EVOLUTIONARY

About 2 months ago our Church, Canaan Christian Fellowship Church (CCFC) started something for Men called ManUp Men's Power Prayer Call, where the men of our Church and Community gather via conference call from 6:00 - 6:45  a.m. every Monday for Prayer and Devotion empowering men to be all that God is calling them to be in Christ. Over the past few weeks we have been discussing the topic of: "EVOLUTION". 

In short Evolution has to do with the process of Advancement, Change and Growth. We've been looking at different steps we can take as men to be Evolutionary, not allowing Pride and Shame to block us from making progress in our unique and individual journeys. The two steps we've discussed so far in our quest toward advancement, growth and change are; we need to be 1) GOOD LISTENERS and we need to be 2) TEACHABLE. 

Those who listen are those who learn, Having good listening skills will pay big dividends in the end. Our future highly depends upon our willingness be a good listener. Also we must be Teachable, and I don't just mean from the context of a classroom, conference room or pulpit, but being teachable means we must find a lesson in the classroom of Life, I mean in every detail of our lives, Even in the smallest most minute moments in life, we must allow ourselves to be trained and taught in those moments. Part of Evolving means ever learning, ever being a good listener and being teachable is something that must be consistent and ongoing. We should always look for ways and opportunities to become better and do better. Be Encouraged Somebody!


- PV

BEWARE OF SELF-CENTEREDNESS

SELF ABSORBED/SELF CENTERED: "Only Caring About and Interested in Self"

Self Centered individuals are easily identified but difficult to deal with. Self-centeredness is toxic and poisonous to any relationship and association on any level. It is no doubt a very annoying, disturbing and at times obnoxious behavior. Little to nothing can be accomplished with someone that is self-centered and self-consumed. Now I'm not saying don't love yourself and give attention to the details of your own life, but you cannot be so consumed with you, that you become unaware of those that socially exist within the world you live.  

Unfortunately and sad to say this behavior/spirit at times will show up in the church. This is something that we need to constantly and consistently guard against. In fact being self-centered and self-consumed is something that God disapproves of, and it can lead to division and disunity, especially as it relates to how the Bible calls for us as Believers to Love and relate to one another. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7(NLT) says this to us... "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance"

So here it is, being Self-centered and never putting it in check will cause one to become directly opposed to Loving according to the Bible's standard for Loving others. The answer to being self-absorbed and self-centered is HUMILITY, taking on the mindset that "it's not all about me". James 4:6a. says God "...gives grace to the Humble".  So let's make a conscious effort to be less self-centered and more Love-Centered keeping the interest of others in mind. 

- PV

TRANSPARENCY

I believe in and am one that is all for being Transparent. I believe that when one (especially a leader) is Transparent it brings light to the fact that this individual is far from being Perfect and is in need of the same Grace that everyone else is. However, with that said, I also believe there should be a balance when it comes to being transparent. 

We should not showcase and spotlight our flaws, frailties, mishaps and dysfunction without there being some balance between that and our attempt to live lives that are morally and spiritually exceptional. Transparency does not excuse one (especially leaders) from working to pursue a life of integrity, honesty, self-control, Godliness and exemplary character.

We must remain accountable to how the bible calls for us to live and lead as Leaders. Don’t get so caught up in being Transparent that your Transparency overshadows and undermines your need to continue to train yourself to be a person of Discipline and exemplary character. The energy I put into being transparent, should also be put into showing and sharing with others that I am pushing to pursue a life of Holiness in Christ Jesus!

Yes, I believe we should "keep it real" and "Keep it 100" with people, but our lives should daily reflect and be a demonstration of the fact that although we're not perfect, we are availing ourselves to be Transformed by the sustaining and life-altering power of Jesus Christ, daily moving toward a life of Godliness and Christ-likeness. Thanks for reading y'all! - PV

KEEP MOVING FORWARD

Moving Forward can sometimes be difficult! Even in my own life I found this to be true. Moving Forward is even more difficult when we allow other people's opinion to be an influence, especially when their opinion opposes our decision to move forward. 

I've discovered that people can hold up the necessary progress that we at times so desperately need to make in our lives, because of their unwillingness to embrace our need to move on and move forward to something fresh, new, innovative and exciting. Stop surrendering to what people "think" you should do and move on what you "know" you need to do. Just KEEP MOVING FORWARD! 

DEPENDABLE HANDS

Most people that know me, know that I’m a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan, so this Blog is not easy for me to write, Lol! Well, in 2007 which was probably one of their best Seasons it came down to one play in an NFC Conference Playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks, that would determine the next step in the Destiny of the Dallas Cowboys. It came down to a 19-yard winning field goal for the Dallas Cowboys.

However, when the long-snapper snapped the ball to the holder who was Quarterback Tony Romo at the time, something tragic happened, Tony Romo fumbled the snap. The thing that was given to him, the thing that was entrusted to him, the thing that he was supposed to safely take care of until it was successfully kicked through the uprights for a win, he fumbled, he lost, he negligently mishandled, all because his hands could not handle what was given to him.


The Cowboys went from a possible win to a sure defeat all because of the unsure hands of Tony Romo. I said all of that to say that when it comes down to your dreams, when it comes down to your aspirations, when it down your corporate and personal vision, when it comes to your life goals unlike the football in Romo’s hands in 2007, God will not fumble or mishandle what you place in His hands. You and I must understand that success and victory will not come if our dreams, our aspirations and desires remain in our hands, we have to learn to put them in the Hands of the Lord! In fact, if it's in your Heart, it's better off in His Hands! In  Psalm 37:4-5 (NLT) the Bible says... “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you” 

Listen y'all, trust God with everything that has to do with you and watch Him do what you can't do with what you give to Him. His Hands are sure, reliable and dependable!


- PV

I'M HURTING BECAUSE YOU'RE HURTING

Romans 12:15b. admonishes believers to "...Mourn with those that Mourn", as a way of taking on and sharing in  the hurt of our Brothers and Sister in Christ. This is a critical time for us as believers to show forth this kind of compassion as we continue to pray for our brothers and sisters at the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, SC. The families of those Victims that were gunned down by a lone 21 year old gunman following a Wednesday Night Bible Study will forever be affected by the murderous Act carried out by a young man who is lost, misguided, racist but most of all Unsaved! Although many of them have offered their forgiveness, they will no doubt continue to painfully try to get through life with this senseless act being a haunting memory. My heart aches for them and for the Emanuel Church, that is now without a Senior Pastor. I am trusting God that he will continue to bring healing and comfort to the families and to the community where this heinous crime took place. Charleston you are in our Thoughts and Prayers!


- PV

A WORD ABOUT INJUSTICE

Psalm 82:3(NLT) says... “Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute"

Recently there has been a lot of unrest and uprising in Baltimore, Maryland where a young black man was arrested, taken into custody by the Baltimore Police and while in their custody sustained some major injuries which eventually led to his passing. The six officers involved have recently been charged with several criminal acts relating to the incident involving the now deceased Freddie Gray. While we still don't know all of the details surrounding this case as there is much more information that will be given after further investigation and questioning.

My personal thoughts are this, let charges be brought to those who deserve it and justice to those who deserve it. One thing I will say is that the inexcusable behavior of a few law enforcement officers is not a reflection of them all. I in fact recently ran into a Police Officer in the DC Metropolitan area, and had an opportunity to hold a brief yet memorable conversation with him. During our conversation his actions and demeanor toward me was noticeably respectful, I almost felt like he intentionally behaved that way as a way of saying to me, "all of us aren't the same".

While I honestly appreciated his humble effort to come across the way that he did, I still understand and realize that there is still a major problem in our Country between citizens and some members of their local police departments, a problem that has been long-standing and most recently become an open and more noticeable concern within our communities. My prayer is that those who misrepresent and violate the law they're called to uphold would be held accountable for their actions and that those within our communities will unite to bring a tolerable solution to the injustice that's taking place from some of the members of law enforcement. I pray that our anger moves us not to violence but to civil and righteous action, helping to restore and redeem our communities where they become acceptable and proud places we once again can call home. #PRAYFORBALTIMORE!

STAY STRONG, 

- PV

SOCIALLY CHALLENGED OR NAH

I meet people all the time that are Socially Challenged. Personally I'm a people person and love people, but I realize I don't fit every circle. There are some circles that just aren't designed to handle what you bring personality wise. I've come across some people that are Very Social on Social Media but shy and isolated in person. They will give a full conversation on Facebook but will say little to nothing face to face with you. This doesn't make them a bad person it just works out like that sometimes as some people are more social behind a computer or phone, but struggle to be that same individual in person, it's just how they're wired. Growing up as a young boy I was very shy and there were certain visible signs that pointed to this and from time to time I run into both Adults and Children who display these signs (this is not an abbreviated list): 

1) They Look down when they talk
2) The talk very low
3) They give you little to no eye contact
4) They lack affection (they don't do well returning hugs)
5) Their answers are short and their conversation is little
6) They rarely initiate a conversation


So as you read this list ask yourself "am I Socially Challenged or Nah"? Like me some will improve in these areas as they grow older.


Until Next time,

- PV

Values help to Shape the Church's Culture

CULTURE: "the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization"

It is my opinion that a set of Core Values should be incorporated in the life of the local church! Core Value help to shape that Local Church's Culture. We are sure and stand on the Biblical Truth that Jesus Christ is our Foundation and therefore our building should be upon that Truth *(See 1 Corinthians 3:11).

So then what does this Process of "Building" look like? What is it that stands out about a particular local church besides the obvious, what makes us uniquely who we are? What is that we Value as a local Church, what we Value eventually becomes part of the identity of who we are. What we Value determines the way we do life together as a local church. So our Culture is shaped by our Values, who we are is indicative of what we Value. Just a little food for thought.

Be Strong! 
@JamesVeney

A FAITHFUL GOD

TAKING RISKS

Just about everything in Life involves taking a risk, from getting married to starting a new job to buying a new car to going on Vacation in some Foreign or Domestic place, there are risks involved. There are risks involved because you enter un-chartered waters and unfamiliar territory whenever you undertake and taking on different and new ventures in life. You are for certain going to encounter times and situations of Uncertainty and it is wise to prepare for them beforehand. The way you prepare is by expecting them, for they are sure to come. What is it that you're ready to take on that's unfamiliar territory but you're afraid of the RISK Factor involved in doing so? Well here it is, don't be afraid, taking Risks are part of the Process to Growth that takes place in our lives. I will never be able to progressively move beyond where I've always been, being afraid to go where I've never been. Go ahead, take Risks! 

Be Strong, 

- PV