Friday, December 27, 2013
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Monday, December 23, 2013
Christmas in the City - Mary J. Blige
At the tunnel
Chop through hustle
And bustle
Snow and lights
Make wonderland
Out of this
Concrete jungle
There's a miracle
On 34th street
On a train
Yeah, that lady
With all them bags
You see
Radio city
For the christmas show
We making angels
In the snow
Giving honey
Lots of kisses
Under mistletoe
Snowball fights
At courtyards
See spanish harlem
Sing feliz navidad
New york state of mind
At christmas time
In the city
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Christmas Night
By Conrad Hilberry
Let midnight gather up the wind
and the cry of tires on bitter snow.
Let midnight call the cold dogs home,
sleet in their fur—last one can blow
the streetlights out. If children sleep
after the day’s unfoldings, the wheel
of gifts and griefs, may their breathing
ease the strange hollowness we feel.
Let midnight draw whoever’s left
to the grate where a burnt-out log unrolls
low mutterings of smoke until
a small fire wakes in its crib of coals
Let midnight gather up the wind
and the cry of tires on bitter snow.
Let midnight call the cold dogs home,
sleet in their fur—last one can blow
the streetlights out. If children sleep
after the day’s unfoldings, the wheel
of gifts and griefs, may their breathing
ease the strange hollowness we feel.
Let midnight draw whoever’s left
to the grate where a burnt-out log unrolls
low mutterings of smoke until
a small fire wakes in its crib of coals
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
CHRISTMAS, THE DAY THE GLORY RETURNED by Rev. M.D. Rogers
CHRISTMAS, THE DAY THE GLORY RETURNED
Rev. M.D. Rogers
Text: Luke 2:1-16 NIV
We hear a lot these days about the glory of God. We talk about and sing about
giving glory to God, and about experiencing the glory of God, but do you realize
that there was a time when the glory of God was withdrawn from His people, and
that Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, is a celebration
of the return of the glory of God to His people? Let’s review what the Bible
says about God’s glory.
I) THE PURPOSE OF THE GLORY
After a period of four hundred years of living within Egypt, and after becoming
enslaved to the Egyptian Empire, the glory of God manifest to Moses on a
mountain in the bush that appeared to be on fire but was not consumed. As God
used Moses to lead His people to freedom, the glory was manifest in a pillar of
cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. On Mount Sinai the glory of God
was manifested in Moses’ sight as he conversed with God. Later the glory dwelt
in the Holy of Holies between the wingtips of the golden cherubim upon the Ark
of the Covenant. That place, atop the Ark and between the cherubim, was called
the Mercy Seat and there the fire of God, the kabowd, supernaturally burned. I
want you to remember, that it was called the Mercy Seat, not the Judgment Seat,
where the glory abode. It was God’s will for His glory to dwell in the midst of
His people. It was by God’s mercy that He was willing to allow His perfection
to find a place of residence among an imperfect people. As the prophet Jeremiah
so rightly observed:
22 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions
fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (Lam 3:22-23, KJV)
In the Exodus to Canaan God gave specific instructions on how the Tabernacle was
to be constructed, as well as, all the instruments and furniture to be used in
worship. Furthermore, God gave specific instructions as to where each of the
tribes would be encamped whenever they stopped on their journey through the
desert. The location of the Tabernacle, in which the glory of God dwelt between
the wingtips of the cherubim, in the Holy of Holies, was in the midst of the
camp, in the middle of His people. God desires to dwell in the midst of His
people.
The purpose of the glory of God was to reveal His presence and to empower His
people. By being reminded of God’s presence, through the manifestation of His
glory, the people of God would walk in righteousness, and would place their
confidence in the power of God working on their behalf. Further, they would
refrain from honoring any other false gods, because God’s glory is not shared
with any other gods. In Isaiah God declares:
I am the LORD; that is my name!
I will not give my glory to another
or my praise to idols (Isa 42:8, NIV).
God’s glory is not given to simply send a chill bump and result in some mere
emotional catharsis, God’s glory is to remind us that He is an ever present help in a time
of trouble, and to cause us to live our lives in a way that respects and reveres
His holiness. In the Tabernacle and the Temple, the Holy of Holies was where
the glory of God abode. The Priest had to sanctify himself before walking into
the holy glow of God’s presence. If he were found to be unclean the priest
would drop dead and have to be dragged out by a rope that was tied to his ankle.
II) THE PASSING OF THE GLORY
The glory of the Lord was manifest from time to time during the history of
Israel, such as at the dedication of the Temple in 2 Chronicles 5:14 and 7:1.
Then again when Elijah prayed in the contest against the priests of Baal, the
fire fell and consumed the sacrifice, wood, altar, water and dust (1 Kings 18).
But as Israel and Judah continued to waver in their devotion to God, and as the
judgment of God came upon them for their idolatry, the glory faded. Ezekiel had
been carried away into Babylonian captivity, but in a vision the Lord showed him
Jerusalem where Ezekiel saw the glory of the Lord departing. “He saw the glory
of the Lord departing from apostate Israel in four reluctant steps: First, it
left the Mercy Seat and stood over the threshold of the house (Ezekiel 10:4).
Second, it rose from off the threshold and apparently hovered over the midst of
the city (11:23). Third, it ‘went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon
the mountain [Mount Olives] which is on the east side of the city’ (11:23). And
fourth, while it lingered there, the Spirit of God took Ezekiel back to Chaldea,
and the vision went up from him (11:24).
“No more do we read (except prophetically, Ezek. 43:2-5; 44:4; Hab. 2:14) of the
glory of the Lord in Israel, until Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Then an angel
appeared to the shepherds, announced the birth of Christ, ‘and the glory of the
Lord shone round about them’ (Luke 2:9).” [Hershberger, p. 23]
The apostasy of Israel resulted in the absence of the glory. But God’s love and
mercy sent the glory back to those who believe in Him.
III) THE PERSON OF THE GLORY
The angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds and the glory of the Lord shone
all around them. It had been a long dark night, but the glory of the Lord was
back. The light shone in the darkness and the darkness could not overcome it.
The angelic choir sang, “Glory to God in the highest.” Jesus came bringing the
glory of God with Him. The Messiah is born, the presence of God among men, the
power of God into a sin-darkened world.
The prophetic voice of God had not been heard in over 400 years, but unto you is
born this day in the City of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord, the Word
made flesh, the voice of God speaking life where death had reigned.
The glory of God was veiled in human flesh, but even at that there were times
and places where the glory shone through. On the night of His birth the glory
of the Lord shone round about them. Thirty some years later He was on a mount
with Peter, James and John, and the glory of God shone through the veil of flesh
as He was transfigured and His raiment was white as the light (Mat. 17:2).
Then, at the time of His ascension, Jesus was lifted from the sight of the His
disciples in a cloud of glory (Luke 24:51)
Jesus came to bring the glory back to the people of God. And Paul will tell us
that the people of God are those who have been justified by faith, those who
confess with their mouth and believe in their heart that Jesus Christ is Lord.
This is the message of Christmas; the glory of the Lord has come, in the birth,
in the life, ministry and miracles of Messiah the glory of the Lord was revealed
in Israel.
IV) THE PROMISE OF THE GLORY
Jesus came to bring the glory of the Lord to His people, and He didn’t take it
with Him when He left. Jesus gave us these words of promise before His
ascension, John 16:7-14:
7Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for
if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will
send him unto you.
13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all
truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that
shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Saturday, December 14, 2013
TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS - by Rev. M.D. Rogers
Treasure in Earthen Vessels
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. ( 2 Corinthians 4:7 )
God has chosen to put His glory on display, as we own the ministry to which we have been called to preach Christ Jesus the Lord! In so doing, we are blessed…no, abundantly blessed…to be the “earthen vessels” in which the glory of God is on display! In this way, God shows His power in us and through us.
My ever increasing experiences as a Christian clearly remind me of how weak and frail we are. Even during times of continuing blessings in the ministry there are always just enough reminders of our weakness to keep us humble and dependent. When prone to discouragement because of the decaying nature of our “earthen vessels,” we can be reminded that this temporal condition is being used by God to make Himself known, and “worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”!
Be encouraged! No matter what the struggle or hardship, an obedient child of God, can be assured that God desires to use our “earthen vessels” to display nothing less than His own glory!
I realize that you too may have evidence of some early efforts with pottery. Very likely, your ceramic bowl is much better and nicer than mine. Regardless, someday, these little poorly made pottery bowls will crumble…and that will be final. But those trusting in Christ are assured that when these “earthen vessels” crumble, it is not final! This earthly display of God’s glory will be gone, but we have a new one waiting, permanent, “eternal in the heavens”!
But what all the wisdom of man was unable to do, was in due time done by the wisdom of God. When it pleased God to give an account of the origin of things, and of man in particular, all the darkness vanished away, and the clear light shone. "God said, Let us make man in our own image." It was done. In the image of God man was made. Hence we are enabled to give a clear, satisfactory account of the greatness, the excellency, the dignity of man. But "man, being in honour" did not continue therein, but rebelled against his sovereign Lord. Hereby he totally lost, not only the favour, but likewise the image of God. And "in Adam all died." For fallen "Adam begat a son in his own likeness." And hence we are taught to give a clear, intelligible account of the littleness and baseness of man. He is sunk even below the beasts that perish. Human nature now is not only sensual but devilish. There is in every man born into the world a "carnal mind, which is enmity," direct enmity, "against God."
But suppose it pleased the all-wise Creator, for the sin of man, to suffer the souls of men in general to be weighed down in this miserable manner by their corruptible body; why does he permit the excellent treasure which he has entrusted to his own children, to be still lodged in these poor earthen vessels?" Would not this question naturally occur to any reflecting mind? Perhaps it would; and therefore the Apostle immediately furnishes us with a full answer: God has done this, that "the excellency of the power might be of God, and not of us;" that it might be undeniably plain to whom that excellent power belonged; that no flesh might glory in his sight; but that all who have received this treasure might continually cry, "Not unto us, but unto thee, O Lord, be the praise, for thy name and for thy truth's sake."
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. ( 2 Corinthians 4:7 )
God has chosen to put His glory on display, as we own the ministry to which we have been called to preach Christ Jesus the Lord! In so doing, we are blessed…no, abundantly blessed…to be the “earthen vessels” in which the glory of God is on display! In this way, God shows His power in us and through us.
My ever increasing experiences as a Christian clearly remind me of how weak and frail we are. Even during times of continuing blessings in the ministry there are always just enough reminders of our weakness to keep us humble and dependent. When prone to discouragement because of the decaying nature of our “earthen vessels,” we can be reminded that this temporal condition is being used by God to make Himself known, and “worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”!
Be encouraged! No matter what the struggle or hardship, an obedient child of God, can be assured that God desires to use our “earthen vessels” to display nothing less than His own glory!
I realize that you too may have evidence of some early efforts with pottery. Very likely, your ceramic bowl is much better and nicer than mine. Regardless, someday, these little poorly made pottery bowls will crumble…and that will be final. But those trusting in Christ are assured that when these “earthen vessels” crumble, it is not final! This earthly display of God’s glory will be gone, but we have a new one waiting, permanent, “eternal in the heavens”!
But what all the wisdom of man was unable to do, was in due time done by the wisdom of God. When it pleased God to give an account of the origin of things, and of man in particular, all the darkness vanished away, and the clear light shone. "God said, Let us make man in our own image." It was done. In the image of God man was made. Hence we are enabled to give a clear, satisfactory account of the greatness, the excellency, the dignity of man. But "man, being in honour" did not continue therein, but rebelled against his sovereign Lord. Hereby he totally lost, not only the favour, but likewise the image of God. And "in Adam all died." For fallen "Adam begat a son in his own likeness." And hence we are taught to give a clear, intelligible account of the littleness and baseness of man. He is sunk even below the beasts that perish. Human nature now is not only sensual but devilish. There is in every man born into the world a "carnal mind, which is enmity," direct enmity, "against God."
But suppose it pleased the all-wise Creator, for the sin of man, to suffer the souls of men in general to be weighed down in this miserable manner by their corruptible body; why does he permit the excellent treasure which he has entrusted to his own children, to be still lodged in these poor earthen vessels?" Would not this question naturally occur to any reflecting mind? Perhaps it would; and therefore the Apostle immediately furnishes us with a full answer: God has done this, that "the excellency of the power might be of God, and not of us;" that it might be undeniably plain to whom that excellent power belonged; that no flesh might glory in his sight; but that all who have received this treasure might continually cry, "Not unto us, but unto thee, O Lord, be the praise, for thy name and for thy truth's sake."
Friday, December 13, 2013
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
NC sees new flurry of charter-school applications | Education | NewsObserver.com
NC sees new flurry of charter-school applications | Education | NewsObserver.com
Seventy-one would-be school operators have applied to open North Carolina charters in 2015-16, including 31 in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties.
Seventy-one would-be school operators have applied to open North Carolina charters in 2015-16, including 31 in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Friday, November 29, 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Happy Thanksgiving 2013
We Americans are a blessed people, but we are also spoiled. I know I am. I can get flustered over the stupidest things—like when my cell phone doesn’t get a good signal, when a flight is delayed or when my computer takes too long to load a website. Most people in the world don’t have iPhones, can’t afford air travel and don’t have computers. My impatience reveals my ungrateful spirit.So how can we avoid this virus of selfish immaturity? Thankfulness is the antidote. It melts our pride and crushes our sense of entitlement. It reminds us that everything we have comes from God, and that His mercy is the only reason we are blessed . Have a Blessed Thanksgiving from all of us at Pass-the_Ball..
Rev. M.D. Rogers
Friday, November 22, 2013
To Be Thankful..- Rev. M.D. Rogers
This is the only life you will have before you enter eternity. If you want to find joy, you must first find thankfulness. The one who is thankful for even a little enjoys much. But the unappreciative soul is always miserable, always complaining, and lives outside the shelter of the Most High God.
Perhaps the worst enemy we have is not the devil but our own tongue. James tells us, "The tongue is set among our members as that which . . . sets on fire the course of our life" (James 3:6). He goes on to say this fire is ignited by hell. Consider: with our own words we can enter the spirit of heaven or the agonies of hell!
It is hell with its punishments, torments and misery that controls the life of the grumbler and complainer! Paul expands this thought in 1 Corinthians 10:10, where he reminds us of the Jews who "grumble. . . and were destroyed by the destroyer." The fact is, every time we open up to grumbling and complaining, the quality of our life is reduced proportionally -- a destroyer is bringing our life to ruin!
People often ask me, "What is the ruling demon over our church or city?" They expect me to answer with some ancient Aramaic or Phoenician name of a fallen angel. What I usually tell them is a lot more practical: one of the most pervasive evil influences over our nation is ingratitude!
Do not minimize the strength and cunning of this enemy! Paul said that the Jews who grumbled and complained during their difficult circumstances were "destroyed by the destroyer." Who was this destroyer? If you insist on discerning an ancient world ruler, one of the most powerful spirits mentioned in the Bible is Abaddon, whose Greek name is Apollyon. It means "destroyer" (Rev. 9:11). Paul said the Jews were destroyed by this spirit. In other words, when we are complaining or unthankful, we open the door to the destroyer, Abaddon, the demon king over the abyss of hell!
In the Presence of God
Multitudes in our nation have become specialists in the "science of misery." They are experts -- moral accountants who can, in a moment, tally all the wrongs society has ever done to them or their group. I have never talked with one of these people who was happy, blessed or content about anything. They expect an imperfect world to treat them perfectly.
Truly, there are people in this wounded country of ours who need special attention. However, most of us simply need to repent of ingratitude, for it is ingratitude itself that is keeping wounds alive! We simply need to forgive the wrongs of the past and become thankful for what we have in the present.
The moment we become grateful, we actually begin to ascend spiritually into the presence of God. The psalmist wrote,
"Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing. . . . Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His loving-kindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations" (Psalm 100:2, 4-5).
It does not matter what your circumstances are; the instant you begin to thank God, even though your situation has not changed, you begin to change. The key that unlocks the gates of heaven is a thankful heart. Entrance into the courts of God comes as you simply begin to praise the Lord.”
Saturday, November 16, 2013
A Crisis of Faith -Rev.M.D. Rogers
A crisis of faith — when you seriously question whether what you believe/how you see/what you're committed to is actually true — is a good thing.
It's not pleasant. It hurts. The ground goes wobbly. You may be reaching for sleeping pills or alcohol or a lover to get you from 2 to 4:30 a.m. each night.
But it's good because we want to be open to truth and what it means for us.
Just a few examples of those uncomfortable thoughts: Maybe there isn't actually a God? Maybe there is? Maybe there is only one version, or maybe a multitude? Maybe evil and suffering are far more prevalent and powerful than I ever knew? Maybe the ideals I held so dear and fought for make no sense in the real world? Maybe I've let ambition cannibalize my ability to love? Maybe I've just found what I want to live for, but it will demand that I leave so much behind?
Sometimes our beliefs about the world evolve slowly. Other times a lightning bolt tears a wound in the old to illuminate what is new.
The world crashes around us all the time in different ways that can provoke a crisis of faith. Another example is the approximately 4,000 diagnoses of cancer each day.
But a crisis of faith can also come from positive experiences. We learn new things, science makes new discoveries, we have epiphanies and understand life or love or our spirits in new ways that make the old nonsensical.
Whatever causes a crisis of faith, there is often emotional, intellectual, spiritual turbulence along the way.
So this is, I guess, an ode to having crises of faith. I don't know if we should exactly invite them. Maybe. But at the least we should welcome them when they come and not chase them away. It's a chance to ask if we can receive something new and true, regardless of whether it's disturbing or liberating.
I'm not celebrating wishy-washiness. Quite the opposite. I'm arguing that we need to be committed to truth. And in the beautiful, tragic, complicated world that we live in, that necessarily means we'll have crises of faith along the way.
Let's follow them truthward.
It's not pleasant. It hurts. The ground goes wobbly. You may be reaching for sleeping pills or alcohol or a lover to get you from 2 to 4:30 a.m. each night.
But it's good because we want to be open to truth and what it means for us.
Just a few examples of those uncomfortable thoughts: Maybe there isn't actually a God? Maybe there is? Maybe there is only one version, or maybe a multitude? Maybe evil and suffering are far more prevalent and powerful than I ever knew? Maybe the ideals I held so dear and fought for make no sense in the real world? Maybe I've let ambition cannibalize my ability to love? Maybe I've just found what I want to live for, but it will demand that I leave so much behind?
Sometimes our beliefs about the world evolve slowly. Other times a lightning bolt tears a wound in the old to illuminate what is new.
The world crashes around us all the time in different ways that can provoke a crisis of faith. Another example is the approximately 4,000 diagnoses of cancer each day.
But a crisis of faith can also come from positive experiences. We learn new things, science makes new discoveries, we have epiphanies and understand life or love or our spirits in new ways that make the old nonsensical.
Whatever causes a crisis of faith, there is often emotional, intellectual, spiritual turbulence along the way.
So this is, I guess, an ode to having crises of faith. I don't know if we should exactly invite them. Maybe. But at the least we should welcome them when they come and not chase them away. It's a chance to ask if we can receive something new and true, regardless of whether it's disturbing or liberating.
I'm not celebrating wishy-washiness. Quite the opposite. I'm arguing that we need to be committed to truth. And in the beautiful, tragic, complicated world that we live in, that necessarily means we'll have crises of faith along the way.
Let's follow them truthward.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Faith That Lives..
"For unto us a child is born, unto us, a Son is given: and the
government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called
Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.- Isaiah 9:6, 7
Of the increase of His government and the peace there shall be no
end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and
to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even
for ever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform it."
The Bible informs us that David was the greatest king that Israel had
ever known. But like Moses, he too was a foreshadowing of the soon
coming Messiah. Like Moses foreshadowed the coming of Jesus, the
Prophet, David foreshadowed the coming of Jesus, the King. As David
was a mighty warrior, Jesus the soon coming King, will be the mighty
Lord of Hosts and conquering King. Just as the women sang praises of
the thousands that David destroyed, the world will call the new
King, "Wonderful". The comparisons of these two kings could go on,
but where they stop is in the fact that, King David, as great and as
mighty as he was, could never fulfill Israel's hopes for a Messiah.
Shortly after David died, the kingdom became divided and Israel began
to think that God had broken His promise of a Messiah.
David's kingdom was not the fulfillment of God's promise to Israel,
but rather it was the symbol of something greater to come. In 740 BC.
God sent a prophet by the name of Isaiah who prophesied of a greater
kingdom than David's; and a greater king than David. In Isaiah 11: 1,
2 he said, "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of
Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out his roots. And the Spirit of the
Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the
Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge, and of the fear
of the Lord."
Isaiah was talking about the coming of Jesus, our King. Not just any
king, but a King Who would have upon His shoulders, an increased
government, increased in peace. They would call Him the "Prince of
Peace." This King would have great wisdom and understanding. The
Spirit of counsel would be upon Him so great that the world would
call Him "Counselor." Unlike David, this King will not die, but will
rule forever.
Kids Say This Is the Best Way to Be a Better Dad
Kids Say This Is the Best Way to Be a Better Dad
Every year we conduct essay contests in different areas of the country, where thousands of children write about “What my father means to me.” We always get priceless stories and comments, expressed as only kids can. The entire experience is truly heartwarming.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
My Halloween Rant - Rev. M.D. Rogers
My Halloween Rant 20013
So here I go again starting trouble when there is no need to. I always stick my nose into areas that it doesn't belong, or do I. Well, you all know what time of the year it is? Yes, it is that sinfully wicked holiday of Halloween, and I just refuse to let sleeping dogs lie. You are more than welcome to hit the delete button if you need to, but for those of you who are heartier of spirit, stick with me.I have decided not to take the traditional approach to the matter by giving all the historical reasons why believers should not celebrate this day. I already did that last year in another blog.
The point I want to concentrate on is the issue of freedom. Do we have the freedom to celebrate or try and redeem this day as so many "Churches" try and do? Is there a Scriptural mandate that makes it acceptable to participate in days that were once dedicated to satanic activities?
It doesn't take that much discernment to see that the world does have a preoccupation for Horror, especially on this day. All one needs to do is look on the fruit that is produced by the celebration and the string of Hollywood movies about zombies, vampires, witches etc.
The other day I received a email inviting me to a church on October 31st. to enjoy "A fun and safe trick-or-treat experience" or “Holy-Ween” celebration. Now, I know this pastor, and I don't consider him way 'out there'. I am sure he loves the Lord. Yet, I wonder why is it that a church would invest that much time and effort into a day that has clear demonic origins, and yet refuse to celebrate any of the Biblical Holy days that the Lord has established as prophetic displays.
I continue, to this day, to be challenged on my keeping the Biblical feasts by pastors. I am told that I am a Judaizer by trying to put men under the yoke of the law. I am reminded that when the "New Testament" arrived that the law was abolished. (I have yet to find this in Scripture).
It must be wonderful to be set free from the law. It would be so refreshing to be able to live a life of lawlessness. I can't imagine what it would be like to be able to celebrate anything I wanted, no matter what the origin.
Revile me all you want for celebrating the biblical feasts. Call me names like “old fashion holy roller”. Accuse me of enslaving people under the law. Take your liberty to do as you feel. Enjoy your "Halloween alternative" . But I think I will stay right where I am enjoying the appointed times and seasons that have been set up by the Lord. I will revel in the fact that these wonderful days were the appointments kept by the Lord. I will be able to defend my faith through the prophetic displays of these Biblical and historical events. All you will have to show for your holiday is a bucket of candy and some rotten teeth.
Enjoy!
Friday, October 25, 2013
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Durham Bulls Athletic Park
Durham Bulls Athletic Park, American Tobacco District and City Center Skyline (Primary). Durham, NC, is a colorful, creative, and entrepreneurial community and the proud home of Research Triangle Park, Duke and North Carolina Central Universities. Durham is consistently ranked among the greatest places to live and work in the nation.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
October Book List
A Mayor’s Life: Governing New York’s Gorgeous Mosaic by David N. Dinkins
The 411 On Bullying, Gangs, Drugs and Jail by Warden Howard Robertson
The Rejected Stone by Rev. Al Sharpton
The 411 On Bullying, Gangs, Drugs and Jail by Warden Howard Robertson
The Rejected Stone by Rev. Al Sharpton
Philip makes a Request.-Rev. M.D. Rogers
John 14:8-12
Philip expressed the feeling of a pious heart when he said, "Lord, show us the Father, and it suffices us." There was something in this request that must have pleased the Son of God. Love to his Father always pleased him. It grieved him to see the creatures of his Father's hand so indifferent to his name. He had beheld another scene in heaven, where every angel and every saint glows with love to his glorious Creator. But worldly men do not care for the Being who made them. Far from wishing to see Him, as Philip did, they wish to hide themselves from him. Instead of saying, "Show us the Father," they say in their hearts, "Give us corn and wine; give us favor with men; give us success in our schemes, and prosperity in our families, and—it suffices us."
But the children of God desire to see their Father's face. Philip was a child of God, and he desired to see his glorious countenance; therefore he said, "Show us the Father." Yet he ought not to have made this request. He ought to have known that Jesus was the brightness of his Father's glory. How gently the Lord reproached him for his unbelief when he said, "Have I been so long time with you, Philip, and yet have you not known me?" Three years was a long time to have familiar communion with the Son of God. Patriarchs and prophets thought themselves highly favored, when they enjoyed short and occasional interviews with their glorious Redeemer. They were more ready to acknowledge him as God than Philip was. When Jacob had wrestled with the angel, he said, "I have seen the face of God, and my life is preserved." But the apostles found it hard to believe how great their Master was! They had seen him hungry and thirsty, weary and weeping. They had even heard him talk of dying. Was it not hard to believe, that the face so marred with sorrow was the express image of the Father's? Yet they ought to have believed this, because of his words and his works.
He spoke as never man spoke; he did works that man never performed. His divine glory shone through the veil of mortal flesh. No light around his person distinguished him from other men; but the apostle John declares, "We beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father." (John 1:14.) Once, indeed, his face did shine as the sun, and his clothing was white as the light; but only once; and then only three of the apostles beheld that glorious sight. But his countenance always shone with the light of holiness, and his garments were always white with spotless purity.
When did Jesus fulfill this wonderful promise, "He who believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do?" At the day of Pentecost, when the apostles, by the power of the Spirit, turned three thousand souls to God. When Jesus preached, only a few repented. Chorazin and Bethsaida, Capernaum and Jerusalem, repented not; but when the apostles preached, three thousand, by one sermon, were pierced in their hearts. (Acts 2:37-41.) What was the reason for this difference? Jesus explained the reason in these few words, "Because I go unto the Father." Since he has gone unto the Father, to sit at his right hand, multitudes have received the gifts of repentance, and of the forgiveness of sins, because he has gone there for that very purpose; as it is written, "Him has God exalted with his right hand, to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." (Acts 5:31.)
Friday, October 18, 2013
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Mentors Matter
"There has never been a time in our culture when ministries like this one are so badly needed. And Pass the Ball is just the type of ministry to start such a program. I have known Rev. Michael Rogers and ministered with him long enough to say with joy and conviction that he is a man of tremendous talent, dedication, and integrity. His skill as a Christian thinker is well developed, his gifts of communication are clear, and his heart to build Christ's kingdom and not his own are evident." Dr. John Satterfield
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Road Construction
Road Construction
Rev. M.D. Rogers
"The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth; The
glory of the LORD shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together..."(Isa
40:4-5 NKJV).
I don't know about you, but I hate road construction. I live in a growing city
and it seems like there has been ongoing road construction for years. Everything
is a mess, you can never plan your trips because of delays, and sometimes you
get caught off guard when traffic signs are placed in unusual places and the
natural flow of traffic takes you off the main road onto bumpy surfaces.
Recently one of our main local roads discovered a sink hole in the middle of the
road. The road was closed for more than a year. We had to take alternative
routes that were inconvenient and it took longer to get places.
Sometimes God takes us through our own life re-construction project. Our lives
get disrupted, we can no longer depend on the things we did before, and we don't
have control over our circumstances or timetable. God is doing major
construction.
However, even in the midst of the re-construction the glory of the Lord is
revealed in that place. For some, it is the first time they've ever seen the
hand of the Lord in their life to the degree that this process allows them to
experience Him. It is a process they would never choose to go through
voluntarily, but it is an experience they value for the rest of their lives
because the glory of the Lord was revealed in the process.
Once the process is complete, things begin to flow better. Just as the new roads
allow you to drive on a smooth, more spacious area, so too God paves a way for
you to move into an expanded place with Him. Isaiah tells us: "He will also send
you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the
land will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will graze in broad
meadows" (Isa 30:23-24).
Friday, September 20, 2013
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Dirt Roads - Rev. M.D. Rogers
Dirt Roads
What's mainly wrong with society today is that too many
Dirt Roads have been paved.
There's not a problem in America today, crime, drugs, education,
divorce, delinquency that wouldn't be remedied if we just had more
Dirt Roads, because Dirt Roads give character.
People that live at the end of Dirt Roads learn early on
that life is a bumpy ride. That it can jar you right down to your
teeth sometimes, but it's worth it, if at the end is home.....
a loving spouse, happy kids and a dog.
We wouldn't have near the trouble with our educational system
if our kids got their exercise walking a Dirt Road with other
kids, from whom they learn how to get along.
There was less crime in our streets before they were paved.
Criminals didn't walk two dusty miles to rob or rape, if they
knew they'd be welcomed by 5 barking dogs and a
double barrel shotgun.
And there were no drive by shootings.
Our values were better when our roads were worse!
People did not worship their cars more than their kids, and
motorists were more courteous. They didn't tailgate by
riding the bumper or the guy in front would choke
you with dust & bust your windshield with rocks.
Dirt Roads taught patience.
Dirt Roads were environmentally friendly. You didn't hop
in your car for a quart of milk. You walked to the barn
for your milk.
For your mail, you walked to the mail box.
What if it rained and the Dirt Road got washed out?
That was the best part. Then you stayed home and had
some family time. Roasted marshmellows and popped popcorn
and pony rode on Daddy's shoulders and learned how to
make prettier quilts than anybody.
At the end of Dirt Roads, you soon learned that bad
words tasted like soap.
Most paved roads lead to trouble. Dirt Roads more likely lead
to a fishing creek or a swimming hole.
At the end of a Dirt Road the only time we even locked our car
was in August, because if we didn't some neighbour
would fill it with too much zucchini.
At the end of a Dirt Road there was always extra springtime
income from when city dudes would get stuck. You'd have
to hitch up a team and pull them out.
Usually you got a dollar.....
always you got a new friend......
at the end of a Dirt Road!
What's mainly wrong with society today is that too many
Dirt Roads have been paved.
There's not a problem in America today, crime, drugs, education,
divorce, delinquency that wouldn't be remedied if we just had more
Dirt Roads, because Dirt Roads give character.
People that live at the end of Dirt Roads learn early on
that life is a bumpy ride. That it can jar you right down to your
teeth sometimes, but it's worth it, if at the end is home.....
a loving spouse, happy kids and a dog.
We wouldn't have near the trouble with our educational system
if our kids got their exercise walking a Dirt Road with other
kids, from whom they learn how to get along.
There was less crime in our streets before they were paved.
Criminals didn't walk two dusty miles to rob or rape, if they
knew they'd be welcomed by 5 barking dogs and a
double barrel shotgun.
And there were no drive by shootings.
Our values were better when our roads were worse!
People did not worship their cars more than their kids, and
motorists were more courteous. They didn't tailgate by
riding the bumper or the guy in front would choke
you with dust & bust your windshield with rocks.
Dirt Roads taught patience.
Dirt Roads were environmentally friendly. You didn't hop
in your car for a quart of milk. You walked to the barn
for your milk.
For your mail, you walked to the mail box.
What if it rained and the Dirt Road got washed out?
That was the best part. Then you stayed home and had
some family time. Roasted marshmellows and popped popcorn
and pony rode on Daddy's shoulders and learned how to
make prettier quilts than anybody.
At the end of Dirt Roads, you soon learned that bad
words tasted like soap.
Most paved roads lead to trouble. Dirt Roads more likely lead
to a fishing creek or a swimming hole.
At the end of a Dirt Road the only time we even locked our car
was in August, because if we didn't some neighbour
would fill it with too much zucchini.
At the end of a Dirt Road there was always extra springtime
income from when city dudes would get stuck. You'd have
to hitch up a team and pull them out.
Usually you got a dollar.....
always you got a new friend......
at the end of a Dirt Road!
LOVE THE TRUTH-Rev. M.D. Rogers
1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.The truth must be loved to be received. If a person does not love the truth, he is liable to believe a lie.
It is the truth that saves. A lie can only condemn.
Here Paul warns about a secret power of lawlessness already at work. It is the work of Satan in the world.
This is no surprise. In the very beginning it was he who led Adam and Eve into rebellion against God’s command. Lawlessness is his goal for mankind, and ultimate ruin his plan for the world.
Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden because of disobedience. Willful disobedience to God is wickedness. And wickedness leads to destruction.
Here Paul predicts the coming of the man of lawlessness!
He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
Many ideas about who this person is have been proposed through the years. Some have even suggested is not one person, but a general state of lawlessness that will pervade society immediately before Jesus comes.
It is not as important to know exactly who or what Paul is talking about as it is to avoid falling into the trap of lawlessness. This is done by loving the truth of God.
There are two spirits evidently at work in the world today: lawlessness and obedience.
Nobody likes to be told what to do. There is a spirit of rebellion in every person. But anyone who has been changed by the power of God loves to be told what to do by Jesus.
Nobody likes to be told what to do. There is a spirit of rebellion in every person. But anyone who has been changed by the power of God loves to be told what to do by Jesus.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Friday, September 6, 2013
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Finish Well..Rev. M.D. Rogers
Before he died, the apostle Paul wrote with confidence about his life, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim. 4:7, NKJV). He wasn't boasting. He was saying that he had remained true to the course God had laid out for him. He had not only lived well but also finished well.I believe that every Christian has a course set out before him—whether, like Paul, he is in full-time ministry or not—and that he will be judged based on how successfully he finishes it. We all are called to both begin and end well—and to live well in between.
As I age, I think more and more about finishing my life well. Like most people I've always tended to think that the end is far away, somewhere in the distant future.
Scripture confirms, however, that we have no guarantee of tomorrow. As the psalmist wrote, "My times are in Your hand" (Ps. 31:15). I have to ask myself: If I went home to be with the Lord tomorrow, how would anyone know whether I finished well?
The final word on whether a person finishes well belongs to God and God alone. I'm not sure anyone else will be around to hear His "Well done, good and faithful servant" (see Matt. 25:21), if He should say that to us—certainly not those who are still living.
Not many people are remembered beyond one or two generations after their deaths. So if nothing else, you can finish well by leaving behind a good name that your children and grandchildren can remember.
If you don't have children, then you can leave a good name among those who knew you best, whether friends or associates. For that to happen, you will have to spend some time being a blessing to others, using your time and gifts to serve their needs.
Ultimately, it is most important to finish well in God's eyes. When Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, not many people were happy with the job he was doing. Yet today there aren't too many cities in the United States that don't have some memorial to his work and name.
Perhaps we should remember Nehemiah's prayers as we consider our lives and our desire to finish well. On two separate occasions, Nehemiah prayed that God would remember him for the work he had done: "Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people" (Neh. 5:19); "Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its services!" (Neh. 13:14).
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