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. 

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

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

GOT A STORY TO TELL...

2013 was a tough year for yours truly. I got fired from my job in January. And some months later I started having trouble sleeping at night because I couldn't breathe. I was told to go to the doctors, but I wouldn't go only because I hated the doctors. The old thing about I don't want to go to the doctors cause they might find something wrong with me thing? That was me. Went to California that July and still had trouble sleeping at night, but I did my best to no sell it. Everybody could see something was wrong but I was steadily trying to deny it. I was sweating more than I usually do, but still I refused to go to the hospital or the doctors, because I figured like a common cold that it would go away.

It wasn't until that September that I just couldn't take it anymore. I asked my sister to take me to Urgent Care. I was nervous. I couldn't lay flat back because I couldn't breathe. Every time I laid flat back I felt like I was suffocating. Come to find out my blood pressure was sky high, I had a lot of fluid, and I got diagnosed with Chronic Heart Failure, or CHF. Ended up staying in the hospital for like 3 or 4 days, but it felt like 3 or 4 months. One day as I was eating lunch, I got told by one of the doctors, that I'd be dead by 30.

When I got released by the hospital I was told to find a doctor. Didn't do it. Took my medicine for like the first couple of weeks, then I stopped. I was feeling ok, until...

Christmas of 2014, I was admitted to another hospital for the same thing. At least at this hospital I was given a couple of more years past 30. This time, with the help of my mom, I found a doctor and I continued to take my medicine.

Keeping up with my appointments, continuing to take my medicine, and with the prayers of the righteous, I can now say there's no trace of CHF in my body. And as of May 22, 2017, I'm 30 years old, and alive to type this post. I was sent tot he hospital for some test, and it came back that there was no trace of CHF, and my heart is beating regular. Now I just got to get this weight and blood pressure under control. Also finding a job wouldn't hurt either.

There's nothing to hard for God. I've seen Chronic Heart Failure kill a lot of people, and for some particular reason I'm still hear. Who wouldn't want to serve a God like this. I should've been dead. As a matter a fact, not too long from when I got out the hospital the first time, I went to a funeral or home going service, and I was struggling because I was telling myself this should've been a double funeral. But God. There are somethings I may not know. There are some places I can't go, but I am sure of this one thing, that God is real and I can feel him in my soul. Yes God real. He's real in my soul. Yes God is real for He washed and made me whole. His love for me is just like pure gold. For God is will for I can feel Him in my soul.


Stay Saved,


Daniel Richerson

CHECK YOUR SOURCE AND/OR YOUR LIGHT

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever" Hebrews 13:8

I learned that verse at a very young age. I was thinking about the "power" I heard the church used to have. Like there used to be wheel chairs and crutches on the walls. Then a question came to mind. Did the power change or did we forget how to use it? A better question might be did we ever learn how to use that power? We've seen the power in use, but were we ever taught how to use it? Either way I came to this conclusion, the power is still here. The church is still powerful. There's still power in the name of Jesus. Just because we don't use it right doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

There's an old song that says, "Hold to His hand. God's unchanging hand." I think part of the problem we've let go on God's hand and we're trying to hold on to the man made tradition. As what was said in the Eddie Murphy classic, Coming To America, "It's also a tradition that times must and always do change, my friend."

So what is the problem? Why is it that we don't see the same move of God that we hear the older generation talk about? Are we trying to do what they did in the old days, but are not using the same power source that they did? I noticed that some outlets don't work because the light switch is off. Maybe the power source is not working because our light is not shining like it's supposed to. We tend to think we can do what we want and still think that we can have power. I understand that God can and does use anybody he wants to to get the job done. Don't get me wrong, but I also understand that the Bible talks about you can't serve both God and mammon (Matthew 6:24). Also the Bible talks about that Jesus would rather us be hot or cold because if we're lukewarm, He'll spit us out His mouth (Revelation 3:15-16).

We got to get back to the basics of this. If we're going to be who we say we are, we got to get back to the basics. Like fasting and prayer. Like, I don't know, following the 10 commandments. Praying for folks and not participating in putting someone down.

Believe me, I'm not casting stones. I said, "We."

If we want to see God moved liked he did before, we got to be connected to the power source like the saints of old. What they did back then still works today. Not talking the man made traditions. I'm talking about the casting out of devils. People coming to Jesus. People getting filled with the Holy Ghost. It can happen in this new age. We got to get back to the Lord. We got to get back to preaching Jesus.

What or who is this source I keep talking about? The source is Jesus. The source is where your help comes from.

Psalm 121:1-2 "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."

As the song writer put it, "Do you know Jesus? Does he live in your heart?"

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

TEMPORARY VS EVERLASTING...I CHOOSE EVERLASTING

Temporary: lasting for only a limited period of time; not permanent.

Everlasting: lasting forever or for a very long time

Eddie Murphy has a song called Temporary. Yes the same Eddie Murphy that did Party All The Time. Anyway the chorus goes like this, "Temporary. Everything is only temporary. But God is everlasting." Before you get thought that Eddie is trying to sing Gospel. Nah. It's just an inspirational song. Inspirational and Gospel go hand and hand, but just cause a song is inspiring don't make it gospel.

Let me go back on topic. Some of us that are addicts tend to look for the temporary fix. Whether it's a swig of alcohol, a hit of a joint, or sex, whatever it is, the satisfaction is only temporary. Why? Cause the next day or sometimes minutes later, you're looking for another fix. Why go for the temporary when you can go for everlasting? God's love is everlasting. It lasts forever. To me that's a no brainier. Don't get me wrong, I understand addictions. Some addictions you can't stop cold turkey. James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." How do you resist? Don't talk about it. Don't watch it. Get away from certain people that are no help to you. You may have to literally run away from it. Certain shows I can't watch. I have to change the channel. Music is usually my get away from a lot of things. A major way is to pray about it. Read the Bible. Fast. Mark 9:29, "And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting."

Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Another word for "filled" is satisfied. We go back to the temporary fixes looking for satisfaction but nine times out of ten we don't find it. If we start to seek ye first the Kingdom of God, we'll find an everlasting satisfaction worth it all. I know there's a saying out that says, "After you try everything else, try Jesus." Why not try Jesus first? Try God first. Don't try religion. Try relationship. Relationship with the try and living God. Temporary fixes vs an Everlasting loving God. Makes sense to me.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

GET BACK ON FOCUS

Something that has been bothering me lately, and I talked to a couple of guys about it. Churches are getting off focus. Again let me say that the church is not a building. The church is the people. Without the people, there's no church. Now, we as the church, are losing focus. We're supposed to seek God. Focus on God. Keep God first. Seek ye first the kingdom of God. If there's one thing I can't stand it's when I go to a church that's not focused on the kingdom and more focused on what he or she is doing or not doing.

Nothing like going to a church that's actually God oriented and unashamed about it. We've become so focused on the entertainment aspect of church. Who can dance the best. Who can praise the best. Who can yell the loudest. Who can play the best. More about the show and less about the oil. The oil meaning the anointing. I guess being God oriented won't put butts in the seats, but I heard it said, "Take care of God's business, He'll take care of yours."

It is written, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Wondering why the church has no peace? The focus may be off. When the body is not listening to the head, it's out of order. We got body parts disrespecting the head and wondering why everything is all messed up. When I was growing up, and I disrespected the head of the household, I got what is missing in most homes today, disciplined. Discipline is missed in some churches as well.

Discipline is more than using the belt. It's defined, "the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience." If God speaks to you pastor what the church needs to do, or where the church needs to go, just shut up and obey. Don't say, "Well I don't think that..." You're the body part for a reason. God placed the pastor there for a reason. He sent the pastor there to lead. Stay in your lane. You're over the sound system. That's all you need to put your mouth on. Stop putting your mouth on what is not in your lane.

"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7) When worry come we tend to pass the blame instead of going to God in prayer. Instead of hitting our knees in prayer, we let the Devil come in and jack up relationships and close down churches. I wonder how many churches have closed the doors because of losing focus. Learn who God is again. The holy spirit is not the only spirit that talks to us. Think before you speak, and keep you mind stayed on God.

Two old hymns came to mind. One says, "There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus. No not one. No not one. None else can heal all our soul's diseases. No not one. No not one. Jesus knows all about our struggles. He will guide 'til the day is done. There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus. No not one. No not one." The other says, "What a friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and grieves to bear. What a privilege it is to carry everything to God in prayer. Oh what peace we often forfeit. Oh what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer." "Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness. All we got to do is take it to the Lord in prayer"

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

Nice try Devil but you have lost again...

I'm not going to go into detail. All I'm going to say is that the devil tried to get me. He thought he had me, but somebody prayed. But God has won again. When they say there's power in the name of Jesus? I dare you to try it. Try using that name and the power that comes with it. I'm a living witness that it works.

Now to the regular scheduled blog. Well not that scheduled and that's my fault. Cue The Chidrens Bread by Tonex.

I realize at I'm becoming more of a crier. I'm becoming a little more like my dad than I realize. I'm already like him in certain aspects, but never was that much of a crier outside of church of course. What brought this on is I was watching Kevin Durant's MVP speech an when he got to talking about his time growing up with his mom and all that she did, I had to literally scream to keep myself from crying because the tears were there and ready to flow. I fought them back though because that's not what I USUALLY do. We as people are scared to get out of our comfort zone and that might hold you back from a miracle. Step out on faith just one time and I promise it will make an impact. Now make sure that it's God leading you. Don't step out of the will of God, that's not what I'm saying. What I am saying is that if God wants you to do something that's out of your comfort zone, step out on faith and do it. And of course it might not be as bad as it seemed to be.

Like take the song I'm listening to now. God Is by DeWayne Woods. I'm a natural shy guy. Been one all my life. I'm just not one to open up to folks in person. So I bring God Is up because I led this song at this church I used to attend New Harvest Ministries COGIC. And it was always nerve wrecking. Every-single-time. But I stepped out on faith and did it. It ended up being like a release of some sort for me.

Next week I'll be 27 years old. I didn't think I'd make 25 let alone 27. To God be the glory for the things he's done. Yes I'm still single. Never had a date in my life. But is that necessarily a bad thing? I mean I'm still here. Sill alive. God has done too much for me for me to be ungrateful because I've never "had a girlfriend." That's not to say that I don't want to go on a date or have a girlfriend or one day have a wife and all that, but my life does not depend on that stuff. I'm not just going to settle for the first girl that winks at me. And that's all I'm going to say about that.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson
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Praise God for the residue

Isaiah 6:1 NLT It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple.

To be in the presence of the Lord is an awe inspiring thing. Some people embrace it while some watch for the entertainment value, and there's some people that don't believe anything is happening either way. But I believe that there is residue from being in the presence of God. It's becoming more of a reality that when your praises is not just for you but for the people that may be around you and for the people connected to you in one way or another.

I was having some issues for a couple of days. Let's just say my stomach was bothering me. Sunday at church the presence of God filled the temple. Young and old crying out. Went home and realized that the issue I had, I no longer had. I believe that was from the residue of the service. This is why it's important to go to the house of the Lord. My pastor quotes this all the time, David said I was glad when they said unto me let us go into the house of the Lord. Those who don't believe in "organized religion" and that being the reason you don't go to church...I heard a minister bring up recently that the Bible says God wants things done decent and in order which is one of my favorite verses. Also it is written, "How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."

I'm not trying to force anybody to go to church, but I'm saying if you do find the right service where the spirit is high, expect some residue from being in the midst. I heard somewhere that a lady went to a tent revival to spectate and ended up getting saved when it was all said and done.

It is written to seek first the Kingdom of God AND his righteousness...anybody can seek God, but can you live right? Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and He will supply your needs. Paraphrasing of course. The residue is good, but I don't know about you, I would like to have more than residue. Praise God for the residue, but if you want more than that...you got to do more than go to church you got to be the church.

Mom told me this one time some years back and I'm going to share it with y'all. P.R.O. Pray, Read, Obey. Just came to me so I don't know who it's for may have been just for me. But I'm going to share it anyway.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

INSPITE OF ALL I'VE DONE...

I'm going to go a different route with this one. I'm going to start off with song lyrics. This is Lookin' Out For Me by Kirk Franklin, one of my all time favorite songs by Kirk.

Remeber when the doctor said
He said he couldn't help you and
Remember when the money was gettin' low
You're hurtin' now your feeling low and just
When you thought the night would never end
The sun came out now you can smile again
Jesus you keep on lookin' out for me

You keep on lookin' out for me [3x]
In spite of all I've done
Jesus you keep on lookin' out for me

 I'm a living witness that in spite of all I've done, Jesus keeps on lookin' out for me. If you know should have been dead and gone, you should have been filing for bankruptcy, you should be in jail...it's not the "universe" that's making this happen. It's the creator of the Universe. The one who reigns over the earth. The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Jesus Christ the King.

We live in a generation of people that are scared to preach Jesus. That are scared to preach the gospel. And these are the same people that quote, "I'm not afraid of the darkness whom shall I fear if God before me. What shall we say to these things. I'm not afraid anymore." We talk about it, but now is the time to be about it. Faith without works is dead. That simple.

I said in the last blog that greater is here. We just got to believe and receive it. There's an old song that says, "You just trust and believe/and when you ask you shall receive/whatever you want/God's got it/Whatever you need/He will supply."

And I'm spent.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson
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When the enemy comes in like a flood---

Hello Hello once again coming from the Greenwood Public Library. I left my head phones at home so even if it did allow me to listen to music...ah well. Again no music for this one. Let's move.

I'm getting  more and more irritated at the fact that we spend more time bashing and criticizing and not praying. We got to pray for our leaders. I'm talking from our pastors, bosses, all the way up to the President. Bashing them isn't going to change a thing. I heard it said that prayer changes things. Prayer changes things. Let's be about it then. I put up a status on my facebook that we got to be about it. We talk a lot of stuff while at the same time ain't about nothing (double negatives I know, but who's blog is it? I thank you. Plus I was raised in the south, give me a break.) I'm learning more that talk without action is just talk. You know like a presidential debate. All talk and no actions makes a good politician....I believe that's how it goes. But back to the point. I believe the Bible says, Life and Death lies in the power of the tongue. What are we using out power for? Life or death? Recently, not going in to details, I used the power more for death rather then life. My anger really got the best of me. The Bible says be angry and sin not. I got the angry part down, but the sin not part is where--

There's a song that was sung when I was coming up in the church that said, "God's got a blessing for you. God's got a blessing for you. If you want it, reach up and grab it. God's got a blessing for you." Regardless if you know it or not, God is moving. God is blessing right now. All we got to do is live right and believe in what God says. I believe that that miracles signs and wonders are not on the way. They are here. There's a song out that says, "Greater is coming." Greater is here right now. We just got to believe and receive it.

I'm going to share this. On my Tumblr an individual asked me about my beliefs regarding homosexuality. Telling me that it's a fact that it's not a choice. Telling me that it's hateful to be against homosexuality. Basically saying that homosexuality is natural. And here's how I responded:

 "I think that its not hateful being against something that one has to come out and say that you are. I don’t have to come out and say that I am mixed. You can see it. You can see Clinton is white. You can see that Jackie Chan is of Asian decent. let’s get this straight, I do not hate gay people. What they do in the closet does not affect job performance or anything else. Also I am not against love. I believe that a man can love a man. I believe a woman can love a woman. Its the sex that I have issue with. That’s all. Let me precurse all this and say I am a Christian. I believe the Bible and what he says, and the Bible says for God so loved the world. He may not love what the world does but he loves the world. Like a parent. A parent, a true parent, loves his or her child despite of what they do. May disagree with what they do but that should not affect the love for the child. God bless."

Now was there anything disrespectful in that? I tried not to come off as disrespectful, but apparently this individual didn't see it that way, saying that I was "blindly following the Bible." That's when the conversation ended and this individual was blocked. I play and clown around about a lot of things, but one of the major things I don't play with is the Bible and food, but mostly the Bible. I believe homosexuality is a sin just as I believe adultery is a sin. Sin is sin. And if the Bible says its wrong, I'm going to say it's wrong. I'm not going to degrade gay people as I've done in the past cause I don't want to be degraded. But wrong is just wrong.  I've never been one to follow trends or fads. So if everyone says that being gay is natural and there's nothing wrong with it, and I'm standing alone saying it's wrong, then so be it.

I didn't mean to dwell on that, but I heard from  a preacher recently that we as saints have been too silent when it comes to things not of God, and I'm not trying to be silent anymore. I believe it's written that when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord will lift up a standard...

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson
Facebook.com/bigdusty
Twitter.com/big_dusty
Instagram.com/big_dusty

USE WHAT YOU GOT

It's been a long time. Little over a month. With a lap top that doesn't work and a desktop that went out on me, it was hard to post anything, but let me take this time thank you all for sticking around. Thanks for reading my stuff. Got a wrestling blog posted, and got my ipod on shuffle. So with that being said...cue Prodigal Son ~ Tye Tribbett. Before I go into this blog, I've heard Tye Tribbett's new album and I'm going to say it's his best album yet. Just awesome. I also listened Isaac Carree's new album, and I liked it also. I'm an R Kelly fan so that Clean This House remix is the cut as far as I'm concerned. But anyway--let's do this.

You can tell somebody what their doing is wrong. You can even tell them the consequences of the actions, but to be honest, it sometimes is not going to do anything. Some people got to be experienced to finally get it. Like you can tell thief about how wrong stealing is and it'll go in one ear and out the other. But when that jail cell closes, not all the time, but usually the realization kicks in. A prime example is the late great Sammy Davis Jr. Just imagine if he would've left the cigarettes alone. He'd still be alive today and killing it, possibly. But he just couldn't stop smoking even when he told people he stopped, he'd sneak off and get a puff in. Don't wait until it's too late to get the realization. I know I got realizations in my life and thank God I'm still alive to get stuff straight.

Some of the bad habits you can't seem to break, I say if at all possible, change your habits, or seek help. Don't wait until the consequences of that habit start to happen to realize, "Hmm, I my need to stop this." Believe me on that. An old song has become one of my favorites. I encourage anybody going through to YouTube Wave It Away by John P Kee. The song basically says give it to Jesus because he can bare them. Matthew 11:28-30 reads like this, "Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light." Now that was Jesus speaking.

A popular song in the church now is Break Every Chain by Tasha Cobbs. It's an awesome worship song. I'm willing to bet it's a song sung out of key and tune at churches around the world. That's when you know you got a hit folks. Anyway the song says, "There is power in the name of Jesus. To break every chain." We love that song. We "go in" on the song. Yet we don't use the power. An old congregational song says, "There is power. Power. Wonder working power in the blood of the lamb." We don't call on Jesus nor do we plead the blood of Jesus anymore. That may sound old school but the blood still works. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big supporter of new school. But some stuff we shouldn't stop doing as believers. Calling on Jesus and pleading the blood is right up there. We are a generation that loves singing and quoting but doesn't like applying.

We're wondering why chains aren't being broken. We wondering why we're still bound. Seeking God might help. 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicket ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." #Boom! Let me bring this in the mix though. Acts 16:25-26 "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God, and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were open, and every one's bands were loosed." Is your praise being heard? Maybe that's part of the problem.

Now the seed has been planted or watered. I pray that God provides the sunlight to provide the growth. I learned that I can't force anyone to do anything. I learned that what goes on in your personal life is just that. Personal. It's none of my business. All I'm supposed to do is speak truth. and the Bible says in John that the truth shall make you free. The decision is yours. Believe me that this blog is just for me as it is hopefully for some of you reading this.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson
@Big_Dusty on Twitter and Instagram
BigDusty on Facebook
 

HAVE SOME THINGS TO DO BUT HAD TO GET THIS OFF MY CHEST

Cue Clean This House remix feat R-Kelly by Isaac Carree. I cannot wait to get this song on June 25^th. I’m counting down the days. So I know the last post was heavy. But it was real. And it was definitely what I was feeling at the time. So with that being said…

James 4:17 says “So then, those who do not do the good they know they should do are guilty of sin.” We’ve all heard that excuse, “God knows my heart.” Cop out. You know better. Saying you can’t break that nasty habit. You can’t stop this or that. I would stop this but blah blah blah. I would stop but I can’t help it. Yes you can. We all got our struggles, trust I knows I do. But when we know to better and we don’t because it’s a habit that we choose not to break, come on now. It can be done. Matthew 6:22-23 says, 22 “The eyes are like a lamp for the body. If your eyes are sound, your whole body will be full of light; 23but if your eyes are no good, your body will be in darkness. So if the light in you is darkness, how terribly dark it will be!” Donald Lawrence said it like this, “Guard your hearing/Guard your seeing/Guard your speaking/Guard your heart.” If you stop feeding what you’re struggling with, it will die. It’s as simple as the life of a plant. If you stop watering the roots of a plant, that plant will die. Stop cutting leafs and branches of the habit and kill it at the root. You may have to stop watching certain things that you love. Starving something is not going to be easy. It’s going to put up a fight. But if you’re in a true relationship with Jesus the Christ, then he’ll fight that battle for you. You have to let go and let God.

Now I was going to end the blog there and just post it. You know Stay Saved, and all that. But fortunately I got to thinking and I got some things I want to get off my chest, again. Why don’t I talk to somebody, because I can’t get out what I want to say through talking. This is unfortunate, but your reputation has affect on how you get treated. If you have a rep of being lazy, even if you’re trying to do better and actually doing something…most likely it won’t matter. People will continue to question what you do from day to day if you do anything at all. It’s fair to a point. If you have a reputation of being a child molester, I wouldn’t hire you at a daycare. Or if you’re in this situation where you got fired for violating company policy and you haven’t a hard time finding a new job. It’s understandable why you’re not getting call backs from applications you put in. It sucks, but life is life. I just wish that when you see people trying to change that people will accept it. If they are willing to change, who are you to continue to hold their previous decisions over people’s heads? I got to watch my words here because what I really want to say could get me razzed 4 life.

Or how about getting accused of something you’re apparently not doing because of your reputation? I’m sorry but that’s a crotch chop waiting to happen from me. You know what they say in church, “If I can’t say a word, I’ll just wave my hand.” Well ever felt like, “If I can’t say a word, I’ll just wave the finger.” Not saying to do that, but you definitely feel like doing it sometimes. Especially when you get called lazy for doing something that somebody else is getting praised for.

Now I know I got things to do but if I didn’t get this out, I would’ve been pissed off all day.  My name is Daniel Richerson and I have been a world class screw up. I admit to all my faults. That’s one thing that old job cannot accuse me of. I came clean about everything. But when I try, or when I am redeeming myself, but still get treated like I’m the same screw up…nigg—you ain’t perfect either. The same way you get mad when people call you out, hello? So please believe, I’m doing better and I’m going to be better. I realize my faults. I’m not naïve despite what you may think about me. Instead of worrying about me being the screw up you know me to be, how about try praying for me and ask me how I’m doing? Don’t ask me how I’m doing with the mindset of the screw up, but hopefully with the mindset of really wanting to know how I’m doing? How bout that? It may be too heavy but at this point? My level of giving a—is welp—

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson
Facebook.com/bigdusty
Twitter.com/big_dusty

DON'T PUT YOUR OPINION ON TRUTH

Cue Rejects by Lecrae. Let me apologize for the time between blogs. Believe me that wasn’t the plan, but either way here I am.

I got to thinking, and I may be wrong, but that’s where y’all can chime in. I’ve blogged on gays and Lesbians. Controversially I might add. And by now I’m sure most of us know about the folks that protest funerals and other stuff saying “God Hates Fags” at the same time claiming to be Christians. So that’s just a backstory before i post my thoughts here. IF God really hated gay folk, then why are they still around? Why does the creator of the world allow the people that practice homosexuality to breathe? See where I’m going? I’m just trying to understand the logic here. If God, master of all things, creator of the Universe, hated a certain group of people, then one would figure God would have took them out, right? Or is it like God makes them suffer through the bullying and Aids as punishment for being gay? Again I’m just trying to understand.

Now here’s what I do believe. I believe the Bible is right. John 3:16. We know it. We quote it. “For God so LOVED the WORLD, that He gave his only begotten Son, that WHOsoever believeth on Him SHALL not perish but have everlasting life.” And if you are Christian, or claim to be a Christian, then the Bible is your manual. It’s what you live by. You can’t live by what you want to live by from the Bible. If you going to believe the Bible, then believe the Bible for what it says. So to say God hates gay folks would make God and his word a lie. I believe it’s written in Numbers that God is not a man that He should lie, neither the Son of man that he should repent. That’s the word. I do believe the practice of homosexuality is a sin. Because it’s written in the Bible that if a man lies with a man as he lays with a woman it is an abomination. I will not say that I’ve read the Bible as whole, but I read nowhere in the word of God that God hates the folks who practice the sins. If you have read that, please let me know book, chapter, and verse.

We got to stop putting on own personal opinions dictate what God thinks. We got to stop letting our own personal opinions dictate what the Bible says. The word of God is truth all by itself. Preach the Word and let the Word do the work. The truth shall make you free. Opinions don’t make anybody free, opinions causes battles. Opinions cause internet wars. It ain’t worth it. I learned that you can win more people if you present the unfiltered truth, and not your own opinion. You want to save this generation? Tell them the truth. Raw. Keep it real, no pun intended due to the title of this blog site. People can see past bull crap. This generation sees past bull crap. You can’t bull crap this generation like you could in the past. Bring the truth. Unfiltered. Raw. Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.

Let me end by saying this, I’m glad God doesn’t hate you for your sins. If that was the case, I’d be dead right now. I’m serious. I’m so glad God is a forgiving and merciful God. I’m glad that God does care. And God does love us when the world hates us. I’m glad for God’s grace. I’m glad that if one truly wants to be delivered that they can be. Cast all your cares upon Jesus. He’s truly able so just leave them there. Cast all your cares upon him. Here’s another thing if God truly hated folks for they’re wrong then why in the world did he use Paul and Peter like he did? Please explain that to me? Paul was Saul who was killing Christians. Peter was crazy. God used them majorly. But according to a group of folks that claim to be followers of God, claim God hates folks who practice homosexuality. If God hated them, then Donnie McClurkin would not be where he is right now. He said it himself that he was struggling with the practice of gay. So I’m not out of line when I bring him up. Donnie is profound in the Gospel music industry. Gospel music is, or at least supposed to be, God’s music. So if God hated them, then there’s no way Donnie McClurkin would be where he is right now. Pastoring a church? I thought God hated them. I know the Bible is right, somebody’s wrong.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson aka Big dusty
Twitter and Instagram @Big_Dusty
Facebook.com/bigdusty

BLOG FOR THE DEPRESSED AND STRESSED

Cue That Ain’t Nothin by Fred Hammond. Double negatives…nothing negative about the song though. BLOG!

Some of us are just waiting for that release that Donald Lawrence talking about. Stressed and worn out because of the job, family, and/or church. Proverbs 16:3, “Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.” I’ve been saying this for years on podcasts and on these blogs. Let Go and Let God. The holla you feel like doing. That dance you feel in your feet. Let go. That might be your release right there. I don’t know about your church but when I go to church my pastor always tells us to praise like we lost our minds and we give God a clap. And a quiet, “Hallelujah.” Yeah, that’s losing your mind. We are all going through something. So we have no right to judge your praise. I have no right to judge your praise. If I ever truly let go I probably wouldn’t be in half the pickles I put myself in. Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  When you hear folks say Give it to Jesus, it’s more than a good saying. It’s a command to help you get out of that depression and to relieve that stress. I heard Marvin Sapp say one time that Praise is a stress reliever. We continue to give God what we call praise and wonder why we’re still stressed and depressed. Let Go and let God.

1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you.” If nobody else cares, God does. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a time where the Saints of the most high God be so stressed out and depressed. What if we tried to cast our care upon Jesus? What if we tried to praise God like we lost our minds? Song says, “Have you tried, Jesus? He’s all right.” You try drugs, late night YouTube videos, alcohol, or whatever else you think lightens up the pressure of the world, yet we put Jesus last. Why? Try Jesus first some time. You may be surprised. He just may work.

Don’t be ashamed to be saved. Don’t be ashamed to be a church boy or church girl. Don’t be ashamed to be a Jesus fan. If you’re like me, you’re around dirty talk all day. And you feel like I can’t live saved around this. I can’t live right around that. I can’t stay saved in this environment. Song says, “Though trials come on every hand, I feel like going on.” Test and trials come to make us, what? Strong. The more you hold on and stay saved, the stronger you become. If Steve Harvey can try the Word of God and have it work for him…what’s your excuse?

I may never make it as a YouTube celebrity. I may never become a bestselling author. I may never record a Grammy worthy single or album. I may never learn how to play a lead guitar or organ. I may never get married. I may never be skinny. I may never be somebody’s love interest. I may never get another comment on these blogs ever again. I may never get another pat on the back. I just know that after all the stuff I’ve done in my life, I’m still here. I just know that God cares for me. I just know that only what I do for Christ will last. I just know that I have a purpose because if there wasn’t a purpose for me, I wouldn’t be here typing this blog. I’ve been depressed and stressed over stuff that doesn’t make any sense. I’m just telling what I know. I’ve been lonely with family around me. I’m a child of God. God is the king of kings and Lord or Lords. God is ruler over everything. He said that He’ll never leave us nor forsake us. So if my dreams never become fulfilled, I got to know I’m living to please God. I’m living for that well done thy good and faithful servant. I’m living to serve.

Don’t get me wrong. I want some of those things listed above to happen in my life, but it’s not the end all be all. I don’t know if I’m right on any of this. I may be wrong. I may be out of my mind. John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation:  but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” That was Jesus talking.  Somebody asked me at work what do I do on my spare time, I told her about the blogs, and she asked me about verses in the Bible about overcoming stress and depression. I didn’t know how to answer, but this gay guy that says some of the dirtiest stuff I’ve ever heard spat out some verses. I guess if God can use a donkey…either way. I guess this blog is just my response to her and to anybody else that may be going through stress and or depression.

Stay Saved,
Daniel Richerson
Twitter and Instagram @Big_Dusty
Facebook.com/bigdusty

RUNNING FOR OR FROM?

Cue Jesus At The Center by Israel and New Breed. Let’s do this! Let’s do this!

“I’ve been running for Jesus a long time, and I’m not tired yet.” Y’all ever heard that song. It’s not a song that will be on my iPod at ever, but it’s a song that plays on the radio a lot. Probably one of those good clichés to say in church to get a reaction. Anyway, I got to thinking. While some of us are running for Jesus, a lot of us are running from Jesus. Running from what we are called to do in the Kingdom. Running from what we are chosen to do in the Kingdom. Why do people run? Fear. Fear of losing friends. Fear of family members not believing in you. Fear of how you’re going to even start walking in the calling that God has for you. Believe me, I understand…

I believe that there comes a time where we have to make a decision. Are we going to keep hiding or are we going to finally embrace? How long will we ignore the signs? How many times does God have to keep changing the way he’s telling us what to do? He’s basically telling us the same thing every time, but it’s just changing the presentation. Some of us already got what God desires for us, but we continue run because of fear of the unknown. Believe me, I understand…

For the past few weeks, I’ve been asking God to rejuvenate my life. To recharge my battery. To create new in my life. Why? Because I felt like my life was moving slow as ever. Nothing was happening. Life felt like nothing but routines. I wasn’t living. I was just following a routine. I was sick of the routine. I was asking God to do something that will spark my life. I was asking God to send someone to spark my life. You know? I was just so sick of the same of stuff, I felt like God please! Change the routine! Maybe I was bored because I was running from something. Bored at my mind because I was ignoring instruction. Maybe?

I just feel like God is saying to me and maybe to someone out there reading this to stop running. Stop running from what God has for you. Stop running from your calling. Especially if you know what you’re called to do. You think those dreams and visions you’re having are just visions and dreams? You think it’s an accident that you can do what you can do? Old song we used to sing says, “Yes to your will. Yes to your way. Lord I’ll serve you for the rest of my days.” Personally, I make that proclamation. Anybody else? My way is not working. I don’t know about y’all. My way is not working at all. Bored. Stuck. Not moving. Running from—it’s not working.

I’m 25 years old. I’m an adult now. No use to be 25 years old with a child-like mindset. Time to grow up. Put away childish things. When you get people being able to tell that you’re a child of God through a phone call? Time to stop running. God, I say yes to your will. Yes to your way. Lord I’ll serve you for the rest of my days.

Stay saved,

Daniel Richerson aka Big Dusty
@Big_Dusty on Twitter
Facebook.com/bigdusty

WHAT IS KEEPING YOUR ROOTS ALIVE?

Cue I’m Going On by Commissioned. Thanks for all the continued support.

What happens to plants if the roots die? The whole plant dies right? The most important part of a plant is the roots. The roots keep the plant alive and functioning. Some of us get rooted in the right direction but don’t water the roots. Dreams die because the roots are not watered. We got dreams and aspirations. We get planted and rooted and a stem pokes out of the ground. Here’s the issue. When’s the last time you got an apple from a stem sticking out the ground? We get satisfied that we’ve grown out of the soil but for some strange reason we refuse to grow. Some of it has to do with fear. Some of it has to do with what people say or what you think people say about you. Some of it has to do with your mind set. Some of it is that you are getting watered, but you’re not drinking the water. It’s getting you wet, but it’s not getting inside you.

How many dreams have died because of lack of nutrients? Believe or not, I got a YouTube channel. The channel is basically just sitting there doing nothing for the most part. Why? Because I haven’t posted anything, yet I dream of some day entertaining masses, whether it’s by singing, comedy, or whatever. So with dreams like that, I can‘t even keep a YouTube channel alive to put myself out there showing what I am capable of. Now is it YouTube’s fault that I’m doing nothing with it? No. It’s mainly the soil that is being used to make dreams come true, and I’m using it wanting to make my dreams come true, but don’t want to water it. Don’t want to let it get some sunlight.

Which leads me to another thing. Sunlight is a very very important source for a plant to survive. What’s your source? What’s your source of getting growth? What are you depending on? There’s probably not a choir anywhere that hasn’t sang Total Praise by Richard Smallwood. The song says, “You are the source of my strength. You are the strength of my life.” Really? Then why are our dreams and aspirations dying at a high rate? Why not let God be the source of your strength so your dream can get some growth. Some use the wrong light and wonder why depression sets in. Here’s a theory. Maybe it’s not just the life or dream that’s causing the depression. Maybe it’s what you’re using for nutrients for that dream. God is not the source. Not necessarily saying that it’s the devil either. Maybe it’s that agent. Maybe it’s that friend. Maybe it’s that family member. Maybe it’s that church member. You’re depending on people killing you with junk, where there’s a God that’s ruler of everything with His arms open waiting for you to let Him in. Keep God first is not just a good saying to say when trying to motivate someone. It’s actually a good thing to do believe it or not.

Imagine how much further some of us would be if we really put God first and really pursued our dreams? Probably more happy than we are now. Probably more financially stable to pursue our dreams. I keep hearing that this financial struggle that most of us is going through will soon be over. Please believe that I’m not questioning any one’s Holy Ghost, and I’m a firm believer that a God is about to drop a financial boom on some of us. I just think there’s a step some of us are missing. The Bible says to seek ye first the what? Kingdom of God. And then what? All these things shall be added. Keep God first. Also please believe that I’m not just typing this to try and preach or motivate you. I’m not throwing stones. I’m motivating myself as well. I know I need to do better in certain areas of my life, and as soon as I do better, I believe God will bless me better. I think we’re all fortunate that God loves us so much that He keeps on making ways out of no ways in our lives. We don’t deserve it. You know what you did and are doing. I know what I did and am doing. Yet He keeps on making ways for us. Song writer says, “He keeps on doing great things for me.”

Follow your dreams. Pursue your dreams. Put some water on your dreams. Don’t take a break, because that will stagger the growth of the dream, and at sometimes kill it. Keep going. Keep pursuing. Keep God first. Pray about any and everything. Follow God’s lead. Now, let me say this. Following God’s lead does not mean that you sit and do nothing. You can still follow God’s lead and continue to pursue. We get told to be patient and wait, then with that we do nothing. No. While you’re waiting, water your craft. Practice your craft. Perfect your craft. Perfect your dream.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson
@Big_Dusty
Facebook.com/bigdusty

WHY YOU POINTING ALL THEM FINGERS?

Aaaaaaaaaand cue He Keeps Blessing by Vincent Tharpe and Kenosis! Aaaaaaaaaaaaand on to the blog!

Dusty is taking over. It started in the 7th grade. Now it's even gone to my job. I'm not kidding. My manager is calling me Dusty because there's another Daniel on the team. How awesome is that? What's next? Coffee cups? T-Shirts? Milk Cartons? That's right!! Y'all better get on the bandwagon now. It's going to be good.

Don't let a title put you on a pedestal. We got people using they're titles to point fingers. Ever heard that phrase when  you're pointing at somebody you got three fingers pointing back at you? Pointing fingers does nothing but make you look more guilty. Some of us get up on our own personal pulpit and point and point when...what are we doing? What are we doing to set the example of what not to do? How are we reacting to situations while at the same time we'll telling other people how to react? How are we handling this recession while at the same time we'll telling other people how to react? How are we living when we're telling others how to live? What's done in the dark...

Actions speak louder than words. So if I'm going to tell y'all to keep the faith and don't give up, I can't be putting statuses up on Facebook like, "I don't know how much longer..." Or tweeting something like, "This is getting too much to handle..." If I'm going to tell you to let go and let God, I can't put a facebook statuses, "If God don't do something quick..." Or tweet something like, "There's no way that..." How you react to things on Facebook and Twitter is how people look at you in real life. Mixing trust in God statuses with nobody knows the trouble I see tweets...what are we as your followers and friends supposed to think about you?

Not everybody got to know how you feel. We all going to feel down and out. Feeling that way, doesn't give you the right to spread negativity. You'll be amazed what one little speck of light can do in the midst of darkness. Some of us are so in the dark that any light would probably blind us. I hear the old song that says, "Look where He's brought me from. He's brought me out of darkness into the marvelous light." So how you going to facebook and tweet about God then go right around and tweet in the dark? Kurt Carr said, "Whatever you do, don't let your light go out!" Don't worry about the light bill, Jesus got that under control.

Don't get me wrong. Life is real. Life is rough. Life is raw. I'm know that from personal experience. And I've been guilty of tweeting light and hours later tweeting darkness. Now is the time to pick the side that you're going to be on. Are you going to live to see or are you going to live blind? Are you going to live in the light or are you going to live in the dark? Are you going to live in positivity or negativity? Are you going to live the example or are you going to live pointing your fingers? The choice is yours.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson aka Big Dusty
Follow me on Twitter @Big_Dusty
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THE WORD SAYS IT, DON'T QUESTION IT

Cue Stevie Wonder “Superstition!” I’m ready to go. First of all like always, Follow me on Twitter @Big_Dusty and Facebook me at Facebook.com/bigdusty. Now if you do decide to follow me or friend me, communicate. Just sayin…Also, get at me on my podcast at bigdusty.podomatic.com or search for me on iTunes: bigdusty. One more thing, if you’re a fan of professional wrestling or know anybody that’s a fan, check out my wrestling blog at bigdwrestling.blogspot.com.  If only I could make a living doing this. Blogging, Podcasting…

So this Sunday, first of all, what a day Sunday was. I don’t know about y’all, but we had some old school crazy church at Prayer and Faith Ministries. It was awesome. I love those services where God preaches. You know when the preacher doesn’t even have a chance to open his notes? God is like, don’t worry, I got it this Sunday personally. I remember that happening at times when I was a kid when my Dad was pasturing. It was something to remember. My dad had sense enough to say, “I’m not going try to out preach God.” It kills me when preachers try to out preach God. Ever been in those services where God is just having his way, then the preacher comes up and puts everyone to sleep? I mean literally, the first two rows all get whiplash because of trying to stay awake. Learn your place is all I’m saying. When God takes over, you let go. Simple. Follow order. Like when some church members have a service at the church and the pastor doesn’t find out about it until the day of the service? Oh yeah, I’ve seen it happen first hand. Follow order. Why are some churches in the shape it’s in? No order. 1 Corinthians 14: 40 says, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” It was said Sunday, “The Word says it. Don’t question it.” That’s why I say I’m well when someone asks me how I’m doing even though I’m coughing. Why? The Bible says I’m healed. “The Word says it. Don’t question it.”

Also this past Sunday, my little sister gave her first sermon. Short and to the point and tore it up. My sister and I grew up in the church. Most of our time was here in South Carolina. So my sister being on the pulpit in front of folks that saw us grew up was a huge moment. I got through it fine, but it’s what happened after that that had me crying. My sister went back to her seat, and Supt. McCluney got up for final remarks and the benediction. My sister and I have known Supt. McCluney from childhood. So when he said that he was Godly proud of my sister and me? I lost it. I don’t know why I was bought in the conversation. It was my sister’s moment. Yet, Supt. said that he was proud of me? I was wrecked. Because of guilt? I don’t know. Believe me, I know I’ve come a long way. No job to job. No license to license. And a lot more. Yet, I know I still have a long way to go. Maybe not that long but still a ways none the less. God has been good to me. If it wasn’t for his grace and mercy, I don’t know where would I be. Sounds cliché but I can say that with confidence and honesty. The stuff I’ve done, and yet still can sit here in this chair and type this blog? Wow. I guess it’s the fact that I’ve so down on myself most of life that when someone says I’m doing good, it wrecks me. When someone says, “Daniel, I’m proud of you.” I’m wrecked. Look at me, I’m doing something right. I’m not going to lie, I get lonely. I get to points in my life where if my phone don’t ring or buzz because of notifications, I get lonely. I get the feeling of, “Ok, who’s thinking about me? Am I’m on anybody’s mind?” I look at my statuses and posts and get no response. I get no likes. Yet someone else post something, instant 20 likes and comments. Jealous much? Yes, I’m not going to lie to you. Truth is truth. But those few moments when I get, “Hey, Daniel, you’re doing good.” It does my heart good. I know they say don’t look for pats on the back, and really I’m not. I’m just looking to see that I still exist if you know what I mean.

Well, that’s the blog. Be sure to give your comments, keep it in touch, and share this around with other folks you think that might like it.

Stay Saved,

Big Dusty aka Daniel Richerson

FEEL FORGOTTEN?

Follow me on Twitter: @Big_Dusty and get at me on facebook: Facebook.com/bigdusty. Also I got to plug my latest podcast that I have up. Check it out at bigdusty.podomatic.com. Got all that? Good!

“I am not forgotten…He knows my name” I think we all get to the point where we feel like we’re forgotten. I know I do. Those times where I promote my stuff whether it’s my blogs, my videos, my podcasts, or whatever and get nothing? Yeah, I feel forgotten. When I think about all the good friends I had back in middle and high school and now I barely have any communication with them whatsoever, yeah I feel forgotten. Little things like that get to me. But God…

Just earlier today I was talking to my sister about when you grow in God or just naturally, you tend to lose the friends you thought you have. Then I said half serious half jokingly, “Well I lost my friends a long time ago.” Sometime it feels like that. I will be straight up honest. It wasn’t always like that though. Times in my life I had friends, actual friends that were not on the internet, that cared about my well being. Not that I’m disowning the friends I’ve met on the net, but I’m just saying. Times when I had no money for lunch, I never went hungry. Friends. Times when I wanted to tell a girl I liked her, friends would tell me to just do it. They wanted to see me succeed. Friendship. At one time I actually had a book going around school with a manager and everything. People liked and gave feedback on the stuff I wrote. Interesting concept.

Now that that season of my life is over, I miss it. I’m going to be honest. I miss conversations. I miss laughing at conversations. I miss that face to face contact with folks that actually were interested in what I had to talk about and vice versa. Plus with me being the clown that I am, it’s much easier to feed off someone in person rather than through webcam or computer mics. Getting my license I figured that getting around to meet up with folks would be easier. Yet things are basically the same when I comes to that stuff. Who’s at fault? I am. I admit it. My mindset is not at the place of confidence to think that people would actually want to meet me for lunch or meet up with me and hang out.

It’s really all about mindset. When we feel forgotten we need to realize that God is omnipresent, meaning God is everywhere. Therefore we’re never alone. God doesn’t forget about us. It feels that way though because we’ve forgotten about him. Maybe, it’s just God showing tough love so you can get yourself right. Just like any parent would do for their child. I know when my mom showed tough love on me, it killed me. Yet now, I got a job and my license. Still got a long way to go, but I’m heading in the right direction. Mom didn’t forget about me, she just loved me enough to listen to God and let me go through what I went through because it would make me better, and it did.

Sometimes though people are thinking about you, they just don’t say anything to you. I know I think about folks all the time, I just don’t say anything to them. Most of the time I pray for them. Just keeping it real. Should I try to connect with all the folks I think about? I say if the timing is right, go for it. So when you start to feel lonely, when you start to feel forgotten, remember that the one true and living God has not forgotten you. Remember that there is somebody out there thinking about you and possibly praying for you as well. I pray for all the folks I’m connected with whether in person or online.

Thanks for reading. Share your comments. Share the blog around.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson aka Big Dusty