Peace and blessings friends... I love this time of year because it really does signify new beginnings. This season starts bitter sweet because the NFL lost a fan my mother. I needed this weekend for God to move in my heart in a special way. And I share my experience and pray that God moves on you as well.

Saturday - Iron Sharpens Iron
Saturday I attended the Men's Conference Iron Sharpens Iron along wtih some bro's from Calvary Baptist Darien... Great blessing... The keynote speakers were Gordon mcdonald and Rod Cooper.... with special worship from Robin Mark (who wrote "Days of Elijah)

What I took away from Gordon's message was never stop pointing people to the Cross. Gordon spoke about what it was like for him to be a chaplain at Ground Zero on 9/12 (1 day after the attacks), and how so many people received an overwhelming amount of peace when he brought the message of the Gospel. That even now in our personal lives we may be experiencing peace and in a lot of ways not need God's grace... but when it is needed, there is nothing like knowing it comes in the form of a Cross... never underestimate the power of the cross in your life and the life of others. (For it is the power of God unto salvation for the jew first and the greek)
 

Another Keynote speaker was Rod cooper.
Rod cooper totally commanded the audience and he truly had your full attention. In my opinion I felt like I was listening to "Bald Bull from Tysons punch out speak"... Rod's passion was like a lightning Rod I had never experienced... and because of his size, you absolutely nodded yes when he asked for affirmation because i just didn't want him coming down for the alter and shaking it out of me!!! Anyway God really used him to put it into my heart to never loose focus of the mission. Rod spoke of an antartica expedition that utterly failed but not one person died on this journery all because the leader was focused on the mission (wierd that he didn't mention the guys was sold out for God, but none the Less God was speaking)... Rod's passion was alarming, but understood because he later revealed that 3 months prior he was diagnosed with cancer... and yet his priority and mission was to come and inspire men to live whole heartedly for Christ

On sunday I was invited by Jonathan Robinson to come hear him speak at his fellowship. His scripture was Exodus 13, from Exodus to Salvation. What I walked away with was focus on letting go of strongholds in my life that hold me back. Strongholds in the sense of "ways to do things, or ways to not do things" The nation of Israel was in bondage for 400 years to the egyptians, till finally God by his mighty hand delivered them from Pharoah. there are some things in our lives that we have such a tight grip onto that if it weren't for the very power of God, we would be affixed to them for eternity, and if you don't let go God can't give you blessing because you still holding onto something else, and we only have 2 hands...

A second brother got up to speak and his message was on moving forward. (Exodus 14, crossing the red sea)
At this time in my life, with the loss of my mother and the dynamic of my family life changing, it so easy to just throw in the towel and say "Lord, the enemy got to me, I'm going to retreat into a corner and throw in the towel, because i don't want to take any more punches, 3rd round knockout)... and yet God, never brought somebody to a situation that he didn't bring them THRU! Press on saints never give up, God is on the move!

Lastly I got to sit down with my brothers curtis, jonathan, and nkosi and listen to how God is moving in their lives and there is nothing more inspiring in this world then to hear true stories of people you physically know and love testifying of the mighty things God is doing in their lives whether its just being a silent servant, up and coming minister or a small voice in a large choir, all are immensly excited to be in service for the Lord