us from the hands of our Enemies. Believe me, God will do it if you trust Him. You must believe in order to receive so -- call on Him and see how Good He really is! Surely He will save us from the fowler's snare..Ps 91:3

May God bless and keep you...

Pastor D

CRock Prayer

Thank you Lord for giving us such a wonderful place of worship each week. God, we thank YOU for being OUR Shepherd and we shall NOT have NO other before Thee!!

God, we Thank You for opening the doors for CRock to reach those who have not accepted their right to salvation and missing out on a personal relationship with Christ. Thank YOU for creating a new venue for others to experience the enthusiasm of genuine fellowship each week! Thank YOU for allowing us to reach out to others who are lost and want to be found. Thank YOU for helping us reach those who are seeking for a place to experience "unmasked" worship, acceptance and spiritual growth.

Thank you for all the challenges we've faced for the victories we've won this year! YOU, oh God, IS our God, YOU are the Headship of our church and we will follow YOUR commands as YOU lead us in the paths of righteouness!

Lord, Thank YOU for being our Source! Thank You for keeping your promises to supply all that we need according to YOUR riches in glory by Christ Jesus! Thank YOU for allowing Church of the Solid Rock to be a re-source to those who have been tossed aside or rejected by "main stream" church folks and so-ciety. Thank you for allowing us to reach local communities and communities abroad and to those who have reached back!!!

Thank YOU Lord for blessing us with an abundance of life along with faith, hope, health, peace, happiness, joy and prosperity. As we remain good stewards of our time, talents, gifts and resources, may YOUR continued blessings rain upon us. Lord, help us continue to give as well as receive back 100 fold from the fruit of our labor, by Christ Jesus! Thank you for the new mercies we see each day, for keeping us from dangers seen and unseen and for NOT allowing any weapon(s) to prosper in OUR lives...Lord we thank YOU today and everyday!

God, as You continue to bless Church of the Solid Rock, we ask your blessings upon our Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors/Teachers; our Bishops, Elders, Ministers, and Lay Ministers. Lord, continue to helps us and equip us with all that we need to reach the field of souls in which You have charged us to disciple. May Your love that shines through us, give light to others, as Your blessings are manifested in the life of our church here at CRock AND each other! We are YOUR local Body of Christ and we pray that we are truly recognized as God's "called" people...ready, willing, able, and eager to serve in love.

God, as we strive towards Heaven, keep us in Your care; as we continue to walk, guide and direct our steps to walk in YOUR will. Lord, we lift this prayer up to you and ask your divine blessing up on it, we seal this prayer in the Name and Power of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, Amen!

CRock Family, let us remember to serve one another in the Spirit of Excellence. Let us not forget to work with enthusiasm because we are working for God as we serve one another in love. Remember, the LORD will reward each person for the good WE do. May God bless ALL of His Children!

What Does It Means To Be A Father?

Father's Day is approaching Sunday June 19. And although my earthly father has gone on to be with our Heavenly Father, his spirit is still with me and I will celebrate his legacy; not only that day but for the rest of my life. No, his absence does not alleviate me missing him; and although he was my biggest fan and support, I know he is one of my guardian angels watching over me. Thank you God!!!

A father means honor, strength, discipline, wisdom, courage, faith, love, commitment, perseverance, presence. The list can go on and on but I'll stop there. I'm sure being a father can be an awesome yet overwhelming privilege and can distort these roles. I'm sure knowing that you are the "bread-winner" or sometimes the primary care-giver can be taxing and scary but our Heavenly Father will give you the strength and stamina to succeed [as a father] so just keep on trusting in God for all you need and these vital roles will come easier to fulfill.

As a daughter, my paternal father was a real father in every sense of the word. (I'm not reducing or discounting the term dad but "dad" does not always have to be a child's biological father). A "father" is fully engaged and involved and offers [developmentally] to specific provisions to their child/children throughout their lives and are even impacted [themselves] by their doing so."

"A father handles his business without complaining about how much it will cost, how much work it takes, how often that his presence is important or how sacrificial his role." A father does not keep account of what he spends nor brags about it; he just does it because that's apart of his role.

My dad never complained about being a father because he knew that if he helped to create a life, he was also responsible for helping to take care of that life. My father knew that being a father meant that someone is depending upon him for their well-being and for setting a positive example. My father didn't stick out his chest when it was convenient or during "man-talk" but he showed his love for his children by unselfishly caring for us, which was FAR more important than any amount of money, position or social status.

"Money, neither position nor social status can take the place of real love. All these categories are finite and temporal but love is everlasting."

July 2010, in an exclusive interview with Yahoo News and The Huffington Post, Warren Buffett credited his success to his father for teaching him how to live, and explained that all parents can make a "better human being" by offering their children unconditional love: "The power of unconditional love. I mean, there is no power on earth like unconditional love. And I think that if you offered that to your child, I mean you’re 90 percent of the way home. There may be days when you don’t feel like it, it’s not uncritical love, that’s a different animal, but to know you can always come back, that is huge in life. That takes you a long, long way. And I would say that every parent out there that can extend that to their child at an early age, it’s going to make for a better human being." Wow, what a POWERFUL testimony!

When I was a little girl, my father was one of my biggest earthly influences, other than my mother. Bud Deckard taught me to depend on God and my God-given abilities. He also taught me to save some money for a rainy day (because the rain will come). He also advised me to spend money when necessary and not try to keep up or impress others. Keep some pocket- change handy for emergencies and have one reliable friend that I can call upon no matter what the circumstance. He also taught me to pay my bills and pay them ON TIME . Do not borrow money you know you can't pay back. He taught me to live within my current means and life will be kind to me. He was right. "Life is kind because I'm not trying to keep up with others but staying ahead." Amen! These are great lessons for life and should be taught, especially by influential fathers. Simple and biblical principles should also be instilled in children and fathers should set forth a positive Christian and responsible example for their child/children to follow.

Lying, deceptive practices and pretense does NOT set forth a good example. Lip service is just jaw-jacking and anybody can do that! Fathers need to be about what you preach, how you teach and careful of your steps. Follow God first and His biblical guidelines (not human's standards) then be that father you say you are then fatherhood will become easier and more fulfilling for you.

Even though life is neither always easy nor pleasant, nothing and NO ONE should take your place as a father in the life of your child/children. Time lost can never be regained and trust is a faithful and teachable friend. BUT, if you live opposite of them, then you can only expect disappointment and trouble.

If you live by biblical principles and set good examples then you will leave your mark [in this life] with dignity, honor and integrity in Christ. BE a father, a mentor, a friend. Don’t just talk about it...BE about it! Let's back this lesson up with scripture:

Proverbs - Chapter 3:1-12

1. My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
2. for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.
3. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4. then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
5. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6. in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
7. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
8. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
9. Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10. then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
11. My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke,
12. because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.


Happy Father's Day!

No Need to Sweat "The Bottom Line"

"His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love." - Psalm 147:10

Mammon and power are the ruling strongholds of the workplace. If you possess either of these, then you will be courted by those who serve the workplace in hopes of increasing market share. It is a competitive environment that often gives way to decisions and actions that are dictated by the financial bottom line.

A recent newspaper article stated that employers are requiring workers to put more time into their jobs, often requiring weekend work in order to be more competitive. For the Christian worker, this brings pressures on the family and will result in "lost market share" in the spiritual realm.

The Lord has a different measuring stick.

The Lord is not impressed with our ability or what we can do for Him. Only one thing delights Him -- people who fear Him and put their hope in His unfailing love.

What does it mean to fear God and place our hope in His love? It means we acknowledge that God is the source of all that we are. He is the one who gives us the ability to work, plan, and execute. He does not want us to look to our abilities, but to His abilities. Sometimes it is difficult to balance these two perspectives. However, if we ask God to show us how to maintain this balance, He will do it.

Put your hope in His unfailing love today. Then you will know that your heavenly Father is looking on you as a proud Father. No need to sweat the "the bottom line" because God said that he would supply ALL of our needs according to HIS riches and glory by Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19

Be Careful of Your Associations

The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve. Any time you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your mediocrity.

An important attribute in successful people is their impatience with negative thinking and negative acting people. As you grow, your associates will change. Some of your friends will not want you to go on. They will want you to stay where they are.

Friends that don't help you climb will want you to crawl. Your friends will stretch your vision or choke your dream. Those that don't increase you will eventually decrease you. God forbid!

Consider this:
Never receive counsel from unproductive people. Ps 1:1 Never discuss your problems with someone incapable of contributing to the solution, because those who never succeed themselves are always first to tell you how.

Not everyone has a right to speak into your life. Amen! You are certain to get the worst of the bargain when you exchange ideas with the wrong person. Don't follow anyone who's not going anywhere. If they are "blind", then how can they lead YOU?

With some people you spend an evening. With others you invest it and spend a lifetime. Be careful where you stop to inquire for directions along the road of life. Wise is the person who fortifies his life with the right friendships. If you run with wolves, you will learn how to howl. But, if you associate with eagles, you will learn how to soar to great heights.

"A mirror reflects a person's face, but what that person is really like, is shown by the kind of friends that person chooses." The simple but true fact of life is that you become like those with whom you closely associate - for the good and bad.

Note: Be not mistaken. This is applicable to family as well as friends. Love and appreciate both. Be thankful for your family, for they will always be your family no matter what. Just know that they are human first. And though they are family to you, they may be a better friend to someone else and will fit somewhere in the criteria above.

"In Prosperity Our Friends Know Us. In Adversity We Know Our Friends"
"Never make someone a priority when you are only an option for them."
"If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you
develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an
exception, it is a prevailing attitude.” COLIN POWELL



Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather
expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the
disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light
becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is
why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and
Messiah will shine on you." (Ephesians 5:11-14)

Have a blessed week everyone!

Words of Wisdom

"Don't let your lust for this temporal life forfeit your eternal blessings in Christ."

Deuteronomy 11:1
Love the LORD your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always.

Deuteronomy 11:16-21
Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them. Then the LORD’s anger will burn against you, and he will shut up the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the LORD is giving you. Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.

St. Matthew 22:37-39
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.

St. Mark 12:30-31
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.

Live FULLY for HIM and stay in His grace! Have a blessed weekend saints!

-Pastor

Are You Living In "Peace"?

Hebrews 12:14
Work at living in peace with everyone...

How do you follow peace? The Bible tells us to work AT living in peace with everyone. But sometimes people act a pure fool, hurt our feelings, and do us much wrong; and sometimes we want to declare WAR! Should we be wimps and let people run all over us? No! But, we have to make sure that we handle things in love and never intentionally try to get back at people -- no matter how bad they do us; we must always deal with them in love.

God never desires us to fight our own battles or punish people for their actions - He will handle that!!! But there is something about following peace that automatically punishes people for their wrongdoings.

Remember when you were young, and there was always a popular person in school; someone that you liked haning out with because they made you feel protected or special? You could get people's attention if you were seen with that person or people would think better of you -- and no one would dare give you a hard time because they knew that this person would have your back! Well, imagine hanging out with "Peace" like that.

Imagine if "Peace" was a special person. Imagine following this person around everywhere they go. People will start reacting differently and treating you with more respect AND wanting your company. People will look at you walking with and in "peace" and know that you ARE special. Even when everyone and everything around you is in turmoil, if you are following "Peace", people will follow you; AND you would not have to worry about getting back at people or people bothering you because "Peace" WILL have your back!

Follow "Peace" and you will also be followed BY peace instead of agitation, distress, frustration, worry and trouble. Peace is the One and His name is Jesus! "And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6) Amen.