Somebody’s Watching Me

Think on this…Do you remember the 80’s song, “Somebody’s Watching Me”? It went something like, “I always feel like, somebody’s watching me, I can’t get no privacy, ohh, ohh, ohh.” It wasn’t a creative or thought provoking song, but man it was catchy. I fully understand that feeling. It all happen when I started speaking more frequently at my local church, Destiny Metropolitan Worship Church. You see, it is what is called a mega-church with about 6,000 people in its membership. So, when you get popular in that crowd people start noticing you in the strangest places.

The first time, happened at a red light. A lady got out of her car, ran up to ours and gave us some money and said, “Thank you for the message. Breakfast is on me.” We just sat there slack jawed. Then I was at a store buying a gift for my wife and, “Hey aren’t you the wise guy.” (It was obvious they had been to a Destinations Event). Since then I have grown in the little notoriety that I have and it happens all the time. Now, I’m likely see people at my son’s school, while grocery shopping, and even in men’s rooms. It’s a bit unnerving, but I realized something. I can’t mess up. There are eyes ever looking to see if I am going to be what they have seen on stage.

This is the burden and responsibility of leadership. I can’t spur the attention because I didn’t bring it on myself, it’s God’s doing. The bible says, “Above all else, you must live in a way that brings honor to the good news about Christ.” Philippians 1:27 What if you were more visible? What would people see in your conduct? Would you make them want to love God more or less? This is the wrestle I must embrace everyday. I think more people would desire to become followers of Jesus if the people that said the represented him lived based on this scripture…Just a thought.

Waiting, Waiting, Waiting…

Think on this…I am not the biggest fan of waiting. I have learned over the years the benefits of waiting, but I still don’t like it. It’s just not fun. I am in a holding pattern with the production of my first book “College Impact” J, and process is excruciating. Now, those in the publishing arena will tell you, “that’s book publishing”, but they always fail to tell you why it’s that way. My own brother is calling me saying, “where is my book.”

You see the first proof had some issues many of which were my fault. If you are a fan of my blogs you probably noticed that I have a tendency to be a little liberal with my typos. I have written about it before and there is no need to rehash it. On top of that we had to make some alterations with the cover design. The truth is, I just want the job to be done. I want the product in my hands. Now, the printer has the book and is taking what I think is their sweet time getting the second proof to me. So, again I have to wait.

You may understand what I am going through. Whether waiting for test results, a person to make up their mind, or a job opportunity waiting kicks rocks! My only confidence is that God knows what he is doing in, through, and in spite of me. So, my waiting is not in vain. It still challenges me to my core, but what is happening in my heart in the mean time is the real miracle. So, I wait. “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen you heart: wait, I say, on the LORD” Psalms 27:14…Just a thought.

Repent?

Think on this…I don’t know what you think about when you hear the word repent. It has been made to sound like an aggressive word that religious people use to make the spiritually unassociated feel bad. That is not the true connotation of the word. It means to make a 180° turn in a better, more beneficial direction. It’s not a bad word, at all.

Here is the truth. No matter how bad you have messed up your life or how wrong you have been, God still loves you. His amazing grace is for you. We often see God as someone who is trying to ruin our fun. That is the furthest thing from the truth. God is the one trying to forgive your wrongs and give you a beautiful future. He loves you enough to say repent so that you can have the best life possible. Who in their right mind would reject that? But people do it everyday. I think that part of the problem is that people like me have not fully explained this word.

Yes, repent and be saved from living below what God has for you. Repent and turn from the things in your life that you know are wrong. Repent and embrace a heavenly Father who loves you. Repent and live the life you were always meant to live. Repentance is a good word for everyone. “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?” Romans 2:4…Just a thought

Politically Speaking

Think on this…I usually don’t chime in on the politics of politics because it all seems like foolishness to me. So much of I scratch your back…you get the picture. I do, on the other hand, believe in standing behind issues. We recently had an interesting occurrence that grabbed the headlines from a serious matter such as Haiti. One political party was able to stop another from holding an uncontestable majority. Call me crazy, but I think that it’s a good thing.

I am not aligned with either of the major political parties. Because I am an unapologetically evangelical some would say that I am a Republican. Others would assume because of my race I would automatically be a democrat. Neither is true, and I resent the thought that I have to be one or the other. That’s just me. It does rather give me a chance to see things from a balanced perspective.

The reason I am happy for neither party to hold a super majority is that it keeps both parties honest. It forces the leading party at the time to allow push back on the ideas they are putting forth. That is how the system is supposed to work. When everyone in the room tends to think alike you have what is called “group think”. Which means it is easy to have blind spots in the pervading perspective and in the worst case scenario one party can just bully their way through bad legislation. So yes, I am happy that Massachusetts elected a republican for that fact alone.

I believe that when we see things as democrats and republicans it prohibits us from seeing things as Christians (if you are one of course). We should never be so supportive of a party that it blinds us to the issues they endorse that are in contrast to the bible. If you are in a party, fine. But have your views rooted in something greater than some party’s platform. The bible says, “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” Joshua 24:15 I refuse to serve a political agenda…Just a thought.

Thank you Louis and Elaine Williams

Think on this…I have an infection; it’s called an 18-year-old living in my house! I am attempting to train him to be a better man then he would be on his own. Its tough! But, I am reminded of when I was 18; I had some amazing people who allowed me live with them while in college. They taught me everything from lawn care to childcare, and I was glad to learn it (most of the time). I was so overwhelmed by their generosity that there was nothing that they could have asked that would have been refused.

Now, one distinction this family had was stern discipline. The husband was amazing at barking just loud enough to inspire fear while hugging enough to evoke confidence. The wife had a way of looking at you with, the Claire Huxtable stare, except you knew she would actually take you out if needed. She was from Philly, so she could back it up. They loved me. Their love helped me be the man that I am by, helping me get into college, see a healthy family dynamic up close, and develop skills to be a successful as a Christian. It’s the template I now use to do the same thing for my nephew.

The Williams were a model for one of my favorite scriptures, “And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?” Luke 16:12 As frustrating as it can get raising an 18-year-old, I have an awesome example before me. I hope that someday he will be able to look back and see the value we have added to his life and endeavor to do the same to another 18-year-old. I am apart of a rich legacy. What kind of legacy are you leaving? ...Just a thought

Prayer for Haiti

Father, I pray for the country of Haiti. In light of the country experiencing this devastating catastrophe let your grace to cover the country. Speed help there, and give strength to those who are in need. Bring coordination of resources and people that can truly support and offer assistance. Let relief and from countries around the world be distributed quickly.

I pray that the people of the Haiti would be comforted. For those people who are still alive, let them know healing and hope in the light of who you are. Let neighbor stand with neighbor and that nation come together like never before. For those injured, supernaturally heal wounds, where no doctor is present. Where families are separated allow connections to be made and information to be disseminated quickly. Allow supplies to get to those who are in the most need.

Where people have looked down on Haiti now cause Haiti to rise as a jewel here in the west. Allow that government to stand with and for the people of that country and be true servants. Please let all of the money donated be used for its desired use.

I pray that churches would prove their worth during this time. Let those who can’t get to Haiti pray like crazy for that nation. Where we have allocated resources to frivolous things, inspire them to allocate it to the least of these in this desperate time. Teach your church to once again love mercy, deal justly, and walk humbly with you God. In Jesus Name.

Your Help is Needed!

As we spread the word about College Impact:Empowering Collegiate Christians for Campus Influence we are asking that you help us. You can help by going to Damian's facebook page and tagging yourself in the College Impact Trailer video. By doing so you will increase the amount of people that are aware of this life changing book by Damian L. Boyd. You can also help by letting every college student and person that serves them know about the book as well. Thank you for being apart of the movement.