It's Time to Forget Yesterday and Move Forward

I have come to a place of understanding that IF IT IS TO BE, IT IS UP TO ME! In the poem Invictus, it ends with the following phrase, "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." And with that said, I have come to realize that it is time to advance forward and stop feeling sorry for myself. Yes, I was dealt a hard blow when I was indicted on 6 counts of stuff I didn't do. Yes, it was a blow to face the possibility of spending up to 27 years in prison had I been convicted on all counts. Yes, it was a blow to lose my job that I had had for a number of years of which I had never been written up for. Yes, it was a blow to be running succesfully for office and on my way to possibly winning and then have to drop out the race because of the indictments. Yes, it seemed highly unfair to have my life spin out of control and go up in what looked like flames! But life is what it is!

So I have come to the realization that you have to learn to take each day as it comes and not let anyone lay claim to your life. Your life is what YOU make of it. I have learned not to ever give anyone more power than they deserve. In the past two years I have been up and down. In the past two years I have made some decisions that probably were to my detriment. I was told by the Toledo Police Department and the Lucas County Prosecutor's office that I was cocky, arrogant and unapologetic! I was even told by the Judge, through my attorney, that I wanted it my way and I was attempting to butt heads with her. Now that could not have been any further from the truth but I have a need to be heard! I have a need to speak out with an injustice has occurred! I find it difficult to remain silent when there is an apparent violation of not just civil rights but human rights, so forgive me if I have come across as arrogant and cocky but the things that happened to me were horrible because I never hurt anyone. I won't now apologize for something I didn't do, but what I will do is apologize to the many people who have supported me because it has taken me sometime to fully realize why God allowed the situations to take place as He did.

That being said, the past is the past and today, April 23rd, 2009, I am still standing in my right mind and serve as the Senior Minister of "THE ROCK" Church in Toledo, Ohio. I love the members who support me and submit to my leadership. I couldn't do what I do without them showing up on Sundays to "root" for me and encourage me. "THE ROCK" Church is not the traditional church. It's anything but traditional, it's a non-traditional church that accepts people for who they are right now! We are not judgmental and we accept as is. I can't say that any more clear than right now! I like the Apostle Paul when he said, "I am forgetting what is behind and I am reaching for the things that are before me."

Let's forget about the haters and thank God that we are still alive and in our right mind! Let's move forward and get busy!

This is NOT a Game!

It's been a while since I've posted anything to this blog for a plethora of reasons. For those of you who have kept up with all that I've been through, many of you will testify with me that I've been through many trials and tribulations. But with all that I've been through I am still yet determined to finish my course. There are many people who have betrayed my trust and have attempted to kill me and sabotage my character and integrity but I am pleased to announce that they were not successful.

I have been the recipient of blatant discrimination and with all that I have been through I never gave up. It's important to understand that we are all sent here to this earth for a purpose and life is more than having sex, eating, drinking, etc. But life is to be lived to its fullest and the only way to do that is to discover the meaning to your existence. Throughout the past two years I have been indicted on six felonies facing 27 years in prison for something I did not do all because someone wanted to make a "name" for themselves. Now if I was to say that I am a perfect person I would be lying to you, however, the things that I was accused of I can say with full assurance that I am, was, and will always be innocent of.

Well, anyway, the bottom line is life is no game, this is REAL! Life is real and should be taken seriously and every moment counts! You cannot afford to waste and squander any more time. Back when I was young, I could afford to waste time, I could afford to live for the moment but not any longer. Looking at all the devastation that is taking place in the world, it is important to live for tomorrow and re-connect to the divine intention for which you were sent into the world.

THIS IS NOT A GAME so make each moment count NOT for today but more so for tomorrow. PLEASE, there are generations coming behind you counting on you to think about them and not just yourself.

Back Better Than Ever

After a long break from the usual routine I am back on this blog and unless God leads me somewhere different, I am back to stay! I thank God everyday for His grace and mercy for allowing me to get back to doing what I love, which is reaching out and encouraging people.

What's next for Pastor Rich? Well, I am now the Senior Pastor of Rock of Ages Church. If you know anything about all the hell I've been through in the past year, you are probably wondering to yourself, "how did that happen?" I ask myself the same thing almost on a daily basis but it's true, God did it! I thank Him because I know it was only His grace and mercy that has protected me for the past year with the many trials and tribulations that plagued me. My testimony is that He took me out of the pit and delivered me out of the hand of my enemies!
Anyway, moving on because God is a perpetual God. He keeps exceeding His greatness! For what it's worth, I am alot wiser and stronger and am able to minister to a larger audience having gone through the court system the way I did. It's more than a notion. I realized more than I have ever before how much of a threat I am to the kingdom of darkness. While it remains to be seen what God is going to manifest in the days to come, I wait with anticipation because I know I am not loving Him and living for Him for nothing!

Till next time...

ROB+