Come Lay Your Head - Donald Lawrence

Any one that has seen my gospel collection knows that it's filled with Donald Lawrence. His ministry is such an anointed one from the singers to his directing. This song is one I have on my iPod called Come Lay Your Head on Me. I've listened to the song plenty of times. But recently I was listening to it and it hit me soooo hard. Like a ton of bricks. It tells the story of John 13 of Jesus washing his disciples' feet. Donald goes on to say how sometimes WE need to do something for Jesus. We're always asking for something: help, money, strength, focus etc but He wants us to do things for the Kingdom as well! We have to stop and say "What can I do for you today Jesus? Give something to a needy person? Evangelize to those who may not know You? Pay my tithes? Talk to a person going through a hard point in their life? No secular music today?" Anything! But yea, I felt really lead to spread this message I received. Below is the Praise and Worship session right after the song finished. You can really see the Spirit moving through the building.

Also, check out my new fashion blog www.hollywoodnobodies.tumblr.com

Choose Now!

It's been awhile. My apologies. It's been a wild ride for myself but thats neither here nor there.

I came across a scripture and I felt like I had to share it with everyone. It's very simple but yet very deep. So here it goes!

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.””- Joshua 24:15

I honestly dont know why I was so drawn into this scripture. But it keeps it VERY funky. Like boom, I dont know what you bout to do but ME??? I'm down with the God squad. The bible also says a man cannot serve two masters because he will end up loving one and hating the other. This verse is very reminiscent of that (or maybe vice versa b/c the aforementioned verse was in the new testament and the one thats the focal point of the post is the old testament...but I digress) saying worship who you want to but I know that me and mine will serve the Almighty Lord. NOT TO SAY we aren't to let people know WHO it is we worship but rather saying despite what you choose to do, We gon worship God on this side homie!

Run Until You Finish

I remembered this video I saw a long time ago. I think we showed it at the SBGC Spring Concert: "I'm Running For My Life" but I'm not 100% sure (Sorry choir!!) but if we didn't then we surely should have. The video is of Derek Redmond, a track runner who apparently tore his hamstring mid-race. He was crippled for a while and couldnt move from the floor. He gets up and starts to hobble to the finish line. It seemed like it was all over...until his father came and not only helped him up, he helped him finish the race. Once his father came, he now was able to fully rest upon him, cry out and let it all out because he knew his father who had now come, was able to carry his load.

More importantly, we must understand that we will fall. It is OK to fall because your ever-present help is coming to help you up and help you finish running that race. When he comes, you can sit there and cry and scream and yell and tell him all about your pain and your problems. Because he's going to carry you over that finish line. No matter what.

Eat Up!

I'm starving! I look around and some of my friends are full, some are full off of junk food and some are starving but dont know they're starving. Let me explain

Everyday we need to get our fill of the Lord. We need to eat, sleep and breathe Jesus. And to be honest, I've been on an unhealthy diet as of late. I wasn't eating my breakfast of my daily devotional that I developed a habit of reading when I woke up. I missed lunch and forgot to read some scriptures during the day. Sometimes I even skipped out on dinner and forgot to pray before I went to bed. You can imagine how hungry I had become. Not really, because when you're dieting from one set of food, you're bound to fill up on another type. In all honesty I make this post to you while listening to some old school G-Unit freestyles from back in my high school days. I find myself sometimes skipping over the gospel songs and blasting some good ol' mid 90s rap (but I did just download that new Israel CD gonna check that out soon, but follow me because I'm trying to make a point lol) My diet has become bad and I know it has so what am I doing to change it?

All it takes is one worldly meal for someone to get off track in their walk. One set of oreos after midnight to make you get off track. All it takes is one set of junk food to shake your foundation. So how am I getting back on the right diet? Well you're reading it right now. I needed to come back to this blog. I needed to minister, I need people to read what I have to say because it is the Holy Spirit speaking through me. It was hard to come back. It's hard for me to pray as hard as I used to, it was hard to read the Word, it was hard to remember to say grace before eating. It's hard to get up when you stumble but the glory is in the process of getting up. So I'm not mad that I fell. I'm not disappointed I cheated my diet. Because in a way, getting back on track makes it all worth it. Now I have a testimony to tell. And you can believe that when I come back, I'll be stronger than ever.

Now back to the beginning (this blog post is Christopher Nolan story telling method inspired ie The Prestige, Memento) Let's take into account Matthew 26:26-28 [While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.] Now I have friends that are full. They are eating good. They get their healthy dosage of the Word and they are firmly grounded. Some are full off junk food. They get their fill off the world. Secular music, TV, parties, alcohol and all the likes. At one point, we all had a strict junk food diet though you know! Now some people are starving and before I know I said they don't know it but I rather explain it as this. They are starving but don't know what to diet on. They're torn between the sweet junk food that looks so appealing and familiar but know that is NOT what they need. And then they have that lean healthy dish of Jesus that comes with a side of ever present help and salvation but this isnt what they're used to eating. Since it is new and life changing, it scares them. They dont know which plate to choose. It is our job to show them. But you have to lead by example. You're diet has to be on point because only then can we introduce the correct way to dine to others.

It is very possible to become spiritually depleted. But the Word is SO powerful that one scripture is enough to fill you back up. One verse can fill the cracks in your foundation. One chapter can be the wind beneath your feet that get you back on track. We all take our turns as the Prodigal Son, in our own ways and in our own experiences. We all end up in a foreign land STARVING! But we all have to come back home, cuz Daddy is waiting with open arms. It's time to EAT yall! It's always dinner time in the house of the Lord and you're invited!

Who you calling dirty???

Who are you calling dirty?

This post is inspired by the dream Peter had before Cornelius came to visit his house. He had a vision of a blanket with all the worlds animals and living things on it.[Acts 10:10-16] A voice told him to kill and eat but he said nah man, that stuff is unclean. Then the voice tells him don't call something God created unclean

This is deep. Because often times we find ourselves not necessarily calling animals dirty, but downplaying God's creations in other ways. And when I say God's creations, I mean each other. We even tell ourselves we're unclean, dirty and unworthy. We are created equally as God's creatures. It is the Devil. (Satan means The Accuser) who convinces us its cool to call this person less than what they are and to call them out of their name. It is also he that convinces you urself are less than what u are. It started when he made Adam and Eve feel ashamed of being naked, which is how God made them and intended them to be. Now we put on layers of clothes we don't need and can't afford in an effort to cover up how God made us (another story for another time). It is also Satan that convinces u in any way he can to sin then when ur done he accuses you like Ha look at you now, you messed up. But you are still clean by the blood of Jesus. You were created as clean. You were created in perfection. You are clean and made uncommon because God made u that way.

Also, sometimes we think we're too good to take certain things and consider them blessings. In his dream, Peter had every animal in front of him and was told to eat. He coulda had a full on BBQ buffet, light up some pork, some nice beef and some fried chicken but he thought he was too good to eat what he considered dirty animals. Sometimes we pray for a blessing and when it comes we look at it like, "that's it Lord? I needed 500,000 nd all I got was a job that pays 9 dollars an hour. I can't get jiggy with this!" But did you stop and think what God is trying to tell you? When presented with a new potential blessing, pray on it. Ask God to show u the right way. Ask Him what He's trying to tell you. Take that leap of faith. Me personally, I was strugglin to find a job post-graduation. I was about to take any job thrown my way to the point where I almost got swindled into some sus company called Primerica. (cough Pyramid scheme cough) Then I slowed down and asked the Lord to lead me. I got opportunities but wanted the choose the best fit for my situation. NOT the one that I felt was the dream job but the one that would provide for my current needs. Some ppl are like do you like where you work? I enjoy it but that's not what its about. It's about God bringing down that blanket from heaven full of opportunities and saying Jelani. Stand and pick one. Just know its not permanent and that I will bless you exceedingly and abundantly above all you can ask when the time is right but for now take these drops of blessings and have faith I will provide.

You are not above anything but at the same time u are not dirt and u are seperated in a very special way. Don't let your pride ruin you but don't let any one convince you that you have no reason to be prideful. Don't starve yourself because this job is only 15 an hour and you were expecting to get 30 but at the same time look at your environment. Those counting on you much rather 15 an hour from you humility rather than 0 an hour because of hubris. Don't become your own worst enemy. Look at every opportunity as a blessing. And remember we are all created clean and perfect because God, the cleanest and only perfect being created us. So ask yourself, Who/What am I calling dirty?

That's It? What Else Can I Do?

At my first day of work I remember seeing what is expected of an employee here. My first thought was man, I've never worked in this field before I may need help. Then I told myself to man up, don't be scared and do what you gotta do. I was like That's it? What else can I do? I remembered Jesus feeding the 5000 followers he had amassed [John 6:1-14]. I imagine the convo he had Philip and Andrew

Philip: We don't have enough food to feed all these ppl Jesus!
Jesus: How much food do we have?
Andrew: Just a couple fish and a few loaves of bread!
Jesus: And how many people?
Philip: A few thousand!
Jesus: That's it??? Bring them and I will feed them. What else can I do for you?

You might be thinking, "He's Jesus the Son of God of course He can do that." But He also says that we will go on and do many great things and miracles in His name. So your primary issue should be to commit your works and deeds to the Lord and involve Him in everything you do. When faced with what seems to be impossible just tell yourself, that's it? I know I'm capable of waaay more than what they are asking of me. What else can I do on top of this assignment to really show them what I'm capable of? 20 pg report due by Friday? That's it? Make it 25. NYU wants a 700 on the GMAT or better? Psshh light work! I'll give them 750. Sell over $10000 worth of shoes in 2 weeks? That's it? Im looking at $8500 and its only Wednesday. Cure cancer by the end of August? Man these ppl are insulting my intelligence! When Im done with cancer I'll move on to AIDS. Get out there and attack everything with that attitude. Difficult takes a day, impossible takes a week.

Music: I Am God - Donald Lawrence & Tri City Singers

One of my favorite tracks from one of my favorite gospel composers and choirs. Arnetta Murrill-Crooms singing lead. Her alto voice is definitely one of the best Ive ever heard.

So check this song out and if your feeling it, Youtube Donald Lawrence, Donald Lawrence Bible Stories etc

The Price of Greatness

It is a great one.

My pastor did a three part sermon on Acts chapter 9. I'm not about to take what he was saying but rather put up some things I thought about while hearing the sermon.

This chapter is when Jesus speaks to Saul on his way to Damascus from heaven. Saul was a man [As my pastor says] going in the right direction but on the wrong path. He was a powerful and smart man. That is the right direction but he took the wrong path in the persecution of Christians. But upon hearing Jesus he immediately knew what the deal was. It was time to change his life. Saul displayed an immense amount of humility here [one part of greatness] He followed the orders given to him and went to Damascus to be healed by Ananias, a Christian whom just maybe a day ago, would have been his enemy. Also note that even though Saul was blind, he had the vision to walk by faith.

Here's where it gets GREAT. Saul immediately began to preach the news of Jesus. People were amazed and wondered if this were the same Saul! See when you strive for greatness, people will see your transformation. Some will welcome it some will shun it. Old ppl u would have considered enemies now become friends [Acts 9:26-27] and old friends become enemies [Acts 9:23] because you are now striving for something different and not everyone will be on the same page as you. Verse 23 says the Jews took counsel to kill him after they saw all he was doing. When people see your potential they either gonna wanna ride with you or do anything in their power to bring you down [Acts 9:24] But even in the face of sure defeat, when your blind, when people dont wanna ride with you, you were called by the Almighty God to do it so who on EARTH can stop you?

We all know Saul [Paul] went about to do great things and write a large portion of the New Testament because he knew his call was of Greatness because the Greatest being of the universe called him to do it. God's calling you RIGHT NOW! Pick up the phone!

2 Corinthians 5:17

And the Word of God reads...

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

I'm not new to the blog scene. But this is a new approach to my blogging experience.

It started in church last week. The Word given by my pastor was definitely great and moving so it got me to thinking how I can do my own ministry. I used to do it on Facebook but thats temporarily out of commission. So I figured I would just do it in a blog. No character limit and not limited to my network. The whole world can see.

So this blog is for everyone to see. My take and explanations of the Word of God. My own encouragement to those who feel down and out. This is my gift and my voice given by God to me to be sent to you.

So here I am and here is my new blog. Go Get Your Life Back and Im here with the Holy Spirit to guide you there