"Today's Events"

      So this morning we sat and waited. Its 7:11 am and Our grandmother is on her way back to surgery. Her eyes are filled with tears because of the fear of the unexpected. We prayed a prayer of comfort as she grasped my hand. Giving her words of encouragement and inspiration. Praying that the Lord be in the midst of the surgery. That He guide the surgeons hands and keep her in his care. It's knee replacement surgery and the operating physicians seem confident that all will go well. And so am I because they prayed with us. Thank you Jesus. It's 9:40 and I get a call from the surgeon saying everything went well an she is doing fine. Been at the hospital all day. In and out picking up people & meds that the hospital doesn't carry. The hospital doesn't carry meds???!!!! What kind of monkey operation is this? Anyhow,I got them for her. She is now resting and awaiting my return.       Meanwhile, my little cousin lay in the intensive care pediatric unit miles across town. She is recovering and making progress. I'll make my way there to see her after Grandmom comes outta surgery since I'm off today. Just found out that she took her trache yesterday so the team came in and put on another one. And she's talking now so I can't wait to see her. On top of all this, my youngest daughter has to got to the dentist today because her tongue got stuck in the spacer in her mouth the other day and they probably have to reset it. No worries tho because she is fine. She was a little hysterical at first, but the ER doctor was the bomb. And she went on playing and eating like the big girl she is.      Class last night with pastor was, and is, always great. Sometimes we take time out to give our brains a rest and see how each other is doing. These rap sessions are much needed because they are therapeutic for the both of us. For me it lets pastor know how I am doing and if there's anything bothering me or how I'm coming along in my studies because along with my sinus headaches, theology makes my brain swell and hurt. Which in turn causes me to pick pastors brain probably more than he would like. Lol (Sorry Doc) But, in the course of my studies, pastors teaching of Gods word, and our day to day life trails, there is always something to learn through Gods word.       During our 1st deacons ordination, I heard an learned something very powerful. When presented with their new bibles, one of the head deacons said "there is nothing that goes on in life, that you can't find in this book", meaning the Bible. In my mind it sparked more thirst for knowledge and it took me back to all the classes and rap sessions that pastor and I have because no matter what I go through, pastor always refers to a scripture in the Bible that better helps me understand what God says about the situation. Just for instance, last nigh, he read some familiar and encouraging passages I used to read all the time. Psalm 23, Psalm 27 and Isiah 40:26-31. He said the Lord told him that I needed strengthening, and boy was he right on the money about that. And before then a close friend prayed with me a prayer of strength, for me to be able to withstand these next few days, over the phone while I was on the train. See how God works? In the midst of our fear, God will send an angle to strengthen you. So I looked back at how God sends me messages and sends a sign or an angle of strengthening when I least expect it. Thank you Jesus!!      It's was only 7:57am an my impatient grandfather ready to leave while Grandmom is under the knife. So I reminded him of how we, including grandmom, sat through a grueling 10hr aneurism surgery he underwent last year. Oh how we forget. I think we can wait 3hrs for her. All the cooking and cleaning and washing clothes she does for 4 grown behind men, please don't get me started on that subject. That's a whole nother blog.     Anyhow, as we patiently waited for her to come out of surgery we ate and laughed and chilled out. When they finally brought her to her room, I asked her how she felt and she answered, "your prayers, your prayers". I almost lost it. Thank you father for protecting her. And for being our strong tower and for your goodness and mercy. I tried, but I never mad it to see Saryn, but I did make it to my daughters dentist apt. Which also went well.Praise report, Saryn is sitting up talking & painting. Loving God through this journey. As I close,I leave you all with this, to all my readers, and my family, share this with some one: Numbers 6:24-26 says 24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: 25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.               Amen!          Thank you and have a save blessed day,                         ~Rev. Tyrone Birch~

"A Mothers Love"

     As I said in my previous post, these next few weeks are going to be trying. A test of our family's faith, courage, and most of all, our love for each other.  I stood by and watched as my close knit family came together and stood by one another as our little one lay helplessly under sedation. The dedication of a determined mother who puts all else aside and sits by her child's side in her time of need. To watch a family, a community come together in the love and support of one another's grief stricken moment. My Children watch and observe trying to grasp what has happened to their cousin as they walked in the room. Tears and confusion fill their eyes. You could feel the denseness of the atmosphere. The look of despair and nervousness filled the air.      I mentioned how strong my cousin, who is so close to me we are like sister & brother, is. She stands by her daughters side every waking moment as Saryn lays in need. In need of healing, in need of prayer, in need of attention, in need of her family's love. Making sure every specialist does his or her job with the utmost professionalism. Making sure her child is given the special attention she needs an deserves. Protecting her from all she physically can. Even family. Because even though family members care and show support, sometimes the support can be overwhelming. As I said these are trying times for our family.        Protecting ones need, especially in this case, is a full time job. And like anyone who has a full time job knows, it can be tiresome and frustrating. And although all the get well balloons & cards and phone calls are welcomed, all the emotion can break anyone that think they are strong. This overwhelming feeling is not intentional. And it can pop up when you least expect it. And believe me, She expresses her love & appreciation to everyone.       When a person tries to be strong & hold their emotions in, they will explode at some point. Think about it as if you shake a soda bottle. What happens when you open that same bottle after you shook it? It explodes right? Ok, so a persons emotions are just like a soda bottle. Shake a person enough as they try to keep their emotions bottled up & they'll explode. Like I said, it's not out of anger all the time, but out of frustration.       I could imagine that she wants this process over. We all want this process over. But it is just that. A process. Once you grasp the understanding of the nature of the process, it's becomes easier to go through these challenges in life.       How can you find a way to overcome such adversity? It's simple. You have to seek Jesus. A life in Christ will enable you to obtain and feel an everlasting Joy that will also help you to love the way God loves Us & go thru any test that comes your way. That Agape love. That unconditional undeserved love of how a mother loves her child no matter what they go through, or better yet, how Christ loves his church. (Amen walls!!!) When you live a life in Christ or life your life Christ like, you feel & have a Joy that is not dependent on circumstance but built on Gods love. You have peace. Absolute peace can only be found in Jesus Christ. The world we live in is in Chaos, But It's only thru Christ that you can achieve such peace and go thru these challenges. "I in them and you in Me" as Jesus prayed, refers the share glory of Gods love. Get that right and the rest will take care of itself.     In the midst of all this, we have a praise report. Our grand father of 80+ yrs old joined church on Sunday. Praise God!! He though is not out of the woods yet. He still has a few appointments to face. As a Matter of fact, he's going to see the cancer doctor today. So we have to keep both he & our grand mother lifted up in prayer because she goes in for knee replacement surgery tomorrow. This is a lot on our family's plate ain't it?      I can't speak for every last one of us only because like any other family, some of us chose to live other lives. Doesn't mean we don't love them, because we do. But a large majority of us have a strong love in the Lord. We have enough faith and trust in Him to see us through. So for the ones I can speak for, we say Thank You Lord for all you do for us. Thank you Lord for seeing us through. Thank you Lord keeping us in your care. Thank you for the storm!!! Thank you in the midst of our storm!!! In Jesus name!!      If any one sees what I see in in my cousin, they know exactly what I mean. She put all of her needs aside to be there for her child. & I know 1st hand that she would do anything she can for anyone she loves if she could.  Because she was there for me when I had surgery and cooked and cleaned for me when I down. So in closing I say this from the bottom of my heart, I love You my Stacey Boo & continue doing what you're doing. The bible says in Matthew 6:32-34  32 for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.     The Lord our God know our every want, need and desire of our hearts. But look at verse 33 again and meditate on that.           Have a safe blessed day & please keep our family in prayer.                ~Rev. Tyrone Birch~       

"Prayer Changes Things"

Prayer Changes Things (WhenYou Believe)  How often do you hear "I'll be pray for you!!"? Do you ever wonder if that person really prayed for you or is really praying? Have you ever told someone that you are gonna pray for them & walk away from them & later forget to pray for that person? How do toy think you would feel if something happened to that person & you didn't pray for them? Or better yet, pray with them.       These are just a few questions that run through my mind for time to time. As of late I have adopted a method that my Father in the ministry has developed over the years. Instead of telling someone he'll pray for them, or if someone asks him to pray, he takes a few moments to go into prayer when he hears the need or request. That's being mature in spirituality.       Often times I would tell someone that I'll keep it in prayer. Then later on I would pray for the situation. As of late, I have been feeling a little better about myself because I go into prayer for a moment of someone's else's need and not just my own..     Today though, my heart is a little heavy. No matter how much I find strength in the Lord, there is always something, weather large or small, trying to break me down. These next few weeks will be a test of our family's strength. Beginning last tues, my grandfather was rushed to the ER only to find out that he had a blood clot in his groin. Praise God, he was released wed evening but still has to undergo a number of strenuous test in a few days while he's still feeling a little weak from being hospital stricken for over a week. Leave it up to him and he thinks that because he's no longer in the hospital, he's 100% better. Not the case. He still wants to get up and do the things he is used to doing all these years. Being recently retired from years of work now this? How can he cope.       Yesterday, my little cousin had to undergo a grueling 12hr surgery. My family and I have been in constant prayer for a safe procedure & a speedy recovery. For those that are wondering what kind of surgery this strong little beautiful 6yr old Had to have:  here's a lil bit of information; Her name is Saryn Birch, and she has something called Apert's syndrome. It is a genetic disease in which the seams between the skull bones close earlier than normal. This affects the shape of the head and face.It occurs in 1 in 200,000 live births. Both she and her mother are at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Her mother is a very strong woman. So I can only imagine that Sayrn has her mothers strength if not more. Saryn, pronounced (Sare-rin) is a beautiful young intelligent spirited young lady who loves her family and brings us so much joy. She has to undergo a number of surgeries as she grows up. So we are always brought to our knees in prayer for her, and all of our family, young, old, Christian and the ones who choose to live other lives. We may have grown apart, but we always come together in each others times of need.        This morning, my cousin posted a graphic picture of Saryn in recovery. I instantly wanted to kiss her again, I miss her calling my name and I miss her making me laugh and I want her to jump on me right now. I thought I could hold it together but it's not as easy as it sounds. This mornings image is now burned in my brain and myself and all of our Facebook family and friends who has seen the pic are probably more humbled than we've ever been. It's tough. But as we pray, some of us won't admit it, but we are afraid. Afraid there's a certain fear that you get from finding strength and courage I the Lord. But this fear that we feel is good fear. It's healthy.       Healthy fear is circumstantial, it goes away. It helps you in your time of need. For example, you know how you're getting ready to take a big test and you're afraid you won't do well but you strive to do better? That's good fear. It propels you. It motivates. This fear comes from the love of the Lord. You see in Jesus prayed a prayer of fear in Luke 22:42-43   42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. Jesus was fearful for a brief moment.  He didn't wanna die the way he knew he was going to die, but the important confession of this scripture says, and get ready for this, Not my will, but your will be one Father. And watch this, verse 43 says an angle appeared from heaven strengthening him. That's powerful ain't it?      So you see, no mater what the situation is, fellowship with the Lord, be obedient to his word, submit yourself to the will of God (Thank you Jesus) and He'll strengthen you in your time of need.      Prayer does change things. John 13:34-35 says A new commandment I give you, That ye love one another as I have loved you. That ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.  Pray for ones other. Lift someone up in prayer in their time of need when they need it.     As we will be in constant prayer, next week and my Grandmother will be going in for knee replacement surgery on the 13th. I claim healing and strengthening over these situations in Jesus name. There's power in the name of Jesus!!! There's healing in the name of Jesus!!! There's salvation........ In the Name of Jesus!!!! If you were sitting next to someone and tell you to tell them NEIGHBOR, YOU CAN FIND PEACE, IN CHRIST JESUS!!!!!    Please take a moment and pray for these situations. And pray for the situation that someone asked you to pray for at that moment. Remember, there's never an inappropriate time to pray and Prayer changes things.      Thank you all and God bless.                                              ~Rev. Tyrone Birch~

"Morning Prayer"

Father God, I come to you as humble as I know how with the spirit of thanks giving. Thank you lord for bringing me as far as you brought me. Thank you lord for the storms you brought me through. Please lord, continue to keep me in your care. Forgive me lord for the wrong I've done. Forgive me lord for sins know & unknown.  Please lord deliver me from my afflictions, drugs, alcohol, fornication, whatever the case may be,  into your saving grace. I except you Jesus as my lord & savior. thank you for dying so that I may live. I pray as always & give thanks in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen  Meditate on this. Say this prayer out loud if you are tired of doing things your way and you want the lord to come into your life and work things out for you as only he can. Have a safe blessed day. Good  morning, have a great day and be blessed. To God be the glory forever.                                                                                  ~Rev. Tai Birch~

"Life of a Young Minister"

           So, it's one week ago on today that I preached only my 3rd sermon. I feel an adrenaline rush every time the time for me to speak what the Lord has prepared for me to say to his people. That being said, weather is just my pastor and myself going over my sermon, or I'm preaching in front of a crowd of 100+, or a room of only 8-15 people, or even if I'm just doing the benediction, I get nervous. I feel courage & have strength in the Lord, but its that moment that I walk to the podium, turn around to try and speak to a thirsty group of Gods people in need of a word, that the anxiety intensifies. Especially when I have to sing in front of a room full of closely knit people. Before, I could hide, and at the same time stand out in my section of the mass choir. Now I have no choice to be see and heard.          I hear people say all the time "don't worry, you got this". Or "stop worrying so much you'll do fine". I know these people think they mean well by giving me encouragement, and I appreciate it.  But in actuality they do more damage than good. Heavy already right? Well let me explain..... A sermon of the word of the Lord is different than that of secular lecture or didactic speech. Although some  folk get nervous speaking in front of large crowds to give a  presentation or a motivational intervention in a AA meeting, try standing where I and many others who feel like me stand and speak Gods word to the listeners soul....... How heavy is that?        Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that this is a burden. In fact, after having finishing the message and getting the eager listeners engulfed I the word, the anxiety leaves. The expressions on their faces are priceless and the embraces after service are warm and heart felt. Most of the time the Lord blocks out their faces so i cant see anyone anyway. That is an experience all in itself. One that i have yet to explain. Maybe its at that moment that the holy spirit (thank you Jesus!!) takes over. I often hear "thanks Rev, I needed to hear that." and that does well with my soul to know that I've touched someone else's soul. Hopefully they heard the message and go out and apply what they've learned to their life the way God intended.        Funny story, I just realized this morning that I was so nervous last Sunday, and I've rehearsed this hundreds of times, I was so nervous that I forgot the customary intro and I didn't give honor where honor is due. I guess the word was so powerful that the saints forgot to remind me too huh? Well, I thought it was funny because it's a week later and I'm just now coming down from the high of preaching and I just remembered that I forgot the intro. Don't think anyone is mad at me for that. And since God already knew I was going to forget, he probably already laughed at this and looked ate and said "I Knew it". Lol.      Well saints. Time to get ready for church.  Service starts @12pm at Your Will Christian Ministries and pastor is probably on his way to get us. Yes people, my pastor his so anointed, he is still humble enough to drive his own van to come pick us up for church. Talk about service. I love my family in the ministry and all my brothers and sisters in Christ.      Hope you enjoyed this testimony and shared a laugh. Take care.  Enjoy your church service today & be blessed.                             ~Rev. Tyrone Birch~       

"Being Single in Ministry" ...... pt1

                                                         Good morning all. For those of you  that don't believe in God or the power of his love, listen to this. I just want to share a little inspiration with you this morning. For those of you who wake up hurting, blaming others for your failures or lack of success, or your break ups or divorce, and blaming God for punishing you for some reason or another. Before you continue to blame God or someone else, take a good look in the mirror at yourself and give God thanks. Thank him for waking you up this morning in your right mind. Thank him for giving you another chance at life. You may be going thru something but guess what, psalm 30:5 says;  5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.  It's not selfish for you to say "thank you for my life lord" even tho someone lost theirs. Or thank you for my health even though some one else is sick.  We hurt at the loss, or sickness, or break up or divorce but dont bask in the sorrow or it will bind you up & gag you & hinder whatever Gods plan is for you & your life. God puts us in these kinds of situations to bring us closer to him. You just have to listen to him & Lean on him for wisdom & understanding.         I want to share with you my testimony of going through and overcoming grief, loneliness and possible depression. I am  single and i live alone. Even though i am in diligent study of Gods word, I do get very lonely at times. Missing the companionship of a woman. Missing having someone to come home to. Someone to laugh and joke with. And  Every now and again, the loneliness can get suffocating. when I least expect it, the loneliness blankets me and it feel like there's no one there for me. There's no one here with me. There's no one here to help distract these feelings from attacking my mind and thus it can very well become overwhelming. Sometimes if feels like the walls are closing in on me. Feels like some one has their hands around my throat squeezing tighter & tighter. Feeling like the anxiety is pounding harder and harder at my door step. Almost bringing me to tears and sometimes succeeding.           Although my pastor and mentor told me of the devils attacks on feelings some years ago,  It wasn't until recently that I realized that this was an attack.  1 Peter 5:8 says  8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:            You see the devil will attack you when you are most vulnerable. He'll attack you in your time of grief or loneliness and thus make you become depressed. He'll make feel like there's no way out of whatever it is you are going through. Like me, when you are sitting home alone, he'll attack you by stirring up a memory of a past relationship with someone you could be missing. Or try to make you drown your sorrows in an alcoholic beverage. He'll trick you with a familiar smell, or someone will accidentally say something, or you'll see a movie or hear a song that reminds you of your past situation. And people often try to find answers everywhere but where the true and only answers come from. Prayer, and the word of the lord.           Just Recently, I experienced this. For years I tried to drink & get rid of my pain with alcohol. But I realized no matter how much I drank, the problem was still there when I sobered up.  I thank God for delivering from drunkenness. The devil tried to attack my loneliness. He even tried to attack my children. Since I have reached this level of elevation and became even closer to the Lord, the devil has been extremely pissed and very busy. I struggle with having to raise my children in two different house holds. One with structure and the presence of the Lord. The other where my children have "freedom with very little limitation". I often get frustrated because of this. Though I do understand that not everyone gets it. When one person in a marriage or relation is saved or gets saved, it can scare the unsaved away. Often times the light of Christ can shine so bright through a person it can be blinding to the unsaved a chase them away. The closer one becomes to God, the further someone will pull away from you.           I find strength in the Lord and in the power of his might. I love the Lord. And to love the Lord is to fear the Lord. And to fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. His love is everlasting, his grace and mercy endureth forever & his word is unchanging. Just when I was being brought to my knees, I started to pray to the Lord & confess how afraid I was of what I was feeling & the fear of the unknown I was feeling. The Lord then began to Strengthen me. In my most recent sermon entitled "There is a Way Out",  I preached of how the devil even attacked Jesus. Jesus was fearful when he was about to die. But he prayed a prayer in Luke 22:42-43 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. He was fearful for a brief moment. He didn't wanna die the way he knew he going to die, but the important confession of this scripture says, and get ready for this, Not my will, but your will be one Father. And the scripture says an angle appeared from heaven strengthening him.        Just as quick as the devil tried to trap me once again, I prayed and the Lord sent an angel to strengthen me. If you are truly in constant communion, fellowship, with The Lord, he will heal you in your time of sorrow. Obedience is greater than sacrifice. God rewards those who are obedient to his word. Even though My flesh may want human  companionship, I understand that God has me right where he wants me to be. And I understand  the importance of being obedient to what God says. Sometimes you to have to be still and let God have his way. We as people get in the way of what God has planned for us. We may be anxious because we don't know what that is, but humbling yourself & submitting to the will of God is the key. I found joy & peace in the Lord. Peace that is not dependent on circumstance, but built on Gods love. Get that right and the rest will take care of itself. Talk with the lord & ask him to reveal to you what it is he's has for you to do in any situation.          I hope this helps you in your time of sorrow. To have a relationship with the Lord is to fellowship with Him. If you don fellowship with Him, how do you expect Him to answer your prayers? I'm just saying.       Meditate on that.    Have a safe blessed stress free day.                         Thank you, and God Bless                                ~Rev. Tyrone Birch~                                                                

"Does God Change His Mind?"

   We had a brief discussion at work on this matter. Someone who will remain nameless, had questions but has yet to read the scriptures which I gave them to read pertaining to this and another matter we discussed. This conversation was actually all over the place. Which in turn was making me a little frustrated. At which point I started to pray and ask the Lord to keep me in this time of ignorance. Or in any time of ignorance or mockery of the word for that matter. It's quite easy to get frustrated with people who have questions you feel they should have the answer to. I am still fairly new and young to ministry and the diligent study of the word. But in my studies, I find that some people that have questions about the word of the Lord are just trying to find ways to justify their ungodly actions or sinful way of life they are living.  Which brings up another question that was asked, "Doesn't God love us all?              "I'm not judging anyone, there's only one judge and I'm not him. But some of these people, we as followers of Christ come across, are very easy to read and when properly trained and the closer you are to God, you can feel the malice in their heart.      So I researched this matter of what the person said about God changing His mind, and it took me back to my 1st sermon I preached on Jan. 8th, 2012, about Jonah and the Ninevites.      God sent word through Jonah to the Ninevites that He would strike down Nineveh if they did not repent and turn from their wicked ways. When the King of Nineveh heard of what Jonah preached, he got off his throne, proclaimed a fast through out the great city and turned from their evil ways. Jonah 3:5-10 And as it says in verse 10, And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.      God did not change his mind. Instead He simply provided them with a choice. Either turn from your evil ways and I'll deal with you in grace, or keep living the sinful life you're living and doing the sinful things you're doing, and I'll deal with you in judgement. You see, God didn't change His mind on what He said His ultimate intentions were, yet, they changed their attitude toward him: (Repentance)       So to answer the other question, Yes, God does love us all, even the heathen. But!!!!!!, God hates sin, but he loves the sinner and wants to set them free.       Ultimately, it's the choices We make that determine how we are dealt with by our Lord. And the Lord is Lord. He could change his mind if he so chooses. But is we who are imperfect. Not He. Matthew 7:13-14   13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.         So my question to you is, which way will you chose? The Straight and narrow path that leads to righteousness, or the broad and wide road that leads to distraction?         Meditate on that.       Be blessed and have a great day                                                                            ~Rev. Tyrone Birch~