TIRED OF BEING TIRED

Haven't been motivated to write anything. The year 2024 has been crazy so far. As I'm writing this, the list of people who have died has been body numbing. I remember 2016 was a banger year for deaths. Lest we forget the pandemic. Thoughts and prayers seems to sound cliche now. How many times have we actually thought about and prayed for those who are grieving?

Seems like everyday I scroll on social media, somebody is posting that somebody else has passed. From the entertainment industry to the church community. I heard a saying one time that went like this, "Appreciate what you have today, because it may not be there tomorrow." James 4:14 says, "...For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

My dad passed in January of 2022. There's not a night that goes by where he doesn't appear in my dreams. It's like my dreams can't comprehend that he's no longer alive. In my dreams, he's alive and well. It's like nothing has happened. I guess there's regret on my part for not saying anything during his home going service. As I'm typing this I haven't been to his gravesite. Little stuff like that bothers me. 

It's still hard for me to open up like I should. Like most people when asked how I'm doing, I say, "I'm fine." just to keep the conversation going. With the all the death going on, not to mention the election, asking people how they're doing is a deeper question than one might think. How am I doing? I'm tired of being tired, if that makes sense. You know how people say, "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired?" As the younger generation used to say, that part. 

Romans 8:18, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

Song writer said, "Trials form the tears in your eyes

Don't stop

I'm telling you

There's a blessing on the other side of through."

Ephesians 6:13-14a, "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore..."

Another song writer said, "I know that there's so much more for me. My heart is ready--ready to receive. I'm standing on His promise for He said He'll see me through it and I know He'll do it"

Here's another phrase that's been thrown around a lot lately, but it still holds true. "Don't give up." I'm not going to pretend like I got all the answers. Nor am I going to pretend I know how to tell anyone how to go through what they're going through. I'm just saying don't live in the valley. Walk through it. It's written, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." 

That's all I got for this one. I hope something was said to encourage. I hope that if you made it this far that you will share this with your friends and family. Don't forget to comment as well. Grace. Peace. Love.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

THIS MAY NOT CHANGE ANYTHING....

 I'm not here to change anybody's mind. I'm going to try and be extremely careful with what I want to say. Now I will say that I don't listen to Gospel rap like I used to. Not because I consider it blasphemous or anything. It's not because I got a "wake up" call about rap music. I'm still a rap fan. I'm not anti rap. I'm not anti gospel rap. Reach the nations. I still believe gospel rap can reach people that the church has thrown away if used right. My problem with gospel rap, again my, me, Daniel Richerson, my problem with gospel rap is that it's become a little too saditty. It lost the essence of what gospel music is supposed to be. Gospel rap to me has the same problem that hip hop in general has is that things are being rapped but nothing is being said. 

BUT....I believe that if some gospel rappers could sing, they would tell me and others, "You don't know my story. All the things that I've been through. You can't feel my pain. What I had to go through to get here. You'll never understand my praise. Don't try to figure it out because my worship is for real." I believe we don't know what worship really is. I believe worship is more than what we has the church has made it out to be.

John 4:23-24 KJV "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit,: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." 

I'm trying to be real careful with my words because I have typed on this subject before and used shall we say a more blunt approach. I do apologize if my words have offended anybody. 

I've referenced this song in another post, Preacher man by Canton Jones, and while watching the video, I saw a visual that almost brought tears to my eyes. It was a visual of missionaries and deacons dressed in their "Sunday's Best" sitting next and conversating with the people from the street with their street clothes on. Sitting next to each other while receiving the Word from the preacher. I asked myself the question, "Will I ever see that in my lifetime?" Will I ever see the church actual welcome folks in that don't look like, walk like, or praise like sit next each other and enjoy and participate in a church service together, or because they're considered hip hop...? 

I'm not trying to change anybody's mind. This is not meant as shot to anybody. This is a plea for conversation to happen between generations. This is a plea for those who sing out the hymn book to have a conversation with those who may listen to artists from Reach Records and God Over Money Records. This is a plea to actually let everything that has breath...

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

LAST BLOG OF 2021, I THINK...

Song writer said, "I don't need material things, all I need is the love You bring. This holiday, I came to say that Jesus is the only way." I've heard this lyrics all my life, but this year it really hit home. Understatement of the decade, this pandemic has been a life altering experience. Many if not most of us, has dealt with loss. If you're a reader of the blogs, you know I love using song lyrics if they fit in to the the subject I'm talking about. The song writer said, "I lost some joy. I lost some time. Now it feels like I will lose my mind. Journeyed long and lost my way, and now it feels like I've lost is all I say. Searching here and over there for what I've lost. Where is it? I don't know."

Like the lyrics said, I've lost joy and time, friends, and family, but I had to keep on keeping on. I'll be the first to say is easier said than done. When every other news story is another rapper dead, covid cases going up, another social media post showing were the funeral services is going to be, it's hard to keep going. All your life you've heard "Everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before," and you're wondering sweet where? How do you keep going when everything is crumbling down? You take it one day at a time. Realize you still got a journey that nobody can walk for you. Learn from the pot holes on the road that flatten your tires before and drive around them. It's written, "Like a dog that returns to its vomit, a fool does the same foolish things again and again." 

With that being said, some triggers you won't be able to avoid. As much as social media says they care about you, and it does sound encouraging, but that one co-worker and that one boss...know what I mean? It's written again, "The Lord will fight for you, and have only to be silent." It's also written, "When you are angry, don't let that anger make you sin, and stay angry all day. Don't give the devil a way to defeat you." Easier said than done sometimes because some people know how to push the right button. It gets to that point where you got to say what you need to say and apologize later. Just remember to apologize. It may not be the day of. It may take some time, but just make sure that you apologize at some point. You don't want the anger to settle in your spirit. When that happens you end up lashing out at innocent victims that didn't do anything to you. 

To the people are reading this that have lost love ones, and are still mourning, don't let people tell you how to mourn. I pray God gives you the strength to keep going. Jesus said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." My heart and my prayers are to those families that had empty seats at the table this holiday season. In the Bible, David said, "You have turned my sorrow into joyful dancing. No longer am I sad and wearing sackcloth." My prayer is that God turns your mourning into dancing and your sorrow into joy.

I mentioned before about how every other post on social media is another funeral. Just looked at one of my socials, and sure enough--life is too short. My sister would say it like this, "Live Intentionally Value Everyday." 

I don't have the answers personally. Sometimes I can't find the words to say. "I don't need material things. All I need is the love You bring. This holiday I came to say, that Jesus is the only way." The older I get the more these words hit home with me. Don't get me wrong, I don't shy away from material things, but they don't always bring the peace and joy that I need. Old saints would say, "Jesus never fails. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but I know Jesus never fails."

I'm finished. I hope something was said that encouraged you. I hope something was said that inspired. I hope. If you did, can you please share this with anyone you feel that may need to read this. Until 2022--

Stay Saved and Keep Going,

Daniel Richerson

Scriptures used: Proverbs 26:11, Exodus 14:14, Ephesians 4:26-27, Matthew 11:28-29, Psalm 30:11

Songs used: Jesus Is The Reason by Kirk Franklin, I Will Find A Way by Fred Hammond, Jesus Never Fails by Arthur A Luther

For my sister: LIVE - https://guppy-green.squarespace.com/

“Mr. Preacher man I don't want no trouble I just came to praise and worship with my brothers
Praying to the Lord and hoping he forgive us
I want God to save us don't want the streets to kill us
I’m like Mr. Preacher man please don't be alarmed
We just come to pray we don't mean no harm
I see how you looking of course we ain't perfect we figured if we come to see Jesus it would be worth it
We live up the block and I know you seen us
Running from the cops all this senseless killing
We want it to stop
We want you to know Sir
If you don’t let us in we have no place to go Sir” ~ Mr. Preacher man, Canton Jones

What is it that you go to church for? Do you go for praise and worship, or do you go to see what people are wearing? Do you go to make sure that nobody from the LGBTQ+ community walk in the service? What do you go to church for? If you can’t praise because of who’s in church, I question are you really a praiser? Are you really a worshipper if your worship relies on who is sitting on your row? We have gotten so comfortable with treating church like a social club we wonder why people join and leave within a month. If lovingkindness draws, it is going to take lovingkindness for them to stay.

I’m a YouTube junkie, and recently my favorite videos to watch have become videos that show broken equipment getting repaired. Like they will take a broken x box, take it apart, clean it, replace what may or may not be broken, and then put it back together. Now imagine if the x-box or what ever is getting fixed was like, “I’m fine. I don’t need to be fixed. I’m fine just the way I am.” All the while it can’t even turn on by itself. If it turns on, the screen is blank. The way it used to work; it does not working the same way. So, it would rather die than get repaired. That doesn’t make sense, does it? That’s like what we do when there’s altar call, knowing we need to be fixed, but to proud to admit that we need to get fixed. It’s written, “First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.”

So why do we blame God when the crash comes? The old saints would say, “He’s a keeper if you want to be kept.” You got to want to be kept. It’s written, “To day you hear his voice, harden not your heart.” The Easy-to-Read Version says it like this, “If you hear God’s voice today, don’t be stubborn.” Isaiah says, “So you should look for the Lord before it is too late. You should call to him now, while he is near.” That’s why I don’t get why we’re so quick to chastise the people that may walk in the church that look and act different that we do. They’re just sick people going to the hospital. Sometimes you don’t realize how sick you are until you get a checkup. Back in 2013, I didn’t know I had congestive heart failure until I went to the ER.

Do we condone? No, but we’re not God. Someday they’ll meet the maker, but we’re not the maker. Yes, we do have to call sin a sin, but if you see me chillin and laughing with someone that may not be saved, don’t come after me. It’s funny, you work with the type of people you don’t allow to come in your church to hear the good Word. “But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them?” Remember where you were before you gave your life to God? Think about that next time you see somebody walk into church that may not look and act like you. If it wasn’t for the grace God, you’d probably still be where they are.

I posted this screenshot recently and I think it goes with what I’ve been talking about through this post. Mark 2:15-17 MSG, “Later Jesus and his disciples were at home having supper with a collection of disreputable guests. Unlikely as it seems, more than a few of them had become followers. The religion scholars and Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company and lit into his disciples: “What kind of example is this, acting cozy with the riffraff?” Jesus, overhearing, shot back, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I’m here inviting the sin sick, not the spiritually-fit.”

John 3:17 ERV, “God sent his Son into the world. He did not send him to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him.”

Fred Hammond is one of my favorite artist period. One of my favorite songs by him is called, Don’t Pass Me By. “I know I'm broken, but you can heal me, Jesus, Jesus I'm calling you
Might not be worth much, but I'm still willing
Jesus, Jesus, I'm calling you”

Continue to pray for me. I thank all of you for your support over the past years that I’ve typing these up. I would love to read your comments if you have any. I’d like to thank those who share the blogs. On that note, if you got this far and you liked what you read, will you please share or retweet this? As I’ve said before, I want to get as much views as I can, but if I just reach one person, I feel like I did my job. How am I doing mentally…. well, that’s for another blog post.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson
Facebook.com/bigdusty
Twitter.com/D_Rich864
Instagram.com/D_Rich864
Big_Dusty on Snapchat
Twitch.tv/DanielRicherson

WHAT HAPPENED TO BEING NICE?/MENTAL HEALTH CHECK

 "We can speak in tongues but we can't be nice to people..." ~Doe Jones, Terrell Show June 19, 2021

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV "Love is patient love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

Jeremiah 31:3 NIV "The Lord appeared to us in the past saying: 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.'"

Through out 2020, throughout the start of 2021, I've noticed that the real colors of people's heart has been revealed. My pastor called the year of 2020 was the year of perfected vision. And it was. The pandemic really showed the true colors of some people. So now everything's coming back to what they call "normal", I guess the fake kindness is going to make a comeback. People can tell the real from the fake contrary to the belief. I personally believe that's really the cause of some the church hopping comes from or why people leave the church. Some of the people that have positions have put on the act of being a God fearing, I love everybody, type person, but in the meetings and social media, the true colors come out. Most people just want to feel loved and if they don't feel it, they're going to leave. What do they tell people in marriages all the time, they tell them if you're not happy in your marriage, get out. In other words, if you don't feel loved, get out. Nobody wants to be in a toxic atmosphere unless they're creating the toxicity. I'm just going to say if we're just going to go back to what what was usual, then what exactly have we learned during this pandemic?

Some people get titles put upon them and expect to be treated with respect. Don't get me wrong, the title deserves respect, but let's be real, some of the people behind the title are mean people. Some of them cover it up with "The Lord is kind." Please stop it. Ok, yes the Lord is kind, but the question is are you kind? Don't get me wrong, being nice can and sometimes does come with a price. Christina Grimme lost her life after being nice to her eventual killer. I understand how that would make people be hesitant to be nice. That kind of stuff causes a distrust of people in general. It has to be difficult to continue to be a Christian, when you see one showing the love of Christ. The mental anguish has to hurt, but I like to imagine that the people that have gone on to be with the Lord would like you to continue to stay on the pathway. Jesus said, "A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so everyone would have life, and have it fully." I'm sure Christina lived every day to the fullest the best she could. Her passing and the way she passed hurt a lot of us. Maybe it's a lesson to all of us based off Matthew 5:16, and a song I learned as a child to, "Make your light shine, so others will see the good you do and will praise you Father in heaven."

When I worked customer service we were taught that you got to treat every customer equally. You got to be kind even when they are not. And for my attitude, patience, anxiety, call it all what you will...that was the hardest part of the job for me. I'm not saying you have to skip through tulips and smile every day, but at least be respectful to people. I've grown to realize that because one says they're a Christian, doesn't mean they're the nicest people in the world. They're some pot heads that I find more approachable than some "spiritual leaders." Some of the people in church hate homosexuals, they say they don't but calling them names is not the best way to show you love someone. In my experience, some gay people have been good down to earth to people. I can recall one person I didn't quite vibe with not because he was gay he was not a nice person. His character was off to me. If believers learn to treat homosexuals like the human beings they are they might be more open to join your church services. People want to go where they feel welcome.  Ever walk in somewhere and you can tell the vibe is off, so you immediately walk out? I'm not saying condoning what they do, but they're some stuff that you may do that's not pleasing either. Matthew 7:5 AMP says, "You hypocrite (play actor, pretender), first get the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

Yes we call sin sin, but does that come with bad character? Be nice. The Bible talks about tell the truth in love. Be nice but not naïve. With all this being said, none of us are perfect. Forgive yourself, ask for forgiveness, and be nice. 

Mental Health Check: It's a daily grind. Sometimes are better than others. Some nights I spend crying my eyes out. Some nights I can fall asleep fine. I spoke on a Wednesday night openly admitting what I go through on a daily. I've always dreamed about being behind a podium speaking but I never really wanted it to come to pass. If you want to see this message, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z6T0ZrNklg. Keep me in your prayers. I'm trying to protect my mental health on a daily, which is not an easy task when things aren't going the way they should be; or how people tell me they should be going. 

Thanks for reading. I hope I didn't make anybody mad. These are just the thoughts from the heart and mind of me. IF you liked what you read and/or if you got something out of it, can I get you to share it via Twitter, FB, or how ever. Don't be afraid to leave a comment. Be nice please. Proverbs 15:1 AMP, "A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath, But harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger."

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson
@DanielRicherson on Twitch
@d_rich864 on Twitter
big_Dusty on SnapChat

RIP Christina Grimme (1994-2016)

THIS BLOG TOOK A TURN

This was originally going to be another blog about my depression and suicidal thoughts. Then I realize that I couldn't do that. I didn't want to continue to live in misery. We all got issues. We all have bruises. I just thought it wasn't a crime to say "Ow" sometimes. March 23rd I wrote a post I titled, "Unspoken", and I was very open about mental issues and anxiety. I would say that I had them. My little sister left me a comment that said, "you’re working through anxiety and mental health issues, sibling. It does not have you nor do you have it!!" And I thought she was crazy. Like I'm living with this. I know what goes on through my head on a daily, how you going to say I don't have anxiety, and mental issues? 

I believe she was trying to tell me that I have to be careful what I speak over myself. The Bible says in Proverbs 23:7a "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." The last clause of Luke 6:45 "...for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." The song writer said, "Sometimes you have to encourage yourself." It's nice to get encouragement from love ones. I believe we all like a little encouragement every once in a while, but when you feel like you're not getting any encouragement, why not encourage yourself? You may not see what you're speaking, but as my old Pastor once said, "Faith is daring the soul to go beyond what the eye can see." Song writer said, "I may not see it, but I hear it." Somebody else says, "You got to see it before you see it if you're ever going to see it" Let's go Bible. Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Proverbs 18:21 in the Good News Bible, "What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words."

Now the question comes how can you truly encourage yourself if you don't like yourself? I would say that's a legit question. I'm still growing in that department of liking Daniel. Find a reason to smile. Find that reason to laugh and smile. Some would say as a Christian, you don't do what necessarily feels good to you all the time, which is true, but you can find a reason to laugh. Don't let depression kick your butt. Turn the news off. If you can't turn social media off, you can at least hide the posts you don't want to see or unfollow. Radio personality Charlamagne tha god often says, "Protect your mental health." By any means necessary. Instead of watching the news, watch a good movie. Listen to your favorite song. Distance yourself from people that mean you no good even if that includes family or the people you may go to church with.

I've been told for years that I got to start looking at myself through God's eyes. What does God say about you? Forget what other people say about you. Jeremiah 29:11 in the Amplified Bible, "For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you, says the Lord, plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope." Another verse comes to mind Philippians 2:5, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Song writer said, "His report says I am healed/ His report says I am filled/ His report says I am free/ His report says victory." Take notice what report didn't say. Nothing about anxiety, depression, etc. Not saying those feelings won't come, but don't give in. Keep walking. 

I want to take this time to thank my sister for checking on me just about everyday to make sure that I'm ok. I want to thank the people in some of the livestreams I go into, for making a person dealing with being alone among other things feel welcome. From the church streams to the gaming streams. Thank you. I want to thank all of you who has help me keep my head up and in the game. I know I don't communicate like I should, but thank you for loving me anyway. I want to thank all the people at the cardiac rehab center I go to for helping me get through my workouts. Thank you all for reminding me that I'm not walking alone.

I hope something was said that helped out. I hope if you feel led, you share this post all you can. Continue to pray for your boy.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

I'M NOT IN A HURRY TO GET BACK TO NORMAL

 Luke 18:11-14 KJV The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

I don't know why I say the things I say or do the things I do on social media. Sometimes I feel like I try to hard to be accepted by people that I take little things like no reactions personal. Needless to say I'm not in a hurry for things to return to normal. Can I be honest and say "normal" wasn't so great for some of us. What's going to happen after we go back to "normal." Are we with issues going to be cast to the side again? Are people different from us going to be condemned and kicked out the church again? Are we going to go back to the same old pre pandemic church? Are the going live prayers going to stop because things are normal? Are businesses that were started going to be done because things are back to normal? Are we going to continue to be focused on the "Old Time Way" and completely ignore the new wave? What are we in a hurry to get back to normal for?

Loneliness didn't start in March of 2020. Depression didn't start in March of 2020. Anxiety issues didn't start March of 2020. What is the normal we want to get back to? I'm not in a hurry to get back to normal. I was asked one time is there any one I talk to outside of church? Not counting social media or twitch, I don't talk to anybody. I go to live streams just to hear people say Hi Daniel or what's up Daniel and not feel pressure to put on an act. I can be Daniel Richerson with no pressure. I can count on one hand of the real people I feel that comfortable with in "real life." 

I'm reminded of a verse that was told to me during an altar call some time ago. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." That put a little ease on the on the constant scan my brain tends to be on all the time. You know how you're in the car and you're looking for a radio station to listen to? So you hit the scan button so it goes through random radio stations until you hear a song you like. That's why when people ask what's on my mind I can't answer. That's a loaded question. 

So the question comes why am I not in a hurry? Long answer short, fear of the the unknown. Fear of going back to saying "No more church as usual" with no action. I've grown numb to church clichés with no action. I heard for years that we got to get out the four walls. All the while staying comfortable in their spot on the pew their spot on the totem pole. Keep in mind these are the same people that would say, "Get out your comfort zone." 

My heart really does go out to those who are begging for someone to care about their depression. I remember in high school I would write down statements like, "I'm so sick of being lonely" thinking nobody would read them. One of my old classmates happened to see what I wrote and she encouraged me writing something to the effect of, "Jesus is with you you're not alone." I can't remember verbatim what she wrote, but I really was thinking that nobody would see what I wrote. I didn't think anybody would care. Let alone somebody at high school. The next day she brought me a cookie on a stick with a happy face on it. That was unexpected and something I'll never forget. I was looking for someone to care, and was not expecting it to be one of my classmates. Some of us dealing with depression are just looking for someone to say I care, not to use our situation in a sermon or judge us. We just want to someone to care. When someone is hungry you give them food, right? I mentioned in previous posts that some of us is just looking for an ear to talk to. 

When this pandemic is truly over, let's not just go back to the old time way cause we can, but take what we've learned and developed during the pandemic and apply it. It's a waste of time learning new plays just to go back to the old plays and lose the game. Growing up I would hear, "It's not in the crowd it's in the cloud." When the crowd comes back to the sanctuary lets not forget the cloud that's been with us during the pandemic. Let's also not forget those who dealt with depression, loneliness, and anxiety during the pandemic. Continue to check on those that say they're ok. Continue to do live prayer time if that's your ministry. It is said that if you don't learn from history you're doomed to repeat it. 

That's all I have for this piece. I want to thank God. I want to thank you all for the continued support. I want to thank those that share my posts. My hope is that if I can reach one who possibly may feel the same way I do and realize they're not the only one maybe we can get well together. Follow me on my socials if you want to. Feel free to share this post all around if you feel led. I don't mind.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

WHY NOT US?

 Psalm 37:4, 6-7, 9 KJV "Delight thy self also in the LORD, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth." 

James 3:17 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of they mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

"Draw me close to you, never let me go. I'll let it all down again, to hear You say that I'm Your friend. You are my desire, no one else will do. No one else can take your place. To feel the warmth of your embrace. Help me find my way, bring me back to you. I've seen Your work in others, and I want You to work in me." ~ Draw Me Close To You/Thy Will Be Done, Marvin Winans

I mention Pastor Gray Sr, God rest his soul, all time, and he'd tell me on a couple of occasions to, "Walk the path the God has set before you." What did he mean by that? While you're trying to figure out, God has already worked it out. Just walk the path. How do we know where to go while on the path. Psalm 119:105, "Thy word is lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." The flashlight won't work if you don't turn it on. Can't get mad at the light not working if you don't open the book and read it so you can see where you're going. 

I was going to write a post talking about what do we do while we wait on God. All I heard growing up was you got to wait on Jesus. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. I heard all that, but never really was taught what to to while we wait. What I've learned about waiting is that it's kind of  like building yourself up even more to be prepared to what's coming. You do some reading and studying so you can continue to follow that path. When boxers find out the date of their next fight, they don't sit down and lallygag until the fight. They diet, they train, they spar. They prepare for battle the best way they can. That way when when the night of the fight comes, they are ready physically as well as mentally. 

During this pandemic and even before the pandemic, you saw young people using the internet to make a living. And somebody told me one day, "Why not Kingdom kids. Why can't we use the internet like that." Why not us? Matthew 5:45 "...that ye may be the children of your Father which is heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the veil and on the good. and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Habakkuk 2:4 "Behold his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him; but the just shall live his faith Why not us. I think the church has a misconception of doing this "worldly." I believe kingdom young people has the same opportunity to make money on via the internet. I think that church has a misconception on "prosperity." Church has let the word prosperity become blasphemous. Prosperity is not a bad thing. We've made a gimmick out of prophesy. It's become so much of a gimmick, some people don't believe that God can bless with houses and cars. Then comes the people that come you need to do this and you need to do that. We've gotten so used to not seeing miracles that we don't believe in them anymore. 

Let me get back on topic. We have to step out of faith. We can't expect success to come with no process. You got to give those young people that make money using the internet, most not all, put their dream to the test. They stepped out on faith. Look up the story of the YouTuber NoLifeShaq. Now's he's almost to 3 million subscribers, but he stepped out on faith, and few years later, there he is. He did it being himself. If God can do that for him and others...But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have enetered unto the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

I'm trying not to come off as the fifth element, the perfect being, I'm just another guy pressing toward the mark, like everyone else. Most of what was typed I needed to tell myself. Faith over fear. Fear is always going to be there. Push past it. I push past fear every Sunday. Since the pandemic, we've been live streaming our church services. I'm on the praise and worship team. I told myself I would never be one of those people that posts a video of me singing on social media. Mainly because of fear. Now I don't have a choice. When it's my turn to lead songs, I push by the fear and go forth. If I can do it, you can too.

Please share.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

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LEARNING HOW TO LOVE AND FORGIVE...ME

One major lesson I've learned through 2020 is that I had to learn how to love myself. My mom put it like this, "You got to learn how to love Daniel." I don't publicize this a lot, but depression is something that I've dealt with since childhood. I think I can speak for a lot of people that this year especially, it feels like those of us that have those mental health issues, we hit a wall this year. It's something the church has finally become more vocal about it. I got trust issues too so I definitely don't open up to every body. When I say I got trust issues, the response is usually, "Well you shouldn't feel that way." Why do we feel that we can dictate how or what people feel from time to time? Every house is different. Even in the church. That line might cost me.

I found this definition of love, "to feel deep affection for" or "like or enjoy very much." So when one tells me, "You got to learn how to love Daniel," it tells me that I have to find deep affection for Daniel. I got to learn how to like and enjoy Daniel. I spend a lot of time alone by myself. When people talk about their circles, I barely got a dot. When I let people in, and when I feel that the circle is growing, it always seems like they disappear out of thin air and I'm by myself again. That's part of the reason why when you see me out in public, I usually keep a straight face so that I don't let people in only to have my heart broken again. Again, this line might cost me, but even amongst church folks. When I'm home, most likely I'm listening to music, or watching funny Youtube Videos just to help keep my head together.

I wrote a post some months ago taken from a New Edition song entitled, "Do You Really Love Me, Don't You Really Care." That was something I've asked myself regarding people around me all the time. Like when people ask me how am I doing, do they really want to know or are they asking to get something out of me. I want to publicly thank those that don't let me stay down when I get down. I want to publicly thank those that have the spiritual eyes and ears to know that I'm not ok sometimes. No matter how much I try to hide it.

I've had panic attacks at random times. The worse one came from when I was working at this manufacturing plant. I was at my station working and I couldn't stop crying. I could barely walk. I was dizzy. I ended up getting sent home because my partner that was working with me at the station saw that something wasn't right so she told the floor leader and she ended up sending me home. Here's the problem. My job was an hour away from where I live. So imagine in that state of mind driving home trying to stay focused. It was nothing but the grace of God that got me home safely.

I don't want to use that "s" word, but yes that has come to mind. In the state of depression that word is bound to come up from time to time, and believe me it has. I always went back to that old song, "Something down inside of me telling me to go 'head." But even with that something, I still needed to learn how to love myself and not be selfish to the fact that how would it affect others if I'd actually went through with it.

The problem then comes with the fact that I'm supposed to be a man of faith. I type all these blogs feeling dead inside sometimes and I get comments about how people enjoyed the posts and how the posts were inspiring. I remember at my 11th high school reunion, don't ask, I was approached by an old classmate and she told me that she enjoyed the posts. Even with those small glimmers of hope, I'd still feel empty like what is this all for in the end? 

Learning how to love yourself also means learning how to forgive yourself. If you've asked God for forgiveness, and you know that He has forgiven you, that should be enough for you to also say that you forgive yourself. I quote Kirk Franklin a lot, and I'm going to quote him again. On a interview on TBN, Kirk said, "David was a whore monger. David was a adulterer. David was a horrible husband. He was a horrible father, but somewhere in the text it says that David was a man after God's own heart." So what am I saying? God sees the worth despite of the mess. Somehow or another I had to learn how to see my worth despite of my mess. 

I talked about mental health, and it is an important subject in today's times more than ever, but we have to take the proper precautions to protect it. That means we can't watch everything. That means we got to cut off some dead branches so we can grow properly. That means that as much as I miss some of the people that used to be in my life, I got to let some if not all of them go. Song writer said, "I'm not going back, moving ahead. I'm here to declare to you my past is over in You all things all made new. Surrendered my life to Christ, and I'm moving forward." It is written, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

Now with all that being said that doesn't stop life from happening. It is written, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above  that you are able; but will with temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." In other words, God will never put more on you than you can bear. Jesus said, "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

All this to say that I'm on the pathway of learning how to love/like Daniel. I still got a ways to go, but with God's help and with the help of the right people, I'm going to make it. Paul told the Philippians, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Stay Saved, 

Daniel Richerson

If you search for Kirk Franklin Steve Harvey TBN testimony from 2011, you'll find the video of Kirk dropping a lot of jewels. 

CHECK THE SNOUT

I looked up the definition of prey and a couple of definitions came to mind, but this one definition caught my eye, "to have an injurious, destructive, or wasting effect."

Webster defines the act of praying, "to address God or a god with adoration, confession, supplication, or thanksgiving"

In the wild, when a predator is on the hunt, they usually don't go after the strongest victim. Sometimes the most vulnerable prey is the one that ends up getting caught. The one that's not paying attention. That's the one that gets got.

1 Peter 5:8  "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

Matthew 7:15-20 KJV, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

I'm going to share the same verses from Matthew from the Message Bible, "Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned."

We've all heard the saying wolves in sheep's clothing. Don't be impressed with clothing. A clean suit doesn't mean anointing. A clean suit doesn't mean pure in heart. A pimp knows how to look good in a suit too. A drug dealer. A politician. So it has to be more than the right clothes. A white collar doesn't make you a preacher. Basically what I'm saying is, check the snout. There's a difference between the snout of a sheep and a snout of a wolf.

Be careful of who you're listening to. During this time a lot of people have itching ears, and people will tell you anything to satisfy that itch. You don't have to go into everyone's live feed. This is not the time to be church hopping. Ever hear the older generation talk about they don't eat everyone's cooking? Why? You don't know what they put in the food. You don't know if they got cats or dogs all up in the food while preparing the food. You don't know for sure that they washed prior to touching the food. So naturally, so spiritually. You don't know the motives behind the message. You don't know what the message is seasoned with. Is the message using scripture in the proper context or are they using scripture to satisfy the ears of the vulnerable? Be alert. Be sober. 

Ephesians 4:26-32, "Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.  Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."

It's ok to be angry. I believe a lot of us are angry. Angry about the racism. Angry about the ignorance. Angry about politics. It's ok to be angry, but don't let the anger push you to do something stupid. Inhale, exhale. Use the anger as motivation to do something productive. Use that anger to do something constructive. This doesn't mean that you let people walk over you. You're standing up for yourself in way that productive and not destructive. At the same time you poke a bear long enough...that's when you use God as your back up. You do as the old hymn says. "Have a little talk with Jesus. Tell Him all about your troubles. He will hear the faintest cry. And He'll answer by and by. When you feel the prayer wheel turning. You'll know that the fire is burning. Just a little talk with Jesus makes it all right."

Exodus 14:14, "The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."

Thank you for reading. I ask that you share this with everyone you like and don't like if you got something out of it.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

DO YOU REALLY LOVE? DON'T YOU REALLY CARE?

For Hana Kimura. 22 year old professional wrestler. Death by suicide. 22 years old. Adult life never really got started. I never watched her perform, but that doesn't matter. What hurts is that she was so young and thought that life wasn't worth it. What also hurts is that what about those that are not being reported that's happening right around your block or dare I say right in your church. What about them? What are we doing as a body of believers to show that we care? What are we doing as a body to show that there's hope? Why are we continuing to sing to each other that "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness" and not singing that to people that need to hear it? How long will we say that we need to get out the four walls of the church and...get out the four walls? Shouts out to the people and the ministries doing the work.

Mark 2:16-17 "And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are w'ell have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15-16 "This is a true saying, to be completely accepted and believed: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I am the worst of them, but God was merciful to me in order that Christ Jesus might show his full patience in dealing with me, the worst of sinners, as an example for all those who would later believe in him and receive eternal life."

I once led a song by Dewayne Woods called God is that said, "God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Based off Psalm 73:26 that says, "My flesh and my heart faileth:  but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever."

If we're going to present that God is love and we don't show love, then what's the point? Salvation is an action. To live is an action. We got to learn how to love each other. I think one of the problems may be as to why we don't show the love of Jesus to the "world" is that we don't show it to each other. How can we tell people that they need Jesus and we can't even show the love of Jesus to each other? We don't even care about the mental health of people in the sanctuary.

I understand that you can't go to everyone to vent because some people just don't care. They'll say anything to end the conversation because they don't want to dig in to what the real issue may be. There's some people that really care. Some people need an ear not a mouth. That'll preach. Sometimes in prayer you need to be more of an ear and less of a mouth. Moving on.

How many more suicides do we need to see before we start to care? How many more leaders have to commit suicide before we pray for our leaders? The Clark Sisters put out a song "Pray for the USA." Are we? Am I? I know this is random. New Edition's first hit, "Candy Girl." There's a part of the song that repeats in my head. "Do you really love me? Don't you really care?"

Thanks for reading. Please, if you need an ear, there's someone willing to listen. There's someone that cares. I'm going to end it like this. "Souls in danger. Look above. For Jesus completely saves. He will lift you by His love out of the angry waves. He's the master of the sea. Billows His will obeys. He your savior wants to be, be saved today." I know I repeat myself in some of these posts, and that's not my goal. My goal is to spread hope through this hopeless time.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

DON'T FORGET

At this point there's a lot of doubt setting in. At this point some of us don't know who or what to believe. Being it from the news media or from the pulpit. You got this news station saying this and that news station saying that. At the same time you got this preacher posting this and that preacher posting that. I'm nothing more than a guy who's trying to stay positive. Trying to stay vertical and not horizontal. Trying to build my hopes on things eternal. Trying to hold on to God's unchanging hand and not depend on the fear mongering news cycle.

Matthew 26:41 "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak." There's a saying based on this verse that says, "Watch, fight, and pray." What I see going on is that there's a lot of watching and praying, but the fighting is with each other. Don't forget we don't wrestle against flesh and blood, "but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12)

Do I believe the devil caused this pandemic? No I don't. I do believe that the devil is using this as leverage to cause believers to forget old songs like, "I will trust in the Lord until I die." Forget old songs like "God has everything and everything belongs to him." Forgetting old songs like, "No ground, I'm giving up no ground. We got a cause worth fighting for, Satan we're not going to take no more. No ground, I'm giving up no ground. Cause I'm absolutely, positively glory bound." "Hallelujah anyhow. Never ever let your problems bring you down. If those problems come your way, hold your head up high and say, Hallelujah anyhow." "Don't wait 'till the battle's over, shout now."

2 Timothy 4:2 says, "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." The 5th verse of the same chapter says, "As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." Just because you can't preach behind a podium right now, doesn't mean you stop preaching.

Psalms 24: 7-10 "Life up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah."

Psalms 27:1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?"

Don't Forget.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

CORONA

Corona Virus. I'm not going to pretend I know exactly what it is. I'm not going to pretend that I know exactly what we're supposed to do. I do know that it's being used to scare people. I do know that it has become a distraction. I do believe that God is control. I do believe God knows what He's doing.

It feels like God is using this to expose some things as well. Stevie Wonder said, "Tell me Holy, Holy Roller, Are you standing like a soidier? Are you standing for everything you're talking about?" In other words, are you hot or cold? Revelation 3:15-17  "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked."

The corona virus has become water to a seed of disagreements between preachers. Have you noticed that there has been arguements between pastors on how to handle the Corona virus? Some preachers have even resulted to name calling. My belief the corona virus is not just a physical thing. It's a spirutal thing as well. I say spiritual because "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12)

Psalm 27:1-5 "The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the Lord , this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock."

Isaiah 54:17 "No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord , and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord ."

Psalm 73:21-23, 25-26

'When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.'

Fear is going to try and set in. But as I heard my pastor say recently we got to put no parking sign up. We cannot allow fear and doubt to hinder our faith. Song writer said, "Keep the faith, don't give up. It's only a test." Another song says, "I know somehow, I know some way. We're gonna make it." Continue to love each other. Continue to pray for one another. Even after this passes by. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, but we need to stop allowing things to separate us from the love of each other. 

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

DON'T WAIT TILL IT'S TOO LATE

"For you and me this life is not promised. Tomorrow may never show up." - Mos Def, Umi Says, 1999

Like a lot of you I was taken back by the death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, and my heart goes out to his family and to the families of the other lives that were taken. I found myself crying thinking about how life can end in just an instant. We take life for granted. We focus on trying to extend life besides just living for the moment. I understand getting healthy, and me myself I have to do much better with that. But if I focus on getting healthy and forget that I'm still angry at this or that person because of something petty, or I haven't been completely honest with this person and that person because of fear, then I'll just be healthy and miserable.

Please don't let another death come before you forgive. Don't let death come before you let your love ones that they are loved. Don't let another death come before you ask for help. My pastor said this today, "A closed mouth don't get fed." Stop hesitating. There's no progress in hesitation. Hesitation brings procrastination. Can't move forward and procrastinate at the same time believe me I've tried that for years and it hasn't worked yet. Matter of fact that is what I tried to do 10 years ago when I was supposed to have a "fresh start" and all I did was get a hair cut. You can get a a new hair cut and new clothes, but if your heart is still in the wrong place, it doesn't matter what you do on the outside. A makeover on the outside doesn't necessarily mean a makeover on the inside.

 

Hezekiah Walker put out a simple song years ago that says, "Won't He make you clean inside." The "He" is Jesus. The late Bishop G.E. Patterson preached, "Salvation is An Inside Job." There's an old song that says, "Get right church, and let's go home." It is written, "The day you hear my [Jesus] voice harden not your heart." John 9:4, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."

Now I know that every after death, especially if it's a celebrity, everyone has a message. That's not what I'm trying to do. Truth is I've been wanting to post a new blog for some time now, I just couldn't get my words together. I didn't mean to type all this, I just wanted to get my thoughts out due to Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and the other people that were on the plane. Don't waste time in pettiness. Check on your people. Love on your people. If you got something to say, just say it. If you got something to do, then do it. 

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

THERE'S A MESSAGE IN THE MESS

I've actually been working on this new blog for months now, but I could never get it to come together. So if this gets posted, then obviously I could get my thoughts together in a way that it made sense enough to post something. If this works, to God be the glory.

Since the last post I've started a new job. While on this job I sometimes zone out to some music that's playing in my head to try to keep my emotions in check. To try to keep that low self esteem in check. Sometimes it works. On two occasions it didn't. The first occasion, I was getting into my own head. I was being told what to do by literally everybody but the person who is supposed to tell me what to do. I felt like I was being pulled in every direction but the right one. Even by the person in charge. I would openly vent, not knowing or even caring who heard me. When I didn't vent, that's when I would zone out to that musical space. But one shift I couldn't take it anymore. I stopped trying to fight the tears. They just started coming down my face. I did my best not to be seen. I turned my head from my co workers and would try to wipe my face fast so no one would ask. Sure enough, know one asked what was wrong or maybe didn't even care, I don't know.

The second occasion was a mixture of things. The same old crap was going on at work, plus stuff outside of work as well. One night after work, I was driving home and I drove past cops who were apparently on the road with flashlights and green vests. I didn't see them. I got pulled over instantly and was told that I could've been shot due to almost running over cops. Again I didn't see them. Good news, I didn't become a hashtag, and I got let go without any ticket or anything. So that left me shook, then the next morning I had some business to handle so I couldn't get rest before going to work and didn't have anything to keep me awake. At one point, I was on a two line road, and I nodded off at the wheel and ended up in the other lane with cars coming. Fortunately I was able to snap out of it just in time before something drastic happened. I made it to work, and again the same crap. So again, I couldn't hold back the tears. They came down again. I started thinking I wasn't good enough for this job or for life in general. Nobody said anything. Nobody cared.

I'm still in the process of learning how to like myself. How to see worth in myself. That's why I started using this gimmick where I refer to myself in 3rd person like Eddie Murphy did in I Spy. Instead of Kelly Robinson, of course I use Daniel Richerson. I also take a little bit from the late great Don Rickles and point out my "greatness." All in fun and jest, but it's a way that I try to build up my self esteem. It was a way to keep a smile on my face. Other people started finding the gimmick fun too and they started running with it. Haven't really started using it at this new job yet.

All is not bad at the new job tho. Some of my co workers are actually patient with me. It's as if I haven't been there long enough yet and I'm still trying to understand certain things. I haven't really clicked with anybody just yet like I have some previous jobs I've had. I guess that all will come in time.

I guess the message in all this is that sometimes when you encourage yourself, you really got to encourage yourself. An old song says, "Nobody told me the road would be easy, but I don't believe He brought me this far to leave me." I know it's popular to talk about "The Universe", but I'm old school to the fact that I stand on the B.I.B.L.E. I stand for Jesus the son of God. I stand for the creator of the universe. One thing my current pastor told me some time ago, which he was quoting a verse from Psalms, that says, "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in." That has stuck in my mind and even when the tears were coming down my face, I would put my hand under my chin and try to lift my head up.

The first four letters in message is mess. There's a message in the mess. There's a saying that says, "There's a blessing in your lesson." Don't allow the mess to mess you up. Look for the message, wash your face, and go on with your day.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

PRESSURE IS REAL, BUT SO IS GOD

Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

All my life I dealt with pressure. Whether it's pressure I put on myself or pressure from others. Either way, I've never been able to handle it. I'm 31 now, and just recently I dealt with pressure that I thought I could handle. I thought I was strong enough to say no and that will be that. How many of y'all know that the devil is persistent? The devil doesn't care about your no. He'll keep blowing smoke trying to make you feel guilty about not being part of the crowd. Not being into what's happening now days. Never in my life have I been pressured more to smoke or have sex. None of which I've done. I will admit it breaks me every now again. I leave work, get in the car, and start crying because of the pressure. Again I've been dealing with stuff like this my whole life, and at 31 I thought I would be past that mess, you know? At least I hoped I was.

I tried to get my mind off of the pressure by music which usually works. I went to the My Prerogative by Bobby Brown playlist because I thought it would work, but this time it didn't. I still felt bothered by all the pressure. Then I went to Jesus Will by Anita Wilson which I should've done in the first place, but I didn't feel like crying at work. I was the kid that cried at school. When I started working I didn't want to carry on that tradition. Whoops.

I feel like that it's in times when I crash and burn like this is when God speaks to me the loudest. That's when verses like, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." And, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Then old songs like, "Pass me not o gentle savior. Hear my humble cry. While on others thou art calling, do not pass me by."

"There are some things, I may not know. Their are some places that I can't go. But I am sure of this one thing, that God is real and I can feel him way down deep within. Yes God is real. Real in my soul. Yes God is real for he has washed and made me whole. His love for me is like pure gold. Yes God is real and I can feel Him in my soul."

"He never has left me alone. By night and by day, He's with me all the way. He never has left me alone."

The Bible says, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

So what am I saying to the readers and what am I saying to myself? God is not through. God has not given up on us. Song writer said, "Don't give up on God cause He won't give up on you. He's able." Hold on. Keep the faith. Weeping may endure for the night, but joy is coming in the morning. Most of all

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

DON'T GIVE UP ON THE PRODIGAL SON/DAUGHTER (HAPPY 2018)

Happy 2018.

So one Sunday I was sitting in church and I happened to be scrolling on my Facebook timeline…sorry…but it hit me as I put my phone to sleep. The thought that hit me was, “Don’t give up on the prodigal son.” I don’t know if I hid it well, but my instant reaction was, “Wow!”

Most of us know the story of the prodigal son in the bible. IF you don’t know, where have you been? Anyway, the story is found in Luke 15: 11-32. To summarize, this father had two sons, and the youngest son decided to take his share of his father’s estate and go out and enjoy life. To put in a terms of now, the youngest son wanted to turn up. Wanted to go wild. Etc. So the son left his father’s house where he had everything he could’ve wanted, but yet he wanted more. It’s amazing you can have everything, and yet you feel like that’s not enough. So the son blew his money and ended up finding work feeding pigs. Being hungry as he was, he gladly ate the stuff he fed the pigs with to get something to eat. Later on he came to his senses.

“And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee and am no more worthy to be called thy son,, make me as one of thy hired servants.” (verses 17-19)

So he went to his dad’s house. The father saw the son coming towards home, and before the son came to the house, the dad ran to him and embraced him with hugs and kisses. So son said what he had to say, and the father decided to have a big celebration because, “…for this my son was dead, and is now alive again; he was lost, and is found.” (verse 24)

Now the oldest son, the one was home the whole time, felt some kind of way about this. Like why would you celebrate the fact that wasted your money living with prostitutes. The father put it like this, “Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad:  for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.” (verse 31)

So that’s the story. So why bring that story up in 2018? Cause I believe it won’t be long until that prodigal son or daughter will come back to the “father’s house.” We used to sing a song at church that said, “Come and go with me, to my Father’s house. There is joy. Joy! Great Joy!” It is written, “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”

Now when they do come back in the forefront, and there’s a praise break, don’t fold your arms and be like the big brother to the prodigal son and be bitter. I think we all know or have seen people like that. Get so easily jealous of someone’s deliverance. Rather than praises God with the prodigal person, they become like the Pharisees were in the Bible days. I read somewhere that the Pharisees were “angry and resentful that sinners were being welcomed into God’s Kingdom.” The question would often come up in Bible Study at church, do Pharisees exist today? Yep.

Some are already in the “eating pig food” situation, or close to it, but when it comes, just know that soon they’ll be coming back home. And it’s I believe it’s on us to be like the father in the story and embrace them. Not to disregard the ones that has been there long, but I believe the bible says, “Likewise I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” And we are created in God’s image, and yet and still when they come back home, some of us hold that sin or sins over their head until they leave again. We got to remember that we were all once lost in sin until Jesus took us in, and that little light from heaven filled our soul.

You may be that future prodigal son or daughter reading this, and I say to you go ahead and come back home. Fred Hammond pinned a long time ago, “I’m running back to you, I see you standing there for me. Your arms are opened wide, and I don’t have to cry no more. You’re standing there for me and I am running back to you. Why do I go away when I know I am no good when I’m on my own?” I think Fred was speaking for a lot of people. God is not going to just take you back and let you go astray. The same promise he made back in Jeremiah 4 still rings true today: “I will give you pastors according to mind heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” So come back prodigal son. Come back prodigal daughter. Don’t wait until you have to eat pig food to survive. There’s a saying that goes, “After you tried everything else, try Jesus.” No. Try Jesus now. Come back now.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

CHECK YOURSELF

Ice Cube once said, “You better check yourself before you wreck yourself.” Urban dictionary defines this particular phrase as, “Take a step back and examine your actions, because you are in a potentially dangerous or sticky situation that could get bad very easily. Often in a harmful manner.” May I say that some of us need to take heed? A lot of us like to wave the “I’m a Christian. I go to church on Sunday” sign, but how many know this is more than a Sunday thing? Imagine if Job was just a “Sunday Christian” You think if Job wasn’t living his faith out loud that he would’ve been able to “sin not nor charge God foolishly” after his possessions and kids were taken away from him? Check yourself.

We tend to think just because the punishment didn’t happen immediately, that we got away with it. Especially with God. That’s a dangerous mindset to have. Check yourself. Ever think that the punishment didn’t come automatically is because maybe God is giving you a chance to confess? Giving you a chance to repent? Some like to say that God is a God of a second chance. I don’t know about y’all, but I passed the 2nd chance a long time ago…I’m a least on…let’s just say another chance. Or as the song writer put it, “He gave me one more (chance).”  Check yourself.

Now this is a major check yourself. Matthew 6:24, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Mammon meaning money. The Bible says, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” People like to say that it’s just money, but it’s the love of money. 1 Timothy 6:10, to quote the whole verse, says, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” I like the next verse that says, “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” Meekness does not mean weak. It refers to humbleness, and being humble, does not mean you go around saying that you’re humble. Moving on. Check yourself.

Ephesians 5, the whole chapter, is crazy, but focusing on verse 5, “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” As my dad once said in a message, “Ouch, amen.” Or as my pastor now says, “If you can’t say amen, say oh me.”

If the only time you open your Bible is at church, how do you fight when not at church? A young basketball player is usually not far from a basketball. Usually see them practicing in some form or another. Joshua 1: 8-9, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein for then: thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” And you only want to use this on a Sunday? Do you homie. Check yourself.

“Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:5. We all got stuff we need to check. None of us our perfect but we all strive to be in our own way. Hopefully something was said that was an encouragement. Hopefully you got something out of this, I know I did. Just trying to help.

Check yourself.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

PRAISE AGAIN

It is written, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God."

The New Living Translation says it like this, "Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again--my Savior and my God!"

Tramaine Hawkins sang a song called, "I Never Lost My Praise" and it's a deep and good song. I was once a member of a choir that had that song on the set list. It says, "I never lost my hope. I never lost my joy. I never lost my faith, but most of all, I never lost my praise." Now may I throw this out there? I feel that if some of us were really honest with ourselves, some of us have lost our hope, joy, faith, and praise and still stand up on Sunday mornings and say, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Blood and his righteousness." to get over with the church goers. I recently heard a preacher say that we have been raised to lie in church. When someone asks how we are doing, we say something like, "I'm blessed and highly favored." or say what I say, "I'm good."

When we come to church honest and desperate, I believe that's when true work can be done. One Wednesday night, it was after a long week. I was heading to Bible Study, but I almost did a U-Turn because I was so depressed. To be honest I was ready to accept driving off road. Not going to go into detail, but let's just say, I messed up things like on a major level. So I was already beating myself up about that, but I pushed my way to church. Where I'd usually show up on time for prayer which goes on at 6:30, but I showed up right at 7 because again I was contemplating on whether even going to church that night or not. Come to find out, going to church that night was the best decision I could've made. I left that night feeling refreshed and healed. That night I really felt that the church was indeed a hospital. At least for that night, I found my praise again.

I used to loathe hearing people with the microphone say, "Y'all ain't praising!" My response would be, "How can you judge how someone praises God?" How can you praise something you have no faith in? I believe the level of your praise shows the level of your faith. If your hope is not where it needs to be, and you forget who God is and what God has done for you, of course your praise is not going to be where it needs to be. When the preacher says, "Give God a praise." and you give God a patty cake clap or you give God a monotone "Hallelujah." Expecting that to be enough. I'm reminded of a song that I heard growing up that said, "You oughta be happy, you oughta be happy, you oughta be happy just to praise the Lord." The Bible talks about the saints being the bride of Christ, right? I'm not married, nor have I ever been in a relationship, but from the outside looking in, I can tell if a wife really loves the husband. I can tell when a girlfriend really loves her boyfriend. Am I allowed to say that your praise level may show your love for Jesus?

I dare you to find your praise again. I dare you to hope in  God again. I dare you to forget about yourself and concentrate on Him and worship Him. One song says, "My Praise is my weapon." A weapon only works if you use it.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

HE HEARS YOU TOO

It's gonna get to the point where you're gonna have to pray for yourself. You're gonna have to have a relationship with Jesus for yourself and stop trying to live off of someone else's. The topic at a recent bible study was, "Walking With God," and the first thought that came to mind with that topic is that you can't walk someone else path. You can't have someone walk your path.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6 KJV

" Jesus said to him, 'I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.'" John 14:6 AMP

So we all got to go to Jesus for ourselves. Now at first we need to prayers of our parents and pastors to get the train going. But sooner our later you're gonna have to open your mouth. Like let's say you get an interview for a job. If someone else does the interview for you, they're going to get the job and you're still going to be jobless. The first couple of jobs I ever had, my dad helped me get them, but the bosses still wanted to know who I was. Daniel still had to shake hands with the bosses, even though the meeting was initiated through my dad.

Don't get me wrong there's power in residue. There's power in being in the midst of praisers and worshipers, but if the residue is powerful, imagine if you actually participated in the praise and worship. We got a lot of people trying to live off residue. The prayers of the righteous availeth much. So I understand asking those who really know God to pray for you. I get it, but let me say, don't use that as an excuse to not pray at all. He hears you too. That's one thing I had to learn for myself. One time my sister took me to somewhere to fill out some paper work. I asked her to pray for me because I was nervous and I know she's more spiritually mature than I am. But she told me, paraphrasing, "God hears you. It's time for you to pray for yourself." I did, and everything actually went fine. I was actually like the world was going to blow up if I actually prayed for myself. I do realize, a song says, "It's really no goodness of my own, but it's by the grace of God."

Romans 10:8-9 AMP "But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word [the message, the basis] of faith which we preach—because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

In the King James is says, "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

So you're going to have to do some talking. The power of life and death is in the power of the tongue, right? Your tongue works for you. It's your choice of how your use it. It is written out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. So it's not only a tongue issue, it's a heart issue.

I'm not a parent, but I know some parents. I've known my parents for at least 29 years, almost 30 (May 22). I know I've disappointed them. I've done things they don't like, but when I'm ready to talk they are willing to listen. I don't have to call my brother or my sister to talk to my mom or dad for me, even though sometimes I want to, but they are willing to listen. God is willing to listen. You got to be willing to talk.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson