Announcement!!!!

Hi everyone,

For approximately one year I have been going through a leadership development process at my church which culminated today in catechism. Catechism is an event where our beliefs, thoughts, doctrinal concepts, etc. are challenged by current seasoned church leaders. We sat in the room in small groups of two or three and were asked over 30 questions each. This process takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.

I am happy to say that I passed catechism TODAY and I am now preparing to give my initial sermon on Friday October 18! I will be an Associate Minister!

I am totally amazed by God. His ways totally surpass mine, and His plans are always different from anything I could have ever imagined!

Singles Conference!

This week our church is hosting a Singles Conference! I’ve invited Minister Kenny Pugh (www.kennypugh.com) to join us! I am VERY EXCITED to lead this event, my first major event in many years!

If you are in the NJ area, join us on Wed July 31 at 7pm for the first session with our senior pastor, Bishop Donald Hilliard Jr! We break on Thurs Aug 1 and reconvene on Fri Aug 2 at 7pm for a full service including Praise & Worship, spoken word, dance, drama and GIVEAWAYS! On Sat Aug 3 at 9:30am we return for a continental breakfast & workshop discussion on the topic “Can You Do It Standing Up?”, also facilitated by Kenny Pugh. We’ll end the Conference with Bowling at 6pm!

I’m EXCITED and I hope to see you there! To register, email SinglesMinistry.TheCathedral@gmail.com. It’s FREE!!!

Singles Conference Banner
Singles Conference Banner

Pursuing What Counts in 2013

This blog was first launched on December 29, 2010. Two years of triumphs and tragedies have passed since then, and I am thankful that I am still here to share this special moment with you – the end of yet another year.

We’ve seen significant changes financially, spiritually, socially, in politics, and in our communities all around us. We’ve buried many children due to violence, like the recent Sandy Hook Elementary School horror in Newtown, Connecticut (USA) and Trayvon Martin’s untimely death in Florida. Some cities like Chicago, Illinois (USA) have buried over 500 people in 2012 due to violence alone. Wars have erupted in the Middle East and in other world regions as governments and regimes fight for various rights or privileges. People crush each other any moment they get a chance (on social media, in the workplace) because of the fierce competition that is now ensuing.

What about our futures? What type of world are we creating for the generations coming up behind us? Are we proud to show our children how materialistic we’ve become? Is having all the latest gadgets, clothes, shoes and cars the only way to show that we’re “really living”? Do we make the effort to extend ourselves to help others, or are we content with the “us four, no more” mentality?

When we are at work, can anyone say that we genuinely care about their well-being, even if we are managers? Or is self-preservation the name of the game?

What about our church circles? The shame and embarrassment seems unending when news is broadcasted about our issues. Are we willing at all to step aside and allow God to take full control of our private appetites so they do not boil over and become public disgraces?

We need a revival of our souls. We are thirsty and are reaching for things that will never satisfy us!

2 Chronicles 7: 14 – 15 (NKJV, Holy Bible) states:
“….if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.”

I have such a spiritual hunger and thirst deep within me now that I cannot truly explain. I’m at a place in my life now where dressing in the latest labels and designs are a nice-to-have and is not required. Driving the latest model car means nothing to me now; I’ve done that twice before. Living in the “right” zip-code means very little; I’ve done that before too. What I NEED, more than anything else, is more of GOD. He speaks to me in the small things and in the big things. His care is evident. His love is precious. He speaks to my soul in ways I cannot describe adequately. Dreams, desires and ministries are birthed when we submit our lives into His hands.

As we embark on a new journey that begins in just a few hours (less than 12 hours), let us stop the busyness, step away from our electronic devices for some time and give God our undivided attention. He longs to commune with us. His presence gives us unexplainable peace of mind. His presence brings divine revelations on how to proceed in our lives. His love envelops us and heals us of past hurts and disappointments. These are not just cute sayings; these are REAL results when we stay and pray. Meditation on the Bible is vitally important in growing and developing us as living examples. Reading biblically-grounded books help as well. Take notes as you meditate, read and reflect. Allow God to push you into your next place of blessing (or testing).

I want to worship God with ALL my heart, mind, soul and spirit. I want to worship Him as I approach a new year with new challenges and new blessings.

Will you join me?

I wish a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2013 to you and your families!

My Heart…..

I wrote this piece in July 2007 but it is just as relevant for me today.

 

My heart is burdened now. Have you ever wished all the best for others, but you get the feeling that those same people don’t feel the same way about you?

Have you ever felt alone at a time when you ought to be excited and you should be able to share your excitement with others? Have you ever wondered what did you do for you to feel this way, how did you do what you thought you did, and so on?

Well, hey…. All I can say is, God knows me best. God has a plan for my life, no matter who or what may oppose or object. God is in control of my every move, and I make it known: I refuse to do or say anything that isn’t directed of God. I must breathe Him in; I must feel His presence near me, or I perish. I truly believe He is speaking to me even more than He’s ever spoken to me, mostly because I’m listening a lot better now.

So, where am I going? God has begun to show me bit by bit where I’m heading, and it is too awesome to describe. He’s shown me that I will have a huge impact here on earth. And I embrace that. He sent his servants here to my church two weeks ago to show me and confirm to me what I’ve felt in my spirit for so long. Things I hadn’t told a soul, God confirmed it.

So, I believe the separation issue is one where God gets a chance to be closer to me than ever before, because He’s the only One to Whom I can talk freely.

Others may think they know where I’m going, what I’m doing and why I’m doing it, but God and I are really the only ones who know. (And, in all honesty, God is the One Who truly knows. He’s only telling me stuff on a “need to know” basis.)  My calling is unique, so my path must reflect my destiny.  I must learn some lessons, meet some people, and experience some things. And God will be there all the way while I do what I need to do.

I don’t expect everyone to agree or to understand, but this is who I am; this is who I am becoming.  For many years I’ve lived in the shadow of others, seeking their approval for every step I took and for every decision I made.  I have many regrets because of this.  But now I’m heading down a unique path, so those days are over.  I must now truly “get it” on my own.  If I was not walking according to His will, He would not be speaking to me so much! He’d be telling me to repent, etc. But that is not what I am hearing….

To God be the glory, because He is using my life and will continue to use my life to bring glory to His holy name. Yesterday, Mark 11 vs. 23 and 24 caught my attention after I had a heart-to-heart discussion with Him on this subject. Then later in the day, Mark 11 vs. 22 also caught my attention. Verse 22 says, “Have faith in God.” It then discussed believing and not doubting and commanding the mountain to cast itself into the sea and it would happen. Verse 24 states, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” I was ready to dance when I read this, but I had leave my car and go inside to work….

Now, that’s POWERFUL. And if my desire is to please the Lord in everything, big, small and in-between, then having faith in God must give me the right desires for the right things, as everything would be lining up. My will would then become His will, so my desires would become His desires towards me.

So, why should I worry that others think I’m making huge mistakes with my life? Why should I feel inadequate, thinking that I don’t know the voice of God for myself and thus allow others to imply to me that they know His voice better than I do? And why should I doubt what He’s shown me and told me so many times in so many ways? Why should I believe that someone else will always get “the revelation” about my life? And why can’t I get that revelation directly from God for myself? Am I unable to approach the Throne-room of God on my own, for myself? Since the day the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom, the day Jesus died, I had access to the Throne-room for myself.

I will seek the Lord, and He will continue to take my hand and lead me where I need to be. God knows my heart, God knows my intentions, and God knows that I only want what He wants for me, nothing else, and nothing less.

I do not hold any grudges, but my heart is sad.   I should have expected this. Someone told me today that oil can only come out of olives one way – and that is, they have to be crushed. (Elder Lenore Artis)

So, let the crushing begin…..

But after the crushing, the oil that comes out is the oil of the anointing that God has placed on the inside of this dark-skinned olive.

Thank you, God for your spirit of encouragement. You promised to fulfill your Word in my life and in the life of my family. Manifest yourself today and from this moment onward.

A New Season

The song “It’s A New Season” sung by Israel Houghton and Martha Munizzi states “Fresh anointing is flowing my way; it’s a season of power and prosperity, it’s a new season coming to me”.

This is my story.

Since the end of 2010 until this moment I have experienced new things, some of which I cannot even quantify yet. New experiences. New results. New opportunities. As I walk through these new doors I am fascinated. The timing is perfect; I could have never orchestrated it any better. The line-up is impeccable. The mentors in my corner are absolutely amazing. No, I have not “come into big money” – not yet, anyway, but many of the experiences I have had are what I had only dreamed of in the past.

My advice to everyone reading this post: Prepare for the moment when all your tears will become smiles and all the “meaningless” work will become major projects! If you are single and want a spouse, prepare for God to bring you His best when you are ready and the timing is right. Be aware that when His best comes, you MUST be ready to adjust to receive His blessing. It won’t look like what YOU would have looked for.

If you are preparing to enter ministry or a new job (or both!), exude an attitude of gratefulness, humility and faith. God is an AMAZING God but He will not be rushed into anything. None of us should ever think that we can push God to work on our behalf earlier than the time He has ordained to be YOUR time. And don’t forget to thank Him every time a door opens or an opportunity presents itself!

Keep your face in the books. Study the Bible, read inspirational books from experienced authors and really get to know God. It’s one thing to read about what God can do versus living it out for yourself and KNOWING that He can do it.

Pray, fast, meditate, reflect, sing songs of worship unto God and love Him for Who He is to you. Try not to ask Him for too much……

Serve others. Serve those who you think “should know better”. Serve the seniors. Love them even when they forget your name. Spend time with those who do not have the blessings that you have.

Keep doing the things that God has called you to do and that He has blessed you to be. Don’t wait for accolades from people to set the example and to follow-through with what God has placed within you.

All these things will help you to prepare for BREAKTHROUGHS! As you serve, worship, love, give and care, watch Him WORK on your behalf!

I know! I am living it now~
To God Be The Glory For The AWESOME Things He Has Done!

Life Moves On

Hebrews 12: 1 & 2 (NIV): “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Continue reading “Life Moves On”

Growing Pains: An Introspection

I am noticing a few things: Time seems to be speeding up at an alarming rate. As the days fly by I feel a growing sense of uneasiness/restlessness, which indicates that a seismic shift is about to take place in my life!

Continue reading “Growing Pains: An Introspection”