A Week In Review...

After a week full of highs and lows, I've gotten a chance to get down and gather my thoughts. What a week!

I am always amazed at how God continues to pour out His grace and mercy in the life of this young underserving preacher. But I am truly grateful for ALL that He's done, doing, & going to do in the future. While life doesn't always go exactly as we plan them, I take comfort in knowing the right one is in charge.

Had a chance to attend the Sunday School Publishing Board sponsored by the National Baptist Convention of USA, Inc. This is an annual conference where Pastor, Teachers, Christian Educators converged in Nashville, TN for a week of classes, workshops, & worship that are designed to refresh, reenergize, and renew the commitment of the importance of Teaching/Equipping our parishioners to be about the "equipping the saints for work of ministry, for the building up the body of Christ." (ESV).


Being my first time at this conference, I didn't have any expectations. But I must say that I was thoroughly impressed with the dedication and commitment to education that was placed in not only the leadership of SSPB, but the participants who came from all across the country for this event. 1500 persons were registered and in attendance. Which speaks volumes to the caliber of study and workshops that goes into this conference. Prayerfully, I will be able to add this great event to my annual calendar.

This conference gave me encouragement to continue making Christian Education an integral part of both my life and my ministry. I was reminded this week that the strength of your church is directly related to the strength of the Teaching arm of any ministry (Christian Education). An area that I believe is missing from many churches today. But so very vital to the overall health of any and all congregations.

Got a chance to hear some great lecturing and preaching this week. From Rev. Dr. Winifred Hope of Athens, GA. It has been said that you need to SEE him preach versus HEAR him preach. I found that to be true. Heard Dr. Margaret D. Weaver of Atlanta, GA give 2 great lectures on the importance of partnering in ministry to prepare the congregation for spiritual growth. For the first time, I was able to hear in person Rev. Dr. Marcus Crosby of Houston, TX who blessed my soul with his sermon entitled, "The Sifting of the Saints," Luke 22:31-32. Also a great message by the NBC of USA, Inc's National President, Dr. Julius Scruggs, who really preached! And last but not least, my favorite preacher Rev. Dr. Ralph D. West, Sr. of Houston, TX blessed us with 2 inspiring and thought provoking sermons as well. I thank God for such diverse gifts to the body He has bestowed in each of these servants of God.

I am amazed at how God places people in your life that prove to be a blessing to you in every way. Those that challenge you to be the best that you can be and never allows you to take mediocrity as the norm. 3 years ago I never would've thought that I would ever meet some like Dr. West, but I'm thankful to call him not only my favorite preacher, but a mentor as well. To God be the glory!

What a week! God has truly been good to me and for that I'm thankful. God kissed our worship experience today at Philippi. I'm grateful for the time we shared together today in both the worship and the Word. We preached on Isaiah 9:6, "He's Some Kind of Wonderful," where we talked about the account of Jesus' birth as the greatest gift God could every give us. While born in a barn in Bethlehem, His singular and sole purpose was Calvary so that he could free us from both the bondage and penalty of sin.

When you think of a sacrifice such as that, what else could you call him but Wonderful. But when you've exhausted all of the words you can come up with to define who Jesus is, you'll discover that He's more than that! What a mighty God we serve.

Who Do You Listen To?

I'm reminded of an exercise I participating in as a child with my father. I was blindfolded and was told to be able to distinguish his voice among several other men.  After hearing about 4 men call my name, I thought that the trick was on me because they actually sounded like my father. But then as I began to feel that I was being tested, I heard another voice that said, "Brodes". At that moment I immediately responded with, "Yes, daddy, that's you, I know it!"

I knew his voice, even in an uncomfortable situation, once I heard his voice, I just knew that everything else was ok.

That story reminds of Exodus 14:10-15, where the Israelites where in the midst of trying times while in the wilderness. They believed that Moses their leader, was sending them to their grave, even though God just delivered them out of the hand of Pharoah. They wanted to go back. Moses wanted to stay and see the Lord move on their behalf. But, God wanted them to move forward. So that bears the question, Who Do You Listen To?

Often times when we find ourselves in moments of crisis, we want to revert back to what's was once comfortable to us, not realizing that there's a blessing before us. God may have given you clearance to move to higher heights, to a greater work, to a new level, but you're afraid to trust Him because you don't always see the end result.

Our responsibility is to trust the One who holds tomorrow. God. This post is as much for me, as it is for anyone else that the Lord leads to read this. I've come to the place in my life where I want to be in God's Will, even if that means I don't know all of His plans. Because I trust my final destination, I'll take joy in the journey.

Where He Leads Me


I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
"Take thy cross, follow me"


Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow,
I'll go with Him, with Him, all the way...