I Know That I Am A Leader! - Chapter 53

I wasn't feeling well today, so I've stayed home.  Bishop T.D. Jakes' Pastors and Leadership Conference started today and thank God they were live streaming.  He was sharing the following topic; therefore I'm sharing it with you:

The 10 Commandments of Effective Leadership

by Bishop T.D. Jakes

From the 2013 Pastors and Leadership Conference

!)  Thou shalt not lead beyond your own exposure!  You cannot lead people where you have never been.

2) Thou shalt not choose your leadership team like you choose your friends!  You cannot choose leaders who thinks like you if you want your ministry to go from glory to glory.

3) Thou shalt not reward nepotism!  Self explanatory (especially if your have family in your ministry!)

4) Thou shalt not avoid confrontation!  Put out the little fires early before they turn into infernos in the church!

5) Thou shalt not over promise and under deliver!  A ministry only grows when it's moving.

6) Thou shalt clearly articulate expectations!  Self explanatory.

7) Thou shalt not mistake regimentation for revelation!  When the church program becomes more important than the Holy Spirit's entrance, then there's a problem!

8) Thou shalt not lead forward without updates!  Always notify your congregation where you and the church is going.

9) Thou shalt not lead without listening!  Self explanatory!

10) Thou shalt cross-pollinate!  Obtain information from other sources and broaden your horizons.  For example, learn about leadership from CEO's of Fortune 500 companies.

I know that I am a leader and I believe that these commandments will help me get from glory to glory!

Until next time...

Free Agent! - Chapter 52

It's official...I'm a free agent!

I have sent my letter of resignation to my church after much fasting and praying.  It was not an easy decision for me, especially since I love my now-former bishop.  But I realize that my time there is done.

If there's one thing about reading the bible that I never take for granted, it is this - God ALWAYS sends a prophet to bring warning before destruction!  I have done just that, but the warnings fell on deaf ears.

The sad part about this is that my now-former bishop and I were kindred spirits.  We were a lot alike.  So for him to not only to dismiss what the Lord said through me seriously, but to insult me on the pulpit and claim that I have demons in me and I have no idea what I'm talking about.  That is not only an insult to my prophetic gifts, but it is also an insult to God himself!  Here's a question - how does a shepherd expects its sheep to obey God when the shepherd themselves disobeys God?  Is it not true that EVERYTHING (whether good, bad or indifferent) that happens in the church trickles from the head on down according to II Corinthians 12:24?  There is a fine line between the prophetic and the pathetic - and it's about time that the people of God recognize the difference between the two!

At any rate, I now move on and I continue to pray that my former bishop will realize that not only what was said was correct, but he will finally take heed to what the spirit of the Lord was saying.

Until next time....

Countdown to Milestone - Chapter 51

Happy New Year!  Welcome to Day One of one of the best years of my entire life!  

2013 will be a year unlike any other.  I WILL get everything I've prayed for on THIS year - in Jesus' name!  It has to!

Also, it's 92 days until I turn 40.  I'm currently coming up with immediate goals until I reach that point (of course conversing with God).   Change must come and it starts with me!

Until next time...

It NEEDS to Be Better! - Chapter 50

As this year comes to a close (praise God for that), it's time for some things to change in my life.  

First, I need to complete my assignment at my church.  Even if the ministerial board can't stand me or even if my own bishop doesn't like me, my assignment must be completed before I leave!  What is my assignment?  Only me and God knows that.

Second, I need to have new godly friends in my inner circle.  Someone who will always tell me the truth in love, someone who will be there for me when I'm at my lowest point and not throw it back in my face later, as well as someone who can handle my success and not become secretly jealous!  Someone who GENUINELY have love and respect for me and when they see that I am in need, my true friend will help me when they can and NOT give me scrapes like I'm a dog!  Also, everything will be new for my life in 2013 - and I do mean EVERYTHING!

Third, I will no longer be moved by people!  I will always tell the truth, even if it hurts.  I rather be respected than liked any day!  Devil -  your assignment you've had for my life is now NULL AND VOID!  You are a LIAR and the truth ain't in you!  In Jesus' name!

Until next year....

Is There Hope? - Chapter 49

On November 13th, I was going to end it all.  I had everything planned, how I was going to die, had resignation letters ready to be sent, everything was laid out.  Of course, that plan failed because my family stopped me.  Sometimes, I can't help but wonder, what if I had succeeded?

Life had just got too much to bear.  Constant disappointments, people disappointing me, things haven't gone according to plan.  How can I honestly say that I serve a mighty God, but not prosper?  Through my eyes, life just looks hopeless!

I know that there's a major purpose that I have to fulfill.  However, a large part of me should've completed what I've started on November 13th.  I need deliverance!  I need some hope!  I need to be happy!

P.U.S.H. - Pray Until Something Happens! - Chapter 48

It's been a while since my last post.  

To update you since my last post, I did go to my father's funeral (courtesy of my job).  I've made peace with my father's death, but not without some controversy from my family.  My father was a Vietnam veteran; therefore he was given a military-style burial.  So, who do you think got the American Flag from his casket?  You would think it would be me, since my mother (who was still legally married to him) wasn't there.  But no - it was my cousin - the one my father was closest to.  That's okay.  I am a firm believer in Galatians 6:7, "...whatsoever a man soweth, that he shall also reap."  This is one of the reasons why I respect my friends more than my own family.

Anyway, it's now September.  I have 59 days from today for my life to completely change.  Everything I've prayed for in the past as well as new prayers that I haven't mentioned publicly must come to pass within these next 59 days.  It just has to!

Lord, please don't let my enemies triumph over me!  Make my enemies my foot stool, in Jesus' name!  Amen!

Until next time....

End of an Era! - Chapter 47

Today, my father passed away at 2:24pm from cancer.  We've had a rocky relationship for many years. There's a point that we haven't spoken for years!  I feel like Tupac "...my heart wouldn't let me mourn for a stranger."  So I feel numb.


The good news is that he called me and apologized for being crappy father.  We've made peace since then.  His last request was a photo of me and my mother at my brother's wedding.  But my mother didn't like the photo we've taken, so I've never sent it.  I wish I did!


Now, I'm contemplating if I want to go to the funeral.  I intentionally separated myself from the rest of the family because I don't want to be part of their constant drama.  It's ridiculous!  I don't know how to feel.


Anway...until next time.....