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+

My Prodigal Son is Home

One of these days I am going to have ample time to write down what all I've been through over the past 18 months, however, quickly, I was lied on, ostracized, criticized, ridiculed, rejected from some of my closest friends, and even crucified publicly. But through it all I held on to God's word! I stood still so I could see His salvation!

Well, one of the relationships that was destroyed over 18 months ago began to be restored this morning while I was speaking at my church. My thought for today was, "The Things that have Happened to Me..." and I discuss the Apostle Paul's letter to the church of Phillipi when he was encouraging them while he was in prison to not lose heart and give up the fight. He admonished them to see the glory in tribulations by understanding that everything that happens in your life, takes place for the further advancing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

How many of us need to reflect over the past year or two and think about the circumstances of life and how we could have handled situations that were out of our control? We all could stand to read Paul's writings to remember that no matter how bad it gets, it could always be worse.

Well, one of my sons showed up while I was giving my testimony at the end of the message and he heard me say that it was good that I went through my ordeal last year. I was indicted by a grand jury and was facing over 28 years over the lies spread on me, but God is faithful and I was vindicated and through the course of this ordeal, my love never wavered for my son. I understand that there is a mantle on my life to cover the next generation and I fully understand my calling. I never stopped being who God ordained me to be.

While I was talking, when I saw him come in, I almost gagged because it had been over a year and a half since we conversed. I heard from numbers of people all the things he would say about me, and although it was painful, I continued to press on. As the prodigal's son returned to him, the joy of the father pushed him to "run" and greet him. That's how I felt today because I invited him up in front of everybody and spoke into his ear the following words, "ALL IS KNOWN AND ALL IS FORGIVEN!"

This is a powerful statement because we made amends and I told him that I never stopped loving him. I know one thing for sure, God's hand is on his life and He is blessed and highly favored and his future is bright! He is going to reach numbers of gang members for the Lord in the days to come...

My son, whom I hadn't seen in 18 months is back home with his dad!

God is faithful and will do just what He says He will do!

I Wear the Title, It Doesn't Wear Me

It's been quite a long time since I've posted to this blog! It almost feels like eternity because so much has taken place since my last blog!

What happened? Why did I stop blogging? Why am I back? These and other issues I will discuss as I get back into the swing of posting on a regular basis! I appreciate the love and prayers sent my way during my long absence. There is so much I want to share, I really don't know where to begin.

Since I last blogged alot of changes have taken place in my life. The most important to me is that I now serve as the Senior Pastor of Rock of Ages Church in Toledo, Ohio. It's a small church with a huge heart. The members have all welcomed me with open arms and have worked diligently to bring me up to speed with what's going on. I am very excited about the things that are taking place at "The Rock" Church and I am putting all of my time in making sure that this ministry is on the cutting edge as it relates to ministry.

Real LYFE has always been special to me because it gave me the platform to address real issues that pertain to everyday life. I will continue to blog about tangible issues even though I am now a pastor because I make the title, the title does not make me!

Take care for now and again, I'm glad to be back!