Thursday, July 22, 2010

RAISE YOUR HANDS IF YOU'RE "SURE"!

My first week back in the pulpit at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church was good. We had five people come forward to join the church at the second service. For all that The LORD did I am grateful and glad.

My first week back in the church has proven good as well. In addition to going into the church office this week I also held two Vision Casting meeting's as it were with the CMBC family. I conducted the Vision Casting meetings at our regularly scheduled Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon Bible Study hour(s).

I had much to share including the idea of going to a third Sunday morning worship service. While I thought I'd made up my mind on moving forward with the matter, following my time with the Wednesday afternoon group and of course time in prayer and other times of consultation I've decided to shelve this idea for the time being.

THere are times in life when we need to put certain moves on "pause". When we need to take a second look at a situation. I'm reminded of a story I heard concerning a preacher who I admire much... Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer, pastor of the Faithful Central Bible Church in Los Angeles California. It is said that after Bishop Ulmer had made up his mind to join the Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship some years ago; and after spending considerable time teaching the FCBC family, from The Word of God with respect to his decision- he took the matter to a vote. That is to say he desired to have 100% of the people vote in favor of the move. I'm told that just a few people voted in the negative. I'm told that Bishop Ulmer then decided to sideline the move and spent another six months or so teaching his congregatioin. He then revisited the vote and subsequently joined the FBF.

Now, I don't have it on record from Bishop Ulmer that this actually happened this way. And we all know how stories can start and then grow. That said, the principle of patience can be seen in the story.

For the time being I'm going to "delay that order" to go to a third service. For the time being I'm going to put my hands back down... because I don't have a "sure" conviction about this move just yet.

How about you? What have you been contemplating with respect to your relationship with The Lord lately? I mean what move(s) have been in your heart to make? Whatever they are start with God, stay with God, end with God. Then go ahead... RAISE YOUR HANDS!... if you're sure.

Pray for me. Ask The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to do in me what He desires. Ask The LORD to take control of my mind, mouth, body, soul and spirit.

Agape,
Pastor Fort

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

LIFE AFTER DIVORCE ... Caleb's Apartment

Life After Divorce
(Caleb's Apartment)


Presented THIS FRIDAY, July 23rd @ 7:30PM; and THIS SATURDAY, July 24th @ 7:30PM at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, 931 South Stapley Drive, Mesa Arizona.

IT'S FREE! However, please note that the subject is for adults. Make plans now to come out and bring a friend, a family member, a date, a co-worker.

Call the church office at: 480.825.6320 with any questions. Or visit: www.mycmbc.org for more information.

safe in CHRIST,
Pastor Fort

Monday, July 19, 2010

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!

To God be the glory!

Yesterday, Sunday, July 18, 2010 was my first Sunday back at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church. It was my first time back in the Canaan pulpit. Without question the day was one I looked forward to with great anticipation. The LORD allowed me to preach The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In addition to preaching I also spent time with those in the adult Sunday School class as well. We were blessed to see some persons come forward for membership during the invitation hour at the 10:20AM service. I was happy as well to host some guests and new members in my office following the 10:20AM service for a time of fellowship and prayer.

I want to thank The LORD JESUS CHRIST for His love, mercy and grace toward me. While I was happy and honored to preach at the great Peaceful Rest Baptist Church in Aurora Colorado just one week ago, indeed there is "no place like home".

Thank you Canaan for a warm welcome back home.

Safe in CHRIST,
Sherman Fort

Friday, July 16, 2010

Recovery Is Going Great ... By The Grace of God!

Our God is an awesome God. He reigns from heaven above- in wisdom, power and love our God is an awesome God.

My car accident was on Friday, June 11th, 2010. Today's date is July 16th and I feel so good that it's easy to forget just how bad of shape I was in before. Indeed I still have discomfort. In fact, my humerus bone is still broken (although it seems to be getting better with each day); and I'm still waiting for an MRI to determine any ligament damage.

Still our God is awesome. I feel so much better today than I have since the accident ... it's almost unbelievable. And I owe it all to The LORD! Three days this week I've made it a point to get into the swimming pool and exercise. Wow! What a difference it's made. It's really something how I can move my arm in the water and have more "range of motion"; while feeling little or no pain.

Each time I get in the pool I think of one of the Mother's of the church who formerly shared with me the benefit and blessing of water aerobics.

It's Friday and Sunday's coming. I just finished thinking through the sermon I hope to preach on Sunday. I'm excited it will be my first Sunday back at CMBC in more than a month.

Now may our God continue to bless and keep you is my prayer.

Agape,
S. J. Fort

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Thank You Sis. LaDonna Cox

One of the things I desire to do as pastor of The Lord's people at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, is to utilize technology for the glory and honor of God.

That said, I am grateful first and foremost to The Lord Jesus Christ for His love, mercy and grace. I'm grateful to my sister Candice Fort, owner and operator of FortSupport a website design, website management and branding company. I've mentioned my sister Candice in previous blogs.

Today I am also particularly appreciative of Sis. LaDonna Cox. Sis. Cox is a gifted young lady who is also a friend of many years here in the valley of sun. A few years ago Sis. Cox released her own gospel CD. I believe she's also appeared on some local, regional and national Christian television broadcasts; and without question she's spent some time singing at various church events.

Fortunately for myself and the CMBC family, Sis. Cox was a visitor at Canaan when my twin sister, Shermaine N. Fort came to speak. The short story is that I asked her to come up and sing. After the service I mentioned how I'd like to have our own CMBC Theme Song. I've seen similar "church theme songs" connected to other churches and had the thought in mind for some time.

Sis. Cox heard of my desire and reportedly in just a few minutes, without my asking her personally wrote a theme song for our Church. She then recorded it. It is now on our website.

You can check out our new church theme song by visiting our website at: www.mycmbc.org.

I wanted a theme song that spoke to our ministry theme which is: "One Voice, One Vision, One Victory". I also seek to have an emphasis on family. Sis. Cox captured both of these themes in the song she wrote. This was all done without Sis. Cox even speaking to me about it. When I asked her about it, she said she noticed our banner in the sanctuary that has our ministry theme on it. She shared further that she knows me. She gave glory to The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for the writing of the song.

In case you're interested I'll provide the lyrics to the song below.

The lyrics to the song are as follows:

WE ARE ...
CMBC Embracing Family

VERSE:
We Are Growing, Moving, Showing and Proving That We Have What It Takes To Succeed.
One Voice, One Vision, One Victory,
Pressing Beyond Our Adversity (Ooh)
We Are Stretching, Running, Reaching Our Goals,
We Are Strong And So We Press On.

CMBC Embracing Family (Yeah)
CMBC Embracing Family.

Life After Divorce... the Play!

One of the functions of a healthy, well balanced church is to speak to the reality of everyday life from a Christ-centered, Biblically based perspective.

Unfortunately, one of the topics that continues to make headlines among Christians and non-Christians alike is the topic of divorce. To that end, Mrs. Tina R. Sykes, leader of the A.C.T.S. Drama Ministry at CMBC, Miss Cassaundra Hillman and the A.C.T.S. Drama team will host a full length play titled: Life After Divorce: Caleb's Apartment.

Life After Divorce: Caleb's Apartment was written by Mr. Cleveland O. McLeish. The A.C.T.S. Drama ministry rendition wlll feature a revised ending by Miss Cassaundra Hillman. The play is directed by Mrs. Tina Sykes.

The dates for the play are Friday, July 23rd, 2010 at 7:30PM; and Saturday, July 24th, at 7:30PM. The location for the play is Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, 931 S. Stapley Drive, Mesa, AZ. 85204. The play is free however donations are appreciated.

I want to encourage all of you, especially married, remarried and divorced couples that can and will to come out one of these two nights and be blessed.

Sincerely,
S. J. Fort

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Home Again!

Denver Colorado is a great place. As I shared in my last email, I was blessed and honored to go there and preach at Peaceful Rest Baptist Church. The still relatively new D.I.A. (Denver International Airport); is very nice. I was particularly taken with the umbrella like structures atop the D.I.A. buildings. I asked my host what they were for? He said they were there to deflect the snow. Wow. Having been raised in California and living in Arizona for the past several years I am not familiar with heavy snow fall... unless of course I venture up to northern Arizona- the Flagstaff area in particular.

The worship services at Peaceful Rest were rewarding. They are a vibrant and vivacious people. Once again I'm convinced that our world... "it's a small world after all". While in Denver I met people who knew of Sis. Fort indirectly (via High School classmates); and another person who worked with my brother in one of the churches where he served as pastor in years past.

This idea of "six degrees of separation" is in play.

I was blessed to get to the airport early. Shortly after arriving at the gate an announcement was made that the flight was over-booked. They bagan soliciting people to take advantage of another flight with promises of gifts from the airline.

You know I didn't even consider it. When I'm ready to get home, I'm ready to get home. There really is no place like home!

Thank you Lord for a great weekend.

Agape,
S J Fort

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Peaceful Rest Baptist Church, Denver Colorado

It's Saturday afternoon, June 10, 2010.

I am blessed and honored to have received an invitation to preach the Ushers Annual Day at Peaceful Rest Baptist Church, Aurora, CO., Rev. Lorenzo Stewart, Pastor. If I remember correctly this invitation came some time last year and the weekend for this ocassion has finally arrived.

The plane touched down in Denver this morning. I was met at the airport by the Rev. Donald K. Crockhom, Assistant Pastor. This brother has been a kind and courteous host. He shared with me that he would be the one to pick me up for Sunday worship service and take me to the airport on Monday morning. I'm grateful for his easy going, down to earth spirit.

After leaving the airport Rev. Crockhom took me to the church so that I could meet the pastor and see the church building. Upon arrival at the church we found the pastor conducting what I perceived to be a regularly scheduled committee or auxiliary meeting with auxiliary and/or ministry chairpersons and leaders.

Following the meeting I was privileged to meet the pastor and a number of the members. They were all gracious.

After leaving the church, Rev. Crockhom took me to get something to eat. I am now in my room at the Red Lion Hotel near downtown Denver. While enroute to our various locations today, Rev. Crockhom was sure to point out several key buildings to me. Including the Pepsi Center, home of the Denver Nuggets; and Invesco Field, home of the Denver Broncos.

All that said, I'm glad to be in the room now. I just spoke with Sis. Fort for the second or third time since being here. Listen, I sent a text to her earlier... yes that's right I sent a text... I know big stuff huh?

I sent the text before calling earlier because Sis. Fort had a client she was providing service to at the time.

Well I've already opened the Bible. Pray for me that The LORD will give me clarity of mind and heart; that I will preach with passion and Holy Spirit power; that people would be saved, healed, strengthened, delivered and set free.

Thank you Pastor Lorenzo Stewart for the opportunity to preach at Peaceful Rest Baptist Church. Thank you Sis. Hampton for all you've done. Thank you Rev. Crockhom for your kindness, gas and time.

Most importantly THANK YOU LORD for Your love, mercy and grace.

Agape,
Sherman J. Fort

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Recovery From Car Accident

I'm recovering well from my car accident on June 11th, 2010. Many things have happened since that time, including the love, mercy and grace of God raining down on me.

I'm grateful to be here... to be alive. I'm grateful that all that happened to me was breaking my humerus bone in my right shoulder. It could have been so much worse. While the doctors initially said they did not expect there to be a need for surgery. I believe I may have to have some kind of surgical procedure. There is a definite difference between my left and right shoulder's. Moreover, there is suspicious swelling in my right bicep that has yet to subside.

It feels like my shoulder is "out of socket"... if that makes sense. I can see slight differences between my left and right collar bone and the right side of back... just behind my right shoulder.

Please keep me in prayer. I have a doctors appointment scheduled for tomorrow morning. I called and had my appointment changed... moved up. If I need surgery I want to have it sooner than later.

agape,
S. J. Fort

I'm grateful for the E. K. Bailey International Conference on Expository Preaching

I've just returned (early I might add) from the E. K. Bailey International Expository Preaching Conference in Dallas Texas.

The conference was held at the Fairmont hotel in downtown Dallas. It was well attended and a real blessing to me. The teaching and preaching were wonderful. While I suspect that there was a good deal of consistency with respect to the quality of information shared in each class, I can offer personal testimony from the class I took with Dr. Ralph D West. I believe this is my third time sitting a class taught by Dr. West. Each time, this time especially the class was helpful.

On this ocassion Dr. West taught a class that dealt with planning for "series preaching". Among other things Dr. West shared some insight with respect to his personal sermon/series preaching preparation method. He listed some of the pros and cons with respect to planned preaching. He ended the class by answering questions from the ministers in the class. It was a real blessing.

Dr. West and Dr Joel C. Gregory are two Gospel preachers I am listening to quite a bit right now. Their preaching is encouraging, inspiring and most of all Biblical. I thank our God for these two great preachers.

The E. K. Bailey Conference also afforded me my first opportunity to hear Rev. Craig Oliver, pastor of the Elizabeth Baptist Church in Georgia. Wow! What a preacher. I was blessed by his message. Dr. Duduit opened the conference with the first evening lecture. What a presentation. It was challenging and Christ centered.

I could go on and on about each speaker. I truly enjoyed the conference. I hope to attend again next year. I encouraged the associate ministers at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church where I serve to go. None did this year. Let me encourage all gospel preachers who desire to gather in one place with other Gospel preachers to prayerfully consider attending this conference. It's a great place to hear a number of really good preachers, attend great classes and get involved in good fellowship.

Moreover, your wife can attend as well, as Dr. Sheila Bailey (the widow of Dr. E. K. Bailey) hosts the S.T.A.N.D. Conference at the same time and location as the preaching conference. So brothers whhile you're attending the one piece, your bride can be in attendance at the other piece.

Agape,
S. J. Fort