Chronicling a Miracle: Finding Our First Home

I've never been a homeowner.

Though I've gone through various seasons of thinking "it is time!", I have never, for one reason or another, been able to go through the process of owning my own home.

When I was single, I found that I really didn't have the money to invest in a home.  I couldn't imagine the cost of upkeep--and it just made more sense to rent with a reliable landlord/lady who would help me if anything went wrong, replace things that needed replacing, open the door for me if I locked myself out...

I have been blessed to have some incredible landlords/ladies.  From my years in Tahlequah until now, I can honestly say that I have NEVER had a bad landlord/lady, that I have been so very blessed to have incredible men and women rent to me.

Again, as a married woman, there were times that Stephen and I would go "house hunting," but nothing seemed to work out.  In our early years of marriage, it was working out credit issues (I had never had a credit card, for one thing).  And later, there was a situation with our car loan (because of miscommunication in the first three months of ownership--they told us our payments would be delayed for three months--we had to scramble to get up to date on our payments, and it took a toll on our credit) that kept us from being able to buy a home.

We've never given up on the dream, though.

Every once in a while, we will browse Zillow.com for homes in our area--Stephen and I do this independently, but if there is a listing that piques our interest, that we believe may be "the one," we will advise the other of it.  We have, many times, gone to look at a home.

Last December, we found a great little place, not far from where we live, in a newer community of homes in our town.  We looked at the home and thought we had "found the one."  But before we even started looking for a financier, the house sold to someone else.

We really thought that was the place.  We were a little disappointed.

When we thought this might be the place, we had gone out to the home and walked around it, praying.  We prayed for the house itself and God's Will for our lives.  We could "see" ourselves in the home.  It was nice, and it would be our own...But this wasn't God's plan for us.

I must interject here that I am so glad that I am married to someone who believes as I do that God's Will for our lives is the MOST important thing about ANTHING--especially any major decision like this one.

When the house sold, we took a bit of a break looking at houses.

It was months before we started looking again, and we were actually touring another house (that we both KNEW was not the house) when we stumbled upon the Zillow listing for the one we are under contract to purchase now.

(Yes, I said it:  we are under contract to purchase a home of our own!  But I must tell the story properly...)

When we went to visit the property, we loved the home.  So we contacted the real estate agent listing the home and got a tour.  Though the listing touted a "MOTIVATED SELLER" (yes, in all caps), when we put in a bid for $140,000 for the listed $175,000, the seller responded with a note that he would not reduce the price.  

We couldn't afford it.

Knowing we couldn't afford it, and that this so-called "motivated seller" really wasn't, I started keeping an open eye for other properties within our budget.  I thought, "Okay, I must be happy with what we have, with what we have been given and keep my eyes open for THE house..."  So, I kept looking.  

One afternoon, I suggested to Stephen that we go look at this house for sale on the other side of town.  He told me he didn't want to because he still wanted the house on Pleasant Valley Road.

"Well, so do I," I thought.  "But if we can't afford it..."

I believe in miracles.  So I found myself praying for a miracle.  For The Lord to lead us precisely to the house HE had in mind for us.  "Lord, help the seller change his mind abou the price--help us know, as you have before, when IT IS YOU.  We want a miracle because we don't want to do anything 'in our own power.'  We want this to BE YOU."

And so we stopped looking again.  And we were just going about our business.

Until last Friday.

Friday morning, Stephen said to me, "I just got a notification from Zillow.  They dropped the price of the house on Pleasant Valley Road."

I was literally walking out the door to work and stopped.  "What did they drop it to?"

He told me it was listing now for $160,000.  (A $15,000 drop!)

We both agreed that we had to "move" on the house.  We had to figure out what we could do to get in the house, if at all possible. This is our Dream Home.

I drove by the house on Friday and Saturday, parked in the driveway and prayed while in my van with Psalm.  "Your Will be done, Lord," I prayed.  "If it's your will, open doors.  Make the path straight.  If this is not your will, please close the doors in an obvious way."

On Sunday, which happened to be Mother's Day, Stephen drove by the house in the evening and he called the realtor listed on the sign.  He left a message, and she called back within 20 minutes and said she'd meet us on Monday.

On Monday, I took Dana and Paula out to the house to see it and pray with me about it.  As we held hands on the driveway and prayed, in a circle, we could feel the wind circle us as we prayed.  It was an amazing experience.

Since then, in one week's time, Stephen negotiated a price of $157,000 with up to $4500 in closing costs paid by the seller. We are under contract and working with a lender to get the home.  This Tuesday, I am taking documents to the lender in Ft. Smith. 

As of right now, we are supposed to close on the home in July. 

Everything has gone smoothly, supernaturally so.  

I wanted to record this so I could look back and remember WHAT GOD HAS DONE!!!  

There is no doubt in my mind that He has orchestrated this on our behalf.  

On Mother's Day, we had gone to my parents' church in Muldrow.  As I knelt at the altar, I saw, in a brief second, a picture of the house in my mind and heard the following, "Don't you know I give the best gifts?"

I had no idea that gift would be coming so swiftly--and I give ALL PRAISE AND GLORY to MY LORD.  

We didn't do this.  He did.

---------------------

"Pure Bride of Christ" Girls' and Women's Conference, May 3

I had the opportunity and spiritual blessing of being asked to help with a Girls' and Women's Conference at Victory Worship Center in Spiro, OK.  The conference was called, "Pure Bride of Christ."

When Kayli Fouts contacted me about her vision for this conference (this was the first annual conference), she shared her heart with me, her passion for girls and women to truly BE the Bride of Christ, to walk in the knowledge, to act in that knowledge, to impact the world with that knowledge.  One of the things she said in her afternoon session, when she shared her heart for the conference with everyone, was that she felt burdened to help girls and women to be bolder, stronger, more courageous, for Christ.  That we make an impact on the world, that we stand out, truly, legitimately--not fake, but REAL CHRISTIANS.

She said, "I'm sick of seeing the marriages in the church look like the marriages in the world....People should come to the church and KNOW they are going to see godly examples of what a real marriage is!"  And that's her feeling about single women, as well: that the singles in the church should be godly examples of singlehood.  

I felt her passion--and shared it.

Though I really felt conflicted about the engagement itself--my step-daughter Raylee had a Fun Arts performance in Edmond the same day and I had to miss it--I felt like I was supposed to be there.  So I kept believing that "all would work to good" if I just put one foot in front of the other.

It did.

First, I usually get extremely nervous when I am asked to speak at engagements like this--and especially so when I do not really KNOW anyone there.  For whatever reason, no one from my church went with me, so I was quite on my own.   And yet, I felt totally at peace when I pulled into the parking lot, and I can honestly say that I felt the Presence of God with me in the parking lot, and with every step into the building.  

He was there with me.

Second, I really needed to be there, and I knew that as the first general session speaker, Ms. Jan Fouts, began to speak to married women.  Without going into great detail, I can honestly say that I NEEDED to hear what she had to say--words of encouragement, of warning, of challenge.  She spoke with authority and anointing:  she herself has been married for over 40 years.  What a sweet spirit she has.

Third, although teaching three 30 minute sessions in a row was both a mental and physical challenge for me (and the second session suffered greatly for it), I KNEW God was with me, empowering me, speaking through me.  I felt Him.  Thank The Lord for His Presence.

Fourth, I got to reconnect with many people I've had in class before, and others I've attended church with or known through the church for years.  Even though I was by myself, I wasn't.  And that was another lesson I was hearing from The Lord.

Some things I learned, in a nutshell:

1.  I must never doubt God's timing.  Despite the conflicts in my schedule (the timing), HE WAS IN IT and I NEEDED the conference. God knew that. (I repented for questioning Him and this engagement until the very day of.  I should KNOW better--that He has my BEST INTERESTS at heart.)

2. I cannot take my marriage for granted--and I must be willing to WORK at it and WORK SOME MORE.  My marriage needs to be an example to others of what a GOOD MARRIAGE is.

3.  I cannot afford to give up--God will help me to maintain balance, and I must rely on Him to help me prioritize.

4. God is with me, whether anyone else is or not.  Sometimes, He grows us in those moments where we are on our own and just have to rely on Him.  He showed me, clearly, that I was supposed to be there that weekend. And He showed me that He was right there with me, the entire time.  (Did I mention that I had no anxiety or panic?!  That's God.)

5.  There is more to come.  Our steps are ordered, and I don't believe that anything is by accident.  I trust Him completely, I do.  (I have to.  I could never do this on my own.) There is more.  I'm not just saying that in faith, believing:  I know it in my heart.

There IS more.

-------------------------------------

Postscript:  God allowed me to help Raylee tweak her outline for her short sermon at Fun Arts, and she went, fully confident, and earned three Superior Ratings.  She is extremely excited--and feels much more prepared--for Fine Arts next year.  (Her dad and I are excited, as well!)  God really works all things to our good. He really does take care of everything.

Thank God.

Project Gideon 2014: General Session Four with Bishop Jakes (and Pastor Chris Hill)

PROJECT GIDEON

GENERAL SESSION 4

February 14, 2014

BISHOP TD JAKES

Conversation with Chris Hill

--Pastor Chris Hill, to Bishop Jakes

--"Today I am what you trained me to be"

--7 busses and 2 planes from Denver to Dallas

--Trust is a 2 way street

--relationships are about reciprocity; can't take and not give; can't reap if you don't sow

--if you sow it, you can reap it back

--the importance of a mentor, father figure in ministry

--while he was developing his team, I loaned him my team

--what we must model in church and family relationships:  father; mentor

--Bishop:  I left early so I wouldn't be a distraction to his moment; he chased me down to check on me; he left his moment

--his heart is in the right place

--it does not have to be Saul and David

--no hidden motive or agenda; his heart was in the right place

--bible:  I will turn hearts back to the father, back to the son

--if distrust gets in between you, then all communication is gone

--to get what you need, you have to give what the other person needs

--if you sow it in, you will reap it back

--love father figure in the way he wants to be loved

--you can be yourself and still be related to your father

--having a good helpmate is real important; sometimes all you have is each other

--I have many sons

--understand; your opportunities are so much bigger than your circle

--you can be struggling in one arena; established and rejected in an area; the body of Christ is so much bigger than your circle

--if I left and you just got together, the ppl in here, just talked and supported each other

--you have no right to complain about lack of support from elders when you do not support each other

--I hope you change:  becoming more relational, less competitive; you cannot be relational if you are competitive

--no room for hatred, maliciousness

--you can disagree and not be disagreeable

--the doors you're trying to get open; 

--some of the ppl you're knocking down to get to me have as many members as I do

--connect outside of your clique; expose yourself to fresh perspective

--edify the body; not just head; every joint, tendon, body is build through connection

--you have to invest in relationships

--both of us, mutual exchange

--do not assume that what you call important is what I call important

--love is a sacrifice

--love me like I want to be loved, like I need loved

--having each other's back is important

--you will not survive if you don't say anything

--if you interconnected with ppl in this room, your calendar would be full all year; all over the world if you never left this room; some of the strongest churches n America--IN THIS ROOM

--you don't know each other; get out of comfort zone

--KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING

--some of you been plowing for 10 years and plowing and plowing; maybe that's not the place for you

--The earth is the Lord's, the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein

--Your walls can tear down the walls between Christians

--Get past the walls

--Reach more ppl, 

--I want your mind to expand

--70% of ppl on internet are non black

--I want to shatter the glass ceiling about who might love you

--color, doctrine, I call ppl, BROADENING to understand the evolution of ministry

--EVOLVING, as person and leader and minister

--Bishop's new book, get my back

--develop webpage where we can connect all year

--build relationships; fishing out of this room

--I want to go from being on the platform to being a platform for the next generation

--my heart is huge, bigger than my belly

--I want to help you win, because all you've built will die for us

--I've worked too hard for everything to go down with me

--I want this legacy to continue

--I want you to win; when you win, I win too

--You have to be excellent in eery way; orator and leader

--speaker and thinker; be excellent in every way; 

--ore than just being on stage; it's infrastructure; can you manage relationships around you

--you can't be a truce breaker and break covenant; stewards of secrets

--you will see ppl's mistakes; be mature enough to keep your mouth shut

--keep your mouth shut

--whatever was going on, 

--don't ever bit the hand that feeds you so you can entertain your boys; don't disclose information

--Some of you have great talent but you talk too much

--don't name drop; don't tell things

--your mouth can close doors for you

--this generation:  some go big and crash; we went for a life time; you have to manage relationships

--requires wisdom; shut your mouth

--some of you just getting started and you talk like ppl like a dog; you are closing doors; whatever you say gets back

--you wonder why ppl are acting funny around you; they have heard what you said

--SHUT UP,  "Finally, my brethren, SHUT UP"

--some of you have giftings but you don't have the habit to go to the next level. You must have the habits of champions

--not about impressing the fellows; you are more interested in impressing your peers

--"In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength"

--You don't have long term relationships if you have loose lips

--Some of your habits are closing your circle; only ppl you can run with are ppl who do what you are into; club to ppl; all of you have the same sickness and you hang out and preach to each other

--depending on what's wrong with you is who you hang with; porch of Bethesda

--get off the porch and get to the pool; will not make it to pool if you hang out on the porch

--you have to be comfortable w ppl who are strong in areas you are weak in

--Bishop:  stats, when build low income get ghettos; more effective, mixed neighborhoods; school system better; school system evolves through exposure

--you cannot evolve in area where you are under exposed

--are you mature enough tho handle the blessing

--do you have the emotional intelligence to function where your gift can carry you

--called to further the vision; when asked to speak somewhere; don't come to my church and start collecting numbers

--bypassed me and built bond with children? ; the minute you do that, tells me I brought you too high

--if you start bonding with my members, you are telling me not to call you back

--don't enter into gossip

--I've got the key to your next engagement

--need to be managed mentality; they still think as if they are under

--can God trust you with elevation? can you move into new streams of God; can you manage what you see

--all ppl are flawed

--same grace extended to you, extend to someone else and SHUT YOUR MOUTH

--if your dates are going down and down; something else you're doing, saying, being said, polluting your opportunities

--you had enough to get in the door but not enough character to maintain the journey

--character and morals are two different things

--showed up late, indifferent,

--I'm trying to mentor you; you have to have discretion; part of being professional

--character/morals so bad?  exposing sheep to wolves.  

--you can't have a boyfriend in every city

--you have to decide which desire is strongest

--you cannot be Apostle Johnson w/ sexy pictures

--I know you feel the fire; conflict inside of you; I know the struggle between sensual and spiritual; hero and human

--most ppl deeply spiritual are deeply sensual

--Light so shine before men that they see your good words and glorify  your Father

--problems with brand: doing too many things.  

--Confused audience in how you present yourself; everyone has sexy side

--every generation thinks they are endowed with super sexiness; but before we got this pot belly, we got you

--MANAGE YOURSELF

--you can't put out all of those signals; can't put your face on for preaching and pose for porn; 

--YOU MUST DECIDE WHO YOU ARE

--every one has urges; it's not just you

--I begged The Lord not to call me

--you are asking a crippled man to run a race

--you know I'm defective; you can't use me

--Lord, why don't you call oe of those good ppl; holy ppl; you know me, I'm gonna mess this up, Jesus

--I'm thinking there are ome ppl that are good

--I didn't know he didn't have any

--There's no one good but the father; all of us are infected with human nature; sinful nature

--we are all infected by sin

--we all got it; BRING YOURSELF INTO ALIGNMENT WHERE YOUR LIGHT SHINES BEFORE MEN

--in truth, you're managing the same struggles we all have; you have to manage so you can have the opportunity

--make it a little easier for your husband to be faithful;

--emotionally and physically empty

--dont' hit them at front door with problems, bills,

--don't allow them to come from clapping crowd to nagging house

--you are the keeps of his flame

--if you do nothing but keep him oiled...that's a ministry too!  

--May the power of God overshadow you; move in your giftings without guilt 

--When they come home, they want to be ministered too; don't want to come home and minister too

--your spouse needs someplace he or she can be human; 

--ppl need to hear this; if someone would've said this

--marriage is for earth, not heaven; it's for here

--marriage ministers to the man I am, not the preacher I am

--you're getting ready to go somewhere

--I believe God is taking you somewhere beyond your norm; bigger than where you came from 

--follow instincts; they will lead you to your destiny

--you may not be where you are supposed to be yet

--I walked around like I was a Bishop; they just didn't know it yet

--my instincts were somewhere I had not evolved yet

--I am inclined to lead

--My gut instinct is to lead; I had instinct before I had the opportunity

--foreshadowing of what God is going to do in your life

--unveil who you are 

--same way that Nehemiah had instinct to leave comfort of palace and go build a wall; drove Nicodemus away from courts and went to Jesus

--I know that thou art sent from God

--take your religious eyes off this text; put it away; Nicodemus part of Sanhedrin, already religious and man of faith; faith is going through evolution; Jesus is not talking to sinner; he's not a sinner; he is confused; how then can a man enter into a womb?  Jesus is talking to him about Matrix.  A Matrix is a womb through are birthed from one dimension to another

--you have outgrown the limitations of the womb you were born in

--you are constantly going from smaller womb to greater womb

--baby formed in womb; conception in the womb; baby grows in womb until it can no longer stay there; when no longer hidden, must be pushed from small space that was a blessing; blessing now a curse b/c the baby has outgrown his space; with pain and travail, he crosses from one world to the next; things developed in womb weren't developed for the womb ; need to use mouth, nostrils, ears, legs, too big for the womb

--discomfort of baby--about to be birthed into new dimension; I don't fit here

--I've never seen the next world, but my instincts say there is something beyond the world I know; birthed from familiar to unfamiliar

--I cannot stay where I start; water breaks, mother lurches, baby is pushed from one dimension to the next.

--I see light: couldn't see this where I was; sounds muffled where I used to be; I'm breathing now,

--GOD IS EQUIPPING ME FOR WHERE I'M GOING; ONE SEASON TO THE NEXT

--6 years old, evolve again; what was a blessing

--going from lesser to greater; you're not going to be able to go back to the court; 

--YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN

--SOME WATER MIGHT HAVE TO BREAK, SOME BRUISING; YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN

--intellect; formed by past experiences and what you read; inform your intellect with facts; intellect is limited; always built on past experiences

--instinct; attraction to something for which  I have no point of reference

--crawling toward the water, hatched on dry ground; 

--exposure so you can crawl from where you have been

--I forget and press forward toward the mark of Christ Jesus

--I CAN'T STAY HERE; IT'S TOO TIGHT; TOO LITTLE; THINGS I THOUGHT FUNNY AREN'T FUNNY ANYMORE

I'M IN A TIGHT PLACE

--I can't run w ppl I used to run with 

--it blessed me for a season; next dimension

--SOMETHING IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN; I HAVE TO CRAWL OUT TO THE NEXT DIMENSION

--Crawl toward something;

--Life is a series of birthings; Death is a birthing--from one world to the next womb

--Separation from this life

--When you die, you are birthed into eternal; you will go through stages of uncomfortableness that force you to go into the next dimension; that's what makes affliction and suffering good

--If I wouldn't have been pained, hurt, bruised, THANK YOU FOR CLOSED DOORS, PUSHING

--I AM EVOLVING INTO THE NEXT DIMENSION.

--SOMEBODY'S WATER IS BROKEN IN THIS PLACE

I'M FREE ON THE INSIDE FIRST, BEFORE; IT HAPPENS INSIDE FIRST; IT DOES NOT YET APPEAR WHAT I SHALL BE

--THERE'S A GREATER PERSON, WIFE, LEADER IN ME THAN I'VE SEEN ON THE OUTSIDE

--I'M CHANGING; NEW SEASON, REBIRTHED 

--I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME

--NO MORE EXCUSES

--If I don't get it done now, 

--Stem cell can be developed into an organ; cells attracted to other similar cells to form organs; stem cell form tissue; produce daughter cells and they produce organs; heart cells start beating; they will bypass every cell that doesn't have the beat; when they find another beating cell, they instinctiely connect to cells with the same beat and form tissue and form heart; they were beating before they touched

 before they are connected

--cells are attracted to cells that have their rhythm, connect with ppl who are beating, that have your rhythm; can be productive when they touched

--heart cell and kidney cells dysfunction; CHECK YOUR CONNECTIONS AND CHECK THE RHYTHM

--stop the connection; you can only connect with nouns that are beating

--ministry teams, companions; and you'll know it instinctively

--your instincts bring you into your future

--who's in sync; you'll feel a beat that becomes a culture that forms a church that changes a community

--tied to something that doesn't have your rhythm

--things only function when you have rhythm; can't teach it; you have to know it;

--regenerate; re-gene-it; changing the culture of it;

--change it one cell at a time; just find another cell

--not always same denomination; sense the beat, rhythm; permission to make the connection; sense something

--KINDRED spirit ("kin") ; a resume doesn't tell you that

--any cell trying to graft in from outside; can't get my mantle until you get the rhythm; anointing flows without interruption from me to you;

mantle will only go to man who has my rhythm; your church, culture, organization based on the rhythm

--3 years to change the culture/beat, at least

--stop crying when ppl leave; 

--come out of your comfort zone

YOU WERE EXPOSED TO THIS FOR A REASON

--YOU ARE ONE PUSH AWAY FROM A NEW DIMENSION

--WHEN ZION PREVAILS

--FRESH ANOINTING FOR NEW PLACE AN DNEW MINISTRY

--I SPEAK A SPIRIT OF CONNECTIVITY AND BROTHERHOOD

--never gonna be the same; I CAN'T BE THE SAME AGAIN

--I NEVER GONNA BE THE SAME AGAIN; CAN'T BE THE SAME

Project Gideon 2014: Notes from the Afternoon Q&A Session with Bishop Jakes

PROJECT GIDEON

Q & A

BISHOP JAKES

February 13, 2014

1. How do you do everything you do when there are so many moving parts?

  It's not me doing it; it's my team

  Wherever there's a challenge, there's a director; surround with leaders

  Leading from top, not from bottom

  The more complicated my life gets, more structure necessary

  Don't take on more tasks than you have structure; consider lucrative; do you have enough resources to respond to needs

   Fishing with rod and reel vs. net 

2. Strategy of Effective Ministry Pre Dallas (Princeton seminary student)

   Don't hire too many ppl; most work through consultants

  Contractors--utilize only time needed

  Small town, normalcy at home while chaos every where else

  I came home to normalcy

  Strategic enough to preach in places that had camera

  SMART

  Transition period to go through

  Storefront and on nationwide TV and didn't own a camera

3. Illinois, First Christian 103 years; community impact

  Protected externally

  Campaign time, allowing politicians? 

  What is policy?

  I need effective relationships; goals be protector

  GOOD WAY TO DO IT

  Meet with the person, have lunch, ask questions about policy

  Bishop: I've never endorsed a candidate

  Be able to access any leader without being owned by any leader

4.  NY, Upper Room

  How do you decipher God-given goal and ambition?  Establish what God wants and what you wants?

  Command of Word of God

  We all struggle with this; the further you go, the more he purges your motives

  Ambition is not bad thing

  What God has ordained for you to do, he equips you to accomplish

  He equipped me to be a preacher

  CORE AND SKILL SET:  what he put in your warehouse

  Some things God gives because you want them.  Not bad to have  accomplish

  Lord, is this something that would hinder what you have for me

5.  Wisconsin

  What do you do when it's not in the house?

  "In the house"--in your reach; it's coming within your reach

  Don't allow church ppl to limit your influence

  Your influence can exceed your congregation

  God will give you ppl on the outside to best serve your church

  Ask who you do have how much time and energy they can donate

  Set up separate 501 3c (?) Don't always need the church to do everything

  Don't take their criticism to be God's denial

  Greater your haters, becomes a badge--they noticed you

  Things in community to help ppl:  look at grants, donated time,  start

  Many ppl lose their fire over ppl who will be dead in years; work outside

  Jesus crucified outside the camp; his real work was done away from synagogue

6.  Guy w/ accent I can't understand

  How do you hear from God and do business?

  Paul tentmaker

  Jesus -- Peter was fisherman

  Jesus picked all business ppl and make them preachers

  tax collector, not one rabbi did he pick

  Occupy until I come; "do business until I come"

  Balance is something we all struggle with

  Don't take on more of anything than you are able to manage

  Be true to yourself

  I was a man before I was a pastor; you define me as pastor

  Generations of business owners

  Industrious tribe: business

  Being true to who I am

  Jesus brought me to kingdom to do business for him

  BiBLE:  29 million viewers; learning to be wise and have influence in the gates where decisions are made; if you have that calling; my ppl like children dancing in the market place

  Church suffers when it does not do business

  If you are bold enough and inclined to do business

  Business acumen

  Be true to what's in you;

  What's in you?  Do it til He comes

7.  Know what you're not:  Greenwood, Mississippi

  Mom died she and sister inherited church

  Run, don't look back

  Your mother lived her life; you don't have to inherit her life; you have right ot your life

  Not called; injustice to ppl and to you

  You have a right to live your life to follow your dreams

8.  Orlando Florida; keys to longevity in ministry and family

  Start at root and core of who you are

  Our generation didn't train your generation

   Young generation thinks it's easy

  Underestimated how tough it is: ministry, marriage, 

  You are into the thrill--but what happens when the thrill is gone?

  HIgh and low places

  YOu endure until it comes back again

  You will go through winter.

  Level of endurance has not been taught

  If you have lost your family, you lose community and church and then country

  Learn to stick it out.  Go home every night.  

  Younger generation doesn't see pain of it.

  Pain is more treacherous to bear when you're not sure you're supposed to have it

  Woman in labor--if she expects the pain, she knows it's part of process and deals with it.  If doesn't think painful, she thinks something's wrong

  THE PAIN IS PART OF THE PROCESS

  We advertise the baby but not the labor

  Too many give up when labor happens

  There is always struggle

  We didn't see you in the store front, frying chicken 

  We married the destination, but not the transportation

  Without pain is how to sustain it

  If you saw what I suffered, you would know how I sustained it

  We had earned our help

  You can't start a ministry at top

  You learn something in the suffering that equips you for the 

  Children who inherit wealth without struggle go through the money, no strenth to hold on to it.

Bishop:

You're grown.

You're not in training. This is your moment. This is your time.

Stay connected. 

It's your time.  You're up to bat.

MLK Jr. didn't even live to see 40.

I had built PH in my 30s

This is your season.

Put away childish things.  Take reigns into future.

Many of you are on verge of doing it.

Get rid of things so you can focus.

I put away childish things...

Is there anything you need to put away for God to be able to use you the way he wants to use you?  Distractions?  Are you focused?  Blame you, not others.  Now is the time to go after your goal and accomplish your dream.

You're gonna blink and be me.

 

You're that close to Too Late

Takes 10 years to get things together.

You don't have time to waste.  If you are not gifted ppl: you wouldn't be here.

You invested in yourself b/c you believe in yourself; you want something to God for yourself.