Give Thanks

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.  Let the whole world know what he has done. ⁹ Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. 1Chronicles 16:8-9

David's company had just delivered the Ark of Covenant to it's new home, and David sought to give thanks to the Lord.  He commissions the Levites to lead in praise to the most High God, and he himself writes a song of praise which is a portion of the verses included above.  He encourages those in the gathering to do 5 things, in which I want to use as the body of this blog.

First, he says GIVE THANKS
I don't know about you, but I'm extremely thankful.  During a time of the year where many of us are forced to remember that this year there are people we said goodbye to for one reason or another.  That, GIVING THANKS, can be extremely difficult if we focus on the empty chair for too long, and forget to GIVE THANKS to all those we still have to THANK GOD FOR.  Those others could be other family members, a church family, friends, etc.  I pray you took time to remember those that you celebrated without, as well as gave thanks for those you got to celebrate with.  (If you had nobody to celebrate with....let me know, there's a gathering this Saturday where you'd be welcomed.)

Second David says PROCLAIM HIS GREATNESS.  To some you may read this as EXALTING HIM, lifting GOD's NAME UP above any/everything.   You wanna know how GREAT GOD IS, today I was amongst people who had no family and no food, that we served them both, and the fellowship of the SAINTS.  GOD is GREAT because HIS SPIRIT was alive today in the young and old, rich and poor, multiple cultures all sitting together sharing a meal in LOVE.   ONLY GOD could make (hundreds of) strangers family, if only for a meal, or moment. 

Next David says LET THE WORLD KNOW WHAT HE HAS DONE.  This is critical as when we don't we can lose a generation as the Joshua generation had because they didn't tell others about what GOD done (Judges 2).   For me....where do I start?  I'm thankful to be able to appreciate my past, so that I can be thankful about my present, and exuberantly joyful about my future.  I look at my life and I owe it all to Him.  Who I'm married to, my kids, where we live, where I've worked, and am currently serving.....only GOD could've made these things happen.  I know Ruth was born for such a time....but I can see why I was born when I was, to whom I was born to, because as I walk into CONNECTIONS His purposes are constantly being revealed in me and to me.  Every SUNDAY is a testimony of HIS GREATNESS!

Then David says SING TO HIM; YES SING TO HIS PRAISES.  As you all know my life is a constant soundtrack and to attempt to sum up my thankfulness in one song is impossible...so here are a few you can check out if you feel the need to THANK YOU, LORD (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7ZBgvNY17E)  MORE and MORE ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obNMcrBQp-4)  WE GIVE YOU GLORY ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgztmZwp6j8) really feeling this one right now... I invite you to answer the question what SONG does your LIFE SING, not one that you sing with your lips, but the song your life, your heart rhythms to?

To finish it David reminds them again, TELL EVERYONE ABOUT HIS WONDERFUL DEEDS.  Today alone, GOD has fed the hungry.  He has clothed those in need of clothing.  He has provided a table prepared in love for those without a family.   He used a dilapidated school building that is fit for the wrecking ball, to wreck people's hearts for those considered the meek, the weak, and the least and brought all of us down to lift up JESUS through servitude.  He blessed me with wonderful mentors, friends, church family, extended family, biological family members to enjoy this day with, and as this day prepares to come to a close....I'll fall asleep giving Him thanks for the comforts of a home that His Spirit dwells in.  
If you found this day to be lacking.....I hope you consider REACHING out to ME so that I can share with you the JOY and HOPE that lives in me.  #LGLP

SIGNIFiCANCE of 40

Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands.  Deut. 8:2

The people of Israel had been born into slavery (much like we were born into sin) and God had heard their cries and had decided to deliver them from their captors.  During this passage Moses wanted to the people to remember, recount, pause to reflect on the fact that it was the LORD that led them through the wilderness.   They didn't wander into it, God had directed them into the wilderness, and because of their attitude their journey was elongated into 40 years to which they were being humbled, their character had been tested, and a discovery was made regarding their faithfulness to the Lord's commandments.

As I reflect off of my life, my forty years...I can definitely understand what I have been delivered from and through....how GOD has humbled me.  I can remember how my character (my integrity) has been tested....and I can see where I have decided to not just follow Christ, but obey OUR FATHER's commandments more consistently than I did 5, 10, 15, 25 years ago.  To the extent I want to express my thankfulness for 40 years of life, by simply naming 40 things I'm thankful for:

1.  I want to THANK GOD for my parents.  Linda Sue Alexander and (belated) Raymond Earl Washington, Sr.   for without them, without His blessing on them, there is no me.

2.  I want to THANK GOD for the sweet memories of being cared for by my mom as a kid, learning to blow bubbles with bubble gum, and watching As the World Turns, and just prior to being school aged being kept by her.

3.  I want to THANK GOD for covering me, when she was away and my dad would do things that were out of his sickness that were mentally abusive.

4.  I want to THANK GOD for covering us (my mom, myself, my siblings) when our dad wasn't in his right mind and things could've ended far worse.

5.  I want to THANK GOD that a single, scared mother had loving parents that were willing to take her and her three kids for 5+ years to allow my mom to save money to buy her first home.

6.  I want to THANK GOD for preserving my mother (who had a few surgeries) who worked tirelessly to provide for us, sometimes leaving us to be with our grandparents who loved on us, and allowing her to accomplish saving enough money to DELIVER us out of the bad neighborhood.

7.  I want to THANK GOD for His hand over me as a kid that had asthma and spent a considerable amount of time in the hospital, that He didn't allow my disease to overcome me.

8.  I want to THANK GOD for the good memories that I had in the desegregation program that afforded me to experience learning in a diverse environment.

9.  I'm thankful that many of the dangers I experienced in 5144 block never took the life of my immediate family members.

10. I want to THANK GOD that my mom came home EVERYDAY, dog tired many of them, but all the same she came home.

11.  I want to THANK GOD for my grandma who was a strong Christian woman, that taught us the reality of GOD, and drug us to church.

12.  Although I felt it was a waste of time at the time, I'm thankful for Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, and for any impression they have made on me to which I'm now serving the LORD with my life.

13.  I want to THANK GOD for many friends I made when we moved to JENNINGS MO, some of which I'm still friends with....really!!!!

14. I want to THANK GOD for His presence never departing from us, that while my mom was working, that we were never in real danger.

15. I want to THANK GOD for my mom never being unemployed, and despite whatever hurdles she had as an African American single woman, HE carried her through them.

16.  I want to THANK GOD, that my mom never killed us!  ( I mean that prior to birth, as well as long after we started working her nerves as teenagers.) 

17.  I want to THANK GOD for being there when my mom needed help, and was too prideful to ask for any.  (Our church Burning Bush Missionary Baptist Church had some people that loved GOD enough, to move and be a blessing to my family when He commanded it to be so.)

18.  I want to THANK GOD for covering us when my mom began to date, that we were never victims of sexual abuse, or even physical abuse.

19.  I want to THANK GOD for putting educators in my life that cared enough to take time help me in many areas, especially my Elementary School Guidance Counselor Mrs Guyton! ( I wish I could thank you in person!!!)

20.  I want to THANK GOD for my brother and sister, boy the memories and I wouldn't change any of them.  I am truly thankful for RED & BABYSISTER.

21.  I want to THANK GOD for His presence being alive in both my little brother and little sister, and how HE reigns in their homes.

22.  I want to THANK GOD for my truest two DERRICK and LEONARD DAVIS that we've been through so much together, and despite all of that....we are men enough to be able to cry together, experience GOD together, and still enjoy one another's company on a road trip.  I pray get the honor of getting old with you two men.  DERRICK I LOVE YOU, and pray you find yourself committed to CHRIST like you were over  a decade ago...I'm praying for you brother.

23.  I want to THANK GOD for shielding my heart and soul during my college years, when life could've ended up far worse for me.  (Internet dating, driving across the country solo.....being a sheep amongst wolves at time...and you covered me in the midst of it all.)

24.  I want to THANK GOD for never allowing me to become deaf to His voice.....that I always heard you.

25.  I want to THANK GOD for every job opportunity that He's blessed me with, and the people I met that saw something in me, and planted a seed that has produced fruit for HIM.

26.  I want to THANK GOD for  the couple in FL. that took me out of my car, so I could have a place to lay my head until I finished my practical.

27.  I want to THANK GOD for CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL that somehow humbled and tested me to prove my character and prepared me for my next assignment. 

28.  I want to THANK GOD for my daughter RAJIME, that TINA BRILEY and I decided to have despite the brokenness in our relationship we both believed she (RAJIME) was GOD's gift to us.  RAJIME you saved my life in many ways...and helped me see the need of FATHER.

29.  I want to THANK GOD that amidst all my dad had done, and didn't do...that his words of encouragement still ring true, to me ..."Never let anyone tell you can't do something, you can do anything you put your mind to."  While I may not ever dunk, or be the astronaut I dreamed of being...I've reached the sky, and I want to make it to heaven.

30.  I want to THANK GOD for blessing me with my beautiful, intelligent, funny, and creative wife CHERILYN WASHINGTON!  I'm sure the odds were against us, and some folks bet we wouldn't make it...but get ready to celebrate 13 years of GOD's blessing upon us.

31.  I want to THANK GOD for Bianca M. Green and our son Raymond E. Washington, III (TRE) that you are two talented little reflections of ours...and we pray all of continue to fall deeper in love with JESUS, and desire to spend your lives making Him famous in your unique way.

32.  I want to THANK GOD for SSM Homecare..the only job that I actually think I truly poured my whole self into.  For all the relationships I made, and have maintained since.....each one of you are a gift from GOD to me, and I pray you felt special, and still feel special to me!

33.  I want to THANK GOD for the TEMPLE NON-DENOMINATIONAL CHURCH....oh my goodness where to start:  Pastor Page, Minister Goldsby, Candace & Paul, The entire Mahoney clan, Kareem....Darryl and Denise Donaldson.....the list goes on and on......I learned so much, and while I thought I'd die there...GOD had a different plan, and I'm thankful for each of you, and pray those of you who have fought with me to maintain our relationship.....let's continue to fight the good fight!

34.  I want to THANK GOD for CALVARY CHURCH!  I don't know where to start.....but I'll say this you have become family to us, and trust me...some of you I WILL, WE WILL GROW OLD TOGETHER and will be able to laugh at those things that were challenges, and encourage those that come after us to TRUST in THE LORD, and remember that THIS IS HIS CHURCH!

35.  I want to THANK GOD for all of opportunities that I've had since coming to Calvary, from Saddleback Church, the Mission Trips, to Financial Peace University, to teaching it, to now the opportunity to shepherd a BEAUTIFUL FLOCK of people WHO DESIRE TO CHANGE LIVES and TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES simply through LGLP!!!!!!

36.  I want to THANK GOD for Health....He's carried me through some things, and had it not been for the LORD on my side....tell me where...would I be.....where would I be.

37.  I want to THANK GOD for Alvin Ray Center (step-father) a beautiful soul of man that really displays many characteristics of JESUS, that bought me my first BIBLE ( and Open STUDY Bible) that I pray I'll see and spend eternity with, but he has to commit to Christ!

38.  I want to THANK GOD that despite every racial slur, every backhanded comment, every plot against me or my family due to our color never prospered, that never landed me or any of my siblings in a squad car, or even jail.

39.   I want to THANK GOD for His WORD.......JESUS.....without that BIBLE that Alvin bought me, and without the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD upon me, every time I opened it up, I would've wrecked more people's lives than I did.

40.  I want to THANK GOD for today.....that I get to spend reflecting tearfully, joyfully, on the GOODNESS OF THE LORD and ALL THAT HE's done for me.  MY SOUL CRIES OUT, and SINGS HALLELUJAH!

Now there are so many more things I could've named....the privilege to baptize people in Africa, or the people I've baptized here, Brittany Place,  for His mercies , and forgiveness, etc., etc....but  I wanted to just have a short list of remembering how even when I wandered through life too, He never left me nor forsook, me and because of that I'm THANKFUL on this 40th year of my life.  The wilderness was never designed to lead people away from GOD, but rather to lead them into deeper relationship with Him, and I can honestly say because of my years in my own personal wilderness, I'm so much more closer to GOD than I have ever been in my life.

TIME SURE DOES FLY

 Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart. ⁵² Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.  Luke 2:51-52

Did any of you grow up with parents that measured you by the door jam, or by a specific wall in the house, and how they'd mark off how much you've grown?

I remember the hash marks my mom made at my grandparents house to show us " Look you are growing...."  I wonder if Mary and Joseph did that with Jesus?  Imagine having the Son of God as your son.  You know he really could do no wrong.  He didn't sneak out at night to go shoot lots with the fellas.   Nor did he hang out after school to score one with the most popular girl in Nazareth.  But we do know he did sneak away once....and upon being discovered hanging out at the local church droppin' knowledge on the teachers and preachers of his day we see His obedience to return home with his parents.  Then Luke informs us that Jesus grew in wisdom & stature and in favor with God and all the people. 

You know if we aren't really paying attention we too grow.  Either we grow more wise or more foolish.  Either you truly learn from your mistakes and less likely to repeat them, or you continue to make the same foolish mistakes day after day, year after year.  This morning I was reminded of something from one of the most unlikely places (so I thought).  Shortly after doing my morning devotion I received a message from a constituent on LinkedIn congratulating me on an Anniversary.  See it was two years ago since I began my journey in Pastoring, and I haven't had time to stop by the wall to check my growth.

In two years I've experience significant losses (people in general) and as well I have experienced significant growth and restoration.   No, some of the people didn't return, but what GOD did was made sure that I had what I needed to continue to fulfill His will and desire for the campus I shepherd.  Which has made me more wise in how to build, nurture, and develop the team of people that have held my arms up in battle.  I wouldn't dare posture myself as if I have MADE IT, but I am certainly making progress that has been noticed by people in the community.

Which leads me to my stature and the favor of GOD...... I'd be foolish to attempt to compare myself with anyone other than myself.  I've come to realize and recognize my limitations and weaknesses, and have since attempted to employ people that are smarter, wiser, and more creative than I so that GOD's KINGDOM continues to advance forward in the community.  I have many new relationships with the CIVIC Leaders in St. Charles, whereas I didn't before.  I have many new relationships with local pastors in the North End area, as well as a wonderful relationships with my surrounding community (which involve beautiful people that are homeless, Low Income Apt. Managers, and local business owners.) which all are marked areas where I see the favor of GOD.  Because of this favor God has allowed me to be able to leverage these relationships to help business owners employ the unemployed.  Provide medical attention to those without health care.    Provide shelter for those in need.  Provide food for families that were going through hard times.   Provide counseling to those struggling in work, home, and life. 

All of this leads to focusing daily on fulfilling the Great Commandment and Great Commission or as I stole from Israel Houghton " Love God, Love People....." which if you spend time with any person, and see them as the valuable being they are you can't help but to love them.   I am thankful for the reminder today, and encouraged to know GOD has done some amazing things through the people at Calvary Church Connections Campus (C4), and I'm AMAZED at what GOD plans to do in the years to come.  I plan on continuing to focus on developing and deepening my love relationship with HIM, meanwhile loving the people He orchestrates me crossing paths with.   LGLP2014

WHAT YOU WON'T HEAR IN HEAVEN

“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!  Matt. 25:21 NLT

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.  KJV


In our "Have It Our Way", "Do It Yourself", "Everyone Plays, Everyone Wins", "Many pathways to heaven," etc society.....I honestly think we have approached the KINGDOM with these cultural miscues.  I mean think about it.....we go to churches based on "What we like....." instead being sent.  We Church Date until we either FEEL right about it, or get our FEELings hurt at one, then we're on the NEXT one. 

Every now and then, GOD uses my mouth and many other preachers/teachers to make us sound ubber prophetic or crafty with words so much so that they become like catch phrases, but while meeting with one of my groups this past Monday going over our newest study" All In", one of those heavenly bread crumbs dropped on us. 

I'll call it.....WHAT YOU WON'T HEAR IN HEAVEN:

You won't hear...."Oh it's ok.....I understand....enter into the joy of the Lord."
You won't hear...."Well done good and faithful gossiper.........."
You won't hear....."Well done good and faithful studier"
You won't hear......."Well done good and faithful attender"
You won't even hear " Well done good and faithful member...."
You won't hear ..."Well done good and faithful tither..."
You won't hear....."Well done good and faithful bassist, pianist, worship leader....etc"
You won't hear...."Well done good and faithful Bishop, Pastor, Deacon, Evangelist...whatever the pop title is......"

Now while studying the word, tithing are all scripture based.....He requires more than the tithe.  He requires more than just studying the word (acquiring more knowledge) . While worship, and musicians are key at many churches......what are you doing beside playing that instrument?   (It better be MAKING DISCIPLES.....if nothing else)  Some of you wrestle with membership....but do you want your daughter having a live in boyfriend that doesn't have the cojones to marry her.  Or how about this going to college classes, but never enrolling doesn't get you anything...so be an active member somewhere....grow up!   And while some of the other examples (and believe me there are more...) are obvious....there is only ONE person that is invited into the celebratory presence of the Father...and that person is a SERVANT!

If you are serving...continue to keep a servant heart...in other words... serve with gladness and humility & take your complaints to the KING, don't let those who you serve, or serve alongside get polluted with/by your "feelings".

If you aren't (serving....and don't confuse showing up, warming a seat with serving).....simply put......either you are hard headed or don't desire to hear those glorious words, and are totally at peace about spending all of ETERNITY in the chaos of DARKNESS!