Mind Dump

Mind Dumps, Randomness, Reflections & Introspection

Labor Day Mind Dump

30 Aug , 2019  

I do a lot of retrospection, introspection and thinking out loud. Often times, its great for me to just get things off of my chest and out of my mind as I move forward in life. When I do this, I like to invite my readers into what’s going on in my world. So this is a mind dump… a long mind dump. I haven’t done a mind dump in over a year so brace yourself.

Mind Dump

  •  I have had a few people ask me about Transformation Life Church and what is going on with that. In short, I parted ways with them at the end of July as the church was shut down. Lots of friendships that were fostered and will continue to carry on.
  • What’s Next???? To be honest… I don’t know, and I am perfectly okay with that. I am in a resting season, and looking forward to taking some time NOT grinding/striving to get a ministry position. This is a great season for me… probably the best season since leaving Atlanta back in 2013 to move to TN.
  • I am not working with any ministry staffing/recruiting firms at the moment. I haven’t put my resume out there or applied to any position. I have had two direct offers to apply for a student pastor & associate pastor position but haven’t felt lead in moving forward with them. The mindset that I am at is that if God wants me to be vocationally at a church, he will directly open up a door. I am simply going to go at the pace of grace the Lord has set. His timing, his season, his pace/rhythm! 
    I am working a regular job as a Contracted IT Analyst for a Fortune 500 company. Absolutely love this line of work and enjoy working with technology.
  • Wrote and published my first book back in April of this years. Book sales have been good.. a lot of great reviews from friends and people I don’t know. You can grab a copy at AmazonBarnes & Noble, and my publisher’s site. Also available on iBooks, Nook, Kindle and Google Play Books. THANK YOU to all who supported this project with good wishes, buying a copy, reviewing, commenting, sharing, or liking my post. I know of a few churches who purchase multiple copies for their bookstore, two small groups who are going through the book together and the countless of people engaged in the book – THANK YOU! Thank you to my family and close friends for showing love and support.
  • A few months ago, I spoke on Instagram about being offended and hurt by some things. I stated that we have the choice to be and remain offended or not… the choice is ours. If we choose not to be offended… that doesn’t mean everything is perfect and that we don’t hurt. It just means we don’t allow it to steal our joy. Your joy is vitally important as you walk out this faith-filled life that God has designed for you. Joy shapes the miracle that God will do and ushers the presence of the Lord. Never allow offense (whether merited or not) to steal your joy. If so, the offense of yesterday could cost you your miracle and will enable you to miss what Jesus is doing today. 
  • As I have stated before, this is the best & healthiest season I have been a part of in awhile. I have spent the last few weekends with some great and dear friends. People who not only believe in me – but the calling and influence God has given me. 2019 Labor Day weekend was a great one. I am excited about the rest of the year, and all of the MORE God has for me.
  • I went to 3 weddings (Kalamazoo, MI and 2 in Atlanta) this Summer for some good friends of mine. Was great to get out of TN and visit with them, celebrating their day.

Prayer Points

  • For the past month, there has been a constant prayer for three main things – Favor/InfluenceWisdom, and blessings. These three things express in 4 miracles I have been praying about for over a year now… Financial BlessingsOpen Doors for my ministry & book, a Spouse, and Health & Wellness. My theme and prayer for 2019 has been MORE
  • Favor & Influence with God and people. Strategic connections with people to get me to the next level of where God wants me to be. Favor in everything I do. A favor that surpasses my experience, education, and background getting me not just in the room, but influencing the room.
  • Wisdom in all that I do. Wisdom for life, ministry, and business. Wisdom with relationships. Wisdom in what and how I do and say things
  • Blessings to flow in and throughout my life. That I am blessed so much that I live in generosity, blessing others. Blessed to take care of business. Blessed to support ministries, businesses, people, and projects. That whatever I put my hands to would be blessed. Random checks in the mail, bills paid, and debt-free.

How can I pray for you and your family? How can I pray for your ministry or business?

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Randomness

Art by JKey

19 May , 2015   Gallery

Absolutely love this piece by my brother and dear friend @pastorjohnathan!!! I remember when he did this last year… And now he has gifted it to me! Can’t wait to hang this up in my next office. #Friendship #EarlyBirthdayPresent #family

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Leadership, Reflections & Introspection, That'll Preach Sayings

Soul Ties: A Call to Friendship

8 Dec , 2014  

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Lately, I have been thinking a lot, more than I would like to admit, about what’s biblical relationship (friendship & community) and even evaluating some of my personal relationships. True friendship demands relationship. Trust is essential to true friendship for we all need someone with whom we can share our lives, thoughts, feelings, and frustrations. We need to be able to share our deepest secrets with someone, without worrying that those secrets & inner thoughts are blasted everywhere! Failing to be trustworthy with those intimate secrets can destroy a friendship, with the quickness. Faithfulness and loyalty are key to true friendship. Without them, we often feel betrayed, left out, and lonely. In true friendship, there is no backbiting, no negative thoughts, no turning away. True friendship pushes both parties to be and do greater. True friendship requires certain accountability & openness. This friendship encourages one another and forgives one another where there has been an offense. Genuine friendship supports during times of struggle, failure, and successes. They know how to weep when one is weeping and celebrate when one is celebrating.

One of the greatest biblical accounts of this true friendship is found in 1 Samuel 18, talking about the authentic relationship between David and Jonathan. These two men truly cared for each other and had great trust and confidence in one another. Listen to the language of 1 Samuel 18:1-5

“As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soulAnd Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.”

This type of friendship was deeper than buddies hanging out. Jonathan treated David as if he was his own brother, not only welcoming him into his home, but he also gave him gifts and clothes off of his own back (literally). Their friendship was tested when Saul, Jonathan’s father wanted to kill David. Jonathan believed in the innocent of David and help him escaped the wrath of King Saul. Jonathan risked his own life for David, who was a fugitive to King Saul. Love compelled him to take action, even at the chance of punishment and even death. Jonathan deserves a lot of credit in the narrative of King David. Their relationship was so connected, that King David honors Jonathan by sparing Jonathan’s crippled son, Mephibosheth, life and bringing him into the palace to live out the rest of his year as a part of the royal family. (2 Samuel 9)

I’ve too noticed something reading this scripture. David, who would eventually become King David, would’ve never stepped into his divine purpose unless Jonathan was willing to call him into his own life. This gets me thinking about my own life and the “friends” I have developed in my life. I think about those who I could clearly identify as my Jonathan and those who I play Jonathan in their life. And if I am honest with myself, I can clearly identify about 3 authentic [ministry] relationships where this plays out and about 5 other relationships [outside of ministry]. Some may say that’s not a lot, but I’m reminded of Jesus who only had 3 in his inner circle as close confidants. I’ve shared all this to get to the main point for the church… Cultivate Authentic Relationships!

I believe the church (you personally and a corporate body) is at a crucial time where authentic relationship must be built & cultivated. Kingdom minded people coming together for Jesus’ purpose. God is fostering relationships with people who will not just speak just a good word but put it with actions. Jonathan told David that his love for him was great, but he proved it with his actions. Strategic relationships are being born so God’s vision can go forth. One will carry the vision in thought and voice while one will run with it, so it can be implemented/fulfilled (Habakkuk 2:2-3). These last days will prove the ones who are willing to risk their own life (in desires, comfort, and resources) for the betterment and progress of the church body and its members. The time for fake and unintentional friendship is over. There is a cry from a hurting generation that is longing and looking for willing ones to befriend them and move forward in God’s redemptive purpose.

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Instagram Post, Leadership

Choose Wisely

11 Jun , 2014   Gallery

It matters.. They matter.. You matter!! #‎ChooseWisely

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Leadership, Reflections & Introspection, That'll Preach Sayings, Worship & Prayer

Friends of the Bridegroom

23 Jun , 2009  

All of my life is just to be Yours
All of my days there’s one thing it’s for
All that I’ve gained I count it as loss
There’s only One that I want the most

[Chorus]
O just to be Your friend
And just to lean upon You
I want to know the secrets of Your heart
Jesus make me Your friend
Jesus make me Your friend

[Ending]
To bear the mark of my Savior
To share the wounds of my King
To know the glory of my Jesus
To have the heart of my friend
– “Friend” by Desperation Band (click to listen to this song)

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These words are so rich and deep… just to be a friend of Jesus.  This is a major heart cry for this generation of young people who are hungry for God. They want to be found as friends of the Bridegroom. These are not just mere lyrics to a song that motivates the heart – this MUST be the very LIFESTYLE for us as believers. We need to know the secrets of God’s heart. Every intricate detail, every emotion, every heartbeat… with a loud cry of ‘Jesus make me your friend’. True friendships are founded on the principle of understanding one’s heart and allowing yourself to lean deeply upon that person.  When we lean, we are not in it for ourselves, but we are supporting each other.  We’re simply embracing one another desires and strength. It is only then when authenticity and sincerity of the friendship are made whole.

The ending just comes to a crescendo in one’s heart – To bear the mark of our Savior, sharing in the wounds of our King, knowing the Glory of our Jesus… so that we will have the Heart of our Friend. Sounds a lot like Philippians 3:9-11 when the Apostle Paul was talking about the sincerity of Christ’s Love.

10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

If there is ever a time in history we needed to know the Friendship of Jesus – it is NOW!!! Jesus is looking and desiring that YOU become friends with him. He really really likes YOU. Will you be a Friend of the Bridegroom???

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