Praise the Lord saints.
Well, the tournament is over, and again I want to thank St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway and his command and office staff for their incredible support in making this year’s Unity Tournament a success. Shout out also to my Tuesday Guys, and my fellow golfers who came from Polk County, not to mention our honoree, 100-year-old three-time black golf hall of famer Mr. Herbert Dixon, who I heard from one of his teammates, carried them most of the match!
I did my best to ensure everyone that participated left with at least two gifts, and so far, all I’m hearing from those who came out was that they had a great time and are looking forward to the next one.
Although I didn’t have the expected turn out, I’m thrilled that I was able to give this opportunity to the community as well as the police to dialogue and have a good time as well.
The list included Chief Holloway, Assistant Chief Michael Kovacsev, Major Frank Williams, Major Robert Mailhiot, Lt. Steve Mandakis, Lt. Brian Taylor, Detective Sam Brachna, Sergeant Scott Elizondo and Sergeant Kenny Miller.
Major Williams was on our winning team, and we had great dialogue, being he was born and raised here and has been a part of all that south St. Pete has experienced over the years.
One thing I did find interesting was that many who I have seen express their concerns with the police department, as well as many in official positions, were silent when this unique opportunity was placed in their laps to have an honest and open dialog.
Oh, my bad, I forgot, because you didn’t orchestrate it, you either felt it would fail or wasn’t important enough to at least acknowledge you knew it was happening.
I found it comical that people questioned what was happening when I posted the photo SPPD Marketing Director Yolonda Fernandez took at the course before us starting. I only had it published in the Challenger since September as well as created an event and invited every friend I have on my Facebook, more than 400 in St. Pete.
This is just the beginning, and I plan to continue to reach out to those I mentioned back in August in the article of my bishop-elect appointment, so if you read the article and your name was printed, know that I’m coming to you soon.
Back to battle scars.
I’m pleasantly surprised that after almost six years and nearly 200 articles, I’m just now starting to receive feedback from my readers. I always leave my cell, email and Twitter as well, so I have no problem receiving feedback from anything I write.
I’m thankful that when I started writing, the Lord guided me to make sure I don’t put individuals directly on blast but ensure the deed, or mess, or sin was exposed. If they read the column, they will know it’s them.
I know that most of what I write creates secret “frenemies” but that’s not an issue I have to deal with. The reason being, I almost always post scriptures to back up what I say, so in essence, I’m just telling you what “thus saith the Lord” and if you have a problem or issue with it, take it up with the original author.
This passage of scripture from Ezek 34 I know should have been eye-opening and jaw-dropping because we are living this same scenario today and see that we can easily put more than a handful of names in the blanks as the “guilty” parties.
I wasn’t to apologize because I want to completely dedicate every word in the column to both Ezek 34 and 2 Thes 2 when I speak on them so what I want to do is address something that came up last week.
Let me give you the scriptures first, then let you marinate over them till next week to see if you can kinda get what the issues were.
Gen 1:1, In the beginning God
John 1: 1-3, 14, 3:16
10:30, 1 John 5: 7
14:15-18, 26 PLEASE read slowly and carefully. Who will send the Comforter?
15:26
16:7-11
I could post more, but you should have the general idea by now.
If not, I will deal with it at the beginning and on to Ezek 34. Promise.
Till next week,
Blessings Bishop-Elect Dr. Rob Harrison
