PRESENTING,
A WAY WITH WORDS
BY PASTOR CLEVELAND E. BATES, JR
INSPIRATIONS FROM MY HEART TO YOURS
- Words enlighten
- Words empower
- Words equip
A Word
from the Author
It is my hope that this collection of poems and inspirational thoughts will touch your heart and fill your soul with joy and laughter. I am hopeful that some will ignite the flame that years of struggles, hard times, life challenges, mistakes have snuffed out. My hope is that you take a long stroll through the pages, making momentarily stops to pause for reflection, consideration, and inspiration. Come with me on this journey through words of forgiveness, affirmation, tributes, love, and inspirational thought.
WHY ADD
“A way with words”
TO YOUR COLLECTION?
Motivation through difficult times
Life’s journey offers so many twists and turns, many days full of sunshine, others filled with darkness. It is during those moments that words spoken and words read can be the “sun” that shines through the clouds. This book includes original poems that will remind you that life cannot always be lived in the sunshine because rain is necessary for growth.
Using Words to Inspire Others
Using Words to Inspire Others Our words can add value to others, as well as tear them down – it’s always the speaker’s decision. Many of us can remember words of affirmation, encouragement, and empowerment spoken many years past that remain as vibrant in our minds as the day those words were spoken. This book will inspire you to examine your words more carefully, to inspire others with your words.
Your Words Matter
Someone once said, “words cannot change reality, however, words can change how people perceives reality.” Words spoken carry a power of their own: to build up or to tear down, to encourage or to discourage, to empower or to depress. The poetry in this book has one purpose: to inspire us to use our words to the betterment of all people.
Throughout the book, you will gather nuggets of enlightenment, encouragement, and insights. It is my hope that you are encouraged to choose and use your words wisely. You may never know whose life depends on just a kind word!
A Way with Words Samples
We gotta love each other, that’s no doubt
It’s the only thing that will lead us out
Out of the past, and the ills of our day
Please God help us as we diligently pray
“We Gotta Love”
If you have been broken, beaten, and battered
One day on top of the world, the next one it’s shattered
It seems as if things came apart piece by piece
The earthen vessel of you just wants it to cease
“The Power in Broken Pieces”
Life is uncertain, it can bring great pain
One day walking on air, tomorrow back down again
One day pressing ahead, in the midst of it all
Next day headed for seemingly, a monumental fall
But as uncertain as it is, the promise you see
Is that this too shall pass we have the victory
“Uncertainty”
About the Author
Pastor Cleveland Bates is a native of Chesapeake, Virginia and a product of the Chesapeake, Virginia Public School System, matriculated to Norfolk State University for Undergraduate Studies, continued his studies at Nyack College (Washington, DC). Pastor Bates is a graduate of Calvary Bible Institute (Washington, DC), and most recently received a second degree (BS in Psychology, Magna Cum Laude) at Regent University. Pastor Bates is committed to serving people, whether in the pulpit or as an advocate of those who are disenchanted within the community. His commitment to excellence motivates him to always use every gift and resource God provides to him.
His love for the people of God causes him to reach out and love those who are deemed by others to be unlovable.
Pastor Bates never meets a stranger but treats all people with dignity and respect. His favorite saying is “people do not care how much you know; they want to know how much you care.” Pastor Bates has served as shepherd and leader of the Rose of Sharon Revival Center for the past fifteen years, with intermittent travels to minister internationally to places such as Lagos Nigeria, Nairobi Kenya, Barbados, Trinidad, Jamaica, St. Maarten, and the Bahamas.
He is founder of Sharpmen, a fully incorporated 501(c)3 organization that support total men wellness. He is actively involved in “street ministry,” serving communities in both Norfolk, VA and Virginia Beach, VA. He is engaged in several leadership initiatives with the City of Norfolk and collaborates with several organizations, focused on community improvement, greater educational opportunity, and initiatives to curb street violence in Norfolk, VA neighborhoods.
Some of the recognition he has received includes the Icon Award (for the City of Chesapeake), The Point of Light (from former President Barak Obama). In addition, he was chosen as one of the Top 25 Inspirational Pastors in the Tidewater area by Blessed Lifestyle Magazine. He is an established author, penning two books, “Busting Out of Mediocrity” (BOOM), and his latest book, “A Way with Words” (December 2022).
He is an anointed deliverer of the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and a teacher extraordinaire. Pastor Bates’ desire is to always be faithful to the task that the Lord has given him, to continue to grow in the knowledge of God and to always preach the unadulterated Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Pastor Bates is married to Barbara Jackson Bates and the proud father of seven children, and five grandchildren.