"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 Have you ever felt the pull of God on your life? Have you ever experienced that place where you know God is doing something in your life even though you just cant seem to pin point it? You see things differently. You feel the frustrations and pains of the world? This is all a part of the dying to self process and learning to lean not on your own understanding but trust solely in the Lord. This is where complete sell out comes into play. Have you tired of the folk playing church and doing nothing short of appearing pious and deep? Has God heightened your sensitivity for the lost and wounded? This is the place where we connect with Jesus at a different level and we truly seek to live a Christ Like life filled with Christ Like characteristics. You see God created you and I for much more than going to church on Sunday and [...]

A 16 year old girl lost her life in a senseless act of violence in a high school bathroom. One girl dead and several others likely to be charged with murder. Many lives ruined and families devastated by decisions made by young people. Pray without ceasing! As we gather on Sunday and send up prayer request we must turn our focus to praying continually for the many issues we face as a society. Please do not forget faith without works is dead but prayer is the lifeline to all we hope to accomplish through Christ and the source of our strength through such trying times. Paul understood the power of prayer as he emphasized several times in his Epistles. We as followers of Christ must make a fresh commitment to prayer. As millions mourned the death of Prince a 16 year old death went pretty much unnoticed in the media except for a few blurbs. As we sit in our pews and hear the word of God, sing songs of worship and fellowship with fellow saints the world and the lost are suffering more and more. I understand that we must commit to doing things in different countries. However, right [...]

"When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven." Nehemiah 1:4 Here we read where Nehemiah has inquired about the state of his home and city where he grew up. This is the place where he formed life long relationships and where his first sense of family was shaped. This is the place where Nehemiah's character, sense of manhood, and relationship with God has been formed. Nehemiah's connection with his past has not been broken because he now lives in a palace with perks and benefits even though he is the Kings Cup Bearer. Notice how Nehemiah still cares deeply for those he has left behind. I can relate to Nehemiah as I share those same feelings as I think about where my first sense of family was formed, where my first understanding of friendship, character and integrity was formed. My early understanding of who Christ is and what He means to me began in my parents home right there in North Philadelphia. This is why I am saddened at the state of our inner cities throughout the country. The social injustice, the perpetual cycle [...]

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me" John 10:14 Do you know God on an intimate basis? Do you know God other than what He can do for you? You see many of us say we know God but all we really know are His characteristics. We know about His Grace and Mercy. We know about His blessings and His compassion. However, knowing someones characteristics and knowing them are truly two different things. In a time where we call others friends without really getting to know them I believe it has come all to easy to establish what we like to believe are relationships that we can call friendships. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me." God knows us inside and out but many of the followers of Christ have a luke warm relationship with our Father and only know of Christ and don't truly know Him. I know my wife of 31 years because I put the time in and we spend countless hours together. We laugh, joke, talk, morn, cry, spend time talking and listening to one another. I do the same with Christ. [...]

"Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did." 1 John 2:6 It's funny how many people just do not understand what it means to live like Jesus. I know it's impossible for humans to live exactly like Jesus but our mission during our journey is to be in constant pursuit of living like the King of Kings. Those who do not believe what we believe are more common to have false ideas as to what being a Christian means. I was told that I was not a Christian because I would not allow someone to clock in just to get hours so they could earn a little more money. She did not know that being a Christian may mean having compassion for others but it also means being a good Stewart with your resources and those charged to your care. Part of the problem is so many of the followers of Christ live lives filled with false advertisements. We talk like Jesus but we do not represent Jesus through our life styles. Yes we know scriptures and many attend church on a regular basis yet there is little to no evidence of us being impacted by Christ. [...]