I realize that I am writing about day 2 while it is, in fact, day 3. I am amazed that I am even writing this. I got a few hours sleep last night and I am energized and full of caffeine today. The energy these kids have is contagious. It really carries me through the day. It so nice being in a camp filled with adults who are prayer warriors. God presence is strong here and it is a great feeling and sometimes you can tell that the kids sense it too. That is a special time. When the kids realize that or at least get that feeling that the God we have been telling them about all week is in fact real and he is here right now. I get to be a part of that and it feels great. This is a chance to serve god is a real and tangible way. I may not ever see the fruit of the labor, but I know it will bear fruit and God will make the message we have laid out for these kids loud and clear.
I have had numerous kids ask me if I could be their foster dad or if I could adopt them, and it is so hard not to say "sure" or "yes", but its a lot more complicated than that and its just simply not how the system works. I have to reassure myself that God has a plan for their life and I am doing my part of that plan right here, right now. It is still heartbreaking to think about what might await these kids when they get home. I hope and pray that they have foster parents who will love and care for them as much as the people here do. I know that may not be the case, but It is still what I pray for.
Day three is upon us and we are a little tired, and a little worn out, but we push on. We draw upon the strength of Christ and each other. We act as a team and we be the best examples of Christ love that we can.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Day 1
Today was officially the first day of camp. At least camp with actual campers. TI started well enough and has continued throughout the day. What a wonderful day it has been. I am tired and my feet hurt. I am missing a chunk of flesh from under my big toe on my left foot. I have no idea where it went or when it came off. It feels like camp has been going on for 2 months, but its wonderful. I feel wonderful. I am excited and happy and joyous and happy and filled. I think that day 1 is so long because the kids try to do everything in one day, not really thinking that tomorrow we can do more and that will be repeated two more times. I literally spent 1.5 glorious hours in a pool. I don't think I got out a single time. It was awesome and fun and the kids came out glowing.
After the pool was the zip line and all four kids in the cabin went down the line. You would have to be here to know how much of a victory that is. That zip line scared me and these kids are jumping down this line with no fear. Of course, we were behind schedule, but its only day 1, oh well. Activity center was the first real big heart tugging memory well, it was the first after bus arrives. So I was just walking around to different activities and I see a child all alone at the shrinky-dink table. I thought that was weird so I went over and sat down with him. He looked up at me and asked me my name and then proceeded to just draw on the shrinky-dink. A few minutes later this child hands me his shrinky-dink and says this is for you. The first thing that hit was: WOW these kids are noticing. He knew I was there and he noticed me and he took the time to thank me for sitting with him in the best way he knew how at that moment. This was my first shrinky-dink gift from a camper and I have to say it will always be special.
The next "moment" came after activities. I was walking with a camper and he was asking small questions and then he starts telling me about his dad and his home life and He asks me about my home life as a child. Without going too much in details, we have lead very similar childhoods up until this point in his life. It was scary similar. God has put this child into my cabin for this very reason moment. Then he asked me a question that I really haven't thought about in a while. He asked me if I missed my mom. I had no right away answer. I thought and thought and I said, "Yeah I really do. I really miss my mom." his response was as casual as it gets he said, "me too." It was a moment. one I will not forget.
So I was waiting for the bus in the heat and it comes down the road and I get a very heavy heart. I am so very happy and thankful that RFKC exists. My heart breaks that there is even a need for RFKC. I have a very soft spot for little girls. I attribute this to the fact that I have two beautiful, fragile, precious little girls waiting for me at home. I see a little girl who looks just like Sydaleigh and I almost lose it. It was a struggle not to cry. I took a step back and had to compose myself. Who knows the horrors this girl has experienced? How could anybody not love this little person? It is so hard to not tell some kids, yes I will foster you or yes I will adopt you, but all you can do is be nice and smile and encouraging and let them know that there is love and hope and they can have it all. I hope and pray a day comes when RFKC has to stop because there is no longer a need. Until that day comes I will be here for these kids.
So tomorrow is a new day and a full day, unlike today. Tomorrow we get to swim the lake. I have an irrational fear of swimming in the lake, but I manage it and swim with the kids. It is dark and not so cold and t smells like dead fish, but the kids love it therefore I love it. I am including pictures of the lake obstacles that I need to overcome tomorrow and a picture of a guy we say on the way to camp. The green things in the bed of the truck are chainsaws. yeah that really happened.
After the pool was the zip line and all four kids in the cabin went down the line. You would have to be here to know how much of a victory that is. That zip line scared me and these kids are jumping down this line with no fear. Of course, we were behind schedule, but its only day 1, oh well. Activity center was the first real big heart tugging memory well, it was the first after bus arrives. So I was just walking around to different activities and I see a child all alone at the shrinky-dink table. I thought that was weird so I went over and sat down with him. He looked up at me and asked me my name and then proceeded to just draw on the shrinky-dink. A few minutes later this child hands me his shrinky-dink and says this is for you. The first thing that hit was: WOW these kids are noticing. He knew I was there and he noticed me and he took the time to thank me for sitting with him in the best way he knew how at that moment. This was my first shrinky-dink gift from a camper and I have to say it will always be special.
The next "moment" came after activities. I was walking with a camper and he was asking small questions and then he starts telling me about his dad and his home life and He asks me about my home life as a child. Without going too much in details, we have lead very similar childhoods up until this point in his life. It was scary similar. God has put this child into my cabin for this very reason moment. Then he asked me a question that I really haven't thought about in a while. He asked me if I missed my mom. I had no right away answer. I thought and thought and I said, "Yeah I really do. I really miss my mom." his response was as casual as it gets he said, "me too." It was a moment. one I will not forget.
So I was waiting for the bus in the heat and it comes down the road and I get a very heavy heart. I am so very happy and thankful that RFKC exists. My heart breaks that there is even a need for RFKC. I have a very soft spot for little girls. I attribute this to the fact that I have two beautiful, fragile, precious little girls waiting for me at home. I see a little girl who looks just like Sydaleigh and I almost lose it. It was a struggle not to cry. I took a step back and had to compose myself. Who knows the horrors this girl has experienced? How could anybody not love this little person? It is so hard to not tell some kids, yes I will foster you or yes I will adopt you, but all you can do is be nice and smile and encouraging and let them know that there is love and hope and they can have it all. I hope and pray a day comes when RFKC has to stop because there is no longer a need. Until that day comes I will be here for these kids.
So tomorrow is a new day and a full day, unlike today. Tomorrow we get to swim the lake. I have an irrational fear of swimming in the lake, but I manage it and swim with the kids. It is dark and not so cold and t smells like dead fish, but the kids love it therefore I love it. I am including pictures of the lake obstacles that I need to overcome tomorrow and a picture of a guy we say on the way to camp. The green things in the bed of the truck are chainsaws. yeah that really happened.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Day 0 RFKC
Today is the first day of camp, but since the kids don't arrive till tomorrow I call it day 0. In my opinion it is a little more nerve racking then actually having the kids here. It is an emotional time and to give you an idea about the things that are going through my head are: fear, excitement, joy, fear, and a whole host of things that i just cant seem to put a name on right now.
The kids arrive tomorrow and I have hopes and dreams and even expectations. I have tried to forget about the world outside of this place, but that is hard to do. I try to understand that God has put me into the lives of these specific children for a very specific reason, at this specific time. I pray that I can help cultivate a safe and healthy environment so that God can work. I am under no delusions. God does not need me to do anything in order for him to complete his work, but I feel that I need to do these things. I feel God wants me to do these things. I have a feeling that it is going to be a great week. A week of life changing experience. I hope and pray that I can help to plant a seed and that the seed I help to plant will grow and grow and become a life changing entity. I hope and pray that these children will be receptive and I hope and pray that the life they lead outside this place can not compare to any sacrifice on my part. The week of leave I lose can help to give life to a little person. Such a small sacrifice. I don't know that it can even be considered a sacrifice. I do it with honor and joy.
My prayer:
Father God, make my heart soft and help me be the servant that you desire of me. Help me to minister to these kids in any way possible, that I would be receptive to your spirit and have the courage, knowledge and peace to be everything to these kids that they need. Make me strong and fill me up to overflowing so that my cup may fill up those around me. I love you Lord and it is in Christ's name I pray....
The kids arrive tomorrow and I have hopes and dreams and even expectations. I have tried to forget about the world outside of this place, but that is hard to do. I try to understand that God has put me into the lives of these specific children for a very specific reason, at this specific time. I pray that I can help cultivate a safe and healthy environment so that God can work. I am under no delusions. God does not need me to do anything in order for him to complete his work, but I feel that I need to do these things. I feel God wants me to do these things. I have a feeling that it is going to be a great week. A week of life changing experience. I hope and pray that I can help to plant a seed and that the seed I help to plant will grow and grow and become a life changing entity. I hope and pray that these children will be receptive and I hope and pray that the life they lead outside this place can not compare to any sacrifice on my part. The week of leave I lose can help to give life to a little person. Such a small sacrifice. I don't know that it can even be considered a sacrifice. I do it with honor and joy.
My prayer:
Father God, make my heart soft and help me be the servant that you desire of me. Help me to minister to these kids in any way possible, that I would be receptive to your spirit and have the courage, knowledge and peace to be everything to these kids that they need. Make me strong and fill me up to overflowing so that my cup may fill up those around me. I love you Lord and it is in Christ's name I pray....
Monday, May 16, 2011
New post for today and tonite
As I sit here in front of my computer, just having written a letter about 1000 words in length, taking a [short] break from video games I felt the need to post the letter as well as a few thoughts prior to returning back to the normal evening activities.
I am reminded of Luke 18:15-17 and think about why Jesus felt it necessary to use that example of children. Was it just convenient because there were so many children around? I don't really think that was the case. I think he meant that in order for us to enter the kingdom of heaven we must be joyous and unashamed, like a child is on Christmas morning. I love that about children. It saddens me when kids grow to be self conscious and start caring what other people think.
Anyway I write becuase I am trying to get support for an organization with a cause I believe in. I put most all of it in this letter and hope you can find the time to read it. I don't know who, if anybody reads this blog, but here it is. I truly mean it when I say that at the very least join me in praying for these kids and the adults who are really making a sacrifice to show these kids the love they deserve. I punched this letter out of my heart and while it might seem a little rough around the edges, it is my heart. thank you. Also as the week of RFKC approaches and while I am there I am really going to make an effort to blog more and keep everybody up to date about what is going on prior to an during camp. Enjoy.
I hope this letter finds you in great health and feeling truly blessed. I want to begin by saying this is uncharacteristic of me and I hope you will take the time to read this letter as well as the letter drafted by the organization I am attempting to represent. I was tempted to leave the letter as is and simply mail everything off, but I wanted to convey the high level of passion and commitment I have for this organization and the work they are doing. The organization is Royal Family Kids' Camp or RFKC. The purpose of the organization is to provide children who have had little to no normalcy in their life and experience that will stay with them for a lifetime. It is a faith-based organization. This means that there is a Jesus focused mission statement and all the volunteers are Christ followers.
Please believe me when I say that the children who participate in this 5 day long sleep-away camp are in desperate need of this time away. They come from homes that most of us cannot imagine. They have been abused, abandoned, and or neglected. They are forced to experience things that people should not have to ever experience and they experience these things prior to knowing how to properly handle the emotional turmoil that exists in their daily lives. This camp provides them an opportunity to be a child; to have fun without fear of neglect, abuse, or abandonment. The camp sometimes provides siblings who have not seen each other for a time to reconnect and interact with siblings that are separated for whatever reason. This is truly a happy time in their life.
The typical day of camp begins with wake-up (which can be difficult sometimes), followed by a good breakfast. Most kids eat well, but some try to eat too much, not knowing when the next meal may be. Some kids try to take food with them, while others simply refuse the food. Eventually after everybody has eaten, the morning activities commence. They consist of fishing, swimming, drawing, climbing a rock wall, going down a zip line, taking a short hike, hunting for frogs, building a birdhouse, playing in the lake and miscellaneous other activities. The morning is also the time when they are read bible stories and even more bible stories are acted out for them. This is usually preceded by singing fun praise songs alongside the counselors who they have almost instantly become attached to. Lunch comes too quickly and after lunch is a short quiet time usually filled with naps or bible lessons taught by the counselors and more often than not filled the numerous and sometimes difficult questions that get asked. It is not uncommon to have questions like "Why did Jesus let so and so hurt my mom?" or "Can Jesus find somebody to adopt me?" It's moment like this that you have to fight the urge to cry and yell and feel anger.
After lunch are more activity and then its dinner time. Dinner is always followed by some kind of special event. The events are: everybody's birthday, carnival night, and the grand talent show. Needless to say we keep the children entertained and busy. As a counselor it is emotionally and physically draining. Every day you wonder where the strength to complete the next day will come from, but God is faithful and the day is never more that you can handle.
I am writing because this year the camp is facing a shortfall. We are in need of financial support for RFKC. As you can read on the other page the cost is $250/camper. RFKC does not charge the campers anything to attend, nor do they get funds from the state for the kids to attend. They are a non-profit organization supported solely by the generosity of the people who believe in what they are doing. Please join me in supporting this awesome organization that truly brings joy to the heart of God. Thank you for your time and I apologize if I am bit long-winded, but I truly believe in this program and hope you feel lead to support this cause. I am enclosing an envelope that has been addressed and stamped for you. If it is more convenient for you to give online, you can use your credit card to donate through the website www.omaha.rfkc.org
Thank you for your time and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions or reservations. I will be most excited to answer any questions you might have. You can reach me by email brantibrooks@gmail.com or by phone 402-575-8373. Please keep the young campers that God has chosen for this camp and the counselors God has placed them with, in your prayers as we embark on this wonderful journey. Thank you and Make God bless you always.
With Love
Brant Isaak Brooks
I am reminded of Luke 18:15-17 and think about why Jesus felt it necessary to use that example of children. Was it just convenient because there were so many children around? I don't really think that was the case. I think he meant that in order for us to enter the kingdom of heaven we must be joyous and unashamed, like a child is on Christmas morning. I love that about children. It saddens me when kids grow to be self conscious and start caring what other people think.
Anyway I write becuase I am trying to get support for an organization with a cause I believe in. I put most all of it in this letter and hope you can find the time to read it. I don't know who, if anybody reads this blog, but here it is. I truly mean it when I say that at the very least join me in praying for these kids and the adults who are really making a sacrifice to show these kids the love they deserve. I punched this letter out of my heart and while it might seem a little rough around the edges, it is my heart. thank you. Also as the week of RFKC approaches and while I am there I am really going to make an effort to blog more and keep everybody up to date about what is going on prior to an during camp. Enjoy.
I hope this letter finds you in great health and feeling truly blessed. I want to begin by saying this is uncharacteristic of me and I hope you will take the time to read this letter as well as the letter drafted by the organization I am attempting to represent. I was tempted to leave the letter as is and simply mail everything off, but I wanted to convey the high level of passion and commitment I have for this organization and the work they are doing. The organization is Royal Family Kids' Camp or RFKC. The purpose of the organization is to provide children who have had little to no normalcy in their life and experience that will stay with them for a lifetime. It is a faith-based organization. This means that there is a Jesus focused mission statement and all the volunteers are Christ followers.
Please believe me when I say that the children who participate in this 5 day long sleep-away camp are in desperate need of this time away. They come from homes that most of us cannot imagine. They have been abused, abandoned, and or neglected. They are forced to experience things that people should not have to ever experience and they experience these things prior to knowing how to properly handle the emotional turmoil that exists in their daily lives. This camp provides them an opportunity to be a child; to have fun without fear of neglect, abuse, or abandonment. The camp sometimes provides siblings who have not seen each other for a time to reconnect and interact with siblings that are separated for whatever reason. This is truly a happy time in their life.
The typical day of camp begins with wake-up (which can be difficult sometimes), followed by a good breakfast. Most kids eat well, but some try to eat too much, not knowing when the next meal may be. Some kids try to take food with them, while others simply refuse the food. Eventually after everybody has eaten, the morning activities commence. They consist of fishing, swimming, drawing, climbing a rock wall, going down a zip line, taking a short hike, hunting for frogs, building a birdhouse, playing in the lake and miscellaneous other activities. The morning is also the time when they are read bible stories and even more bible stories are acted out for them. This is usually preceded by singing fun praise songs alongside the counselors who they have almost instantly become attached to. Lunch comes too quickly and after lunch is a short quiet time usually filled with naps or bible lessons taught by the counselors and more often than not filled the numerous and sometimes difficult questions that get asked. It is not uncommon to have questions like "Why did Jesus let so and so hurt my mom?" or "Can Jesus find somebody to adopt me?" It's moment like this that you have to fight the urge to cry and yell and feel anger.
After lunch are more activity and then its dinner time. Dinner is always followed by some kind of special event. The events are: everybody's birthday, carnival night, and the grand talent show. Needless to say we keep the children entertained and busy. As a counselor it is emotionally and physically draining. Every day you wonder where the strength to complete the next day will come from, but God is faithful and the day is never more that you can handle.
I am writing because this year the camp is facing a shortfall. We are in need of financial support for RFKC. As you can read on the other page the cost is $250/camper. RFKC does not charge the campers anything to attend, nor do they get funds from the state for the kids to attend. They are a non-profit organization supported solely by the generosity of the people who believe in what they are doing. Please join me in supporting this awesome organization that truly brings joy to the heart of God. Thank you for your time and I apologize if I am bit long-winded, but I truly believe in this program and hope you feel lead to support this cause. I am enclosing an envelope that has been addressed and stamped for you. If it is more convenient for you to give online, you can use your credit card to donate through the website www.omaha.rfkc.org
Thank you for your time and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions or reservations. I will be most excited to answer any questions you might have. You can reach me by email brantibrooks@gmail.com or by phone 402-575-8373. Please keep the young campers that God has chosen for this camp and the counselors God has placed them with, in your prayers as we embark on this wonderful journey. Thank you and Make God bless you always.
With Love
Brant Isaak Brooks
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Thought of March
As I sit here waiting for inspiration to strike me; it strikes me that inspiration might just be the lazy man’s excuse to procrastinate. To say that I have procrastinated to update my blog would be a gross understatement. Melissa does a wonderful job at updating her blog and sharing her thoughts and keeping all the readers updated on all family information. If you want more information then please head on over to her site and see what is going on. http://melissa-brooks@blogspot.com is the link for those who are waiting for the inspiration.
I spent most of March traveling and working and traveling and eating. If you have seen the pictures on Facebook then you know what I am talking about. If not then you just might have to take a look.
So why start writing now? The answer is simple. There has been so much going on the past month or two that I think it is easier to process all of this if I write it down. Since I can’t read my own writing, most of the time, I am typing it out and putting it up here. Part is for other people to read but mostly it’s for me to read and remember. Remember what? Well I Think it’s important to remember that no matter what life throws at you, no matter how hard things seem, or how hard they actually are, no matter who is put in your life, and no matter what issues they bring with them, it is never more than you can handle. God is not like some puppet master who sees fit to constantly embarrass or overwhelm us for his own amusement. That is not to say that God will not stretch us so that we can grow and learn and become better people and Christ-followers, but it is never more than we can handle. He uses these situations or times to help us understand ourselves. God knows when you are ready to grow. You may not always agree with God, but that is an argument that never ends well, at least not for me.
I am not the best writer and make no claim to be any good. I write like I talk and talking IS something I think I am good at. That does not always or ever equate to literary masterpieces, but I think I have the ability to share my Point of View as well as most people. I am very opinionated and not very likely to be swayed but at the same time I can respect another Point of View without taking it personal. My decisions are based on logic first and emotion second. While this may explain a lot about me, it by no means, is definite. Different situations result in different decisions. Knowing that it becomes apparent that God puts situations in life that do not make sense, logically. These require me to exercise the weaker side of my character: my emotions. For example: The opportunity presented itself for Melissa and I to have a chance to adopt an infant that was not 100% healthy. This little boy had health issues. Some more serious than others, but after having two beautiful healthy little girls anything not 100% healthy could prove challenging. So I approached this decision first with logic. Insurance will cover it? Check. Health issues are treatable and/or curable? Mostly check. Child mortality and prognosis? Good. Logically everything seemed alright. Not ideal, but life rarely is. It became apparent to me that this was going to be more than a logical choice. It would become an emotional choice. I am not good at this. Then all the questions started coming? Could I love this child like I love my other children? Yes. Will I grow to resent the fact that he was not born healthy? Nope, why would I? It’s not his fault. And they kept coming and coming. Mostly related to his health but there was also the fact that this child will be adopted and there a whole slew of questions that require personal reflection just because of that.
So I dealt with the emotional questions like I always do and I prayed and let God answer them in his time. I know my weakness. I know that decisions based on my emotions are usually bad decisions. I see a problem I want to fix it. I can’t let it sit. How much sense does that make? Logically is makes none. Emotionally it might make sense, but again I don’t rely on that. So I pray, and wait, and pray, and wait and pray some more. An answer usually presents itself and it is always a perfect answer. This goes to show you that when you put your trust and faith in a perfect being you will get a perfect answer, every time. It didn’t work out the way I wanted it to. We didn’t get the little boy, but I know he went to a family that will love and cherish and care for him in the same way Melissa and I would have. That brings me peace. I am more at peace with the fact that God has something different, something better in store for my family. My job is to lead and trust in the direction he is taking us. Matthew 17:20 comes to mind and my response to God is: “God I don’t want to move a mountain” and his response to me is “I know.”
I spent most of March traveling and working and traveling and eating. If you have seen the pictures on Facebook then you know what I am talking about. If not then you just might have to take a look.
So why start writing now? The answer is simple. There has been so much going on the past month or two that I think it is easier to process all of this if I write it down. Since I can’t read my own writing, most of the time, I am typing it out and putting it up here. Part is for other people to read but mostly it’s for me to read and remember. Remember what? Well I Think it’s important to remember that no matter what life throws at you, no matter how hard things seem, or how hard they actually are, no matter who is put in your life, and no matter what issues they bring with them, it is never more than you can handle. God is not like some puppet master who sees fit to constantly embarrass or overwhelm us for his own amusement. That is not to say that God will not stretch us so that we can grow and learn and become better people and Christ-followers, but it is never more than we can handle. He uses these situations or times to help us understand ourselves. God knows when you are ready to grow. You may not always agree with God, but that is an argument that never ends well, at least not for me.
I am not the best writer and make no claim to be any good. I write like I talk and talking IS something I think I am good at. That does not always or ever equate to literary masterpieces, but I think I have the ability to share my Point of View as well as most people. I am very opinionated and not very likely to be swayed but at the same time I can respect another Point of View without taking it personal. My decisions are based on logic first and emotion second. While this may explain a lot about me, it by no means, is definite. Different situations result in different decisions. Knowing that it becomes apparent that God puts situations in life that do not make sense, logically. These require me to exercise the weaker side of my character: my emotions. For example: The opportunity presented itself for Melissa and I to have a chance to adopt an infant that was not 100% healthy. This little boy had health issues. Some more serious than others, but after having two beautiful healthy little girls anything not 100% healthy could prove challenging. So I approached this decision first with logic. Insurance will cover it? Check. Health issues are treatable and/or curable? Mostly check. Child mortality and prognosis? Good. Logically everything seemed alright. Not ideal, but life rarely is. It became apparent to me that this was going to be more than a logical choice. It would become an emotional choice. I am not good at this. Then all the questions started coming? Could I love this child like I love my other children? Yes. Will I grow to resent the fact that he was not born healthy? Nope, why would I? It’s not his fault. And they kept coming and coming. Mostly related to his health but there was also the fact that this child will be adopted and there a whole slew of questions that require personal reflection just because of that.
So I dealt with the emotional questions like I always do and I prayed and let God answer them in his time. I know my weakness. I know that decisions based on my emotions are usually bad decisions. I see a problem I want to fix it. I can’t let it sit. How much sense does that make? Logically is makes none. Emotionally it might make sense, but again I don’t rely on that. So I pray, and wait, and pray, and wait and pray some more. An answer usually presents itself and it is always a perfect answer. This goes to show you that when you put your trust and faith in a perfect being you will get a perfect answer, every time. It didn’t work out the way I wanted it to. We didn’t get the little boy, but I know he went to a family that will love and cherish and care for him in the same way Melissa and I would have. That brings me peace. I am more at peace with the fact that God has something different, something better in store for my family. My job is to lead and trust in the direction he is taking us. Matthew 17:20 comes to mind and my response to God is: “God I don’t want to move a mountain” and his response to me is “I know.”
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Day 8
The scriptures for today are:
Judges 4:1-5:31
Psalm 94:1-23
Proverbs 14:7-8
Luke 23:13-43
I have read the above scriptures and find nothing wrong with them and they are certainly worthy of meditation and thought, but the message in church this morning was just too good to not meditate and listen to God about. It was good. If you are reading this and would like to listen to the message, you can download an audio version of it at http://www.brookside.net It is worth a listen.
I often have trouble being truly happy for people when good things happen to them. We can call these good things blessing. Even if the person who is being blessed does not believe in or follow Christ, it is still a blessing. It is a major flaw I have. I don't know that I am jealous, becuase most of the things that happen I wouldn't want to happen to me or would do if I was given a choice. I would hope that I am not an unhappy person but there are moments when I am truly not happy for other people. This is not what God wants for me. As I sit there listening to the message I keep asking myself: "Am I displaying God's love by loving other?" The honest answer is: NO. Not like I should be. God also showed me something that is most likely no secret almost every other God follower, but it was news to me. The greatest weapon, we as Christ-followers have is not the Bible, or Prayer, or Faith, the greatest weapon we as Christ-Followers have if LOVE. Love is the very thing that can bring your enemies to tears. Love is hard to ignore. Some people don't even know how to act in a loving relationship or how to respond to being loved.
We are called to love those we do not know, those who hate us and those we deal with on a day to day basis. We are called to live a life of love.
I was asked today what kind of legacy I am going to leave the people that I leave behind when I enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I could not say that I would leave a legacy of love. I want to be the guy that leaves a legacy of love and humility. Real Love cares. That sounds like an obvious thing to most, but it is rarely lived out. I don't want to be that guy anymore. I will no longer take joy in grief and will be joyous for all people and I will try to care as much and as often as appropriate.
It was a great message and I am glad that I was able to hear it. I think God really had something in there for me and I am happy that I was able to pick it up and dwell on it.
Father God, thank you for your numerous revelations to me. help me to never forget what I learned today and give me the opportunity to apply it to my life. Let me never forget that Real Love, Really Cares. Help me to leave a legacy of Love and Humility. help me to find the Joy in other peoples blessings and take no joy in grief. Give me a compassionate heart. I love you Jesus. In your name I pray, Amen.
Judges 4:1-5:31
Psalm 94:1-23
Proverbs 14:7-8
Luke 23:13-43
I have read the above scriptures and find nothing wrong with them and they are certainly worthy of meditation and thought, but the message in church this morning was just too good to not meditate and listen to God about. It was good. If you are reading this and would like to listen to the message, you can download an audio version of it at http://www.brookside.net It is worth a listen.
I often have trouble being truly happy for people when good things happen to them. We can call these good things blessing. Even if the person who is being blessed does not believe in or follow Christ, it is still a blessing. It is a major flaw I have. I don't know that I am jealous, becuase most of the things that happen I wouldn't want to happen to me or would do if I was given a choice. I would hope that I am not an unhappy person but there are moments when I am truly not happy for other people. This is not what God wants for me. As I sit there listening to the message I keep asking myself: "Am I displaying God's love by loving other?" The honest answer is: NO. Not like I should be. God also showed me something that is most likely no secret almost every other God follower, but it was news to me. The greatest weapon, we as Christ-followers have is not the Bible, or Prayer, or Faith, the greatest weapon we as Christ-Followers have if LOVE. Love is the very thing that can bring your enemies to tears. Love is hard to ignore. Some people don't even know how to act in a loving relationship or how to respond to being loved.
We are called to love those we do not know, those who hate us and those we deal with on a day to day basis. We are called to live a life of love.
I was asked today what kind of legacy I am going to leave the people that I leave behind when I enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I could not say that I would leave a legacy of love. I want to be the guy that leaves a legacy of love and humility. Real Love cares. That sounds like an obvious thing to most, but it is rarely lived out. I don't want to be that guy anymore. I will no longer take joy in grief and will be joyous for all people and I will try to care as much and as often as appropriate.
It was a great message and I am glad that I was able to hear it. I think God really had something in there for me and I am happy that I was able to pick it up and dwell on it.
Father God, thank you for your numerous revelations to me. help me to never forget what I learned today and give me the opportunity to apply it to my life. Let me never forget that Real Love, Really Cares. Help me to leave a legacy of Love and Humility. help me to find the Joy in other peoples blessings and take no joy in grief. Give me a compassionate heart. I love you Jesus. In your name I pray, Amen.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Day 7
The Scriptures for today are:
Judges 2:10-3:31
Psalm 89:38-52
Proverbs 13:20-23
Luke 22:14-34
As I was reading Judges I was smacked right in the face with a profound God-ism. No matter how bad we mess up and no matter how many times and for how long we deny or disobey God he is always ready to save us. The Israelites turned their back on God every other generation and as soon as they cried out to God he gave them deliverance. God was always there and he never betrayed them as long as they kept his laws. Its not very different now. In fact, it is no different. No matter how far we stray away from God he is always there to bring us back in. Back close to his love, joy, and peace. Over and over again God brought the Israelites out of turmoil and persecution. Regardless of what they had done God was there when they asked for it.
God gave his creation what might be considered the second greatest gift of God. Free Will. Everyday we make our choices. They don't always please God and sometimes the don't even please ourselves. They are still choices. We make them everyday. No matter what choice I make, God is there to help me through the consequences. If those consequences are negative, he is there to comfort me and if those consequences are positive, he is there to celebrate with me. God never leaves me and no matter how often I disappoint him he is there for me. He there to bring me back. I don't deserve it, but he is always there. All we have to do is make the choice to ask and then submit to what God has to say to us. It seems like and easy choice when I am sitting around thinking about it, but when a situation smacks me in the face, it becomes infinity harder. Its a free gift, but it will cost you everything. Pride, selfishness, apathy, all are left behind and must be given up. It will cost me everything.
Father God help me to make the right choice and through those choices help me to bring honor and glory to you and not to myself. Help me to make those choices for the right reasons and not self-serving reasons. Thank you for always picking me up when I have fallen. Thank you for your never ending love. I love you Jesus. In your name I pray. -Amen
Judges 2:10-3:31
Psalm 89:38-52
Proverbs 13:20-23
Luke 22:14-34
As I was reading Judges I was smacked right in the face with a profound God-ism. No matter how bad we mess up and no matter how many times and for how long we deny or disobey God he is always ready to save us. The Israelites turned their back on God every other generation and as soon as they cried out to God he gave them deliverance. God was always there and he never betrayed them as long as they kept his laws. Its not very different now. In fact, it is no different. No matter how far we stray away from God he is always there to bring us back in. Back close to his love, joy, and peace. Over and over again God brought the Israelites out of turmoil and persecution. Regardless of what they had done God was there when they asked for it.
God gave his creation what might be considered the second greatest gift of God. Free Will. Everyday we make our choices. They don't always please God and sometimes the don't even please ourselves. They are still choices. We make them everyday. No matter what choice I make, God is there to help me through the consequences. If those consequences are negative, he is there to comfort me and if those consequences are positive, he is there to celebrate with me. God never leaves me and no matter how often I disappoint him he is there for me. He there to bring me back. I don't deserve it, but he is always there. All we have to do is make the choice to ask and then submit to what God has to say to us. It seems like and easy choice when I am sitting around thinking about it, but when a situation smacks me in the face, it becomes infinity harder. Its a free gift, but it will cost you everything. Pride, selfishness, apathy, all are left behind and must be given up. It will cost me everything.
Father God help me to make the right choice and through those choices help me to bring honor and glory to you and not to myself. Help me to make those choices for the right reasons and not self-serving reasons. Thank you for always picking me up when I have fallen. Thank you for your never ending love. I love you Jesus. In your name I pray. -Amen
Friday, April 23, 2010
Day 6
The scripture for today is:
Judges 1:1-2:9
Psalm 90:1-91:16
Proverbs 13:24-25
Luke 21:29-22:13
Judges is all about history. I knew that before I started, but wow. It really is like reading a history book. Its even full of words that I can not pronounce. the power of God is evident through all of those words. His love and justice is never ending. He is the same God then that he is now. Nothing has changed. Not even the people it seems like. We still do the same things and expect the same things. Its funny the way God reveals himself.
Luke was a different story. It was the beginning of the betrayal of Jesus and almost time for passover and last supper. Jesus knew what was coming and yet he stood tall and never gave in to very human temptation so say I will not do this. How awesome is that. He loved us that much. the message is simple. Christ loves us and died for us and without his death we would still be making animal sacrifices to gain forgiveness for our sins. We would have to go to a most holy place or a priest to speak to God. He loved us that much. Its easy to forget, but he loves us that much.
Thank you Lord for your love and your life and your death on the cross. Thank you for allowing us to come to you directly and through that we can have a personal relationship with you. Give me the strength to live that love everyday. I love you Jesus. Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice even though I did not deserve it. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray -Amen
Judges 1:1-2:9
Psalm 90:1-91:16
Proverbs 13:24-25
Luke 21:29-22:13
Judges is all about history. I knew that before I started, but wow. It really is like reading a history book. Its even full of words that I can not pronounce. the power of God is evident through all of those words. His love and justice is never ending. He is the same God then that he is now. Nothing has changed. Not even the people it seems like. We still do the same things and expect the same things. Its funny the way God reveals himself.
Luke was a different story. It was the beginning of the betrayal of Jesus and almost time for passover and last supper. Jesus knew what was coming and yet he stood tall and never gave in to very human temptation so say I will not do this. How awesome is that. He loved us that much. the message is simple. Christ loves us and died for us and without his death we would still be making animal sacrifices to gain forgiveness for our sins. We would have to go to a most holy place or a priest to speak to God. He loved us that much. Its easy to forget, but he loves us that much.
Thank you Lord for your love and your life and your death on the cross. Thank you for allowing us to come to you directly and through that we can have a personal relationship with you. Give me the strength to live that love everyday. I love you Jesus. Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice even though I did not deserve it. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray -Amen
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Day 5
The scriptures for today are:
Joshua 24:1-33
Psalm 89:38-52
Proverbs 13:20-23
Luke 21:1-28
Joshua is now finished and I am excite to go through Judges. Joshua ended with a choice. Will you serve God or will you perish. Not really a choice in my mind, but it was presented like a choice. Of course, everybody chose to serve God. We make this very simple choice on a daily basis. I make this choice on a daily basis. i am heartbroken to say that I don't always choose God. I know I wont be struck down with a lightning bolt or something like that, but it is far too easy to choose something other than God. Right now as I sat here reading my bible and making this journal entry my XBox is calling me from the living room. Its easy to flip a switch and enter a world of fast cars or guns. This time I choose God. I threw myself into his word and entered into his presence and I do not regret it. I have been wrapped in a kind of peace, and quiet joy that can only come from spending time with Christ. Joshua gave everybody that same choice. Not only did they choose God but they chose God for generations. Maybe for them it was an easy choice. They sure made it seem like it was. I can picture them just giving Joshua a stupid look and going DUH!, we choose God. Look what he has done for us. How could you not choose to follow him.
I look at what God has done for me and wonder how Could I not choose God? Yet day after day in some little way I don't Choose God. I choose TV, or basketball, or video games, or friends, or chores, something else that has no eternal value. now I am not saying that some of those things are not important, but are they THAT important. The practical side of me is thinking, well if you just managed your time better, or prioritized then you would not have to choose anything over God, but its more than that. I have the time and opportunity, but I choose wrong. I regret it. I enjoy my time with God. I feel like a better man, husband, father, employee, and friend when I do choose to spend time with God. God has delivered ME from so much, how can I not choose him over EVERYTHING?
Joshua made a new covenant with his people and maybe that was just to hold them accountable, but it worked. God worked. God made the unthinkable and impossible happen for his followers and unfortunately it took all of that for them to realize that god was in fact who he was claiming to be. I had the same pleasure. Through my situation and my life God has shown me that he not only exists, but that he loves and cares for me. Knowing this I have to celebrate my life and I am grateful for my past. Had I had a privileged home life I may not have come to realize just how powerful Christ is. My parents didn't really show me how powerful Christ was, so i had to depend on Christ to show me. He showed up in a big way in my life. I am grateful for that.
The reading in Luke is a little bit of the end times stuff. I tend to meditate a lot more lightly on these things and kind of just brush them off. I know that in the end, no matter what happens I will follow Christ and not deny him and as times get harder it only makes it more important to believe. I don't try to understand the end times and do not pretend to know too much about it. It far beyond my comprehension and it is going to happen whether or not I understand it. If I continue to Follow Christ and obey his law, then I will never be wrong. I can keep my faith regardless of my situation. Christ will never abandon me, why should I abandon him? the end will happen sometime. I am ready to follow Christ for all time. So, knowing that about myself, the end is really irrelevant. I know it to be true and have little doubt that it will happen exactly as Christ said it would, but the best I can do to prepare is to learn as much of his word as possible and guard my heart and mind from all the evils of the world.
Father God, help me to Choose you over everything else in this world. Make your presence huge in my life. Make it an easy choice in my mind. Mold me into a STRONG man of Christ. Make me a better husband, father, friend, and employee. When the time comes to choose you or death help to realize that I have already made the choice and I chose life. A life in Christ. A life where there is no death. Help me Lord, to renew my covenant with you on a daily basis. Help me to never forget what you have delivered me from. I choose to love you. Thank you for your perfect love. In Jesus name.-Amen
Joshua 24:1-33
Psalm 89:38-52
Proverbs 13:20-23
Luke 21:1-28
Joshua is now finished and I am excite to go through Judges. Joshua ended with a choice. Will you serve God or will you perish. Not really a choice in my mind, but it was presented like a choice. Of course, everybody chose to serve God. We make this very simple choice on a daily basis. I make this choice on a daily basis. i am heartbroken to say that I don't always choose God. I know I wont be struck down with a lightning bolt or something like that, but it is far too easy to choose something other than God. Right now as I sat here reading my bible and making this journal entry my XBox is calling me from the living room. Its easy to flip a switch and enter a world of fast cars or guns. This time I choose God. I threw myself into his word and entered into his presence and I do not regret it. I have been wrapped in a kind of peace, and quiet joy that can only come from spending time with Christ. Joshua gave everybody that same choice. Not only did they choose God but they chose God for generations. Maybe for them it was an easy choice. They sure made it seem like it was. I can picture them just giving Joshua a stupid look and going DUH!, we choose God. Look what he has done for us. How could you not choose to follow him.
I look at what God has done for me and wonder how Could I not choose God? Yet day after day in some little way I don't Choose God. I choose TV, or basketball, or video games, or friends, or chores, something else that has no eternal value. now I am not saying that some of those things are not important, but are they THAT important. The practical side of me is thinking, well if you just managed your time better, or prioritized then you would not have to choose anything over God, but its more than that. I have the time and opportunity, but I choose wrong. I regret it. I enjoy my time with God. I feel like a better man, husband, father, employee, and friend when I do choose to spend time with God. God has delivered ME from so much, how can I not choose him over EVERYTHING?
Joshua made a new covenant with his people and maybe that was just to hold them accountable, but it worked. God worked. God made the unthinkable and impossible happen for his followers and unfortunately it took all of that for them to realize that god was in fact who he was claiming to be. I had the same pleasure. Through my situation and my life God has shown me that he not only exists, but that he loves and cares for me. Knowing this I have to celebrate my life and I am grateful for my past. Had I had a privileged home life I may not have come to realize just how powerful Christ is. My parents didn't really show me how powerful Christ was, so i had to depend on Christ to show me. He showed up in a big way in my life. I am grateful for that.
The reading in Luke is a little bit of the end times stuff. I tend to meditate a lot more lightly on these things and kind of just brush them off. I know that in the end, no matter what happens I will follow Christ and not deny him and as times get harder it only makes it more important to believe. I don't try to understand the end times and do not pretend to know too much about it. It far beyond my comprehension and it is going to happen whether or not I understand it. If I continue to Follow Christ and obey his law, then I will never be wrong. I can keep my faith regardless of my situation. Christ will never abandon me, why should I abandon him? the end will happen sometime. I am ready to follow Christ for all time. So, knowing that about myself, the end is really irrelevant. I know it to be true and have little doubt that it will happen exactly as Christ said it would, but the best I can do to prepare is to learn as much of his word as possible and guard my heart and mind from all the evils of the world.
Father God, help me to Choose you over everything else in this world. Make your presence huge in my life. Make it an easy choice in my mind. Mold me into a STRONG man of Christ. Make me a better husband, father, friend, and employee. When the time comes to choose you or death help to realize that I have already made the choice and I chose life. A life in Christ. A life where there is no death. Help me Lord, to renew my covenant with you on a daily basis. Help me to never forget what you have delivered me from. I choose to love you. Thank you for your perfect love. In Jesus name.-Amen
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Day 4
The Scriptures for today are :
Joshua 22:21-23:16
Luke 20: 27-47
Psalm 89:14-37
Proverbs 13:17-19
Everyday it seems that the word gets better. It speaks to me in a whole new way, but yet it reinforces What I have already read. When I read I read it in chronological order starting with the first book in the old testament and ending with the last book in the new testament.
Joshua is giving words of wisdom and blessing and warning to all of the tribal leaders in the promised land. After God has given these people (I say this in a very non-derogatory way) everything they have. He has delivered land to them that was occupied by some the very tough and hardened men. These people had no hope to take this land without God. The came up against impossible odds and becuase of the promise of God and the faith of the people this land was delivered to them. IT was a generous gift from God. and the only thing God asked for was for the people to believe that God would do what he promised. Before Joshua passed this valuable message, there was a little bit of drama in the land.
What i got out of this was that Things are not always what they seem and the people who had built this altar were so grateful and at the same time so scared that future generations would not worship God or there would be a misunderstanding and other tribes may forget that they do, in deed, believe and follow the law of Moses and the one true God. This altar was their proof to the word that they are God-Followers. Kind of a baptism of the people minus the water. What presence these people must have experienced. They wanted to world to know who God was. If only all God-followers would follow that way. What if everybody built a symbolic altar in their front yard? What would Nebraska look like? What a brave act. I wonder if I would be brave enough to make that kind of outward and very public gesture for Christ. Only time will tell.
I thank God that he is the God of the living and not the God of the dead. I thank God that someday we will be risen and able to LIVE with him even after this world has passed by us. My physical death is not the end of me.
As I sit here writing this I feel that my support system will waiver a bit. When Christ taught, it was not the "sinners" that questioned him. It was not the uneducated or Gentiles who tried to trip him up. It was the God-followers. The Teacher of the Law were the ones who did not believe that he was the Son of God and the one who came to save them all. He is the one they have been waiting for. I would never compare myself to Christ. I will never come close to that kind of holiness or perfection. I do, however, consider myself a Christ follower. The things that I am saying may not be popular or mainstream, but they are my heart. I d not speak with the intention of offending, but I know that I will. Christ in his perfection and infinite wisdom and knowledge, offended, how much more will an imperfect being (me) offend those who read my words. I love Christ and believe his teachings without reserve. The "religious" individuals of Christs day did not approve of his teachings. It was sad that even the people who claimed to know God the most refused to accept the greatest gift God would bestow upon his creation. I hope that I do not alienate anybody with this journal. I think it will happen and it will break my heart. I can only pray and hope that God gives me a chance to explain my self like the Reubenites and Gadites. I hope and pray that the people who disagree or are confused or are simply wanting to talk to me about this journal have the strength and courage to speak, or email, or comment, or something.
Father God, Thank you for your eternal and perfect love that is poured out for me and your entire creation, everyday. Thank you for the numerous blessings that you have bestowed upon me and the people around me and the earth. Thank you for your love of such an undeserving people. I pray that people who are religious that they would learn to follow you the way you intended and that all the legalistic rules and accommodations that religious organizations have made would be laid on the altar and put to rest. I ask that you remove the blinders from the earth and that all can see your Glory and love and truth. I pray that the earth would receive the free gift of your love, but never forget that this gift will cost them everything. Do not ever let me forget that this gift will cost ME everything. Give me the strength and courage and wisdom to speak your truth and convey your love. Help me to show the WORLD who you are. I love you God. In the name of Christ I pray- Amen.
Joshua 22:21-23:16
Luke 20: 27-47
Psalm 89:14-37
Proverbs 13:17-19
Everyday it seems that the word gets better. It speaks to me in a whole new way, but yet it reinforces What I have already read. When I read I read it in chronological order starting with the first book in the old testament and ending with the last book in the new testament.
Joshua is giving words of wisdom and blessing and warning to all of the tribal leaders in the promised land. After God has given these people (I say this in a very non-derogatory way) everything they have. He has delivered land to them that was occupied by some the very tough and hardened men. These people had no hope to take this land without God. The came up against impossible odds and becuase of the promise of God and the faith of the people this land was delivered to them. IT was a generous gift from God. and the only thing God asked for was for the people to believe that God would do what he promised. Before Joshua passed this valuable message, there was a little bit of drama in the land.
What i got out of this was that Things are not always what they seem and the people who had built this altar were so grateful and at the same time so scared that future generations would not worship God or there would be a misunderstanding and other tribes may forget that they do, in deed, believe and follow the law of Moses and the one true God. This altar was their proof to the word that they are God-Followers. Kind of a baptism of the people minus the water. What presence these people must have experienced. They wanted to world to know who God was. If only all God-followers would follow that way. What if everybody built a symbolic altar in their front yard? What would Nebraska look like? What a brave act. I wonder if I would be brave enough to make that kind of outward and very public gesture for Christ. Only time will tell.
I thank God that he is the God of the living and not the God of the dead. I thank God that someday we will be risen and able to LIVE with him even after this world has passed by us. My physical death is not the end of me.
As I sit here writing this I feel that my support system will waiver a bit. When Christ taught, it was not the "sinners" that questioned him. It was not the uneducated or Gentiles who tried to trip him up. It was the God-followers. The Teacher of the Law were the ones who did not believe that he was the Son of God and the one who came to save them all. He is the one they have been waiting for. I would never compare myself to Christ. I will never come close to that kind of holiness or perfection. I do, however, consider myself a Christ follower. The things that I am saying may not be popular or mainstream, but they are my heart. I d not speak with the intention of offending, but I know that I will. Christ in his perfection and infinite wisdom and knowledge, offended, how much more will an imperfect being (me) offend those who read my words. I love Christ and believe his teachings without reserve. The "religious" individuals of Christs day did not approve of his teachings. It was sad that even the people who claimed to know God the most refused to accept the greatest gift God would bestow upon his creation. I hope that I do not alienate anybody with this journal. I think it will happen and it will break my heart. I can only pray and hope that God gives me a chance to explain my self like the Reubenites and Gadites. I hope and pray that the people who disagree or are confused or are simply wanting to talk to me about this journal have the strength and courage to speak, or email, or comment, or something.
Father God, Thank you for your eternal and perfect love that is poured out for me and your entire creation, everyday. Thank you for the numerous blessings that you have bestowed upon me and the people around me and the earth. Thank you for your love of such an undeserving people. I pray that people who are religious that they would learn to follow you the way you intended and that all the legalistic rules and accommodations that religious organizations have made would be laid on the altar and put to rest. I ask that you remove the blinders from the earth and that all can see your Glory and love and truth. I pray that the earth would receive the free gift of your love, but never forget that this gift will cost them everything. Do not ever let me forget that this gift will cost ME everything. Give me the strength and courage and wisdom to speak your truth and convey your love. Help me to show the WORLD who you are. I love you God. In the name of Christ I pray- Amen.
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