Sunday, June 7, 2009. It was a day that could have been like any other, but for me it was a day that I stood on the brink of eternity and dangled on the cliff of destruction.

By now, it has been well documented and reported that a gas explosion in the sun room of my home occurred early that morning and completely devastated that entire portion of my house. The damage went beyond the room and included many other areas of my house. The ironic part for some, but providential aspect to those of us who are believers, is the fact that God led me to cancel a meeting that morning that would have placed me in that room at exactly the time of the explosion.

Whew!

God is so faithful!

The damage was so severe that I opted not to preach that Sunday and stay home with my family and the multitude of investigators, insurance reps and others who had come to my home to help evaluate the damage.

Yesterday, I returned to service and the outpouring of support and love from my congregation was like nothing I had ever seen in all of my years of serving as a pastor.
I shared with a friend that it was like attending your own funeral, but that you were still alive. The open display of love and affirmation from our church was amazing.

We wept like babies as we reflected on what could have been had God not done what He did. SO many statements of love and concern for my well-being and the well-being of my family left an indelible impression on my soul.

It was surreal and it left me completely emotionally spent.

I did not preach a word yesterday because sometimes there is a moment where the presence of our Lord and Savior takes over our service and you have to stand back and embrace it and let it run its course. Fred Hammond, who is a faithful member of our church, sang “No Weapon” and it reminded all of us of how good God has been to us by protecting and providing for our every need.

So many times members of the media tell my story, and interpret my thoughts and my words, but I wanted to share with you, my readers, members of my congregation and my friends from around the world, that I am very much alive, my family is well and that I am very thankful and grateful to you for your outpouring of compassion, wishes of well-being and prayers of protection for my family and me.

Often I am taken aback by the amount of love my congregation and those who know me have for my ministry. It is not that I don’t appreciate it. It’s just that I look at it as doing what I do, because I love it so. It’s not for fame, glory, money or praise, but just because it is what I am called to do. My heart was deeply touched on that Sunday of the incident when I realized that there are many people who love me for more than what I do. God has blessed me with many people who genuinely love who I am and not just what I do. They love me for who I am. I cannot tell you how that ministered to my soul and encouraged my heart.

As we prepare for Manpower next week in Dallas, I can’t help but think of the many men and women, too, for that matter, who feel unloved or under appreciated. I think of the many pastors who feel as though they are not loved for who they are but what they do. Many of you could be wrong.

Just think, had my family and I died in that explosion, I would have died not knowing the existence, the degree or the intensity of the love that I witnessed Sunday.

To all who feel or have in any way expressed that love for my family and me, I want to say this,

I love you right back…

Bishop Jakes

According to a recent report, the recession overall has hit men much harder than women, with four out of every five jobs lost being held by a male worker.

African-American men lead the unemployment surge, with an unemployment rate of 15.4 percent. More than one-third of young black men ages 16 to 19 in the labor market are unemployed. In fact, a recent report found that 8 percent of black men have lost their jobs since November 2007.

With so many men of all cultures—African American, Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian—losing their jobs, many have also lost their sense of self.

For generations, men have been judged on how well they provide for their families, and how well they take care of them. Their identities have been intricately woven into and forever linked with the job they perform from 8 to 5 each day. Their value, their place as the head of the household, and the king of the castle, are all connected to the paycheck they bring home each week.

Now, for many, that paycheck is gone and employment opportunities are scarce. Men are fighting for a sense of belonging, a sense of feeling needed, and a sense of, “I am still a man.”

The recession, while brutal on those who have gone months, some years, without a job, is equally as challenging on those who remain gainfully employed in the workplace.

For those who still have a job, the ever present fear of losing that job and the anxiety that comes from constantly wondering, “Is today the day?” can be overbearing and too much to handle.

For others, it is the guilt of watching their good friends lose everything—their homes, their cars, their families—due to the loss of employment, while they themselves are somehow still maintaining and still surviving.

Thomas Paine once wrote, “The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.” Never before in our history has that saying been put to the test on such a regular basis. The answer, my brothers, is simple—faith.

Faith to know that the sun will rise, the rain will stop, the pain will go away, and God, our God, has not left you or forsaken you. He is here for you, and He will uplift you.

You are not your job or your paycheck, you are so much more. You are a strong, resourceful, resilient man, and like those who have struggled before you, you will not only survive, but you will flourish!

As a matter of fact, from June 25 – 27, right here at The Potter’s House church in Dallas, Texas, I will be hosting Manpower, our men’s conference.

We will delve into many of the areas that I touched on in the above text, and many other topics as well. My hope and prayer for this conference is that it will be a safe place for warriors to heal and get back on the battle field no matter what your fight might be.
Space will be limited to first-come, first-served and there is no registration fee required so that men who lack the resources can still have the opportunity to participate in this life-changing event. Of course I would love for the men reading this to come. It is a men’s event. But what I really want from you today is for you to share tips on subjects you think men need help sorting through, such as tips for success. When responding, if you could share your gender as well, that would be great so that I can get a better understanding of your perspective. In other words, I want to hear from the sisters as well!

Maybe I can share some clips after the event for those who can’t come.

Those of you who are believers, please pray for its success.

In the meantime, stay strong my brothers, stay strong.

Blessings,

Bishop Jakes

It’s been quite some time since we last spoke, and I have much to update you on. First of all, I hope that you all had a wonderful Resurrection Sunday. At the Potter’s House, we celebrated with our first ever Good Friday service that included Bishop Noel Jones, along with Vocalists Ann Nesby and LaShun Pace. We concluded our Easter celebration with a presentation given by The Potter’s House Drama Department. If you weren’t there, you truly missed a treat! (I hear there’s video on YouTube, sshh…). Following Easter Sunday, I had the opportunity to celebrate Easter on the other side of the world in Kiev, Ukraine. For those of you who are not familiar with the Ukraine, it was once a part of the USSR, and is bordered by Russia, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary. Joined with pastors from around the country, our trip to Kiev, Ukraine was historical for many reasons. Until about 1986, it was almost impossible to spread the Gospel throughout the country without some type of persecution. Over time, the Iron Curtain was brought down and slowly but surely the Gospel of Jesus Christ began to spread throughout.

For me, the trip was most enlightening as it is always special to see how others worship Christ around the world. To view the obvious differences in culture, yet the unmistakable power of His name, touched me deeply. Officials who had organized the event briefed me upon my arrival. They wanted me to know that they didn’t quite understand why DVDs of me preaching often shows the congregation standing up, shouting, or speaking while I’m speaking. Amused by their interpretation of our worship service, I let them know that I don’t ask or require that parishioners participate in the service in such an excitable manner, but sometimes you just can’t help it! They went on to inform me that Ukrainians tend to be more reserved in their worship and warned me not to expect much interaction between myself and the Ukrainians. I was fine with this. Having been blessed throughout the years to speak to audiences of different backgrounds, I just asked that the Lord give me a Word they needed to hear.

Well let me tell you, God moved in a mighty way in that place! I tried to find the words to explain my experience, but instead, I wanted to share this video clip with you. Take a look and let me know what you think!

Blessings,

Bishop Jakes

Several months ago I had the privilege of appearing again on “Larry King Live.” He asked me a very poignant question, “Is this a Christian nation?” I immediately replied, “No. This is a nation with a lot of Christians in it.” Many times majority groups think that their views control the country, which for me as a Christian is a great idea. But what happens when and if the numbers switch and we aren’t the majority? The founding fathers created a democratic system that separated church from state so that, as a country, we could avoid the slippery slope of getting into the business of telling people what to believe. That is a job they left to be determined by the individual, the synagogue, the mosque and the church!

A country that has one national religion as its only compass is much more of a theocracy than a democracy. That kind of tyranny leads to witch burning, spiritual genocide, forced and fraudulent expressions of faith, and God knows what else. As wonderful as faith is, faith out of control can be lethal.

I love democracy because it is designed to keep the government from telling me when and how to serve communion, and it allows room for debate without dominance. Religious people will never agree on everything within or outside of the bounds of the church. Democracy allows that debate without polluting it further with political intervention as long as that debate doesn’t infringe on another human’s rights. Lately, it is my view that religion has become increasingly a servant to politics, and whenever a flame is needed to move a candidate or party closer to power, they ignite the flame of the faith community by playing on controversial issues and fear. This isn’t new religious jargon; it’s the same lingo that moved the civil rights movement forward. It disannulled the religious language that slave owners used to justify their hideous abuse of African men and women in our history. Communism enforced an atheistic view that denied its citizens the pursuit of an open practice of faith.

More wars have been fought over the name of God, the will of God and through the people of God than any other issue confronting mankind. Holy wars dominated the dark ages and filled the trenches of battle fields with the blood of young, hopeful men breaking the hearts of their parents - all for God

Recently, a very interesting article pointed to the decline of people of faith in this country. Aside from independent churches and Pentecostal groups, there is an alarmingly growing disinterest in faith. Why do you think these groups have seemingly escaped faith? According to recent statistics, faith in general has declined amongst Americans, and our citizens seem more and more disillusioned with it in any form. Only a few groups of faith seemed to be holding their own. Denominationalism seemed to be hemorrhaging, and this was beyond Christian groups, but also incorporated other forms of faith in general. In Luke 22:31 Jesus tells Simon that Satan has desired to sift him as wheat but that He prayed for him that his faith fail him not. There are many possibilities as to why the numbers looked so bleak. Here are a few for consideration. They aren’t all congruent; pick the ones that reflect your view or add your own:

• Religious people and their self-righteous piety have lost the respect of the secular world.
• We only show up to fight other people in the press, but never to love anyone or help anyone. We appear angry and militant.
• Or is it the opposite, we aren’t radical enough?
• We have not remained relevant in a society that is ever evolving.
• We have allowed our message to become contaminated with politics and self-interest.
• We are too focused on capitalism and greed.
• The numbers are lessening because the country is growing and constantly taking in new people and groups from other parts of the world.
• The coming generation isn’t raised with the faith views that we were as children.
• Historically, the more economically secure a society becomes, the less faith centered it is.
• Faith groups are locked behind stained glass windows while other groups and ideas have taken their messages to Hollywood and elsewhere, reaching people where they are, rather than asking people to come to them.
• The growing emphasis on education, which includes a more evolutionism approach to creation and a scientific view of the world, moves people from the ambiguous explanations of faith.
• America needs revival.
• Faith is leaving organized religion and becoming a matter of personal relationships that are seemingly more meaningful than associations incubated behind hallowed walls.

Now I am not saying that these are the reasons for the decline in faith, but rather possibilities. I want you to weigh in on it and share what you think contributes to the decline. Or do you think there isn’t a decline at all? Is it more aptly stated that our country has more diversity and with it comes the infusion of more and more people whose views are less traditional? Are we as people of faith losing our majority rule in this country? Has faith failed America as it threatened to do with Simon? Has it failed you? Are you less or more committed to your faith? If you are committed, are you less vocal about that faith? Do you witness more or less nowadays than people did when you were young? I would love to hear from non-Christians, agnostics, Christians, Jews, Muslims and any others who may be lurking in the shadows of my database. Thanks for thinking, writing and sharing. Ignorance is a curse to any people.

On a closing note, I wanted to let everyone know that my latest movie, Not Easily Broken, is being released on DVD today. You can pick it up anywhere movies are sold, or buy it online.

All my best,

Bishop T. D. Jakes

It’s been such a long time since I’ve had a chance to speak with you! The month of January proved to be quite busy for my family and me. “Not Easily Broken” hit theaters and was warmly received among moviegoers of all backgrounds. Thank you for all the comments about the movie! It is my prayer that we are able to open the lines of communication to deal with issues that are often swept under the rug. From the letters and comments we receive, I feel like we have been able to accomplish this mission.

On January 20th, I participated in the Inauguration Celebration for President Obama. It was an honor to be a part of the ceremony and to view history as it took place in the beautiful city of Washington, D. C. I was able to attend with my youngest son and I watched as he took in the scene, the people and the pure excitement in the air. I knew that the memory of this historic moment would forever be branded in his mind.

My wife underwent surgery at the beginning of the year. Thanks to the prayers and support of many, she is recovering and regaining her strength. Since she’s been down I’ve been able to sharpen my culinary skills. I’ve been told my grilled cheese sandwiches are unrivaled. I have also become the master of the grocery store. Now I must admit, my grocery shopping skills were a little rusty, as my schedule does not permit me to cook or shop as often as I would like. I was in disbelief as I went from aisle to aisle looking at the items on the shelf that once cost half as much as they do now. Though some of the price increases can be attributed to inflation, much of it is evidence of an economy crying out for help. I want to talk a little bit about being financially smart during these times.

There are some decisions that can be made long-term to eliminate financial stress like limiting credit card debt and avoiding pay-day loans. Look into renegotiating your mortgage, and making emergency interest payments during short term cash crunches.

I also want to focus more on everyday things that can be done to save money. You would be surprised to know how the smallest things can add up. My children are fast-food junkies. They have kept our immediate fast food restaurants in business by eating fast food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Well, when they began to branch out into the world and create financial goals and budgets, they learned immediately how much those French fries really added up! Take a look at my tips for surviving through this recession:

• Limit how much you eat out.

The average cost of a value meal is $6, and for a family of four, that adds up to $24 a day, which could go into a savings account. For the price of eating out every day, you could make a trip to the grocery store, pack a lunch and take it to work instead of spending your money. This is also a great way to use leftovers that may otherwise get tossed. I have found several tips on the internet on how to turn last night’s leftovers into today’s gourmet meal. Find recipes that are simple, yet cost effective. I know for my house you can NEVER go wrong with a pot of spaghetti.

• Feel like shopping?

Before you decide to buy a new article of clothing, go through your closet first. You would be surprised at some of the clothes you have that you may not wear as often as you should. Try adding different accessories to create a new look. Discount stores are always a good alternative for finding excellent bargains

• Have a Garage Sale!

There has been a revitalization of garage sales. They work well to give you extra cash without adding extra expense. Plus, they serve as a perfect avenue to rid your home of unused items.

• Grow a Garden!

Many people are starting to grow gardens again. It is a stress reliever and this is the season to plant! Get outside, spend some time with friends or family, and grow your own fruits and vegetables.

• Move Your Money Around.

With low interests rates that we are seeing today, don’t be afraid to consider refinancing your home, or consolidating your debts in the process. You’d be surprised at how much money you would save.

Now that I’ve shared some money-saving tips, I want to convey to you that our economy will eventually improve. Case in point, I was driving through downtown Dallas recently and was astonished at the number of cranes and construction workers that were busy working. My initial thoughts were, “Why do they continue to build when the economy is so weak?” I instantly realized that the developers were not planning for now, they were looking to the future. In spite of the constant news reports about the failing economy, they knew that no matter how difficult times may get, things will get better.

I leave you with the same message. I realize how difficult it can be to occupy your mind with dreams of creating your own business, going back to school, owning a home, or buying a new car when you have to focus on making ends meet. This year I beseech you NOT to give up on your tomorrow! In the midst of the storms waging around you, know that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Be careful not to allow your hopes and dreams to be squandered. During these times, remember to be faithful to God and he will be faithful to you. I have never seen the righteous forsaken! Take a moment to tell me about your dreams, and how you are going to accomplish them. And in the interim, share some tips on how you are saving pennies during these times.

Finally, I’ve asked a couple of my good friends to share some of their knowledge and advice to help you get through these challenging times. Please take a few minutes out of your busy schedules to read these great articles by Glinda Bridgforth and Dr. Ronn Elmore.

If I chose to follow the traditional salutation then it would be appropriate for me to greet you with the phrase “Happy New Year.” I would rather pose a question for you to answer: “What Should I Do With Another Year?”

This is the same question I asked my church members on the first Sunday of this New Year. The very fact that it’s called a New Year requires us to take a different approach to the challenges that follow us from the previous year and the opportunities that lay before us this year. When it comes to a new year, people of faith generally talk about what God is going to do. This year, however, I challenge you to put the onus on what you, as an individual, are going to do? God already has His part worked out; He is faithful. Understand that this is a year of transition, decision and restoration, and I want to make sure you are properly focused on what you need to do and think for this year.

In the Gospel of St. Luke 13: 6-9, Jesus tells the parable of “a certain man that had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said, unto him, Lord let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shall cut it down.” (KJV)

Given the economic climate in our nation and around the world, more will be required of us as the Scripture suggests: more digging, more dunging (meaning more plan development), more caution before purchasing, more prayer development, more family development, simply put more everything! However, the year is a gift of grace, a chance to finish the repositioning that we ultimately need to be more productive.

As I shared with you before, my new movie Not Easily Broken will be released nationwide on January 9, 2009. I have been busy running to screenings of the movie in different cities (digging and dunging) and I have had an opportunity to receive great feedback on the film during Q&A sessions. I have been encouraged by the many churches, sororities, and fraternities taking over movie theaters across the country to support the film and send a message to Hollywood that there is strength in our numbers.

One of my goals for this film was to produce a work that would show African Americans in a positive light, which is still a rare occurrence even in the 21st century. I also show an interracial friendship because I believe that it is time to desegregate our theaters. We simply need to know and understand more about each other’s cultures. I find that most people are going through similar struggles. It appears that this movie will have universal appeal. Help me ignite a flame in Hollywood of inspirational material at a time when our nation so desperately needs inspiration. I have hidden in the body of the film many contemporary themes that should provide for some interesting dialogue between us. Some of it is subtle and some is not so subtle. I want to know what you think the many underlying messages are in the film. With that in mind, I would like to hear your feedback on the movie. After you see the movie this weekend, I would like for you to come back here and tell me what you thought about the movie, its theme, the characters and the underlying messages that affect everyone, regardless of their background.

Remember, this is our year to take action. Take what God has given you, dig around it, put dung on it and produce your fruit! If you have the passion, the faith and the tenacity, hang in there this year. Remember real love, like real people, are not easily broken!

All the best,

Bishop Jakes

I have watched with great respect and admiration as President-elect Obama begins the arduous task of putting together his Presidential Cabinet.

A challenging task to construct an administration in “normal” times, no doubt, but a task that becomes even more daunting when one looks at the current economic crisis and uncertainty of our financial future and ranking in the world that we currently face.

President-elect Obama’s selections for the key posts in his administration that will hopefully help guide this country into a brighter future, have been surprising to many. Obama has selected individuals who would not normally work together, and those whose viewpoints and perspectives on the most effective way to run the government would seemingly be diametrically opposed.

However that is the view to the untrained eye. As in my book, “Before You Do,” where I discuss the importance of knowing who you are working with: comrades – those who are against what you are against; constituents – those that are for your cause; and confidants – those that are 100% for you, Obama has put together an unlikely, yet a potentially effective collection of individuals who do not bring the same perspective to the fight, but all have the same desired end result.

The key to successful leadership is to not surround yourself with a group of people who look exactly like you, think exactly like you, or act exactly like you. In order to be successful, you have to have a diverse group, with varied perspectives, beliefs and opinions.

President Abraham Lincoln used the same approach to his presidency, mixing and matching people who would never work together and bringing them in to focus on one common goal. With this broad range and collection of perspectives, Lincoln was able to gain a much more realistic perspective of the country he was governing and what he needed to do to successfully manage it.

Some are opposed to this idea as it puts them and those on their team in sometimes uncomfortable surroundings. I actually thrive in it and view myself as the center and the calm of the storm. As staff members are furiously debating a topic or idea, I can sit back from a centrist perspective and pick and select the good ideas from one, then from the other and put together a plan that has looked at the situation from all angles as opposed to just one.

If I were not in the middle, those two sides, with both something very valuable to give to the solutions, would never have come together to collaborate and their much needed input would have never made it to the table.

As you move into 2009, look around you. How are you assembling your team? Is it made up individuals who act and think alike, or are you bringing in varied and diverse opinions that help you to balance the scales of thought and present a plan that is both detailed and well researched?

The decision is up to you.

I wish you and yours a very peaceful, very happy, and very joyous holiday season!

Bishop Jakes

The other night I had the chance to attend the Dallas premiere of Will Smith’s latest movie, “Seven Pounds.” I don’t want to risk giving too much away, so I will only say that Will Smith and his co-star, Rosario Dawson – who I had the pleasure of meeting at last years CNN Heroes Awards ceremony – gave incredible performances and it is a must see movie.

As I prepare for the release of my new movie, “Not Easily Broken” - in theaters on Jan 9th and starring Morris Chestnut and Taraji P. Henson - I find that I look at everything in entertainment not so much from a viewer’s or a consumer’s perspective, but as someone who has a vested interest in the success of the film.

I was so impressed with the fact that Will used the premiere not only as a chance to tout and show off his new movie, but also as a chance to help a very deserving charity. Will made a generous donation to the Texas Food Bank, a charity that in today’s difficult economic times has no doubt been stretched to its limits of support.

I had a chance to meet privately with Will and we discussed the potential of working together on future projects that I hope to be able to share with you at a later date.

In the meantime, I have attached some pictures from that very enjoyable night and hope you enjoy them as much as I loved participating in them!

Bishop Jakes, Tom Joyner, and Donna Richardson-Joyner arrive at the Dallas screening of “Seven Pounds”

Will Smith greets Bishop Jakes at the Dallas screening of “Seven Pounds”

Will Smith, Bishop Jakes, Tom Joyner, and Donna Richardson-Joyner at the Dallas screening of “Seven Pounds”

Bishop Jakes greets fans at the Dallas screening of “Seven Pounds”

Bishop Jakes talks with media at the Dallas screening of “Seven Pounds”

Bishop Jakes and Will Smith

Bishop Jakes and Will Smith

All photos courtesy of Rance Elgin

I have touched down on the beautiful soil of Johannesburg, South Africa, and I am more excited than ever about what God is going to do in this place. I think I can smell the excitement in the air. Some local media are saying that MegaFest International 2008 will be the largest gathering of people of African descent since the beginning of slave trades hundreds of years ago. Can you imagine how proud civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King, Frederick Douglas, Thurgood Marshall and Harriet Tubman would be to see a day like this? Oh, how far we have come! I know that there are many people who wish they could be here with us during this very pivotal moment, but due to the circumstances of life were not able to attend. Please know that we carry your thoughts and spirit with us daily and your presence can be felt in the atmosphere!

For the last few months now, word has been buzzing about the phenomenal speakers and the spectacular music we have lined up. But I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you some of the humanitarian efforts we are conducting while we are in conference. When we first began planning MegaFest, I wanted to make sure that we did not just come in and offer revitalization for the soul, but also extend a helping hand to those who are in need through our MegaCARE initiative.

One of MegaCARE’s missions while in Africa is to focus on Swazi children who are orphaned and have little access to nutritional food. The Potter’s House for Children in Mhlosheni will provide meals, education, counseling and other services to more than 200 orphans. With an HIV prevalency rate of more than 42 percent, Swaziland is a nation reeling from the effects of the deadly pandemic. An estimated 15 percent of children, younger than 15 years old, have lost one or both parents to AIDS, including nearly 8,000 children in Swaziland’s southern area of Mhlosheni.

When parents die, communities struggle to care for their children. As the number of orphans increases, Mhlosheni community members know they have a responsibility to care for and support these children. Currently, men and women serve as “child protectors,” who are appointed to guard orphans from any form of abuse. Others have assumed the role of caretaker, providing meals, non formal education and life skills to children. But this impoverished community simply does not have the resources it needs to fully care for the orphaned children among them.

Even though the quality of service provided by existing centers is low, orphaned children walk long distances just to be with others like themselves, to spend time with adult caretakers, to enjoy a meal, play and sing. These centers have become a respite from their standard home life, which is often lonely and stressful.

T. D. Jakes Ministries and The Potter’s House have built the first home in hopes that others will partner to build 17 sustainable centers for the community. These centers will serve more than 1,200 orphans and children throughout the district of Mhlosheni, whose parents are ill, providing them with a safe, three-room facility that will be used for teaching, cooking, organized activities, sports and counseling. Each center will offer health care, life skills, training in gardening and animal science, after-school activities and non formal education.

I’m sure you can see why we are so excited about the work we are doing here in South Africa. We really do take our philanthropic efforts seriously. We don’t want to be just a world church though. We cannot look across the pond to South Africa without seeing the people in need here in our very own home state.

For those of you in the States, you all know that the stories streaming across CNN right now are only as important as the next big news item. With that being said, many of you will remember some weeks ago when those in the Gulf Coast were preparing for what was predicted to be another Hurricane Katrina. News outlets around the country began to zoom in on the people who were being evacuated, the homes lost and the cars floating away. After Hurricane Ike finally made his descent in the Gulf area, media interest began to wane immensely.

Within days, camera crews began to pack up and focus on the next newsworthy item. For many Americans, once the camera crew has packed up we think that the story is over, however those affected know that the reality is much different. It has been several weeks since the devastation of Hurricane Ike. Many people have lost their homes, cars and jobs, yet their voices are being overshadowed by topics like the presidential election and the Wall Street “bailout.” For those affected there was nowhere else to turn except to the church. T. D. Jakes Ministries, The Potter’s House and other churches, kicked into action sending as many helping hands possible down to the affected area to help clean, rebuild and assist others. Those affected have not been forgotten. In partnership with the organization, Somebody Cares, we are sending 3 buses of people to the Gulf Coast to help with food and first aid distribution.

Reaching around the globe and down the street, MegaCARE is dedicated to helping others through difficult times, because we know and understand that struggle is not exclusive to one race, class or gender. Struggle can affect anyone far or near.

So maybe you can’t join us in South Africa, maybe you can’t make it to the areas affected by Hurricane Ike, but you can make it your goal to donate your time or finances to those in need. Whether it is spending a weekend at the food bank, giving $5 to towards the MegaCARE initiative, or lending a helping hand to your neighbor, it is vital that we help others. You never know when you or someone you love may need support through a devastating time and you’ll want and need others to help you.

Hey friends I have been so busy on my book tour, but I wanted to send you this blog which is an excerpt from my new book, before You Do. I wonder have you thought about what you have invested or maybe gambled away not realizing the value of your time, interest, attention, money or energy. Let me share this excerpt and you tell me what you think…

One year for my youngest son’s birthday, his mother and I decided that we would take him and his friends to Chuck E. Cheese. For those of you who don’t know, Chuck E. Cheese is an indoor play-area/arcade for young children. We had finalized all of the plans and were beaming like proud parents the day of his party. Considering the number of children that we invited, we knew that we would need to purchase several tokens in order for each child to get a fair amount of play.

My wife and I broke out our billfolds and handed over the money to our anxious children’s hands and smiled brilliantly when they returned with several tokens. They would divide the tokens up and break into several different paths waiting to tackle the game of their choosing. We sat back glad that we had pulled the party off, and anxiously waited to see which games the children enjoyed the most. Within five minutes the children were back, their cups were empty and their eyes droopy. “We need more tokens,” they would mumble.

We smiled sweetly and handed over a few more dollars for the children so that they could continue to play. This ritual took place over and over again until the children had played their hearts out. It was not until Serita and I were in our bedroom recounting the day’s events that we realized just how much money we had spent on tokens.

When I realized how much money we had spent and how little we had to show for it, I understood the beauty behind using tokens instead of actual money. The children received so many tokens in exchange for the cash that we felt like we were getting a good deal. It was not until we cleaned out the car from the festivities and saw the plastic collectibles that were already broken that it dawned on me – when you trade something valuable, like money, and trade it for something that has little value, like a token, you are investing in something with very little return.

As a pastor I often see people investing their time or finances into something with very little return - trading pieces of their heart or time for tokens. As you all know, I have made it my mission to try and give people the most information possible so that they can avoid the consequences that come with trading something valuable for things that have no value. As a father I want to see my children, both natural and spiritual, succeed beyond their dreams and come to a point where they truly understand their worth. For children taking the tokens in hope for a great prize is cute and endearing. However for adults taking, these risks can cause detrimental consequences that a kiss from Mama cannot fix. I urge you all to weigh all of the risks before taking a gamble.

Are you taking a gamble in your life? I want to speak to people who are taking a gamble and receiving little return. I want to challenge you today to learn the value of your chips! Whether in relationships or business endeavors, many people enter these situations by taking a gamble and hoping for the best. I cannot tell you how many instances I have seen where one spouse complains about the other and the other replies that they are the same person they were before they married. Many times people enter relationships with hopes that the spouse will change. Do not take a gamble on something as precious as your time. Unlike finances or reputation, which can be repaired, if you take a gamble with your time, you have wasted time that you will NEVER see again. Your time is a commodity too precious to waste. If you continue to invest time into a relationship and you see very little return, it is time to consider repositioning your investment into an undertaking that has the best rate of return for you.

The same applies to business. Many times I have seen friends enter into business ventures together and stay loyal to one another – even at the risk of losing money. Do not stay loyal to something you do not need. You will sacrifice your own time and happiness for that of another. There is always a way out of a bad business decision. It does not mean you are a bad person just because things don’t work out. Leave right, leave fair, but if it is not working for both of you, leave! You can do bad by yourself! Remember you have a personal friendship without stating in a bad business deal.

If you learn the value of your talents, the value of your time and the value of your love, you will understand what a disservice you do to yourself by trading them in for tokens. I want to dare you to see yourself through the eyes of your heavenly Father. What esteem he holds for each of us! Dare to see yourself through clear vision. Do not shackle yourself to past pains or trauma, or a self-imposed life sentence for past mistakes.

The most dangerous thing for people to do is allow their growth to be stunted by their own thoughts. One of the hardest things to do is to counsel people who don’t see their own worth. I have found that the key to helping them is making the person realize that the power to their freedom lies in their own heart. Sometimes we, as a people, have a tendency to beat ourselves up over and over again about things that we had little control over or things that are ancient history. I want to challenge you to let go of the mistakes of the past, free yourself and move on from those things that held you down.

Life alone can be very difficult, and there can be a seemingly never- ending mountain of troubles, but do not make it more difficult by gambling your resources away. Live the life that God has predestined for you, live fearlessly in the comfort that you have weighed all your options, made the best choices, and wait to reap the benefits.

So tell me, do you accept the challenge? Can you live with your eyes wide open?