Busy in Ministry and More!

Let's all remember to keep first things first. I, like you am very busy with just the normal day to day challenges of life and ministry. Between Friday and Monday, LORD willing, I will perform one wedding, two funerals as well as preach on Sunday morning. I just read in the news that Earvin "Magic" Johnson and his wife Cookie have just launched their own television network called: Aspire. Check them out at: http://www.aspire.tv/ The network will focus on African American, family friendly broadcasting. Let's all remember to relax and prioritize faith, family and fellowship. Agape, pastor fort, servant of JESUS CHRIST

THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY!

Last night I was the guest preacher at the 19th pastoral appreciation service for the Reverend Juan M. Brown Sr. at the Progressive Baptist Church in Mesa Arizona. Thank you Pastor Brown for the opportunity to preach The gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you Progressive Church family for allowing me to come. safe in CHRIST, pastor fort, servant of JESUS CHRIST

THANK YOU LORD FOR THE PREACHING OF PASTOR MILTON PLEASANT!

This past Sunday I was asked to participate in the 37th Church Anniversary service at South Mountain Baptist Church in Phoenix Arizona, Rev. Troy C. Allen, pastor. The guest preacher for the occasion was Rev. Milton Pleasant, founder/pastor of Abundant Life Baptist Church in Phoenix Arizona. Both Pastor Allen and Pastor Pleasant are past members of Canaan Missionary Baptist Church where I currently serve as senior minister. I want to thank our GOD for the preaching ministry of Pastor Milton Pleasant. He preached a sermon titled: The Power of Partnership from Hebrews chapter ten. It was a helpful and practical message. Thank you Pastor Pleasant. Thank you JESUS CHRIST. agape, s j fort

LOVE, MERCY, GRACE AND JUSTICE!

Matthew 18:1-10 (New Living Translation) About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” 2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. 3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. 5 “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf[a] is welcoming me. 6 But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 “What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting. 8 So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.[b] 10 “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father. Matthew 19:13 & 14 (New Living Translation) One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” 15 And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left. The verdict was just announced in the trial of Gerald Arthur (also known as "Jerry") Sandusky, a former assistant coach at State College (affectionately known as Penn State); in Pennsylvania. Mr. Sandusky was originally facing 52 counts connected to sexual abuse. I believe the judge dismissed 4 counts. When the jury went to deliberate the number of counts against Mr. Sandusky was 48. Minutes ago the verdict came down. Mr. Sandusky was found guilty on 45 of the 48 charges for sexual crimes against children. God loves us one and all! In fact, The LORD loves us all the same ... faults, failures and sins included. That said, God is also a just God and all of us would do well to remember this fact. Consider the verses of Scripture provided above- in context along with the rest of The Holy Bible ... and let's make a fresh commitment to love The LORD our God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength- and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Remember Jesus Christ had a special place in His heart for children! Let's pray for all of the victims in this case- and every case like it around the world. Pray for the Sandusky family too. Victims are there as well. Agape, Pastor Fort, Servant of JESUS CHRIST

Let us Pray!

The southern baptist convention just made Pastor Fred Luter president of their convention. The republican party has a Mormon as their parties nominee- supported I might add by people who identify themselves as Christians. President Obama has voiced his approval for same-sex marriage. agape, sherman j. fort, servant of JESUS CHRIST

TREMENDOUS! GREAT! PRACTICAL!

These are the words I choose to describe the teaching (or leading) of Deacon Emerson Turner (as the special guest facilitator) for the Men's Conference at Berean Bible Church this morning. Berean Bible church is led by my dear friend and brother Rev. Fredrick L. Fairley Sr. Today marked the Men's Conference at Berean and tomorrow (Father's Day 2012); the Men's Annual Day at Berean. Deacon Emerson Turner has participated in the Men's weekend/Annual Day several times at the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in San Bernadino California, where Fredrick's father, the inimitable Rev. Dr. Robert L. Fairley Sr. serves as pastor. While I was asked to serve as part of a penel during a Q & A session, I always intended to attend the event in support of both Pastor Fairley and Deacon Turner (the Church Administrator at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church). I was blessed in ways beyond measure by being there this morning. Deacon Turner's presentation was thoughtful, thorough and just excellent. He was (as always); well prepared. His presentation was Biblical, CHRIST-centered and designed with the purpose of helping Berean grow a men's ministry. I am better because of attending the conference today. Thank you Pastor Fairley for your vision withe the M.O.B. (Men of Berean). All praise, glory and honor go to The LORD JESUS CHRIST. Happy Father's Day 2012 to ALL father's. agape, pastor fort

THERE'S A TIME FOR EVERTYHING UNDER HEAVEN!

Ecclesiastes 3 New King James Version (NKJV) Everything Has Its Time To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace. A season of change and transition is in the air at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church. This change is not just physical, it is Spiritual. The change is not personal and corporate. It is a change I, for one am excited about! The transition of Saints from earth to glory is also going on at CMBC ... and around the world. Just this morning the mother of Sis. Natalia Woods transitioned from earth to glory. While we are always joy-filled to think of spending eternity with The LORD Jesus Christ, it is nevertheless (for most); an anxiety filled thought when we contemplate the "moment" of death. May our God continue to help us to grow up in Him to the point where more and more of us are no longer bothered by the thought (the shadow); of death. May the joy of Jesus and spending eternity with God and believers from all generations so move us that the very thought of death simply disappears. agape, pastor fort, servant of Jesus Christ