I remember the first time I heard him, I remember the first book I read about him when I was a fourth grader at Arlington Classics Academy in Arlington, Texas and it was then that I was hooked upon this great man. There have been great men that have come on the scene; John F. Kennedy, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and many others that have come to our lives and memory by what they meant, what they stood for, and who they were.

Yet, there hasn’t been a man “Earthly speaking” with a famous overtone like this man who is my hero – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Since I began listening to him, reading him, and watching him there was something in me that always clicked towards him. Looking at famous photographs of him, from his body language, how he held his composure, how he sat in the pulpit, how he spoke, how there was a strong presence just by him speaking was admirable to me.

Listening to what others said about him, they loved him, they admired him, they respected him, they were so touched by him and that was special to me. Hearing the rhetoric of him, and hearing those words spoken about him made me want to be like that. If you have ever watched MLK, you saw the passion, you saw the drive, you saw the importance, you saw the intensity, you saw the power of God that circled around him that was something that I have never forgotten.

Andrew Young, Jesse Jackson, Hose Williams, and many others that were fortunate to be with him made mention of him. They talked about his wardrobe, his cologne, what he like to eat, his dress, his appearance, and his personality all of those things were very important to him and to them. One of the reasons, I love to wear black suits when I preach is because of seeing MLK wear a black suit and speak with so much power and vigor. Even though his voice was quieted, on April 4, 1968 those words still live on, that booming sound of passion still rings, and his dedication to justice is what still drives and pushes.

Watching be reading about him, developed the love of volunteering to me, the love of being a servant, and the love of public speaking came from being that 4th grader that was introduced to this legend. You’ll never know, who can inspire and impact you until you get to study them. Martin Luther King Jr was, inspired by the teachings of Ghandi and then began to also speak to the love and power of being Black in America. I’ve read many books that were written by him. Books about his preaching, books about his life, books about his pastoring, books about the SCLC, books about his servanthood, books about his civil rights, and books about why he was determined to make a change and difference.

To this day my favorite speech is “I Have A Dream”, and my two favorite sermons from him are “The Three Dimensions Of A Complete Life” and “I’ve Been To The Mountaintop”. I’ve often wondered, what I would say if I ever had the opportunity to have a conversation with him. To be honest I would be so mesmerized, I would probably faint and pass out by seeing and just hearing his voice. What a man he is, what a hero of mine, what a trumpet whose voice was like music that you’ve never skipped, but listened all the way through. I can listen to him, and I always wanted to make that kind of impact in my society, my community, my Church, my family, and my circle of friends just like he did.

It’s something to be said about a man, who has been dead 51 years but can still make people cry, make people inspired, make people motivated and dedicated to change. Of course, he was like all of us had his own faults, failures, and demons but look at how the Lord used him. Only God could give that type of strength, to someone who dealt with so much, had to cope with so much, and even felt the burdens of literally everyone upon him but still kept waking up, and showing up being dedicated to the cause.

Whenever I find myself wanting to quit, find myself hurting, find myself fed up, there’s always that clip on YouTube “A knock at midnight”. When MLK is preaching, and talking about that night in Montgomery at midnight when a vicious death threat came to his home. That threat that talked about murdering him, murdering his wife and first born child. He made mention that coffee didn’t help, theology and philosophy didn’t work, Parents were no longer there, but that he had to call on God personally and that night made it even the more clear that he had to know God for himself.

That 7:24 minute YouTube clip, has kept me many of days, it has refreshed me, it has re-energized me, it has made me look back and reflect that those who are dedicated and are called as the Bible lets us know will face persecution. Even MLK who spoke this, after the conclusion of the march from Montgomery to Selma said it well: God’s Truth Is Marching On”. That’s the truth, that’s the reality, and that’s the belief that the truth of God will still march on. It may seem like it’s hard, but know that the truth of God will always march on even when it’s faced with the bullets of struggle, tribulations, and turmoil God will give us that bulletproof vest of grace and mercy to keep us standing and strong.

So today is once again, just another day to say thank you and be grateful, happy, and appreciative because of who Martin Luther King Jr is and what he means to us. Thank you!!!

Aaron Rodgers was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 2005, but he literally sat behind Brett Favre for 4 years until it became his time. Even though he sat, he learned and got to observe so once it was his time to step in and take over that’s what he did. Every since he has become the quarterback, they have been consistent winners, won a Super Bowl, and he will go down as one the greatest, athletic, talented, and clutch quarterbacks of all time but at least he waited until it was his turn, and then took his opportunity and went forward.

I have seen that with us young adults in Church, even though there have been statistical experiments and other articles that have said that millennials aren’t coming to Church anymore. I’ve seen the opposite, now of course are there times and moments that we have noticed the lackluster attendance of millennials in our Churches “Absolutely”! However, there are many who are involved, who you love Church, who enjoy serving in Church, and who can recall from growing up in Church To now passing that on to the next generation as I call our (Little Brother & Sister) generation.

Church has always meant so much to me, from the time I was 3 years old I’ve loved Church, I’ve loved preaching, I’ve loved singing, I’ve loved teaching, I’ve loved hearing the pastor go so hard in preaching, hollering, and whooping. I was born into Greater Mt Olive Baptist Church in OKC, and my love for God, Church, and preaching was birth from what I watched and observed. From watching A Glenn Woodberry preach and walk into the pulpit, seeing the pulpit and the microphone, watching the choir, hearing the hymns, and just seeing the fellowship I’ve loved it since I was kid.

I recall going home, and imitating A Glenn with his preaching. I would have a desk, chair, and use a pencil as a microphone and I would preach, shout, and holler just like him because he was that inspiration. Church has always helped me, Church has always been motivation and inspiration, Church has always meant so much to me, Church has been a safe haven for me, Church has kept me and encouraged me to stay in the race, to hang in there, to keep going, to keep believing, to keep on keeping God first.

It was at the Church, where I heard about Jesus, I got saved, I got baptized, I was blessed to preach, I was able to teach, I’ve enjoyed hearing many great preachers, experiencing many great worship experiences, I’ve cried at seeing loved ones go, I’ve witnessed many cry seeing loved ones go, I’ve been hurt at Church, and other things but at the end of the day there is no place like the Church and the Church is still alive, still going on, and God is still keeping the Church.

Seeing us young adults serving in the Church, it is so cool, inspiring, heart-warming, and it shows us all that we can have and play an essential part in our Churches. I’ve witnessed young adults give powerful addresses, powerful sermons, powerful lessons, powerful singing has come from the young adults of our Church. There are plenty of young adults, who care about the Church, who love the Church, who appreciate the Church, who are dedicated to the growth and development of the Church, who tithe to the Church, who pray for the Church, who still serve in the Church, who still go to various services and revivals, and who are active in the Church.

We have learned from watching and observing, our Parents, our Grandparents, and other older people who have meant much to us. These people have impacted us, have taught us, have trained us, and have given us so many examples of what it means to be a faithful Church member. Trust me… us young adults have and do pay attention to everything, and it is good to see that the Lord is allowing us to play a important role in the Church. Whether it is; social media, newsletters, young adult bible study, young adult events, and other activities not to mention supporting our district associations, our starve conventions, and our national conventions the young adults are still in Church and are still focused on serving God first, serving in Church, and helping grow the Church for the next generation.

The Lord has blessed us young adults, to go to school, get degrees, have families, marriages, and reach goals and aspirations. We’ve been blessed for our experiences, and a God uses us to talk to younger generations about our experiences and what to and what not to do. I’ve seen it from my own preaching and teaching, the attentiveness and how it has been a big help, watching and sitting in rooms with others it’s been God using our experiences to help impact the younger generation. We indeed have value, we have spunk, we have tenacity, and we have passion. The Lord has used us, as well to be so driven in order for the work to continue and for the work to go on.

Now… does that mean we know everything nope, does that mean we are unreachable or unteachable nope, does that mean that we have all the answers nope. It does mean, we are willing to work, we are willing to help, we are willing to be taught, we are willing to work hard and together in order for the ministry to be better, we are useful and valuable as well. There are plenty of us, that still love the hymns, love the preaching, love the whooping, love the shouting, and love the atmosphere.

We also now… don’t come to Church to play, but for serious business. We come to be taught, we come to be challenged, we come to be stretched, we come to be engaging, we come to learn, we come to receive a word from God that we know was inspired by God and that the one delivering the word studied, worked, and prepared that word the correct way. We want all of that, we love to do ministry in the Church and outside the Church, to bring more people to Church and to see our Church be active in all facets of life and ministry that will better our Church, community, neighborhoods, schools, state, and our world.

It reminds me of the Lion King, when Mufasa dies even though Simba had his own personal battles and demons. Didn’t you notice that at the end of the movie, he still had to take his place where he was supposed to be here being the next King. That’s how it is with us young adults, that we will have to take the lessons we have learned and put them into action. Simba still remembered what Mufasa told him, that’s the same principle that we all have to do is to keep those same lessons and words going forward for the betterment of our lives and our Churches.

Young Adults will be ready, we will be ready because we know the Lord, and know that He has given us a strength and power to keep going. God has blessed us, and has allowed us to be bruised and even broken. Yet at the end of the day, the relationship we have with God, is what has kept us in Church. We’ve endured a lot, we have faced a lot, we have seen a lot, we have been hurt by Church members, family members, those who we were in relationships with, we have been hurt but yet look at us the Lord has used all of that to show us that He is real, He lives, and that He can use us as a testimony and example about how good God is and that the Lord puts us young adults on display to show to other young adults and youth that God can and will use us if we allow Him to.

The Church will be fine, the Church will go on, the Church will survive, the Church will not lose its power or zest because the Lord has plenty of young adults that still love the Church and are ready to carry the mantle when it’s our time!

Joshua 1:2-3,6-9 NASB

[2] “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. [3] Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. [6] Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. [7] Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. [8] This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. [9] Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

By the grace of God, I’ve been blessed to publish a new book! It is available on Amazon!

Would love your support, in purchasing this new book!

It was Thanksgiving Thursday last year (2018), and I went back home to Oklahoma City and was at the Unity Baptist Church in OKC. I remember going to Church that day, ready to hear a word, see many Pastor’s I knew, and then go home. I had a feeling, that I would see her and her sister since we were at her Dad’s Church and I knew he would be there.

Well that’s exactly what happened, they were there and I remember when she walked in and I saw them. Something in me said that something great was going to happen, and I remember Pastor Vance Roland preached “Pop Roland” and shut it down that day, to the point the mic went out that day. So I remember sitting down, and I felt she saw me and I saw her out of the corner of me eye. Church was over, and I was shy and am an introvert until you get to know me then I’m not. I saw her, and she looked beautiful but I was nervous and walked past her, oh I knew that wouldn’t be the end of this story.

This had to be the providence of God at work, because normally she, her sister, and Father would go out of town for thanksgiving. There was contemplation whether or not they would come, and I almost had to leave Church early that day. My sisters and mother were coming to OKC, and my sisters car had trouble, began to stall, and turns out the transmission messed up. I remember getting that text in Church, thinking… I’ll have to leave early. Well, the Lord let them make it to the city safe, I got to stay at Church that day, and got to see the love of my life. God knew, it was the right day, at the right time, in the right season for us to meet up. It’s amazing when the Lord is at work, the great things, wonderful things, and amazing things that take place.

Got home that day, ready to eat and chow down on thanksgiving food then I got a Facebook notification from her and accepted it and I remember that I was happy to get it. I sent a message saying thanks for the add, then she responded and that’s when it took off. We had a few other conversations along that time, and I can remember the Holy Spirit ushering other people out of my life and placing focus on her. There was nerves of course, because from my past experiences whether it was talking to someone and it start out good and then ended, to seemingly like something great was happening and then it fizzled, and then that devastating heartbreak I had endured that took me a while to get over. All of that still rehearsed itself in my mind, but I heard the Lord tell me don’t let it affect me because this one is different.

It was very different, we talked all day and all night as we were building something special. I remember the next month, going back to OKC preaching at Greater Shiloh Baptist Church OKC for Watch Night service and I posted it on Instagram. She said that she and her sister would be there, I had heard these things before only to be let down so I said look forward to seeing you there not thinking much of it until I saw her that night and I remember what she was wearing to this day. Her hair was long and straight, she wore a blue dress, brown belt, and had brown shoes and I remember when she walked in. I was in the pulpit, I smiled and was excited thinking she came, she came, she came!!

The excitement that rushed to me was humongous, and I preached “Can You Stand The Rain” (Job 2:9-10) that night and God blessed the sermon. I remember after Church, I was talking to a Deacon and then she was talking to Aunt Tiffany and I was thinking I have to get over there, and when I got over there I touched her shoulder saying hi and sat behind them and joined into that conversation. I went with Uncle Orlando to the office, to get my stuff and when I came out to get ready to go home she was right there. I was looking at her, and she was looking at me and I remember giving her a hug that night and she went home and it was cold that night but I remember it to this day giving her that hug.

We were friends on Facebook and followers on Instagram and I sent her a Instagram message. Then after that the rest of the story is history, she responded to me and I responded to her and we started to talk nonstop. We would talk all the time, and about so many different topics and I loved it how she galvanized my attention. During this time, I knew I was moving back to OKC because I had applied to different schools, and had gotten a new job but of course I wanted to surprise her. So we still talked, I moved back to the city, we met up that week, and I remember the second Sunday in January of this year preaching at Antioch Fellowship Baptist Church in OKC and there she was again, I remember what she wore to this day – Hair straight, with a black headband, a black and white polka dot shirt, with a red skirt, and black shoes. I smiled when I saw her, and I knew then this was real.

I told her I was moving back, and she was happy and so was I. Made an announcement on my Facebook page that Sunday afternoon and people were surprised and happy and so was I. Me and her kept talking, and then we saw each other a few times and that’s when she first labeled me #SecretBae and she was my valentine’s. There was some nervousness at the time, but praying to God it made all the difference and I made a determination that I didn’t want to miss out on this blessing by my own fears and doubts, but I recall how Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. For me this was walking on the water, and getting out that boat of failure, past heartbreaks, and past rejection to this blessing that was in front of me.

The day was February 16, 2019 all day I knew it was time to tell her how I felt, it was on me that whole day to finally tell her. It was around 9pm that evening I told her “I like you and there is no need to delay this any longer”. She responded “Are you saying what I think you are saying?”. I said yes I am, I sent her a GIF that was old school that said “Will you go out with me”? With the three boxes – Yes, No, or Maybe. She responded yes and I was so happy and thrilled and grateful for what had happened. It was a great feeling, it was a blessed feeling, and it was amazing to hear and know that God blessed me with her. That’s the day I became #PreacherBae and I have enjoyed it every since!

She is the sparkle in my eye, she makes me light up like nobody else does, hearing her name makes me smile, thinking about her makes me smile, and just known for that she is with me and that I am with her makes me thank God everyday. We pray everyday, we communicate everyday, it is always special just being able to go out with her, hold her hand, kiss her, and being able to look into her eyes knowing that she is my blessing from the Lord. We have had great times, we have had our ups and downs, but through it all the Lord has kept us and confirmed to us that we are meant to be together.

When I was still in Ft Worth, Texas I told a friend of mine Pastor Deshaun Davis the woman for me, and my wife was in Oklahoma City. I knew it, and I believed it, and then I knew once me and her connected and I felt that peace that come over me, that peace that you know it, that peace that you are good, thy peace where you have no doubts or look around I had that peace that came over me and it’s been great since I’ve known that. Of course we have had, some times where we have butted heads, got on each other’s nerves, we’ve been completely honest to each other, opened up and expressed our hearts to each other and yet it makes me love her the more and thank the Lord for her.

God knew who I needed, and who she needed. I always say, that we are each other’s blessing, gift, and assignment. I love her laugh, voice, smile, and how we interact as a couple. It’s awesome and it’s a blessing, yes I have cried thinking about the Lord didn’t have to be this good to bless me with her but He has and I thank Him everyday and I pray for us everyday and it’s a blessing to do so. It is amazing how… I was done with love, done with even trying, done with thinking about a future family, but the Lord turned that around and now I can’t envision or imagine my life with anyone else but her.

It’s all because of the Lord!!! The Lord is indeed good and the Lord is great!!!!!!!!

Who is this her!?!? – Her name is Shayla Lanise Woodberry and I love her so much, that love for her increases by the day and I tell the Lord thank you that He thought enough of us to place us into each other lives!!! Glory to God!!!!

I love you Baby!!!

If you find someone in you love in your life, then hold on to that love – Princess Diana

Have you ever seen or noticed, that in our lives we all have to make some decisions, and choices that may seem crazy but turn out to be the best things for us. Everybody will get to a point, that we have to move forward and see when you move forward then go forward period.

There is nothing good about moving forward, if you are still bringing up the past and dwelling on the past. All of us have pasts, all of us have had many different types of episodes and experiences that have shook us, rocked us, hurt us, discouraged us, and even really seems like it put a dent into us. Those things happened, but life still goes on, life still goes forward, life still has to be lived, and you can’t live life if you are moving forward but still reflecting on what was.

That’s the thing….. it is what was, it is over, it isn’t going anywhere, it’s no need of trying to bring it back up again, it is no need to trying to think about what if this or that. If the Lord has moved you, then you need to move as well. Sometimes we still stay, when the Lord has already moved us to the next destination and the next chapter. What chapter haven’t you closed the book on, that’s just getting in the way of you advancing and really enjoying yourself. You have to move, when the Lord has moved you then you move as well.

It’s just like when somebody moves, they pack all of the stuff that they have and you know once you pack and move that should be it. Yet, there are times when we will leave things in storage, or at that old house it is like it’s still there. Sometimes in our lives living with God, we have tried to bring some stuff with us that shouldn’t have come, and left some stuff that should have came. We all have to look at, what’s up with you, what are you going to do when it’s time to move.

If it is time to move, then it’s time to move. We can restrict ourselves, and we can ruin our blessings of the present and future by still dwelling on the past. Stop ruining the present, by thinking that the present is still going to be the same like the past. The past is that, you have to believe and trust in God enough to let it go and if He removed you then you need to remove yourself as well. Remove yourself, pray to God and let God move you away and move you from the past.

We all want the best, then if we want the best then let’s have and get the best. A person that is great at baking cakes, didn’t get good over night. They had some disappointments in baking, but they kept going strong, kept learning, and kept putting into practice in order for it to get better. That’s the same thing in our lives, we have had various seasons in our past good and bad but it’s the past. If you are going to move forward, then move forward, move forward, move forward, there should be no restrictions if you have gotten confirmation from God!

Let’s move forward!

Philippians 3:13-14 NASB

[13] Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Anyone that sees this picture knows the movie, it was 1997 that Nickelodeon came out with “Good Burger” which has become to this day a classic, that many people watch, adore, and enjoy. It starred Kenan and Kel, who brought us a bundle and multitude of laughs from the show that they had, and this movie that they had.

The character that Kel Mitchell played, was “Ed” who was certainly different, was his own person, was in his own world, and dared to be different. The whole movie, Ed was the one who was some would say weird, interesting, nerdy, and in his own place. Yet he never changed who he was, he stayed who he was, and come to find out that he was smarter than what people thought and it showed itself.

That’s what I admired about him, that he remained who he was the whole movie. When you stay who you are, you will see that more will admire and respect you for who you are than trying to be someone you aren’t. Many have messed up, have been given a bad name, have created a bad reputation, by trying to be someone that they aren’t and since they did, then they lost respect from people, they lost many things that they could have had all because they stopped being who they were.

The Lord has made you, you are who the Lord has made you to be, there is nothing wrong with you. Instead of trying to be someone else, be the best you that you can be. There is nothing wrong, with standing out being yourself then standing around and never changing. Circles are cool, but when you are yourself be the creator of the circle instead of always trying to shift from circle to circle. Stand out, stand out, stand out, stand out, it’s okay to stand out and it’s okay to be who the Lord has made you.

You’ll feel better and have more fulfillment, when you are yourself then you will enjoy who you are, when you are yourself then you aren’t ashamed of being who you are. None of us were made to be like everyone, we were made to be who the Lord wanted us to be. Me and you have unique qualities, that we can bring to the world, but we will never do that if we aren’t being ourselves and standing up and out trusting God with our lives and our character.

So who are you? Are you yourself or are you follower? It’s nothing wrong, to admire those who have impacted us, but we can’t let too much of them get in us to where we aren’t ourselves. Be you, be you, God has made you, God will use you, God will bless you, God will surely take care of you. I’m happy, and content with who I am. Thank you Lord for how you made me!

Tell God thank you, for how the Lord has made you. You are special, and you are somebody that can shine plenty of light in the world, when you are who you are. That’s what is important, being a light that will always shine, always shine and you can be an inspiration to others about being yourself and letting your own light shine and walking in your own designed path, that the Lord has created and built for you. Be yourself, and watch how God will give you a peace, knowing you are who you are meant and supposed to be.

Psalm 119:45 NLT

[45] I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.

Im grateful to God, that He has blessed me with the ability to write books!! I always felt the leading of the Holy Spirit for me to do it, but I had anxiety and nervousness. Now I’m glad, and thankful that the Lord has given me the strength to write these books!

I know that more are coming, God is still speaking and since God keeps speaking, then I’ll keep on writing!! It’s all for the glory of God!!

You can purchase these books on Amazon! I would love, your support!

Psalm 119:18 NLT

[18] Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.

You ever notice, that at times we are so used to things working a certain way, going a certain way, and being a certain way that we aren’t always adapt to change. That could be because we like the way things are, we like how things go, we like how things operate, and we like the flow that we have but there will come a time when our own regiment will be changed and interrupted.

That’s how life is sometimes, there will be interruptions that come along and what used to work and fit doesn’t anymore. If you want to advance in life and grow in life, you’ll have to come to that conclusion and realization that there are just some spots that I don’t fit into anymore and trying to fit into them will case me more frustration and agony because it isn’t going to work.

Just like this picture or even a puzzle for instance, you notice how we are determined to make something fit that won’t and yet even with our efforts and using our muscles it just doesn’t! That’s what will happen and occur within our lives, when it’s time to leave and time to leave some stuff alone then it’s just time to and we can cause ourselves even more unnecessary angst when we are so focused on trying to fit into a space that is no longer going to be occupied by us.

The moment we stop trying to fit into dead spaces is when the Lord will fit us into the right spaces. Some spaces just don’t work for you or me anymore, some spaces have been eliminated and extinguished, and some spaces are just needed to be left empty. You’ll do better and feel better when you leave some spaces alone, and if you don’t want to leave it the Lord will fix it to where you have no other choice but to leave and will outgrow it anyway.

Oh yes that’s what has and will happen, God will not allow you to fit into that space anymore. Some spaces are: cities, jobs, crowds, friends, and other things that we have been so accustomed to. However, God has told you and showed you that it’s time to go and that piece that used to fit no longer does because He is giving you a new piece. When we ask the Lord to make us brand new, then we have to act brand new and not be afraid of change since He answered our prayer.

If God has answered that prayer and made you brand new, move forward and not allow the old to dictate the new, and don’t allow the past to have supremacy over the present and future. It’s a new day and new opportunity with a new piece and a new space. It’s time to fit somewhere else! Let God lead you to the new space and watch how He will bless and use you!

Isaiah 43:18-19 CSB

[18] “Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. [19] Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.

Profess is very important and you know sometimes we have to take different paths, but that doesn’t mean you are insignificant or falling behind you just have to stay in the lane that is for you.

Some lanes are not meant for you and I, it’s not always about being in a race and trying to compete and overtop somebody. There are times and periods where we look at other people, and where they are. Then return to ourselves and see where we are, and in doing that we can start to feel down because we feel as though we haven’t reached that same plateau as others.

You have to be careful in doing that, it’s not about winning against somebody but it’s about crossing the finish line. Crossing the finish line is and should be more important then trying to show off and defeat somebody. You’ll never really appreciate the journey, if your only motivation is to showcase that you did this and better than somebody else.

You’ve got to keep working and keep working on yourself. When you work on yourself and let God develop you that’s what is important. I may not get it on the timetable I had initially planned, that’s why God’s plan always works and mines doesn’t. Living for the Lord you want His plan to work, and you’ll be making that progress which will be the best thing for you.

It reminds me of when I see houses being built, that those who are apart of the building process is the fact that you can’t rush building a house. If you rush building a house without the proper foundation, pipes, and other things the house needs then it won’t last.

That’s the same in our lives, don’t rush the process and the steps. Take the different steps and go up the different levels, God knows what is best and what you need. It’s about what the Lord wants for you and not you, but about what the Lord wants and going at the pace He wants, not staying still but keep moving forward and at the end of the day it’s going to be what the Lord wants and His will that will be done!

Matthew 6:9-10 NASB

[9] “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. [10] ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

Just this weekend the NFL draft finally concluded after 7 rounds and many players being picked by various teams throughout the league, the draft finally ended. I enjoy watching the draft especially in those later rounds seeing those players who weren’t given much press or thought of highly as stars get drafted and become legends and even those undrafted players who sign on as free agents and earn a spot on a team and become stars in their own right.

I enjoy seeing that and it also told me something that you have to wait and you want to fall to the right team at the right time in order to make that impact. Many players want to be drafted high but it doesn’t always work out that way, that doesn’t mean they are less of players but that’s not where they were positioned to be at this time. It is more important to be placed on the right team and situation that’s meant for you, then trying to put yourself on a team that isn’t meant for you and can cause more mischief and anguish then satisfaction.

Life is like that, you know we want and crave at times to be here and there but the reason we aren’t there and haven’t arrived could be that’s not our spot. You have to know you’re spot and not try to get another spot but stay in the spot that is designed for you and that God places you in, many times we can mess up trying to get another spot but when we stay with the Lord and stay in the spot that the Lord has for you that’s what matters most and that’s what is most important is being in the spot the Lord has designed for you.

It’s very important and very vital to stay where the Lord wants you, grow where the Lord wants you, and excel where the Lord wants you to be! Because just like those players getting drafted, God has a place for all of us and since the Lord has a place for you and a place for me I don’t have to fight for attention and fight for credit and fight for notoriety but grow where I am and grow where I have been positioned and when I am in the right place then that’s where the Lord will get more and the most out of me.

That’s my determination and that’s my goal is to do all that I can at the right time! I don’t need anything that is not right and don’t want anything that is not right but if I’m where I’m supposed to be then I’m happy and if I’m not where I’m supposed to be then I want to be removed. So where I’m planted is where I should focus my attention on blooming and blossoming yes I should that’s enough and that’s my goal and ambition is to bloom and be who the Lord wants me to be and that’s all I need and all I want to do is be where God wants me to be and for the Lord to be happy with me and exalt me in due time!

Today has been a day I knew that was coming, but still within human emotions is tough to deal with. God has called my grandfather home to be with him after having been stricken with cancer. It is comforting knowing that he is going to be resting in the arms of Jesus and not in anymore pain, no more medication, nobody cleaning him up anymore, and none of that!

I remember as a kid riding in his truck, him picking me up from school, we going to the country to see his horses, feeding and watering those horses, him always going into his pocket and giving me and my sisters money, his laugh, his funny jokes, and just him. It will be different not seeing him and not hearing him. It’s amazing when it hits you after you have been an encouragement for others but when it hits you it’s totally different.

So it is a transition that we will all go through, and it’s important to have the right people around you when you are going through. But as we have now ingested and lived with this reality it is on us to make sure that we stay together and keep him alive and reflect on the principles and things that we learned from him good and bad but implore all of those things in us and with us now during this time.

It reminds me of when the nation grieved for John F. Kennedy and even to this day his name is still respected and revered. Even though he died they didn’t let his name die and they had to move on but never forget. That’s what we will do with Grandpa will have to move on but never forget and never can replace him but will always think of him and will always love him. I can hear him name as he had nicknames for me “Buckwheat and Mr. Bugs” saying – I’m alright and here that laugh!

You’ve got to reflect on those times and thank the Lord for the times that you had him. I’m grateful for the times that I had him, weren’t always good times, times I was happy with him and times I was mad at him. I mean that’s common with family but nothing replaces family and who was there for me and what he meant to me. That’s what I’m holding on to all of those memories like when we left Braums one afternoon in his yellow truck and our hats flew out the window because of how windy it was and we cracked up.

That’s my Grandpa but I know he was loaned to me but he was owned by God. He is with the Lord and earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal! I know where he is and I know that he lived as long as God let him but when the clock runs out it does on earth not eternity! I love you Grandpa and miss you but I know you are with God and not in the cowboy boots or blue jeans lol but in that robe with God!!! Take you’re rest and as the great preacher Charles G. Adams says “I’ll be there after while”

2 Corinthians 5:1,8 CSB

[1] For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. [8] In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

There is something that we do a lot of times and that is secure the things that we have, we secure our phones, homes, cars, and other valuable and things that we hold so precious to us those things that we secure and those things that we don’t like to have loose and don’t like to have unprotected but we will secure those things that are close to us and we will secure those things that we need because what we love and what we like is what we will secure.

I thought about this in the spiritual lives that we live that if we love ourselves and value ourselves as much as we say and express that we will secure. When you know who you are and know who you belong to then that will make you secure and not make have any insecurities develop and not be in competition and jealous of others and not feel as though we are inadequate or not insignificant but that you are content with you and since you are content with you then you don’t have any need to be insecure and have any resentment or anger that is established in you.

Many times the comparisons that we bring upon ourselves and the comparisons that we try so hard to fight with and try to measure up to, are the ones that have made us feel the way that we do and there is a danger in comparison especially when you don’t have to and when you can just remain who you are. It’s nothing wrong with you and if the Lord has made you the way that you are and blessed you the way He has then be fine and be okay with that and be grateful with who you are and how much God has been good to you and how great the Lord has been to you by who you are.

Martin Luther King Jr in his sermon “The Three Dimensions Of A Complete Life” stated – That people ought to be themselves and made the comparison of a Ford automobile and a Cadillac automobile and said that if a Ford stays a Ford that it can drive and get in a parking spaces that can never get into. The question who are you and are you and are you okay with that, what if you don’t get you’re name called, what if you aren’t celebrated, what if you don’t get the major following? Are you going to let that drown you of being who you are or are you going to be happy with who you are and stay who you are.

God has been mighty good to us all and God made us all unique with a multitude of talents. You’ll never appreciate you if you don’t work on you and keep you’re eyes on you to find out what can I do to improve myself. In the movie Head of State the beautiful actress Tamala Jones talked about horses racing and one thing that stuck out to me was how she said – That a horse just runs it’s race and not focused on the other horses but runs it’s race and looks ahead.

Run you’re face and look ahead, look to the Lord and not others and when you do that you’ll be secure! God has enough room and space for all of us! Don’t try to cut somebody else off or try to get in somebody else’s lane but stay in you’re own and you’ll see how the Lord will use you, bless you, keep you, lead you, guide you, develop you, elevate you, and place in spots that are meant for you! Stay secure, stay faithful, and stay with the Lord!!!