SOUL SEARCHING

Hey Everybody! Just wanted to take a moment to share some thoughts about "Soul Searching". I believe in the midst of a hectic and chaotic world, it's important that we take a moment to discover our inner-self. Now I'm not trying to be spooky, deep or mystical but I do believe that self-examination is needed and necessary. Self examination begins with PRAYER! Talk to God about YOU! There are so many unanswered questions concerning YOU and it's important that you take the time to talk to God concerning those unanswered questions.

I believe that a lot of what we find out during times of Prayer and meditation through self-examination helps us to battle and overcome many of the tiring issues that weigh us down! I have personally discovered that "soul-searching" has revealed some important things about myself and given me the opportunity to bring closure to many of the daunting and pending circumstances that surrounded my life.

Finally, Soul Searching must be on-going, continue to seek God for clarity and understanding concerning your life, I believe that in doing so you'll discover the BEST You in whatever situation you may find yourself! Until next time guys, BE STRONG! You've been blogging with Pastor V.

PEACE!

- PV

INCORRECT LYRICAL THEOLOGY

I was sitting and thinking about all of the Gospel/Christian Music that many of us as Christians listen to and I've come to realize that half of them are what I would like to call "Theologically Incorrect". Theology has to do with our Knowledge of God! Many of the Gospel/Christian songs that we listen to have no biblical or scriptural backing! The lyrics in the songs seem to be pretty much what comes to peoples mind! While the lyrics sound spiritual using words like, "God", "Him", "Faith", "shout", "praise", etc., many of the songs really don't line up with what's in the Word of God!

A couple of songs in particular come to mind (I won't mention them in this Blog), but one song in particular sung by a famous gospel duo, that has become most popular among churchgoers, saints and believers never even mentions anything that implies something spiritual, biblical or Godly. It's basically an inspirational song of encouragement and motivation but definetly not Biblical and has absolutely no Theological Tone or Thought! While that's fine and all, that song should fall under "Contemporary R&B" rather than Gospel.

I just believe if you're a Gospel Group or Singer your songs should reflect just that "The Gospel" (The Good News of Jesus Christ) AND reflect as much of what the Bible has to say as possible. Just some thoughts of mine guys, feel free to comment and give your thoughts. Be Blessed!

- PV

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
- WINSTON CHURCHILL

DON'T GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS Part I

I just want to take a few minutes in Part one of this Blog to encourage someone who may be struggling with moving forward with the Dream that's on the Inside of you. First off know this, that you're an amazing individual and so is that Dream that's you've concieved. Whether you want to start a business or a Family, whether you're seeking to go back to school and further your education, whether you're looking at changing careers, buying a house or some sort of Real Estate or even making a Decision Spiritually, it's your dream to pursue, don't stop until you've accomplished everything you need to see it to the end. Here are some tips that I've found to be both helpful and influential:


1. GIVE GOD YOUR DREAM

2. PRAY OVER YOUR DREAM

3. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT YOUR DREAM, ENCOURAGE YOUR EFFORTS, COMMUNICATE TRUTHFULLY TO YOU ABOUT YOUR DREAM AND CHALLENGE YOU BEYOND YOUR COMFORT ZONE.

4. ALWAYS THINK POSITIVE ABOUT YOUR DREAM EVEN WHEN CHALLENGES SURFACE DURING THE PROCESS.

5.  PUSH PAST YOUR LIMITS.

I'll be back this week to give us five more tips that I believe will helpful! Be Encouraged and Keep Dreaming!


- PV

VISION 2013 - GROW

As the Lord continues to speak to me concerning the Vision of the House for CCFC for 2013 and beyond, I am confident that He wants our Intentional Focus moving forward to be on GROWTH! The three areas of Growth will be: WORSHIP, OUTREACH AND SERVING (THROUGH OUR GIFTS)! It my earnest desire that we as a Church pursue Growth in God through these areas and bring Glory to God in all that we say and do! I'm so excited about the souls that will be saved and those whom God will raise up to begin Serving in Ministry. This will be the year of God's Divine Perfection as we "Take the Limits Off".

G. - GOD
R. - REWARDS
O. - OUR
W. - WORK

-- PV

FRIDAY THOUGHTS

Well we've reached another Friday, which means for many of us we've reached the end of another Work Week. For some of us it's been challenging and even chaotic, but through it all we've made it! Through all of the disappointments of the week it's great to say we've made it. So take some time this weekend to reflect and remember everything you have to be thankful for, it'll cut down on the complaints as we exit the week and enter into the weekend.

Do something fun, safe and exciting this weekend, you deserve it! Spend time with family or great friends, visit a museum, eat out at a great Restaurant, go see a Play or a Movie! Then go to Church on Sunday and Praise God that you have made through another week of challenges!

Be Encouraged until we talk again!


- PV

MY FITNESS JOURNEY

Back near the end of August 2012 I made a purposeful and determined decision to begin giving more attention to my Health. At that time I was in the worst shape of my life, I was the heaviest I'd ever been and the most unhealthy as I'd ever been and I was starting to really feel it. One of my problems was I was eating heavy meals late and then going straight to bed (that's a no-no). \

I was also eating very unhealthy foods (Fried, greasy, sugary foods, etc.) So I decided to get me a personal trainer and begin a Fitness Program that will help me to get back down to my ideal body weight as well as help me to get off of the current BP Meds that I take daily. I'm by no means a Fitness Guru or Professional but I do understand the importance and significance of being healthy.

Since August I've dropped 22 pounds! Now I'm not that impressed with that number, but I am grateful because that's 22 pounds less that I have to lose. My goal date to be at my ideal body weight is Thanksgiving 2013. I'm looking to lose 100 more pounds. Some of you may say Wow that's a lot of weight and yes it is, but it's the personal goal that I've set for myself and I'm determined to get there.

When I tell people I was more than 100 pounds overweight, they're almost shocked because I didn't look like it, mainly because of my 6'1" frame. Nonetheless, I know I was more than 100  pounds overweight and it was literally killing me (emotionally and physically).

So as I continue on this Fitness Journey I want to encourage someone who needs to set a goal for your life, whether it's fitness, educational, spiritual, relational or financial set that goal and stick to it and don't stop until you see the end result...no matter how long it takes! My Motto for my Fitness Journey is "If you Believe, You can Achieve" and I encourage somebody to embrace this same saying, if nobody else is going to be believe in you, you believe in your Yourself! Listen, although I have a long way to go and no, it isn't EASY, BUT I'm determined to make it to my goal!

Let me leave with a scripture...Ecclesiastes 7:8a. (NLT) says, "Finishing is better than starting...", bottom line, FINISH WHAT YOU STARTED!

-- STAY STRONG!

PV

iCare

There's a saying that goes, "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care". Well in my time in Ministry and Spiritual Leadership, I've discovered that there is so much validity and truth to this statement. The more I serve people the more I understand how important it is for them to know you care. Caring is a visible tangible action that is carried out in the life of others while serving and doing ministry to them.

People don't mind following Leaders who care! I believe that my effectiveness as a Leader centers around my willingness to care and love the people that I lead and those God allows me to encounter outside of the physical structure of the Church building. It doesn't matter if I can preach well,  if I can teach well or if I am fluent in quoting scriptures, unless my love and care for people is genunine, authentic and pure then all of that means absolutely nothing. If lives are going to be changed, I must Care. ICARE!


-- Be Strong!
P.V.

No more Limited Thinking, think outside the Box

One of the Biggest enemies to Progress is Limited thinking! I call Limited Thinking, Stale thinking! Limited thinking is detrimental to you seeing beyond what you've always known (the familiar). I've encountered some people that have been so programmed to think inside of the circle of the "Familiar" that when they've encountered something fresh, new or innovative they literally cringed at the thought of it. Limited thinking keeps one from experiencing growth on so many levels. Just because it's the way you've always seen or heard it done, doesn't mean that, that's the ONLY way it can or should be done!

So many have been almost intimidated into limited thinking, even in the church! Their are some who are made to feel that if they go outside of how they've always seen or heard it done, then they're going to hell or they're less of a Christian than they've professed to be. This almost becomes an insecure or fearful mindset! I say it all the time and I'll say it again, Our MESSAGE doesn't Change, but our Method can! As long as the Method doesn't compromise Biblical principals and standards it's ok to think outside the BOX! So whatever your BOX is (Church tradtion, home, school, family tradition, old habits, etc.) don't be "stuck" in your ways, it's time to start thinking outside the BOX!

Isaiah 42:9 (NIV) "See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.”

 

~STAY STRONG

PV

DON'T SETTLE

Your Potential is always Greater than your Limitations! Don't Settle!

~Stay Strong!

PV