Strong and Courageous

Strong and Courageous

If I can be honest, even though I may appear tough and put together on the outside, I'm not on the inside.  I have fears that make me feel weak and afraid.  Even to the point at times of losing my focus on the path of God's plan for my life.  You could say fear and weakness can be major distractions.

So what do I fear?  Well probably not what you may think.  I fear failure, being inadequate for God's calling in my life, not being used by God, I fear missing out serving the LORD.  I also fear the voices; you know the voices inside your head.  No I am not crazy or insane.  I fear the same voices most people hear.  I am taking about the voice of doubt.    Some of the things I hear are “You are not adequate enough” “You are not committed enough” “You are not talented enough” “You are not wise enough” “You are too busy” “You will never be able” “You are not disciplined enough” “You are not …” And the one that seems to get us all “Did God really say…”

Just recently I returned from a Youth mission trip to Ridgecrest North Carolina.  Prior to and during the mission trip, satan was doing all he could to hinder, distract, and even stop what God had planned.  There were all kinds of issues, distractions, and problems leading up to the mission trip.  Throughout the weeks leading up to the mission trip, I began to feel doubt and fear.  But then I was also constantly reminded that I did not have to be afraid, I could be strong and courageous. 

Every time I felt doubt or fear, I always spoke Gods truth and promises to satan.  I also reminded myself and the all the others that God was about to do something big and satan was doing his best to hinder and stop what God had planned for each of us.  Through it all we all clung to the promises of God that we can be strong and courageous because He was with us.  Have you ever stopped to think and believe that if God has called you to a particular task, then He is going to provide the means and methods to complete what He desires?

 It is not the weakness of God that leads to our failures.  It is when we surrender to our fears that we fail.  This past week, we refused to surrender to the doubts and fears and through it all God moved in ways greater than what we had experienced before.  The testimonies of this mission trip are so great and too much to tell, but I can say this; we climbed out of the valley and rose to a mountain top all by the strength of God.  We may not be fearless, but we certainly learned to fear less. 

In the LORD, you are made strong and courageous.  Your assurance comes with His presence in your life as He walks with you and leads you.  In Christ Jesus, you are never alone. 

The picture is from top of a mountain overlooking the Smokey mountains.  We went to the mountain top to view the sunrise during our mission trip.

 

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

May my life be the proof and evidence of Christ’s Love!

Fasting From Fleshly Desires

Recently I have been going through the Beatitudes in the book of Matthew and preaching on them in our Youth group.  This past Wednesday I preached on Mathew 6:16-18 where Jesus preached about fasting.  Theologically I know there is a lot of depth and breadth to fasting that can be discussed.  However, one thought that came to me as I was studying that I would like to share; fasting from fleshly desire. 

As I was reading through Isaiah 58, fasting from fleshly desires caught my attention.  For one I understand that fasting should not only be for our benefit spiritually, but also for the benefit of those in need.  Our doing without should benefit those in need.  Isaiah 58:6 reveals this truth; however I see another purpose in this verse.  Fasting from fleshly desires.

Isaiah 58:6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

There is no doubt that fasting is commonly associated with food, but not limited to nutritional intake.  Jesus came into this world to set us free from the bondage of sin.  He offers us another option to sinful fleshly desires.  He offers us His way, truth and life.  Jesus spoke this as it relates to salvation; “Unless you repent, you too will perish.” (Luke 13:3,5). 

Repent is to turn from sin.  In other words it is to eliminate and even deny yourself sinful behaviors and practices.  Fasting is to deny yourself food or other physical needs.  Both are practiced for the purpose of drawing nearer to God.  They are practiced so that your spiritual life can be renewed and transformed.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Let me share this thought with you; fasting from fleshly desires.  When you fast, eliminate, and deny yourself sinful and fleshly desires, then are you not set free from the yoke of oppression?  Think about it, sin is a yoke that keeps us in bondage to the flesh and ways of this world.  Sin is the yoke that oppresses you spiritually.  Sin is an addiction and addiction just as damaging as drugs, alcohol and sex. The only cure for any addiction is to eliminate and deny yourself whatever it is you are addicted to.

May I encourage you to fast from your fleshly desires so that you may be set free from the oppression of sin?  In doing so my prayer is that your life will be renewed and transformed in the likeness of Christ.

The picture is me and Laura.  Laura was once oppressed by abandonment and abuse in another country.  She was adopted by and American family. I was blessed with the opportunity to share Jesus with her during a youth mission trip.  Laura has been set free!

 

Romans 13:14   Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

May my life be the proof and evidence of Christ’s love!

Compromising Faith and Ministry is Not Negotiable:

During the spring of 2010, Carri and I had to make a very difficult decision.  This decision had a direct impact on our financial future, the security of our home and our family.  Like most people we made our mistakes and as a result placed ourselves in bondage to debt.  I am not proud of it and wish I knew then what I know now.  Never place yourself in bondage to debt.

The effects of Huntington's disease had taken enough toll on Carri mentally and emotionally, that her job as a nursing instructor had become too much.  We knew that this day was going to come. Our hope is that it would be after our children were grown and graduated. Guess what? It did not wait.  After a season of sincere prayer, Carri and I both agreed that it was time for her to resign the teaching position that she held at the local college.  Carri had been teaching students to become registered nurses for over ten years.

After making the decision that Carri would resign, I began the pursuit for another job.  We both knew that if we were going to survive financially, I was going to have to have a second income.  We also were going to have to find a way to pay off a huge amount of irresponsible debt.  Prior to Carri’s resignation, our household income was pretty much split 50/50.  Yes, we were living check to check.  The scary part of this decision; knowing we were going to lose half of our income.

The first thing we did was cash in Carri's retirement savings.  We saw no other option other than bankruptcy.  Bankruptcy was not an option.  We acquired the debt; we were responsible for paying that debt back.  It was hard closing her retirement account, but it was rewarding at the same time.  Cashing out retirement early does not come without a significant penalty.  We lost about half of the money to penalties, fees and increased taxes.  Our financial advisor advised strongly against cashing in this account.  She understood how great the financial loss would be. In spite of what seemed logical, in our hearts we knew paying off debt was the right thing to do.  We had to take the loss in order to ensure our future.  More importantly the ministry God had given us.  In paying off most of our debt, we had a piece of mind.  A large portion of the debt we owed had been redeemed.

Paying off most of our debt was still not good enough.  It was going to take more than that to manage our mortgage, utilities, and keep food on our table.  I began to working extra with my current employer as an RN and a medic.   Carri accepted a part time job with a Hospice program.  That may seem like more stress, but it has actually become a ministry for Carri.  She can relate to dying and has something more to offer.   At the same time I was also searching for a second job.  It seemed like every opportunity I found had a direct impact on my ability to continue leading youth group on Wednesday nights and Sunday morning bible classes.

Needless to say, I became extremely frustrated.  I knew in my heart God had called me to ministry.  I remember thinking; “If God had called me to ministry then why would He take me out of it because of the need for income?”  He wouldn't.  I began to pray; "Lord you know my needs, and I trust in you to provide.  Committing to a job that involves working on Wednesdays and Sundays in not an option. I refuse to compromise the ministry you have called me to."  Let me tell you, that prayer and vow pretty much eliminated every plausible option I had for a stable income.  There were no other options left.  Yes I became stressed and worried.  I had no idea how I was going to provide for my family.  I was willing to sell all we had in order to make it happen.  However, some things you just can't sell.  Like medical debt.  Over the previous few years and even recent months we had acquired medical debt that weighed a heavy burden on us financially.  Like every other debt, we were going to pay back what we owed and still owe.

I was sincere in my vow that I was not going to compromise the ministry God had called me to.  Even in my sincerity, I also needed a sign. I was hoping for something only God could reveal to me assuring that I was being faithful and doing the right thing.  Randomly one Sunday after church services, our pastor said he needed to talk to me.  I thought for sure he knew the problems we faced and he was going to find a youth pastor to fill my role.  Someone who could be more committed and less strained.  To my surprise he said this "The church affirms your call to ministry and we want to ordain you into the ministry.”  Now that was a sign!  He went on to say; “We also want to hire you part time.  We cannot afford to pay you much, but we feel led to pay you something."  "WOW!" I was thinking, “Are you serious?” Tears poured out of my eyes.  It was so surreal, my mind was questioning; “Did I really just receive the sign I had asked God for?  Yes I did!”

Matthew 6:31-34 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own

Easter Sunday April 4, 2010 I was ordained into the ministry.   It was one of the greatest highlights in my life.  Sure things are tough, but that does not matter.  The investment Carri and I are now making is not in a retirement, it is not in things that will fall apart, waste away or be destroyed.  We are investing in something money cannot buy.  We are committed to investing into people’s lives.

 

 

The picture is me sharing the gospel with some children during a MFUGE mission trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico. I was using an evangicube.  The Boy next to me is playing with it. 

Matthew 6:19-21  "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also

May my life be the proof and evidence of Christ’s love!

God Does Not Call the Qualified, He Qualifies the Called

I spent the next several months after the youth mission trip to Mobile Alabama debating with God.  He was calling me to youth ministry and I was trying to convince Him that I was the wrong guy.  I promise I had more excuses that Moses’ ever dreamed of having.  At times, I would think to myself; “I can do this.  All I need to do is be more like this youth pastor or that youth pastor.”  I was always looking at the ministries of other pastors trying to figure out how I could mimic their gifts, talents, abilities, and methods.  However, I would always come to the same conclusion; I cannot be that person.  Then I would say to God "see I told you so."

Sunday February 14, 2010 is the day it all came to a head between God and I.  I was sitting in the front pew of the church waiting for the morning services to start.  Everything seemed routine and normal; there was nothing out of the ordinary.  All of the sudden I began to hear in an audible voice "Are you, or are you not going to surrender to ministry?"  I know it was not an audible voice that others could hear, neither was it an audible voice I heard in my own ears.  It was however an audible voice I could hear coming from within my soul.  I cannot explain it, but I just know it was audible and it came from my heart not my head.  I tried to tune the voice out and ignore it, but I could not. 

Worship music started and I began to sing.  The louder I sang the louder the voice inside my soul spoke.  Again I tried ignoring it, but I could not.  My heart began to pound in my chest and my voice began to quiver as I was singing.  It got so bad I could not sing any more.  When I could no longer sing and all I could do was listen, the music began to fade. Then, God said something different.  I heard this; "The answer is either yes or no.  If yes, I will do great things in and through you.  If no, I will be finished with you and I will ask no more."  Immediately tears began to stream from my eyes and I said "yes!" 

After saying "yes!" to God, I walked over to our pastor Brother Steve.  The worship music was still playing but that did not stop me.  I told him I was surrendering my life to ministry.  Brother Steve smiled, patted me on the back and said, "It's about time."  At the end of the service, I went before the church and made my profession of commitment to ministry public.  I never felt so excited about my faith before than like I did that day.  God was not looking at my qualifications all He wanted from me was a simple yes.   Yes meant that I would surrender all my trust upon Him.  He would do the qualifying for His calling on my life. 

The excuses I had were all about me and not about what God could do.  Ministry should never ever be about the pastor or leader; it should always be about God.   God created us in His image and we try to recreate God in our image when we try to justify God by our qualifications.  How sinfully wrong we are in this thought process.  God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.  Therefore any ministry built apart from God’s qualifying abilities is a failed ministry.  May I go as far as saying that any ministry built apart from the qualifications of the living God amount to nothing more than idolatry. 

The picture is CHAGY the Clown ministering and sharing the gospel with some kids in Nicaragua.  If you know anything about clowns, they can act pretty foolish.  CHAGY is one of the most God qualified evangelists I know.  

I Corinthians 1:25-31 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. 26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

May my life be the proof and evidence of Christ’s love!

I Am Not, But The Great I AM Is

Right after I started leading our churches youth group, we had a youth mission trip. The week of July 4, 2009, I was the new leader for the youth MFUGE trip to Mobile Alabama. MFUGE is comparable to a mission trip, church camp, and revival on steroids. Lifeway ministry organizes these particular events. It was during this week, I debated with God whether or not He could use me.

I had honestly been struggling with the temporary youth leadership role I had been asked to fill. I had no idea how long it was going to take to find a new youth pastor. My struggle was the fact that I was still rather shy, quiet, timid, and fearful. During this week, God began to speak to me in a way I had never heard or experienced before. Repeatedly The LORD was saying "Bill I want you to lead the youth, I want to use you to reach them for Me. I am going to use you to do this. You will teach them to worship and love Me. You will show them who my son is. Your life and leadership will become the proof and evidence of who I am, through you they will come to know me." My immediate response was something like this "God, I am not able, I am not biblically wise, I am not able to speak, I am not smart enough, I am not strong enough, I am not courageous enough, I am not secure enough, I am not popular enough, my life is not stable enough, I am not……" Throughout this week and the weeks that followed, this was the context to the debate God and I was having.

The main theme for that years MFUGE was having faith, faith to believe, faith to take a stand, faith to move forward, faith to do what God has called you to do. The story focused on Moses and the burning bush. Moses was drawn to what seemed impossible, a burring bush that was not being consumed. My life was a burring bush because of the things I had faced and dealt with in the past, my personality, lack of confidence, and even more so our battle with Huntington's disease. Just like the burning bush that was not being consumed or destroyed by fire, neither was my life. By all standards, my life and family should have been a train wreck so to speak.

Just like me, Moses had one excuse after another as to why he could not do what God had called him to do. God's response to Moses’ doubt was "I AM." For several months, I argued with God. " I am not able, I am not biblically wise enough, I am not able to speak well, I am not smart enough, I am not strong enough, I am not courageous enough, I am not secure enough, I am not popular enough, my life is not stable enough, I am not……blah blah blah…" God's response to every excuse I had was "I AM."

Looking back, my faith and trust in the Lord was weak and pitiful. Who was I to say “No” to God? Of course, I cannot do the things of God, but He can and He will in and through anyone who is willing to surrender and say “Yes.” After all, He is the great I AM.

Are you like Moses and I, do you doubt what God can do in and through you? I assure I was one of the worst doubters, but now I am one of the most assured believers. God is the “I AM.” He is the one who gives us the strength and courage to do what He has called us to do. He has never called anyone to be qualified first. As a matter of fact, no one is qualified enough in self to adequately represent God. God however is adequate enough to qualify those He has called. All you have to do is say “Yes!”

It is in this story and the next couple of stories that I began to discover God’s will and purpose for the church.  The picture is the group of youth we took to MFUGE, Mobile Alabama 2009.

Exodus 3:14 ,God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' "

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.

May my life be the proof and evidence of Christ’s love!

Jared is Going to Die

The same year that Beware got a new name, God had also put another young man on my heart.  This story is pretty cool.   This kid did not get a new name, but he did a new life.  By the way, this story is a little longer than most, but I promise it is well worth your time to read it.  God did something incredibly amazing!  You will be glad you read it, I promise.

At MFUGE, there are several track groups divided into various ministry focuses.  There are tracks for children's ministry, games and recreation, social, PCY (painting, construction, yard work), and creative.  I was in a group involving children's ministry.  We would go to various sites like youth centers, children's homes, and even community parks.  We spent three days at the youth center where Beware/Brandon was a member.  We spent another two days in East Saint Louis at a community park. 

Our mission at the community park was to promote an outreach for a local church.  We went around the community inviting neighbors to come to the park and enjoy a family fair that we were hosting.  There were games, face painting, skits, crafts, prayer groups, music, tournaments, all kinds of fun and entertainment.  All of this was with the intention to gather community residents together in order to promote their local church. 

I and two other teenagers went out door-to-door inviting people to join us at the park.  We were given a very specific area that would could go and solicit.  Anything outside that area was gang infested; we were not permitted by any circumstance to go into those areas.  Bright colored shirts were not allowed because of the relation to gang colors.  There were a couple problems.  First, I never got the message about NOT wearing bright colors.  I had on a bright red t-shirt.  Second, there was nobody home in the area we were in. 

The teenagers I was with felt very discouraged since we had not been able to invite one person.  So we prayed, we prayed for God to guide us to the houses and to lead us to open doors.  Guess what, God did.

While walking down a particular street we noticed a group of teenagers shooting bottle rockets at apartment across the street breaking windows.  At first, we wanted to turn around because we realized we had entered into "gang territory."  But God said go, I was not the only one who felt that way.  Both of the teenagers I was with felt very strongly the same thing.   Honestly, none of us felt threatened in the least bit.

When we approached the group, it was interesting, we were not threatened but there were some crude remarks made.  I noticed one of the boys appeared to be handicap.  I invited him and the rest of the group to the park to come hang out. My challenge to them was to simply come and just check out what we were doing and what it was all about.  If they did not like it, they could leave.  No promise on their behalf was made.  I expected that would be the last we saw of any of them.

We went home that day disappointed, the gang of boys never showed up.  A few kids did, but not enough to outnumber the MFUGE group of about 25 youth.  We may have had 10-12  neighborhood kids come that day.  That night I prayed, I asked God to bless the efforts of the teenagers and the passionate desire of their hearts to reach kids who live in a very difficult environment.  I asked God to allow them the opportunity to share the hope they had with the kids that felt like there was no hope.

Day two in East Saint Louis rocked our world.  A couple other mission groups joined us in the park.   Kids literally were coming from everywhere, countless numbers of kids and their parents.  It was amazing.  But still there was no sign of the "gang."

Around lunchtime I noticed the handicap boy coming with his parent's and a few other kids.  Some of the teenagers were from that gang we had talked to the day before. When I saw them coming, I knew something divine was about to happen I could just feel it. 

The handicap boy's name was jarred.  I met Jared’s dad as soon as they arrived at the park.  He and I began to talk about church and God.  He told me this, "Jared has been praying for a sign, a sign from God that he will be ok.  He has prayed for months that God would bring someone into his life that could help him."  He went on to say, "Jarred made all of us come today because he felt like God said we all needed to be here, so we came."  I said, "I am so glad you are all here, we just want to encourage you, pray for you, and show you who God is."

Jared's dad then shared something very heart breaking.  He told me that Jarred use to be a very healthy very athletic kid.  He talked about how Jarred had been the spiritual leader in their home and he always kept his family in church.  That is until he got sick.  Jarred had some kind of unidentifiable disease that was ravaging his body.  His arm was drawn up into his chest, he walked with a stiff leg, and his speech was so slurred you could hardly understand what he was saying.  The doctors had no idea what was happening.  What they did know is that Jarred was going to die.  His airway was swelling gradually to the point that it was going to suffocate him to death.  They had seen every specialist in Saint Louis and repeatedly Jared was given no hope to live.

I asked Jared’s dad if we could pray for Jared.  His dad smiled and said, "Please do, please pray for Jarred.  Prayer is so important to him.  His faith is so strong, but his health has pulled him away from church and our family is falling apart.  Please pray."

I gathered up a few of the kids that I felt were strong in their faith.  As a group we gathered around Jared and with his permission prayed.  It was the most spiritually intense prayer experience I had ever felt up until that time.  Tears were flowing out of every eye.  We left that day feeling so broken and yet so touched.   We all felt blessed to have been allowed to be a part of Jared's life that day.  It was so hard for us to go.  None of us wanted to leave Jarred behind.  

Two years later, we returned to Saint Louis for MFUGE.  I never forgot about Jared or Brandon.  I was hoping I might be able to return and find out what happened.  Unfortunately I did not get to go back to Brandon's youth center nor did I get to go back to Jared's neighborhood.

It was during our night church group meeting that I got the answer to what I was hoping for.  I was encouraging our kids to just listen to their hearts and do whatever God was leading them to do.  I then shared Jared’s story.  I shared how God led us to his house, and how we were able to gather around him and pray.  I told them that we will not always know what God will do after we are gone, but we just needed to trust him.  I then told them how powerful our prayer experience was.  This is awesome; one of our girls raised her hand and said, "I know what happened to Jared."  My mouth hit the floor and tears came out of my eyes.  Then she shared this; "We met Jared at a community park today.  Jarred was sharing how an MFUGE group a couple years before had gathered around him and prayed.  He explained how he was going to die.  Then he went on to say that a couple weeks after they prayed, God healed him.  There is nothing wrong with Jared; he is very normal and very athletic."  "Jared is very much alive!"

Sadly, I don’t have a picture of Jared.  Prayer was more important than pictures that day.  The picture I am sharing is the mission track group I was with that year.

 

John 9:3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.

May my life be the proof and evidence of Christ’s love!

Beware Got a New Name!

Stepping down from the management position I had allowed me significantly more free time. The extra free time allowed me to become more active in serving with our church. Our oldest daughter Mackenzie was a teenager during this time and she loved the youth group and the things they did together. One of the more significant influences was the youth mission trip, MFUGE. MFUGE is a youth focused mission trip, through Lifeway ministries. MFUGE is best described as a youth church camp, mission trip and revival on steroids.

Carri and I have always been very active in our children's lives and their friend's lives. So MFUGE was a great opportunity for me to do something special with Kenzie in serving the Lord and building her faith with her friends. My first MFUGE mission trip that I helped chaperone was in Saint Louis Missouri.

This story is not about what happened with Kenzie, her friends and I. This story is about what I saw God do. He began to open my eyes to what happens when we truly submit to Him. When we surrender our all, He directs us in ways we could not imagine and He uses us in ways we can't believe.

My first opportunity through MFUGE was at a children and youth center. God brought to my attention a kid who called himself "Beware." Beware was a gang member, and he was about to be kicked out of the youth program. I was told by one of the adults at the center that Beware would not be coming back, that particular day was his last day. Beware had been enlisting other kids to join the local gang along with pushing drugs.

I asked the director if Beware could stay until the end of the week. At first, I was told "no." I went on to say, "God had put him on my heart, and I believed that God was going to use me to make a difference in his life. Could he please be given until the end of the week? If nothing changed, then by all means let him go." Shockingly, I was told "yes."

Boldly I began to build a relationship with Beware. I say boldly, I promise I was not comfortable at all. After a couple of days, I asked Beware if I could ask him some very serious questions. I also told him I wanted to share my life story with him as well. There was some divine intervention, Beware said "sure."

I asked Beware this question; "Are you satisfied with your life, or do you feel like something is missing?" Beware did not answer, but that was ok. No answer meant he was thinking about it. I went on to share my testimony with him. The same testimony that I have been sharing over the last few weeks. When I was finished, Beware had tears in his eyes. He mumbled, "I am not satisfied, my life is hopeless."

I shared the gospel with Beware and then asked him if he wanted to receive the gift of life through Jesus Christ. He said yes! It was right there in the middle of the youth center in front of all the other children and youth that we prayed together, Beware accepted Jesus Christ into his life as Lord and savior. When we were finished praying Beware said to me, "my name is Brandon, call me Brandon. I have a new life now"

Brandon returned the next day with a rap song that he wrote proclaiming his new faith and new life. He stood before the entire group and sang his new song. Everyone was cheering, even the programs director.

The following year we returned to Saint Louis and one of our youth met Brandon at the same youth center. Brandon was never told to leave. Instead, he became a leader in the same place he was nearly kicked out of a year before.

The picture is Brandon rapping his new song about his new name and his new life of HOPE in Jesus Christ!

Revelations 2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

May my life be the proof and evidence of Christ's love!