Solving The Puzzle

My wife and I have started playing a game called Kami 2 on our mobile devices. It’s a puzzle game where the player has a predetermined number of moves to change colored segments into one, unified color. It is addicting and if you really get into it, you will become frustrated. But if you keep at it and solve the puzzle, you will be satisfied...until you start the next level and become challenged all over again!

My wife introduced the game to her friend, who fell in love with it, even though she continually cursed it out!  She would play all night.  One morning, after staying the night at our house, she woke up tired. I asked her if she was ok. She stated, “Your wife has ruined my life!” I ask, “Why? What’s wrong?” She stated, “I stayed up until 1AM playing that darn game!  I got stuck on this level.” She wanted to feel the satisfaction of advancing to the next level of the game.  

We all want to do that! Whether it is a video game or real life: It may be a challenge you are facing on your job, a bully in school, a relationship issue, an emotional struggle, a financial trial, or a physical test with your health. Whatever you are dealing with, try the following:

1. Give yourself a head start - read all you can about what you are attempting to accomplish.
2. Focus on your task. Don’t allow your surroundings to distract you.
3. Don’t stop trying. Keep plugging away. Your experience is what will prepare you for the next level.
4. Connect with someone who can help you.  Community is so helpful when you are burdened. People can comfort and encourage you. They can also offer you helpful tips that you may not have thought of previously.

Many times, in real life, we keep ourselves up at night; we get frustrated; we fuss and cuss because we have spent SO much time on this level, when we know we should be at the next level by now.  

Try the tips above and see if they help you become successful this week in whatever you are facing.

Share your positive story with us below. The more we share, the more we help each other!

Everyday can be Brighter

Challenging week ahead? Take the following into consideration:

1. Try to See you challenges differently. Intentionally see the positive in every situation, change your perception of others who may be involved and keep an open mind.

2. Pray. Ask for wisdom. Ask for God's guidance in and perspective on your challenge. Intentionally respond the way He would respond.

3. Stay on course. Many times we don't see the results that we expect because we quit too early. Life is challenging, but you can make it.  Don't give up!  Don't give in!  See it through. You are building character and strength.

To see the full message, Click HERE: Next Level - Test Your Skills

Next Level

I remember when I worked an Information Technology (IT) job. It was outside of the larger organization’s IT department. You see, the organization was a PC based campus. I was brought in to help change the culture and implement Mac usability, for the creative side of things, in a smaller academic department.  

As I attempted to implement culture change, I was convinced that two of the higher up IT managers hated my guts! I didn’t know why. Maybe it was because of the PC/Mac difference. Maybe it was because I was the only minority in the entire building. Maybe it was because I was brought in to change things, and you know that people hate change. One of the guys would write bullying emails to me and talk about me to other people in the organization.  The other would set me up for failure.  When I needed to direction, I would ask for his assistance. Because I was new, he would give me bad information, then go to my boss’s boss to put me down.  I know this because my bosses boss talked to me to tell me what was going on behind my back. She wanted to get my perspective and to let me know that she was on my side. I guess I was an interruption in those guys plans.

One day, I got fed up and wrote a long email, telling them about themselves. I let my wife read it. She said, “Do you really want to send this? What will it accomplish?”  I didn’t send the email. Being in that situation taught me patience. I learned how to deal with all people, no matter how they treated me or what others may think of me. God knew that I needed that lesson before I would become a pastor.  I know that my faith was being tested. It would have been easy to quit; to go back to my old job; to say, I’ve had enough of this stuff! But I know that God was up to something great and He was molding and shaping me for my Next Level experience. Now, when I encounter challenging people, or my patience is tested, I can look at those situations differently and say, “Thank you Lord” and smile because I know He is up to something great in me. He is taking me to my Next Level.

What trials, tests or challenges are you facing this week? Try to look at them differently by:

1. Seeing the positive in each situation

2. Changing your perception of the people involved and

3. Keeping an open mind

Press through your challenges this week.  You will build strength, patience, character.  You will persevere!

Tell us about a lesson you learned through being challenged in the comments below.

This weekend, I am starting a new series at the Vineyard Church - Syracuse titled Next Level. I hope you can join us in person or online at vineyardny.org.

Are You Feeling Stuck?

What Are You DOING?!!?!!?

Sometimes...oftentimes we get stuck in a rut. We allow years to pass as we continue doing the same thing.  Many of us get frustrated with where we are in life, because our dream hasn’t been fulfilled, or time is passing us by, or things are not turning out the way we wanted them to.

If you do not like where you are right now; if you are not satisfied with your current condition; if you are waiting for something new to happen in your life, then I would like to suggest you do the following to bring more completeness and joy into your life:

1. Do something different TODAY.  Don’t wait until tomorrow. You can change your attitude, the route you take to school or work, your wardrobe, and how you treat others. You can enroll in a class or enrich your mind with educational content on khanacademy.com, open courses at Yale or youtube.com.  
2. Think outside of the box.  Talk to a variety of people about your ideas. If they say anything negative, try not to be discouraged. Use it as a learning experience. Take it for what it is worth - someone else’s opinion. Use others ideas to help perfect and polish your ideas.  
3. Maximize every moment with your family. You may not get another opportunity.
4. Do something great for someone else this week!

Make today different and better than yesterday.  

What will you do differently today? Encourage others by informing us in the comment section below.

Grow

Have you ever seen a tree grow?  Did it strain and struggle to push out fruit or leaves?  Did you hear it say, “Uuuhhhgggg!  I have to try harder to make more branches today! Arrrggghhh, my leaves aren’t full enough. I have to struggle to get them to grow!”  No, you haven’t, because as long as it gets water and sunlight, as long as it is in the right environment, it will grow.

Babies naturally grow...if you take care of them.  If you feed a baby properly, giving them the nutrition and quantity that they need, they will grow.  I was checking on my daughter as she slept last night and I noticed something, she is now sleeping in her bed diagonally. I realized, she is almost too long for her bed!  Now, my wife and I need to invest in a larger bed that will facilitate her growth for the next few years.

Growth comes naturally when it is properly facilitated.

1. What area are you growing in?  
   
2. What do you need to change around you to facilitate your growth?
   
3. What can you do to maximize your growth?
   
4. What is blocking or hindering your growth?

Sometimes we hinder our own progress by putting off the steps we need to engage.  We may become distracted by life, our kids, our job, our health and/or our circumstances.  I know there is an area in your life that you want to grow in. You may have already started and become distracted.  I want to challenge you to choose ONE area in your life that you would like to grow in and take ONE step this week to fulfill that, to grow, to develop, to achieve success. Most positive things in life won’t happen overnight.  They take preparation, determination and focus.  

You can do it! You can grow.  You can progress. You can advance.  You can develop. You can be all that you want to be, plus more!

Leave a comment below and tell us what step you will take this week.

Rewrite Your Story

I remember my first year of college. I was an electrical engineering major at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. Go Golden Bears! Like most college freshmen, I invested much of my time studying...how to be free and have fun!  

My mom visited the campus for the closing exercise of a program I was in. The Dean of the school was at the awards ceremony, where I won the ‘Funniest Student’ award. I had so much fun during those days. After the ceremony, I listened in as my mom had a conversation with the Dean. She asked him, “Are there any scholarships available that Gary can apply for because we really can’t afford this.” I distinctly remember the Dean’s response, “Sorry, but he is not engineering material!”

Brokenhearted, I carried that statement with me for three years.  My determination, my motivation, my focus and my goal over those three years was to prove that clown wrong! I couldn’t believe someone would say such a thing about me.

I allowed that man’s negative statement to rule my life for three years. During my junior year, it dawned on me, I don’t even like electrical engineering! Why did I waste three years of my life?  I allowed someone else to write my life’s story for that time. I was emotionally battered and my grades suffered. With my senior year approaching, I made a drastic decision. I would change my major.  

I found something that I was really interested in; something that really drove me. I still use those skills today.  In fact, I’m using them right now as I write this entry.

I made a decision to write my own story. I remember at that moment allowing myself to be inspired by God to pursue what would offer Him glory and bring me happiness.

Wherever you are in life; whatever you are up against; whoever is against you; whatever you are going through; and wherever you are in your walk with Jesus, take a quiet moment right now and meditate on this: God, what is it that I can do right now to change the course of my life so you will be honored and I can be happy? Inspire me Jesus.

Whatever you were inspired to do, DO IT! Don’t wait. Fulfill your destiny!

Do not allow other’s negativity to write your life story for you.  Do not allow yourself to be trapped in some other authors narrative. With Jesus’ inspiration, start rewriting your life story today. And make it AMAZING!

I would love to read the story of your great turnaround. Share it below so that we all can be inspired.

Is The Rain Impacting Your Progress?

It's raining today in Syracuse, NY. There is no sunshine and I don’t see anyone outside enjoying themselves. Everyone I see seems to be on a mission to get to their destination. 

Many people living in Syracuse love the snowy weather, but I haven't seen the same sentiment expressed about the rain. 

The rain is interesting. It falls on everything in its path. It makes us uncomfortable, to the point that we rush to get out of it. Visual beauty seems to disappear in the rain. Everything absorbent becomes wet and soggy. Dirt becomes mud. Rain brings about dangers to our modern society. Roads become slippery, electricity becomes more of a hazard. Too much rain may cause flooding in certain areas, which can bring about drownings, disease and other safety issues. I have also noticed that people tend to smile less in the rain. 

The rain is interesting. Even though it seems to bring so much depression, it is actually the miracle we all rely on. It sustains life on our planet. It is the source of our drinking water. It causes our food sources to be plentiful. I read somewhere that work productivity increases when it rains. Finally, someone told me that its great to make out in the rain 😚.

No matter how much we may be hindered by the rain; no matter how much chaos it may bring to our immediacy; no matter how much it may delay us from reaching our destinations; no matter the dangers that it my present; no matter the obstacles it may create for us, we have to keep in mind that eventually it will work out for our benefit. 

If you are experiencing trouble in your life right now, know that your greatest blessing will come out of that challenge, if you endure it.  You have what it takes to overcome it or you would not be trusted with it. God is working something out within you to make you stronger, wiser, and better equipped for the plans He has for your future.  When it rains on you today, put up your umbrella and stand tall in the midst of the storm. Keep progressing to your destination.  You will make it.  The rain is only temporary. The sun will eventually shine. 

Until you get to that great moment, focus on your progress; work diligently to conquer your challenges and keep in mind that your victory is on the way! You have the strength to make it, you just have to believe that God has given you everything you need to endure and advance.  Continue progressing.

Can we learn from a buoy?

Buoy - an anchored float serving as a navigation mark, to show reefs or other hazards, or for mooring.

Even though it has an anchor connected to it, it never sinks. Sometimes our problems and circumstances feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders.  Sometimes it feels like we are being pulled down and we are all alone in this ocean of life. When we make that our focus or our priority of thought, we lose focus on what we were created for. Or we never realize how we are being used in our situations. You see, a buoy was created to sit alone in an ocean.  Without its weight, it would be tossed in whatever direction the current of life moved it. A buoy was designed to be a navigation mark which warns of hazards. It actually serves others. It helps others know when danger is ahead, because it lives in the open water.  It sees danger every day. It battles the current of the ocean everyday. It is hit with waves that try to drown it and sink it daily. 

You see, you are a buoy. You have been placed in the world for a specific purpose that serves others.  You have been placed where you are,  at this very moment, for the purpose of the creator; a purpose to serve others, to help others.  That may be in seeing the dangers that you have already been through; warning of troubling circumstances; or standing still to allow others to see how you deal with adversity, troubles and trials, or actively pursuing what is right in an environment of wrong. 

The buoy is weighted. It has been anchored so that it won’t be carried away whenever it is pushed, battered or bruised.  It will move, but it will not alter. It will stand for what it was created for, no matter what it faces. And when the waves of life beat it up, it doesn’t give up!  

Don’t give up!  No matter what you have gone through, are going through or will go through, pursue your purpose, stand firm against adversity; stand firm against what you know is wrong, not just for yourself, but for everyone who crosses your path. 

God has created you for a purpose.  He has placed you where you are, right now, to accomplish what He has destined you to do or to learn and be prepared for what he is planning for your future. 

I have been called to live as an example to break down the still present walls of segregation, discrimination, misunderstanding and hate in our world. That’s so hard! God has positioned me in a situation that is not comfortable. I never intended to live in the ninth most segregated city in the United States. I didn’t know that statistic before moving here. I also am a pastor at a predominantly white church. I am black and that population is less than two percent at this church. Convincing people to move out of their comfort zone and embrace what makes them uncomfortable is a challenge, but a necessary one to make this a better world. 

What is your calling, mission or purpose?  What challenges are you facing? What are you doing, in the midst of your circumstances to serve others?  

Leave a comment and let's start a discussion that will change this world!