Blog Shot

Starbucks, Red Bull and Nodoze.

Everybody's doing there best to stay up, but all I wanna do is get down.

"And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! For then would I fly away, and be at rest." Psalm 55:6

Growing Gratefulness

God’s grace is unmerited, undeserved, and unconditional. Simply stated, it is not earned nor can it be repaid. God loves the unlovely, is kind to the coldhearted and saves the wicked sinner. Amazingly, He does this with no contractual agreement of reciprocity, no condition of lasting devotion, and no compulsional proof of repentance. Yet there is something God wants. There is a divine expectancy. Thankfulness.

God does what He does and loves like He loves with a hope, a faith even, that we will be grateful. God desires that we will have the decency, the honorableness, to show appreciation for His person and performance. “Because, although they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were they thankful…(Rom. 1:21).” This complaint is a revelation if viewed conversely. God desires glory and thanksgiving in light of His goodness.

Thankfulness is at first simple but transcends into a lifestyle. One begins with the common decency of telling God thanks. Thank him for life, for joy, for challenges, for mercy, for all things. As you thank God and show gratefulness, honor kicks in. You begin to recognize how inconsistent it is to receive gift after gift with thankfulness from someone that you do not respect or honor. So thankfulness leads to humility which produces devotion and service.

Let me be clear. Be grateful to God for everything. While we do not deserve His gifts, He certainly is worthy of our thanks. The real challenge is to grow your gratefulness to devotion and service. You cannot ever repay God for what He has done, but you can respect Him with your service and honor Him with your lifestyle.

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.
Psalm 51:16-17


Be grateful
Be godly

Psalm 23 - the MEOW version

The Shepherd's Psalm

You may never have thought nor looked at Psalm 23 in this way, even though we say it over and over again.

The Lord is my Shepherd - That's Relationship!

I shall not want - That's Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures - That's Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters - That's Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul - That's Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness - That's Guidance!

For His name sake - That's Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death - That's Testing!

I will fear no evil - That's Protection!

For Thou art with me - That's Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me - That's Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies - That's Hope!

Thou annointest my head with oil - That's Consecration!

My cup runneth over - That's Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life - That's Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord - That's Security!

Forever - That's Eternity!

-Jacked

Ahhhh. That was Gooooooood!

Praise God with me over the blessing of relevance. This past week was a mega-blast of divine favor for the Kings Church of Christ.

It all started with our 5th Annual Acapella Concert. We had 'Majestic Sounds' from Kings, 'New Day' from Harlem, 'The Enchanters' from Newark, 'Redeemed' and 'The Easternaires' from the Metro Area.

The featured groups were 'The Soul Influence' of Houston, Texas and 'The Mighty Men of Valor' from Durham, North Carolina.

Everybody did an excellent job.




Props for the church's advertising efforts. We had a record breaking registration of over 1000 visitors. That translates to 1000 evangelistic opportunities. That's Relevant. That's for real.


That made the Thomas real happy.



And then came Thomas Fitzgerald. A Powerhouse of Passionate Preaching from Forney, Texas. He led us in a sure 'nuff revival. 'He got me all hoped up and whatnot'. We thank God for his ministry. He said he would send me some CD's for the church.


Praise God with me for the success of these events. Many thanks to the great people that made it work right.

For more pix go to http://shokofoto.com/BrklCollege_html/

Abilene, Texas

The Minda Street congregation is a world class church with a global sized vision. It was my joy to be with them for their Minister's Appreciation and the Revival following. Their warmth, acceptance and appreciation made it a great place to preach. May God bless the Minister, Elders, Deacons and Members of that church.

The minister of this great church is Dr. Tony Roach, the Love Doctor Himself (Righteous Love). Dr. Roach is known across this brotherhood for his "God's Love Bank" studies. He is a prolific writer, effective teacher and great thinker. Every time we talked I was challenged and inspired to grow as a preacher. God has blessed us with Bro. Roach. You can check him out at http://www.godslovebank.com/

Special thanks to the White's for a few good times and old memories.
Shout out to Gerald, Randy and Tony - More Golf and less haircuts. Haha!!