I know a lot of people are wondering about what exactly happened on Wednesday, so I will tell you the story, but I’m sorry to say it’s not nearly as excited as you might think.
I met my friend, Whitney, at her house to take her to the airport for a 4pm flight on Wednesday, March 25th. We had decided to grab a bite to eat before hand and since we both love soul food, decided that Busy Bee Cafe would be a perfect spot! So I loaded her luggage into the trunk and we headed downtown. On a normal day at lunch Busy Bee is a pretty hopping spot, so we were surprised to find parking the lot immediately adjacent to the building. So parked the car and headed inside to get some much needed nourishment.
It took about 20 minutes to get a table and of course it took us a few minutes to decide from all the wonderful menu options. We chowed down on the food until we had both hurt ourselves, the food was gone, and we were good and full!
As we’re walking towards the car, I see my red water bottle on the ground near the trunk of the car and I think, “That’s strange… Did I open the trunk when we went in and it accidentally fell out? No?” I was very confused, but nonetheless, I popped the trunk to place it back inside only to discover that all 4 bags gone! Both of Whitney’s bags (which is frustrating because you KNOW you take your best/cutest/fly-est (pick your term) stuff when you travel! Not to mention make-up, jewelry, hair care, etc and her new Bible to boot) along with my gym bag and computer bag… gone! Honestly, my initial reaction was to check the back seat, thinking, “Maybe I put them there instead of the trunk for some reason” Nope… They were gone. For good.
Of course, my inner Anglo kicked in and I immediately called the police. I enunciated well and calmly recalled the events that had just happened. They said the typical, “We’ll send someone right out.” Other things went on over the next hour… I updated my Facebook status and Twitter, sent texts to a few people; Whitney called her people; and we both just tried to process what REALLY just happened. I wandered around the parking lot waiting to see someone walking down a side street with one or more of our bags that I could chase down and tackle and get my stuff back from (no for real… I thought about this, AND I had on some chucks, so I was ready. And YES, I have seen too many police shows where this happens, I know.)
A gentlemen from Busy Bee and an employee did some ‘research’ and said that they’d seemed to have found the guys that stole our bags. They, of course, were loitering around looking suspicious, but then again, that’s half of the men down there (I’m not being anything but truthful… If you’ve been to Busy Bee, you know what I’m talking about) My instinct was to again, reenact some of my favorite shows from TV and use some “interrogation techniques”, get my stuff back, but logic overcame foolishness as I decided that was not a good look. Whitney agreed.
So, having no solid proof that these characters had done a thing beside look suspicious, we could do nothing once the police arrived OVER AN HOUR LATER. We found that the police were in the middle of a shift change when the incident had occurred and that’s what has caused the delay.. STILL not an excuse! The officer was nice enough, and we ran through all the procedures, I told him what happened to a ‘T’, and he in so many words said, “You’re stuff ain’t coming back.” He gave me his card with the case number and yada, yada, yada… tiny violins were playing in the background and I was just ready to get on with the day and get Whitney taken to the airport.
As we’re driving back to Whitney’s house to repack what clothes we can, I recalled something Pastor said in a message a few weeks back when he referenced Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.” I realized that what they stole wasn’t even ours. If the Lord owns everything that we have anyway, and we’re just stewards (yes, what an appropriate lesson to learn WITH that word) then that was HIS MacBook, HIS clothes, HIS make-up (seems strange that God would have make-up), HIS jewelry, HIS bags. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to steal from the Lord. I’m sure His “interrogation techniques” are much worse than anything Jack Bauer could come up with!
Whitney made a great point when she said, “If one person picked up that bible and might be called to Christ because of it. That alone would be worth 2000 MacBooks and 5 million wardrobes full of clothes.” And that’s absolutely right. If we had to go through all of that drama just for ONE SINGLE person to spend eternity in Heaven, I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.
The next few hours are relatively boring as we pack another bag and run to Target for some make-up and toiletry items and drove to Hartsfield. Whitney had clearly missed her 4pm flight, but was able to get on stand-by and make an 8:50 flight. Before I go on, I must say something about Ms. Braggs: She is an incredible woman to handle herself as well as she did. Never once did I see her lose her cool beyond a few understandable tears, raise her voice, or blame anyone irrationally (or rationally for that matter). The level of respect that I have for her has absolutely been raised after Wednesday’s events. She’s also incredibly humble 
As I was driving to church, after dropping Whitney off from the airport, I heard the Lord say, “Pray for the people that stole from you.”
I said, “Huh?” as if I hadn’t heard Him clearly.
“You heard me”, He said. “Pray for the people who stole your stuff… Pray that I would bless them to such a degree that they would be overwhelmed and convicted because of the blessing, not because of their actions.” To hear him say that just hit me like a ton of bricks in the chest. I became so overwhelmed and thought, “You know, that’s exactly what Christ would and did do for those that persecuted and afflicted him.” I just felt such a weight that I began to weep as I prayed for them.
I arrived at church (with amazingly little traffic) and as I was parking I heard the Lord speak to me again. He said, “Give me all the money in you pocket.” Normally, I’ll be honest; I would argue a little but. But today, I had NO hesitation in saying, “You got it Lord! Anything else?” I was just at such a point where I didn’t have anything else. Had I had my checkbook, I literally would have emptied my account if He’d asked, just to show Him that He’s got whatever I need anyway!
I went into church in my own little zone, not really wanting to talk to anyone. Earlier in the day, I had remembered that we’d be singing one of my favorite songs, “God is in Control”. “How poignant” I thought to myself. You know how God LOVES to test you on the very things you say out of your mouth? He surely did that on Wednesday. I imagined Him saying, “Oh, I’m in control? Oh OK… Am I still in control now?”
Yes Lord you are STILL IN CONTROL! Maybe now more-so than ever before! My life and my ‘issues’ have not, and won’t ever negate His sovereignty.
Jeremiah 29:11 came to my mind later that night. I couldn’t get past “I know the plans…” He knows the plans, even the enemy’s plans for us; all the good and bad that we’re going to go through. Now HIS plans are to prosper us and not to harm us, but He knows it all and sees everything beforehand. He is so NOT surprised when things happen to us. When we woke up on Wednesday, he knew exactly what the day held and HE was prepared, even if we were clueless.
When I talked to my dad on Wednesday night, he said he was up at 4am praying or me without knowing why. Parents, if God says, “Pray for your kids (or anyone else for that matter)” DO IT! The Lord knew that my father would be faithful and that he could begin to cover me even before anything ever happened. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in another perilous situation, whether it was a car accident or something else and I talked to my dad and He said, “God had me praying for you today.”
As much as I’m sure it pains Him to watch us go through certain things in life, He knows exactly what he’s called us to do. He also knows the requirements on our character that we will need in order to fulfill that position. He also knows the things we have to go through in order to obtain that character in our lives.
Filed under: Uncategorized
I’m quite sure you’ve seen these bulletin typos/mistakes before, but I had to pass them along… They’re still hilarious and make me that much more thankful for proofreaders.
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The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
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The sermon this morning: ‘Jesus Walks on the Water.’ The sermon tonight: ‘Searching for Jesus.’
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Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 PM in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King.
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Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
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The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
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Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say ‘Hell’ to someone who doesn’t care much about you.
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Don’t let worry kill you off – let the Church help.
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Miss Charlene Mason sang ‘I Will Not Pass This Way Again,’ giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
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For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
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Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
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The Rector will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing: ‘Break Forth Into Joy.’
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Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24th in the church So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
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At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be ‘What Is Hell?’ Come early and listen to our choir practice.
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Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
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Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
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Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
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The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
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Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM – Prayer and medication to follow.
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The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every
kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
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This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
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Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.
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The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
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Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7PM. Please use the back door.
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The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare’ s Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
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Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use the large double doors at the side entrance.
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The Associate Minister unveiled the church’s new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday : ‘I Upped My Pledge – Up Yours’
Filed under: Mind Flush
- This weekend was ridiculously busy. Both days started before 8am and didn’t stop until about 2am. THEN I was up at 4am this morning.
- I got hang out with some great people! One friend I hadn’t seen in nearly a year, but seemed like we didn’t miss a beat… You’ve got to love that!
- Church was incredible and Pastor was so fired up! Notes here!
- And we did “God is in Control” and that Kirk Franklin medley I love!
- My boy, Brian, was super crunk yesterday too!
- Lately I’ve made a bad habit of assuming restaurants are open when I want to eat there… And there’s been 2 times within the past month that they’ve been closed and I’ve been disappointed.
- I’m glad I sucked it up and went to see Ron G on Sunday night, even though I was stupid tired and should have gone home and slept… I can sleep today! It’s important to me to support people in their passions and dreams
- I had some great food too… Spent too much money though… eeek!
- This week will be MUCH MORE low key than last. That’s a very good thing.
- I can’t believe my half marathon in NEXT weekend! Wow… it really creeped up on me!
- Then I’m going to DC for a few days to see my dad and get out of Atlanta! I’m excited about that for real!
- My softball team has GOT to get it together… we were definitely still a little rusty at our game on Friday.
- The flag football game with my girls on Saturday on the other hand, shows you how important practice is! They KILLED it!
- Trig is no joke!
- It’s hard trying to juggle connecting with 3 people at the same time… But we got everyone taken care of, thankfully!
- It was funny… as of Thursday, I had NOTHING on the calendar besides church tutoring and by Saturday morning, Saturday was fully booked and Sunday soon followed suit.
- I keep saying I’m going to write more, but somehow I keep forgetting… sigh…
5 Hour Energy was my best friend this morning! - There have been a lot of plane crashes lately… What’s that about?
- I feel like lately, I’ve been driving rental cars more than mine… This last time WAS my fault… But I learned my lesson. Hopefully it won’t cost me too much… I ain’t got that much!
- I’m excited about helping a friend of mine get him and his church connected to Facebook, Twitter, and having a great web presence! Technology is such an incredible tool that we can use for the Kingdom!
- I’m down for now… I’m gonna watch the video of Unleash 09 and take some notes!
Filed under: Uncategorized
My Pastor was FIRED UP about this message, so I figured I’d share a few nuggets that I grabbed from it:
What Will Heal America? Our Community? Our Church? Our Families? You?
Pastor Crute
March 22 2009, 12:30pm
We can no longer be Christians with no power, acting like God owns us a favor!
God doesn’t awaken you just so you can breath. He has a purpose and a reason for you today!
Why are Christians acting like they’re saved but there’s no real difference in their life?
If there’s going to be healing coming to this country, it must start from the REAL church.
Are you really salt or are you still saltY about what someone has done to you that you can’t receive all of what God has for you?
2 Chronicles 7:14 –> “my people” god doesn’t mean everyone? He doesn’t even mean everyone in churches… He is referring to those who don’t like to sin, how are truly born again and are walking like it. People who are Christ-like! In what you say, what you do, how you respond WHEN YOU’RE NOT IN CHURCH!
If you don’t meet the condition, you’re not in the right position to be blessed.
Are we too dependent on others relationship with God that I spend more time talking to our friends about our problems than we do talking to God about it!?
1. WE MUST CONFESS WITH HUMILITY (will humble themselves)
Why does he start with humility? Because the hinge letter of sIn and prIde is I… Its me!
James 4:6 –> Anytime you’re prideful, its God’s character to set himself against you.
Proverbs 28:13 –> Sometimes God stops our progress because we’re not ready. He stops us to prevent us from embarrassing Him. You shouldn’t be content with sinning.
People who are hungry wants something legitimate.
Don’t think you’re in the right place just because someone pats you on the back. You have to be right before GOD!
The more you carry known sin in your life, the less of an appetite for God’s Word you will have.
James 5:16 –> Why would I pay someone to tell me that the issues in my life are because of me and the sin issue in my life? That’s not to say that counselling is bad, but make sure that as you do go, visit the Word of God and follow what it says.
2. WE MUST PRAY WITH TENACITY(and pray)
tenacity – persistent determination, doggedness, perseverance, persistency, determination, purpose – the quality of being determined to do or achieve something.
Colossians 4:2 –> One of the problems we have in prayer is that we give up too soon.
We have to stop praying ‘whimsical prayers’, asking for things ‘on a whim… “God I want this…” Didn’t get it? Oh well, on to the next thing!
As you mature in Christ you will find that you don’t always get everything you ask for the first time you ask.
Ephesians 6:18
3. WE MUST SEEK GOD WITH INTENSITY (and seek my face)
Intense – focused, like a white hot flame.
Hebrews 11:6b
Matthew 6:33 –> We must seek God for who is, not what He can do for us.
Deuteronomy 4:29-31a –> He doesn’t destroy or abandon His children, but He will set it up so we have to come back to Him.
You will either know God by revelation or tribulation.
When men get right with God, church get right. Families get right. Communities get right.
It’s a shame that some men can rattle off whose in the sweet 16 for March Madness and the scores of every game, but you don’t know where your children are!
God is God enough to give you what you need in order to fulfill your God ordained purpose and leave a legacy to your children and their children.
Cultural success isn’t the same as Kingdom success. Kingdom success is when you can stand before God and give Him your everything and He knows that He can trust you to give you something and you can take it and multiply it for His glory.
I don’t want to talk a good game… I want to walk it out.
4. WE MUST REPENT WITH SINCERITY (and turn from their wicked ways)
2 Timothy 3:2-5 –> Paul was writing a 19 character list of ‘wicked ways’. “Stay away from people like this!”
Philautos – self absorbed, egocentric
Philarguros – money focused, greedy
Alazon – self promoting, always talking about you
Huperephanos – status conscious, snobbish
Blasphemos – God insulting
Apeithes – rude, disrespectful
Acharistos – unappreciative
Anosios – crude, course
Astorgos – unkind, heartless
Aspondos – unwilling to forgive, unbending
Diabolos – slander, gossiping, false accuser. When you gossip, you are as close to the devil as you can get.
Akratess – impulsive, uncontrolled
Anemeros – loves violence
Aphilagathos – cynical
Prodotes – double dealing, backstabbing, two-face-ted
Propetes – reckless
Tuphoo – puffed up with pride, intellectual wind bags. Having a doctorate doesn’t mean you have wisdom. Beware of those that have knowledge but aren’t concerned about Kingdom business.
Philedonos – choosing pleasure over God, addicted to lust, allergic to God (The Message paraphrase)
Acts 3:19
Filed under: Relationships
A friend of mine posted this note on Facebook the other day and I had to respond, but it was so long that I figured I’d post it here as well…
Dear Shirley, I am seeing this guy and he is great!! He is in the church and treats me amazing. We have only been dating for a little while and when we started I told him I didn’t want to have sex until we are married he was cool with that and upholding my standards, however before I met him I was in a sexual relationship with someone else. I don’t want to cheat but I can’t help it because it is so GOOD!! I don’t want to have sex with my man because its going to mess up the beautiful relationship we could have blessed by God when we get married. When my phone rings and I see Mr. Good’s name on the caller ID I can’t help but to set a date and time to let him break me off! My man has no idea about the other guy, and intend on breaking my fling off in a couple months with Mr. Good. Should I tell him, or keep it a secret? The only thing I’m worried about is that everything that’s done in the dark comes to light. Please help me because I can’t help myself.
Sincerely, Almost a Good Girl
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Dear “Almost a Good Girl”,
Let me address these issues in order. The first issue I see here is that HE is in the church… are you? This whole problem seems to be more an issue of spiritual maturity and controlling your flesh more than an issue between which man you should choose. Good character is corrupted by bad company. You become who you hang out with and if you continue to hang out/sleep with Mr. Good, you’ll soon enough become more like him and less like Christ.
Secondly, you say you “can’t help but to set up a date” when Mr. Good calls, but how many times are there when you really could have helped it. You could have no answered the phone, not gotten in the car, not took off your clothes, not spread your legs. You WANT to sleep with this man whether you admit it or not. The bible says that there is ALWAYS a way of escape out of every temptation. It’s up to you to choose that way.
You need to evaluate what means more to you: Sex, however good it may be, with Mr. Good, or the future or your relationship with Church Boy. I think it’s foolish that you presume that you’ll be able to break off your ‘fling’ in a few months. Why not do it now? And who’s to say that you’ll be the one to break it off. Did you think about the possibility that one or both of them might break off the relationship(s) first? Don’t always think that you’re in control because there are 2 people in these relationships.
This situation WILL come to the light, it’s only a question of when. If you’re honest and up front with Church Boy now, he may be much more accepting than if he were to find out about through some other avenue. There’s obviously no guarantee that he’ll still want to be with you, but you should have thought of that when you were out fornicating.
So, having said all that, what do you need to do? First of all, you need to end it with Mr. Good and delete all his information from your life. If you can’t get in touch with him, you can’t sleep with him. Period. Secondly, you need to tell Church Boy everything that’s happened and take the relationship from there. Give him space and time to process because you’re going to put a LOT on him. IF he takes you back and wants to continue the relationship then you both need to be intentional about setting boundaries and guidelines for personal and spiritual growth. You also need to, not only get to church more, but develop your personal relationship with Christ.
Sincerely, Stu
