Friday, December 31, 2010

HOLY CONVOCATION (30 1/2 Days of Prayer & Fasting)

Tomorrow, January 1st marks the date that Holy Convocation (30 1/2 Days of Prayer & Fasting begin at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church.

A note to the CMBC family. Remember that Pastor Fort has amended the initial fast of exclusively water, fruit and vegetables. Kosher fish was also included.

I have amended that initial list of foods to include chicken and wheat/whole wheat foods. However the chicken is not to be fried. No soda pop, no white pasta or breads.

That said, I hope to blog about my personal diet from day to day.

With respect to tomorrow know that I intend to eat the following:

Breakfast: apple and banana.
Lunch and dinner: brown rice, a mix of red, green and yellow peppers and broccoli.
Water to drink.

C.M.B.C. family remember to complete your "fasting contract". Remember, in addition to your personal reasons for fasting we are praying and fasting as a church family for the Spiritual, physical and financial health and healing of our church family, Christians around the world and the world at large.

Finally, also remember that our prayer commitment to pray every morning, at 12:00PM (no matter where you are); and again in the evening.

Let's pray for one another.

Happy New Years Eve.

safe in CHRIST,
Pastor Fort

Friday, December 24, 2010

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!

Early this past Tuesday morning. Around 4:00AM I left Chandler Arizona bound for Ceres California.

My drive to the Bay Area was directly connected to the recent transition of my Aunt Joyce Nelson (Fort); from earth to heaven. It was also connected to the fact that I wanted to see my Aunt Kay Lee (Fort); my Aunt Elma Fort and my sister Arnita Echoes (Fort).

I arrived in Ceres California around 3:30PM. I visited with my Aunt and some cousins for about 30 minutes. I then drove to East Palo Alto California to see my Aunt Kay. I visited with Aunt Kay, Uncle Bobby, Cousin Jackie and others for about 30 minutes. I then drove to my sister Arnita's house near downtown San Jose California. I visited for a few minutes with Arnita and her husband Steven Echoes.

Then I went to sleep in their spare bedroom for about 3 and one half hours. I got up around 2:00AM California time (3:00AM Arizona time) and went to the gas station. I left the gas station about 3:32AM bound for Chandler Arizona.

I arrived in Arizona shortly after 3:00PM.

Brothers and Sisters, I made a vow to The LORD several years ago not to ever drive from San Jose California to Los Angeles California again. My reason for that declaration years ago was the fear and danger of driving through the "Grapevine" in fog so dense that I could not see the front of the car.

Well, I must confess that I broke that promise years ago. In fact, I've driven back and forth from Arizona to the Bay Area a number of times since then.

That said, let the record reflect that I revived my previous commitment to not drive to California again... period.

I cannot tell you how terrifying it was driving from the Bay back to Arizona. Perhaps you heard about the terrible rain, flooding, mud slides and the like from southern California through western Arizona? If not, let me tell you it was bad!

The rain seemed relentless, the wind was strong, the fog was present. To top all of that off the windshield wiper on the driver side of the car caused problems too. Instead of wiping the window clean it smeared the rain water across the window causing bigger problems with viewing the situation outside.

I prayed to The LORD and asked for His guidance, grace, mercy, love and favor the whole way. Quite literally I thought I was going to crash perhaps even die a number of times. But The LORD is faithful. I said to my sister "God still takes care of babies and fools". I was a fool for taking that trip, and continuing on despite the weather.

So in essence I'm writing this blog to encourage everyone to exercise Common Sense. I didn't do that. To make wise decisions... I didn't do that. To pull your car over when inclement weather is the order of the day... I didn't do that. To spend time with The LORD when you don't want anything... perhaps this will influence His blessing and keeping you- when you do want some things.

On a closing note, my Aunt Joyce Fort as I said earlier passed away two weeks ago this past Thursday. My Aunt Elma has been diagnosed with bone cancer. My Aunt Kay, Aunt Joyce and Aunt Elma were "runnin' buddies. Please pray for God's will to be done with my Aunt Elma and her cancer diagnosis. Ask The LORD to heal her completely... if that's His will. Ask The LORD to speak peace to my Aunt Kay and my Aunt Elma with the lost of their sister. I have another aunt, Aunt Zelma who still lives in Texas. Pray for her too.

Heck, just pray for my whole family.

Now then have a holy, healthy and happy CHRISTmas Eve and CHRISTmas Day. If you're a member of Canaan, or if you're looking for a CHRISTmas morning worship service, let me invite you to join us in our annual CHRISTmas morning worship service from 8:00AM until 9:00AM at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church. Visit us online at: WWW.MYCMBC.ORG for more information. Or just stop by CMBC 931 South Stapley Drive Mesa Arizona 85204.

I call this blog "... THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!" not because of the CHRISTmas holy-day- but because I am trully full of wonder at how and why our GOD does what He does. Indeed He loves us one and all. Indeed His grace is sufficient.

Safe in the arms of JESUS CHRIST my SAVIOR and LORD,
Sherman J. Fort, Servant of JESUS CHRIST

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

THANK YOU JESUS!

GOD is better than great... period!

To GOD be all glory, honor and praise... THANK YOU JESUS for keeping during my drive from San Jose California back to Arizona.

agape
pastor fort

Monday, December 13, 2010

CANAAN CELEBRATES 21 YEARS!

To God be all glory, honor and praise!

Yesterday, Sunday, December 12, 2010 the Canaan Missionary Baptist Church celebrated our 21st Church Anniversary.

Our special guest preachers for both services was the inimitable Rev. Terry Marks, Senior Minister/Pastor of Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church in Phoenix Arizona.

My, my, my- what a Gospel Preacher! Rev. Marks is a former member of CMBC. He served as a trustee during some of his years at Canaan in addition to working in other capacities. But more important than his work as a trustee is the fact that he is a trusted, personal friend of mine.

I marvel at what I see our great God doing in the life and ministry of Rev. Marks. The sermon he preached yesterday was titled: "Built Up to Hold Up!". His text was the classic passage found in Matthew 16:13 and following. Thank you preacher for your ministry in The WORD of God.

Special thanks to members of his praise team too who accompanied their pastor to CMBC. They ministered in song and we were blessed by their singing.

An extra special thanks to the charter members of CMBC who joined us in worship yesterday. To Sis. Joyce Boyd and all those on her committee... Thank you too!

May our God bless and keep you.

Safe in CHRIST,
pastor fort