REVIVAL AT UNITED COVENANT FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS

The Rain's Purpose

  Hey Family and Friends,
  It's just another day in my fabulous hood.  Today it is raining and You know how I don't really do that rain. The rain often times makes me feel blah and depressed and makes me wanna just sleep all day.  It seems as if my parade has been rained on.
  The bright side to this is that no matter how much it rains, the rain is there for a reason.  The rain comes to make things grow.  So it is with trials. James 1:2-3 states that we should count it all joy when rain or trials come because we know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Whenever trials come they come to build character and to strengthen our faith in God and ourselves.
  Have you ever found your self in a rainy place and felt like it couldn't get any better, but you decided to press on and make the best of it.  Sometimes we must look at the brighter side of things.  We are surviving the rain and the storm. Why? Because God is with us.  He said he would never leave us nor forsake us.
The rain's purpose is to resurrect things in our lives that we thought were dead and to bring refreshing to us when we really need it.  The rain has purpose in your life.  There are brighter days ahead.
Musique

2013: The Beginning

 What can I say about 2012? I've had breakups, make ups, shake ups, and just plan good clean old fun.  Many of you know that the last few years have proven to be of me finding myself and really discovering who I, Bradley aka Musique is.  2012 has been a year of awakenings and confessions. I've had struggles and things to transpire, but I'm still surviving.
  For 2013, I have plans to move to Maryland, repair my credit, and find myself getting out of debt. I also plan to keep myself healthy.  I've decided to alleviate as much stress as possible.  That will start with ignoring a lot of my family.  For some reason, my family feels that their opinions are suppose to scare me. NO MORE!!! That ended in 2010.  My life hasn't been better.  Unfortunately , I'm living with a bigoted, hypocritical Christian relative, I just move on with my life and continue to do me. This is a goal that I have set in 2013; Continue to live and to get away from my kindred.
  I've lost people in 2012.  I've lost friends. I've gained friends. Heck, I've even gotten in touch with my naturalist side of life.  I've even managed to say "No" to some people and things.  I've reconnected with some people and I've learned a lot of truths in 2012.  I wonder what 2013 brings.  2013 brings nothing but blessings and miracles untold.
  I could focus on the relationship that I don't have. The money that I don't have, but whats the use? I am still going forth in this life. I am thankful for what I do have.  If I'm faithful over what I have then God will make me ruler over many things. I look for the best in 2013.

Just a Thought: Feed Your Faith

Back on the Road Again!!!

  Hey Guys, as of this past Monday, I am back on the road again.  Many of you know that my car had broken down in September. However, I am glad to report, that I'm back on the road again.  I am so glad to have some sort of freedom back!!!  I doubt that I will be a road hog like I once was. I am glad that I did have some down time.
  Have you ever had a point in your life to where you were unable to move from a particular spot? You had to work from that particular area that you were in and it seemed that you had to depend on yourself.  Sometimes when we are in that life, we have to have faith in God to get us through. It may seem like all hell is breaking loose and it isn't getting better but we must have faith that it is getting better. That's how you get back on the road again. Love ya,
Musique

Just Believe it and Receive it

Ain't Nothing Wrong With Me

  A few months ago, someone told me that they admired how I walk with confidence. I distinctly remember him saying "You walk like you're saying 'here I am, I am confident... I'm the sh...'" I must say, "I am the Ish!!!!."  It amazed me to see that someone else noticed my confidence despite the struggles I've had with my self-esteem over the years.
  I realize that I am wonderfully and fearfully made.  What gets me is that it seems for the last month, I've had certain groups of people tell me that I need to change my mannerisms and stuff and the fact that I'm fun, yet proper and prim, Black Male because they felt uncomfortable and felt that people will perceive me and them a certain way.  I find it funny, because I began to really see their insecurity in themselves.  I've learned that whenever people always hound you about yourself, then they are insecure with themselves.
   Due to the fact, that it is a job situation, I did have to be mindful and "play nice." However, I know I will soon be moving on from this particular group.  I smiled, but apparently, I haven't changed a bit. I'm still the same eccentric me.  If you have a problem with it. Oh Well.
  It is funny though. Over the last month or so, the enemy has really been trying to put me back in that place of low-self esteem. I refuse to go back there. It's taken me too long to get comfortable in my own skin only to have someone tell me that I don't matter because THEY don't like something. If you don't like me, then you have to take that up with God.
  I have one thing to say: AIN'T NOTHING WRONG WITH ME!!!

Doesn't Gay Mean Happy?

I know this is going to be random, but I have a question. Doesn't the word "Gay" mean happy? A friend and I were talking about that word and how it is relevant in today's time.  The word "gay" is defined as keenly alive and exuberant : having or inducing high spirits, or bright and lively.  In today's society it is used to describe something that is lame, dumb, or stupid.  It is also used to describe those who are homosexual.
  During my friend's and I conversation we started talking about how word that we use mean one thing, but we use it in another way.  Like when we say "that girl is killing that song" it means that the young lady is singing that song very well.  Same way with the word "gay." Throughout the years the meaning has changed.  My friend told me that if someone ever asked if he was gay he would say "yes, I'm happy." I busted out laughing.  That made sense to me because my friend is happy, lively, and bright.  That's what the word means.  It doesn't determine someone's sexuality or someone's coolness.
   I just wanted to share that. Gay means happy. So go live your life giddy and Gay as the Late Natalie would said in "West Side Story."

Is Sexuality Important?

   Is Sexuality important?  Is who the person that you are sitting next sleeping with of great significance to you?  How does one's sexuality affect your life?
  These are some pretty simple questions right?  For some it is hard to answer these questions. Why is it that society place so much emphasis on sexual orientation?  So many people come out with gay rumors, or this person is bedding this person , or this person is a total whore.  Why does it matter?  I don't see how who another person is sleeping with or not sleeping with is relevant to my life, unless is my wife, husband, boyfriend, or girlfriend (smile I'm speaking to everyone).  It really isn't relevant.
  It annoys me when people ask what one's preference is and decides to preach or accept them.  I remember some time ago being asked of what my preference is by a religious person and I burst into laughter. My first question was "why do you want to know" and my second question was "how is that important to your life."  Yes I asked those questions.
  That person responded with "I just want to know who I'm working with."  Wow. I didn't know you could tell who a person is by their sexuality.  A person's sexuality is a small, minute part of who they are.  Why judge a book by something small?
  The importance was really to evaluate, my worth and their level of comfort-ability working with me.  Hmmmm.  I guess when someone feels threatened that means that they are insecure.  I never really got an answer to that question.  I was puzzled however.
  What brought these questions on was my lack to be Super duper masculine.  I feel that issue is really something minor and something that is introduced by bigotry, ignorance, and tradition.  Well I guess that's it for me on that issue.
  I guess I've said that sexuality is not important. It really isn't.

It's Funny (Repost)

  You know it's funny at how people will see you on a venture in a business, ministry, relationship, or something major in your life, but they do not support you.  The main people who have a problem supporting you could possibly be family.  It can be hurtful and devastating.  However, its will only be that hurtful only if you let it.
  That's a lesson that I'm having to learn right now in my life.  At the age of 20 something, (a lady never tells her age lol) I am having to go through hell for some decisions that I've made.  Not only do I not have the support of my family, but people that I've grown up around and those who have watched me grow up, well even some of them don't even support me or celebrate me in a venture with ministry that I am doing.   Its true what Jesus said "A prophet is not without honor except in his own home." I am finding that to be true.
  I guess its true because the people and my family know or think they know the ups and downs of me and they grew up around me.  Since I'm a singer and musician, that's all people see me as.  I guess because of the elevation, I've received, it is hard for some to accept because they only see me as one thing.  However, I can't and refused to be boxed in to one area that people are comfortable with me being in.  I've never in my life understood when you go to do great things the main people who should support you don't support you.
 What's so bad about it, is that it is so called Christian people and church folks.  Such is life as I say. However, it is frustrating, but I won't let it get me down.  I support myself and I know that God is on my side.  However, one thing that I'm enduring is from on relative in particular is negative comments such as "The whole world done lost it's mind" and stuff of that nature.  It's pissed me off a few times, but to hell with the drama. That's where its coming from...HELL!!!
  I am determined to go forth. Its funny though.  Although they don't support my dream, these people have the audacity to want to reap off the dream that they don't support. What kind of Tom Foolery is that?  You don't support me, but you want the benefits.  They are gonna wait till I start getting favor to want to support me.  However, I'm gonna be nice and simply say "NO!!!!" I'm not being funny, but if you didn't support me then, why support me now?  I thank God for what is happening, because it is simply building character in my life and working out for my good.  I am going to count it all joy because that means less drama and less demons I have to fight.
  Well I guess that's all.
Love,
Musique

The Black Church: Witch Hunts

 
   Many of you are familiar with the Salem Witch Hunts that took place in the earlier part of History in which people in the Puritan Colonies would be called a witch and be put through water boarding tests and tortured which would force them into confessing.
  In today's society the witch hunt is in the Black Church and it is thrown at the Gays, Bisexuals, Down Low Men, and especially Transgender.  It is nothing new to hear a pastor in the pulpit say "I'd rather have a son that's a murderer than a sissy,"  or my personal favorite "God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve."  These are all things that I've grown up hearing all the time. When I was younger I didn't understand it, but now that I'm older and I am who I am, I've learned a lot more about myself and life in general.
  As I've grown and have left and have come back to the church, I've learned that in most traditional churches, there is a witch hunt much like that of the Salem Witch Hunts. Only it isn't with witchcraft, it is with homosexuality.  It seems as if the church has forgotten about all the other sins such as fornication, adultery, lust, envy, hatred, lying, stealing, covetous behaviors, just to name several.  However, homosexuality is the biggest of these.
  I find fault with this because the Bible clearly says that no sin is greater than the other.  It's all an abomination to God.  So why, pray tell, that people always wants to call out the Gays and Lesbians?  Didn't God create them and doesn't he love them as much as the thief, the liar, the adulterer, the whore, the deceiver? Through all of the religious doctrine and ex gay therapy, and I can say this from experience, there is often times where LGBT Christians are taught to hate themselves because of something that they couldn't control. As a result we have suicides and people getting married and forced into relationships in order to be accepted by so called "Christian People."
  This is not Christ like at all. The Bible teaches that we are to help and approach people out of love and not out of hate.  Why go up to a person and tell them that they are going hell, when they really just need to be told that God loves you as you are?
 It's nothing worse than coming into a church and being called a "faggot"or a "sissy" because you aren't super masculine or because you wear an earring in each ear. Not only that being called gay because you did the latest fashion trend, but the other guys in the church can do it AFTER you've done it.
  It seems today that a lot of, and I hate to say it, Self hating, Gay, Down Low Pastors and Prophets are looking to "expose" people for being gay if they listen to Lady Gaga, Beyonce, wear skinny jeans, or is the least bit androgynous for their gender.  Really? I didn't know fashion or taste in music determined your sexuality.  It even goes down to if you say certain words or if you even hang out with someone who is LGBT?  So the church has reduced itself to a judging house?  Last time I checked the Bible says not to judge lest we'll be judge in the same manner in which judged.  Yes I said it!!! I don't understand how the church became such a place where people can't come as they are without church folks looking at them side eyed and whispering or the Pastor throwing stones. Not to mention all of the "Pastor Said this and that." Honey you better study for yourself and stop listening to the Pastor like he's God himself. The Pastor is a mere man who can wrongly divide the word of God.
I guess that's all I have to say...for right now.

October 2009: A Powerful Month

  As this month ends for 2012, My mind goes back to 3 years ago, 2009.  I was a college graduate living in Rock Hill, SC.  During that time, my cousin P-Nut had passed and it had began to be a turbulent month.  I had also began dating a nice gentleman and I had began to accept my own sexuality, despite what so called Christians around me had me thinking.  I was forced to dress a certain way, act a certain way, just so I wouldn't be prophesied that I was going to hell or dying of some sort of disease. That's another story for another day.
  In this month, I had just began a new job and I was working two jobs and I had began to come out of a financial rut.  However, that grace period was to be short lived.  I had to end up quitting the lesser paying job and stick with my better job, however I was being used by Church people and I was being abused mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.
  It was at that point to where I stopped caring about what religious buttholes had to say and I began to find God for myself.  However, I ended up fully coming out in May of 2010.  That was a joy for me. October 2009 was a different month for me.
  After the loss of my cousin, I began to really understand that life is precious and that we must live it to the best of our abilities.  I realized that for too long I had been living for other people and by man's opinions instead of living for myself. Within the last few years, I've been making steps of breaking free of the bondage.  This October has been a new month.  It's had its challenges, but I've survived it and I realize that I am a different person inside and out.  My life has changed so much within the last few years I am grateful.  I've found myself and I'm loving this exploration.

Wednesday Night Thoughts

It's a Wednesday night, which also means one of the few Church nights that I have this week and I must say, this week has had its challenges, but it hasn't been all that bad. I thank God for allowing me to be able to see this day and to make it.

  As I sit back and I look back over the things that have transpired in the political debates, in the religious world, and even in my own life, I realize that God is in control of it all. The Bible teaches us that God is sovereign and all powerful. I am reminded of the Children of Israel when they were trapped in between Pharaoh (Exodus 14).  He told them through Moses "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever." (Exodus14:13).

In other words, in those tough times and the times when it seems like situations are impossible, that's the time to trust God.  Instead of us trying to work it out and stressing. Stand Still and See that God has it under control.  For whatever the enemy is doing or whomever you enemy is God will squash them and remove them from pursuing you ever again. You won't have to worry about them anymore.  The Bible says in Psalms 68: Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.

² As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

  God will vanquish your enemies and make them your foot stool. Whatever the trial or situation is, God will handle it. All you have to do is give it to Him. No matter who isn't with you or who is, God's got your back and He's all you need. 

Musique

Are Democrats Really Stupid?

   And to think that this is posted at a church. Really Religious Jack asses?

7 Days of Me: Day 7: He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

  I finally made it 7 Days of Me.  Yes I had to do some work with ministry and the last 4 hours have been very tumultuous, I still yet thank God that I'm making it.
  I realize that through the events that have come up concerning my ministry and me, God's got it all in His hands.  I'm reminded of the old familiar song, "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands."
  With the upcoming US Presidential Elections, all the war, and pestilence in the world, I realize that God is keeping us through it all.  His people are being kept.  He said that he would "never leave His righteous forsaken nor His seed begging for bread."  
  I know that God has not forgotten about me and that all shall be well and I do mean soon. Through it all, I trust that God will continue and complete the work in me.  I am thankful that He's got me in His Hands.

Minister Darrin E. Crawford

  Meet Minister Darrin E. Crawford.  Hailing from Las Vegas, Nevada, this anointed man of God sings, preaches, and teaches the word of God.  I have the pleasure of knowing this great man of God. When I tell you that he is nothing but the truth, wow!!! This man can sing.  Listen to him as he let's us know that "The Lord is High Above the Heavens." For booking inquiries contact him at mrcrawford.dc@gmail.com or his website: http://singer4god.wix.com/darrincrawfordministries

7 Days of Me: Day 1: Getting Back to Me 2: Prayer

  As I sit and write this blog post I am getting ready to wash dishes and getting ready to settle down for the evening.  As I look back on today, I realize that it wasn't all that bad.  Today was different. It was great, but it had its frustrations just like any other day.
  However, for starters, today was a day of prayer.  For those of you who know me, I value prayer greatly and I take it seriously as with anything I do that betters my life.  Whatever religion you are, Muslim, Buddhist, It doesn't matter, you know that prayer is a part of your everyday life.  It energizes you and it gives you strength. Today I felt strengthened.
  There were quite a few times in which I had to pray and be strengthened.  Pesky co-workers, crazy customers, and just annoying instances that you really can't control.  However, Prayer worked for me and it is still working.  I am thankful for prayer because it gives me an area of safety in God in which the enemy cannot find me.  I'm not trying to sound ultra-religious, but spiritual.  I do believe that prayer works.
  If you don't know, try it and give me a buzz

Tuesday Night Moments

  As I sit and I write this blog, I am sleepy as crap and getting ready for bed.  I've had a pretty easy day and it hasn't really been eventful, thankfully.  However, today has really been a day of prayer for me.
  The last few days have been a challenge.  Many of you know the issues with my family and the fact that I've got a serious case of bitterness and anger.  I have really been praying and trying to find my faith again.  I had almost lost it.  Why?
  Well the reason being that the last few years I have been burnt by religious people. The sad part is that its been with family.  I've been at a loss for words.  I had hurled insults and curses and I had to stop myself because I wasn't following what Yahweh had told me. I had been showing my hatred and cursing those who hate me, when clearly G-D says "Bless those who curse you."  I may have to show kindness when I want to tear crap up, but I have to do it in order to show God that I can turn the other cheek.
  I'm not going to lie, I am hurting on the inside.  For so long I've valued my family's opinion and them treating me with respect, but however right now, I'm getting the doo doo end of the stick.  It hurts, but I'm to the point to where I've stop letting it affect me. Granted it is a process, but I believe that with prayer, all things are possible.
  Sometimes its unbearable, especially when you have to see and read the apparent disapproval of who you've grown to be just because it wasn't what THEY wanted for you.  It is also gets annoying when people ask favors of you but you can't get them to do crap for you.  Its VERY disturbing however, I'm gonna do like Big Mama says and "kill them with kindness."  I guess I'll have to do what I got to do to survive this mess,
Musique

If You're Married

 Hey Guys,
With all the rage about gay marriage and the sanctity of marriage, one would think about the couples who are married, but cheat or just obviously disregard their current spouse. The host, Bradley of the Bradley Show goes into detail and chronicles experiences with being approached by married people. Get into the video below.

Moving to Washington DC 2013

 Hey Guys. I have mentioned this lightly.  Well I have big plans for next year.  2013 is my year of release and letting go.  I have made plans to lave South Carolina and to Move to Washington DC. My plan is to work in DC and live in some part of Maryland near DC.  I will also be doing ministry in DC.  I am actively looking for a job in DC and Maryland as well as Putting back as much money as possible.  I am believing God for a miracle. I trust him for all things to work out.  If you support this blog please chipin below,

Thanks.