If you know this:
"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. (John 15:18)
"If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. (John 15:19)
"Remember the word that I said to you, `A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. (John 15:20)
How hard is it to do that:
If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. (Romans 12:18)
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Emma Delores Govan
Two weeks ago on Sunday, January 04, 2009 at 11:05 am, my mother went from death to life for all eternity. Even though it's hard to come to grips with the finality that death brings in this life, knowing that I will never get a phone call from her from the same phone number she's had for the last 31 years. But I rejoice because my mother is no longer in pain and she is with the Lord, but knowing that one day I will leave this Earth (unless Jesus comes back first) I'll leave loved ones behind it brings things into focus.
Upon conception, we are conceived unto a physical death, but the heart problems that finally took my mom's life started 21 years and some months ago when she had a massive heart attack as a blood clot traveled to her heart. But I thank GOD for allowing my mother to live that amount of time because at the ripe age of 31 she could have been taken from my sister, brother and myself. As I was about 13 years old, my sister was around 11 or 12 and my brother was around 6 years old. I thank GOD that he allowed my mother to live through a massive heart attack that many doctors thought would take her out. As a Christian and a Minister I understand that in all things GOD gets the glory because even though my mom was on disability for that time, it allowed her to be home for us as we were growing up, she was at football and basketball games. She was able to attend award ceremonies and etc. Upon her death about 25% of her heart was working, to the point she was retaining about 40 pounds of fluid in her body.
I must be honest and say that it pained my heart to see my mom's legs and feet so swollen with fluid, that many times I had to go upstairs just to weep because I didn't want her to feel bad. In November my mom went to the doctor to see if she was able to be put on the heart donors list as her body was getting weaker, but the doctor told her that her body was too weak for a transplant. So when she came back home she was given medication to help stimulate her heart for about a month. On New Years Eve she was back in the hospital to get her heart checked and as it turned out nothing had really changed. I still remember getting the call on Friday, January 2nd from my sister when she gave me the news that the doctors were going to send my mother home on January 5th because there was nothing else they could do for her because her body wasn't responding to the medication, that was supposed to make her heart stronger. Thank GOD that I'd just taken my lunch break because I just broke down and cried because I knew how it was going to end and while at lunch I began to pray that GOD wouldn't allow my mom to suffer because through the years of her heart problem my mom still lived life to the fullest, she volunteered at food banks, cared for her ailing father (my granddad) and so much more. But things got so bad so fast that she had trouble walking, breathing and if it was cold she would have a real bad day. Even so that, months before her death she was already making arrangements for her funeral, and she would tell people that we (her kids) would appreciate that everything was taken care of when she died.
During the final weekend of her life she decided that since they were taking her of the machine that was draining fluid from her body because she'd developed a blood clot and the heart medication that she wanted to be taken off of all of her meds. During the last 21 years she was taking about 20 different meds daily and I saw the effects of the medicines as it wore her down even though it kept her alive, but she decided that her life would be in GOD'S hands and if HE healed her, no doctors or medicine would get the credit and if she passed then she would be with the LORD. During that time so many people came by the hospital, to joke with her, to see how she was doing and most importantly to pray for her. So many would comment to me when they left the room about how my mom was strong and how she had encouraged them.
She often commented on how she knew that GOD was still in control because people she'd fallen out with years past started to call her and she commented on how she asked for people's forgiveness for what may have transpired in the past. I often heard her saying that "she didn't have time to play games because she was dealing with her soul and she didn't want unforgiveness to keep her out of Heaven, so if people didn't want to let go of the past, that was their problem, but she was going to get things right."
The things I remember about my mom are: how at the end of her life physically she was not what I remembered but I think more importantly those ailments made her a better person and how she help people from taking in a Hurricane Katrina victim for free, to serving in the community and many of the things I found out were from her peers and friends because she wasn't helping people for fame or fortune. I remember a mom who most of our lives was a single parent and how she'd wear the same clothes during the week just to make sure her kids had proper clothes to wear to school. I remember a mom who was fair and wanted her kids to treat everyone with respect and she never made excuses for our shortcoming but demanded that we respect everyone. I remember a mom that when she found out that I'd written a book; she was my biggest fan and she sold more books than I did or when I was able to preach she was there until the last time because her health didn't allow it. I remember a mom that would buy things for her grandkids. And even though we weren't a family that always told each other that we loved them, we knew our mom loved us because as we got older we saw the sacrifices she made for us.
I could go on and on about my amazing mom, but I'll close with this thought. So many times I've heard grown people cuss at their parents, say hateful and hurtful things to their parents, disrespect their parents, killed their parents or had to compete with their parents, and I was always shocked to hear those things because my mom was always there for me and my siblings. Even when I last saw her on Saturday night she was making sure I was taking care of my body and that everything was alright with me. And I'm thinking "mom I'm okay, I'm more worried about you getting better." She told us all, that she was proud of us and she loved us.
I praise GOD because I had an awesome and faithful mother and it hurts that she's gone and sometimes I think to myself that I haven't gotten a call from her, then I remember there will be no more calls. But I'm more thankful and glad that my mom doesn't have to cry anymore, she doesn't hurt anymore and even though she was 53 years young, she did the most with less and to me (more than a monetary inheritance)........that's a real legacy.
Emma Delores Govan: February 16, 1955 - January 04, 2009
Upon conception, we are conceived unto a physical death, but the heart problems that finally took my mom's life started 21 years and some months ago when she had a massive heart attack as a blood clot traveled to her heart. But I thank GOD for allowing my mother to live that amount of time because at the ripe age of 31 she could have been taken from my sister, brother and myself. As I was about 13 years old, my sister was around 11 or 12 and my brother was around 6 years old. I thank GOD that he allowed my mother to live through a massive heart attack that many doctors thought would take her out. As a Christian and a Minister I understand that in all things GOD gets the glory because even though my mom was on disability for that time, it allowed her to be home for us as we were growing up, she was at football and basketball games. She was able to attend award ceremonies and etc. Upon her death about 25% of her heart was working, to the point she was retaining about 40 pounds of fluid in her body.
I must be honest and say that it pained my heart to see my mom's legs and feet so swollen with fluid, that many times I had to go upstairs just to weep because I didn't want her to feel bad. In November my mom went to the doctor to see if she was able to be put on the heart donors list as her body was getting weaker, but the doctor told her that her body was too weak for a transplant. So when she came back home she was given medication to help stimulate her heart for about a month. On New Years Eve she was back in the hospital to get her heart checked and as it turned out nothing had really changed. I still remember getting the call on Friday, January 2nd from my sister when she gave me the news that the doctors were going to send my mother home on January 5th because there was nothing else they could do for her because her body wasn't responding to the medication, that was supposed to make her heart stronger. Thank GOD that I'd just taken my lunch break because I just broke down and cried because I knew how it was going to end and while at lunch I began to pray that GOD wouldn't allow my mom to suffer because through the years of her heart problem my mom still lived life to the fullest, she volunteered at food banks, cared for her ailing father (my granddad) and so much more. But things got so bad so fast that she had trouble walking, breathing and if it was cold she would have a real bad day. Even so that, months before her death she was already making arrangements for her funeral, and she would tell people that we (her kids) would appreciate that everything was taken care of when she died.
During the final weekend of her life she decided that since they were taking her of the machine that was draining fluid from her body because she'd developed a blood clot and the heart medication that she wanted to be taken off of all of her meds. During the last 21 years she was taking about 20 different meds daily and I saw the effects of the medicines as it wore her down even though it kept her alive, but she decided that her life would be in GOD'S hands and if HE healed her, no doctors or medicine would get the credit and if she passed then she would be with the LORD. During that time so many people came by the hospital, to joke with her, to see how she was doing and most importantly to pray for her. So many would comment to me when they left the room about how my mom was strong and how she had encouraged them.
She often commented on how she knew that GOD was still in control because people she'd fallen out with years past started to call her and she commented on how she asked for people's forgiveness for what may have transpired in the past. I often heard her saying that "she didn't have time to play games because she was dealing with her soul and she didn't want unforgiveness to keep her out of Heaven, so if people didn't want to let go of the past, that was their problem, but she was going to get things right."
The things I remember about my mom are: how at the end of her life physically she was not what I remembered but I think more importantly those ailments made her a better person and how she help people from taking in a Hurricane Katrina victim for free, to serving in the community and many of the things I found out were from her peers and friends because she wasn't helping people for fame or fortune. I remember a mom who most of our lives was a single parent and how she'd wear the same clothes during the week just to make sure her kids had proper clothes to wear to school. I remember a mom who was fair and wanted her kids to treat everyone with respect and she never made excuses for our shortcoming but demanded that we respect everyone. I remember a mom that when she found out that I'd written a book; she was my biggest fan and she sold more books than I did or when I was able to preach she was there until the last time because her health didn't allow it. I remember a mom that would buy things for her grandkids. And even though we weren't a family that always told each other that we loved them, we knew our mom loved us because as we got older we saw the sacrifices she made for us.
I could go on and on about my amazing mom, but I'll close with this thought. So many times I've heard grown people cuss at their parents, say hateful and hurtful things to their parents, disrespect their parents, killed their parents or had to compete with their parents, and I was always shocked to hear those things because my mom was always there for me and my siblings. Even when I last saw her on Saturday night she was making sure I was taking care of my body and that everything was alright with me. And I'm thinking "mom I'm okay, I'm more worried about you getting better." She told us all, that she was proud of us and she loved us.
I praise GOD because I had an awesome and faithful mother and it hurts that she's gone and sometimes I think to myself that I haven't gotten a call from her, then I remember there will be no more calls. But I'm more thankful and glad that my mom doesn't have to cry anymore, she doesn't hurt anymore and even though she was 53 years young, she did the most with less and to me (more than a monetary inheritance)........that's a real legacy.
Emma Delores Govan: February 16, 1955 - January 04, 2009
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Good News
Good news everyone, my results came back as a result of the physical I took on 10/23/08. The results are negative. That means no: cancer, diabetes, etc and etc. So sweets are a part of my not so well-balanced diet. ;o)
But in all seriousness, to God be the glory for covering me. I still have an enlarged prostate but I was given a prescription to help with that.
I want to be around when Jesus come back. Either: pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib, pre-wrath, pre-millenium, post-millenium, amillenium.........however He comes.
- One!
But in all seriousness, to God be the glory for covering me. I still have an enlarged prostate but I was given a prescription to help with that.
I want to be around when Jesus come back. Either: pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib, pre-wrath, pre-millenium, post-millenium, amillenium.........however He comes.
- One!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Get Checked
On yesterday 10/23/2008 I had a physical done. I'm having problems with going to bathroom too much, especially at night as I go anywhere between 4-5 times. Easy to say I'm not able to get a good night sleep. So I decided to get a physical done and to get my prostate checked.
Some may say "man I don't have to get checked until 40 yrs old". Well at the ripe old age of 34, I have an enlarged prostate. So I'm 6 years ahead of schedule. I thank God for those commercials that talk about men having enlarged prostates and how they go the bathroom a lot. Those symptoms sounded like some of the things I was dealing with and glory to God it was found out to be true.
Now it must be said that I didn't enjoy being probed by a finger or any other foreign objects at the place the sun doesn't shine. But it's necessary. After the test I had some blood work done because they need to see if the enlargement is because of an infection or possible diabetes. I pray that it's not diabetes, because that means no more candy... ;o(
I'm not going to give any statistics........because I'm too lazy to look it up. But here's a statistic. 1 out of 1 person will die (unless the Lord come back first) sooner or later. Do you want it to be sooner or later. Then Go get checked. As a side note.......as many men know, if your prostate is removed, your man-tool may not work like it used to. (hint)
- One!
Some may say "man I don't have to get checked until 40 yrs old". Well at the ripe old age of 34, I have an enlarged prostate. So I'm 6 years ahead of schedule. I thank God for those commercials that talk about men having enlarged prostates and how they go the bathroom a lot. Those symptoms sounded like some of the things I was dealing with and glory to God it was found out to be true.
Now it must be said that I didn't enjoy being probed by a finger or any other foreign objects at the place the sun doesn't shine. But it's necessary. After the test I had some blood work done because they need to see if the enlargement is because of an infection or possible diabetes. I pray that it's not diabetes, because that means no more candy... ;o(
I'm not going to give any statistics........because I'm too lazy to look it up. But here's a statistic. 1 out of 1 person will die (unless the Lord come back first) sooner or later. Do you want it to be sooner or later. Then Go get checked. As a side note.......as many men know, if your prostate is removed, your man-tool may not work like it used to. (hint)
- One!
An Epiphany
A while back I was cruising the internet reading different Christian blogs and came across http://www.pulpit-pimps.org/ and I started reading a post about Dead Milford. It was an interesting post because it led to the point of Monergism vs Synergism [in some circles these are related to Calvinism (Monergist) and Arminianism (Synergist)]. It was a post detailing how man is dead because of our sin nature and if we are dead how can we in ourselves accept life (salvation).
I remember growing up in church, running from church and then around the ripe age of 27 years old coming back to church, I was under the belief that we choose to serve God or we don't. So it is common to say that one day I asked God to come into my life. So I must admit this post peeked my interest as I read the many comments, as each side made their own points to represent their view.
So out of curiosity I asked Mr. Melvin Jones, the writer of Pulpit-Pimps, what type of book would he recommend for me to read to learn more about this particular topic and he told me to read: "The Sovereignty of God, by A.W. Pink" I must admit that this book is real deep. And you can actually read it for free at: http://www.pbministries.org/
While reading the book I realized how wrong I was in how I viewed God. God is sovereign which means He is self-governing, His own authority and He does as He wills within His nature of course. While reading I realized how I didn't chose to come to Christ and I didn't accept Him as Lord and Savior, but He chose me. He chose me before the foundations of the world. Now that just blows my finite mind. And if God hadn't chosen me I'd still be a wretched sinner. In fact if you read Romans Chapter 3 starting around verse 10, you'll find out how it's not in humanity's nature to seek after God, because our "free will" leads us from God. Truth be told that revelation is really humbling. I mean there is nothing I did to be saved, it was God's grace and mercy that saved me and all I can ask is "God why me"? "What made you chose me?" And in that view I see that I owe God more than "shouting in the Holy Ghost" or "going to church" or "giving time and money". But I realize that my debt to Him exceeds the USA national debt times infinity.
But being that I'm a fallen man, I was sadden because if God chooses who He wants to be saved, then that means that He chooses not to saves others. This is where I struggle with what is fair. I mean why not give everyone a chance in some form. And how can people who aren't able to accept God be held accountable for not accepting Him. There in lies a great mystery, how our free will to reject God coincides with how God chooses His elect (people he chooses to be saved). I also agree that my quest or question for fairness is driven by my finite intellect and growing up with a humanistic worldview.
So I'm on a path of understanding who God is. God is sovereign, just and at the same time merciful. He exudes wrath on those He chooses to and mercy on others He wants to. I understand that God chose for my ancestors to live through generations of slavery, so I can ultimately grow up in a country to worship Him freely. To grow up in a country to hear His word preached without the treat of going to jail. How I was born as an African-American male in the south. How he chose my skin tone, the size of my nose, how He allowed me to have an eye disease named keratoconus (when no one else in my family has it). How even though I know my father, I pretty much grew up in a single parent home with my mother, younger sister and brother. How through years of unprotected sex I don't have HIV, AID, herpes and etc., let alone any kids to pay child support for, and so much more.
In retrospect I thank God for how He saved me. I admit that I don't understand why me and why not others, but that's why this GRACE IS SO AMAZING. We that are saved can't boast that we are saved because of our works. It's 100% God's doing, not 99.5%. So now when I hear my fellow brothers and sisters start saying, "speak those things into existence" or "I'm not going to speak death over myself" (as if God doesn't understand hyperbole and figures of speech). I shake my head and try to explain that God is sovereign. His will is paramount and no matter how much speaking you do....it won't happen unless He allows it. We can't make God do anything He doesn't want to do. That wouldn't make Him, God.......it would make Him our servant. And woe to those that believe that mess.
In closing I thank God for the path He has given me to walk, the troubles and pains both emotionally and physically I had to grow up with. How low self-esteem as a child has made it easier for me to remain humble when God blesses me. How I wasn't the most attractive person growing up, but it kept me from being confident in looks. And through it all I have a beautiful saved wife and wonderful children. I have a mother that I love, dad that I love, sister and brother that I love, a grandfather, aunts, uncles and cousins and friends that I love. And I can see how God is in the midst of it all. So I praise God for His mercy toward me and I pray for that mercy to be placed upon those that don't yet know Him.
- One!
I remember growing up in church, running from church and then around the ripe age of 27 years old coming back to church, I was under the belief that we choose to serve God or we don't. So it is common to say that one day I asked God to come into my life. So I must admit this post peeked my interest as I read the many comments, as each side made their own points to represent their view.
So out of curiosity I asked Mr. Melvin Jones, the writer of Pulpit-Pimps, what type of book would he recommend for me to read to learn more about this particular topic and he told me to read: "The Sovereignty of God, by A.W. Pink" I must admit that this book is real deep. And you can actually read it for free at: http://www.pbministries.org/
While reading the book I realized how wrong I was in how I viewed God. God is sovereign which means He is self-governing, His own authority and He does as He wills within His nature of course. While reading I realized how I didn't chose to come to Christ and I didn't accept Him as Lord and Savior, but He chose me. He chose me before the foundations of the world. Now that just blows my finite mind. And if God hadn't chosen me I'd still be a wretched sinner. In fact if you read Romans Chapter 3 starting around verse 10, you'll find out how it's not in humanity's nature to seek after God, because our "free will" leads us from God. Truth be told that revelation is really humbling. I mean there is nothing I did to be saved, it was God's grace and mercy that saved me and all I can ask is "God why me"? "What made you chose me?" And in that view I see that I owe God more than "shouting in the Holy Ghost" or "going to church" or "giving time and money". But I realize that my debt to Him exceeds the USA national debt times infinity.
But being that I'm a fallen man, I was sadden because if God chooses who He wants to be saved, then that means that He chooses not to saves others. This is where I struggle with what is fair. I mean why not give everyone a chance in some form. And how can people who aren't able to accept God be held accountable for not accepting Him. There in lies a great mystery, how our free will to reject God coincides with how God chooses His elect (people he chooses to be saved). I also agree that my quest or question for fairness is driven by my finite intellect and growing up with a humanistic worldview.
So I'm on a path of understanding who God is. God is sovereign, just and at the same time merciful. He exudes wrath on those He chooses to and mercy on others He wants to. I understand that God chose for my ancestors to live through generations of slavery, so I can ultimately grow up in a country to worship Him freely. To grow up in a country to hear His word preached without the treat of going to jail. How I was born as an African-American male in the south. How he chose my skin tone, the size of my nose, how He allowed me to have an eye disease named keratoconus (when no one else in my family has it). How even though I know my father, I pretty much grew up in a single parent home with my mother, younger sister and brother. How through years of unprotected sex I don't have HIV, AID, herpes and etc., let alone any kids to pay child support for, and so much more.
In retrospect I thank God for how He saved me. I admit that I don't understand why me and why not others, but that's why this GRACE IS SO AMAZING. We that are saved can't boast that we are saved because of our works. It's 100% God's doing, not 99.5%. So now when I hear my fellow brothers and sisters start saying, "speak those things into existence" or "I'm not going to speak death over myself" (as if God doesn't understand hyperbole and figures of speech). I shake my head and try to explain that God is sovereign. His will is paramount and no matter how much speaking you do....it won't happen unless He allows it. We can't make God do anything He doesn't want to do. That wouldn't make Him, God.......it would make Him our servant. And woe to those that believe that mess.
In closing I thank God for the path He has given me to walk, the troubles and pains both emotionally and physically I had to grow up with. How low self-esteem as a child has made it easier for me to remain humble when God blesses me. How I wasn't the most attractive person growing up, but it kept me from being confident in looks. And through it all I have a beautiful saved wife and wonderful children. I have a mother that I love, dad that I love, sister and brother that I love, a grandfather, aunts, uncles and cousins and friends that I love. And I can see how God is in the midst of it all. So I praise God for His mercy toward me and I pray for that mercy to be placed upon those that don't yet know Him.
- One!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Who would you chose
Lately there has been talk about NBA League best:
I'd take:
Kobe over Lebron for MVP and best wing player
Chris Paul as the best point guard
Garnett slightly over Duncan and big over Amare S. for best big man
And............
Jesus over them all. ;op
One.
Michael Pharr
I'd take:
Kobe over Lebron for MVP and best wing player
Chris Paul as the best point guard
Garnett slightly over Duncan and big over Amare S. for best big man
And............
Jesus over them all. ;op
One.
Michael Pharr
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Revised Jump Off
Jump Of Part II
Hello everyone, I had to edit our blog by changing the username and the title of the blog, It's on again.
Hello everyone, I had to edit our blog by changing the username and the title of the blog, It's on again.
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