Tucker, part two

This is a follow up to my blog post on the 12th of August about the five dollar Tucker bill that I stuck in my wallet.  So it’s Wednesday August 23rd about 3 PM.  I just left the hospital where I visited my sister.

I pulled into the grocery store to get some stuff. There is a guy standing there with a sign that says that he is homeless. I don’t know why, but I wasn’t feeling the love.  I drove right past him.   I pulled into the lot and found a nice parking space. 

Then, I realize that I’ve got that five dollars tucked away for the next person that asked.  He just asked, and I passed right on by.  So I drove back out to him and parked.  I got out of the car and introduced myself.  I told him the story about the Tucker bill.  I gave him the five bucks and he was very appreciative. His name is Philip.   

I’m gonna put another five dollars in my wallet. 

I still believe it’s better to help one time too many than one time, not enough.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

feeling alone

I was travelling last week and I was in an airport that I had never been to before. I didn’t know anyone.  I didn't know my way around.  I was completely alone.   Only strangers.  Possibly the worst feeling in the world, is to feel alone. 

I texted my family and friends and they didn’t answer.  I understand. They’re busy, they’re at home, they have their families and their lives.  And they are now 2-3 time zones away from me.

I think the feeling of being alone in this life comes way too easy.

And so I sulked.  I sulked for a bit.  But then, a person has to get ahold of themselves.  A person has to find the better part of who they are.  Chin up, old man, tomorrow will be better.

In those moments, when I feel alone, I like to double down on reaching out to people.  The guy at the rental counter, the person who checks you in at the hotel.  I left a nice note and $3 for the housekeeping person.

Suddenly, I am no longer worried about being alone, because I took the initiative in life.  You can be in pain, and not suffer.  You can be alone, and not lonely.  

Work on it.  It can get better.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

smiles

At Physical Therapy there are lots of Therapists and Assistants.  Almost all of them are happy, friendly, smiling people.

But there is this one.

I have tried everything I can do to be pleasant to her.  I have tried to get her to smile.  I have thought that I should go out and buy her a smile.

I feel bad for her.  To be so young and have so much of life ahead, and to not find a smile.

And so my friend Joyce sent me this, from a plaque that used to sit on her desk:  If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.

Great idea.  Take the initiative.

They have no smile, no worries, just give them one of yours...

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Beth

So I am working in California for a couple of weeks.  The building that we are working on is next to a restaurant called "Blaze Pizza."   I am sitting in the truck working on reports.

Rap, rap on my window.  I look up.  Here at my door is an unassuming, normal looking 60 year old woman.  I roll my window down.

Sir, do you have any extra money she says.
I ask, what are you trying to accomplish?
She said, I just want something to eat.
I said to her, how about we go into this Blaze joint and I buy you a pizza.

She lit up like it was Christmas.

We went in and I spent $13 on a pizza for her.  Obviously a street person, I noticed that her shoes were very worn.  I wondered where her children lived.  I felt bad that she was alone.  Being alone is not much fun.

It made me very happy to help her.  It made me happy that $13 was not a problem.  I believe that we should help everyone that we can.  I believe that it is better to help once too often, than to turn a blind eye and miss the chance to help a needy person.

But for the grace of God go I, go we.

One of my favorite scriptures... 1 John 3:17

But whoso hath this world's good, and sees his brother have need, and closes up his heart of compassion from him, how dwells the love of God in him?

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

The Oyster

I was once an oyster.  I lived in the ocean.  My mouth hung open all the time.  I would swallow up all sorts of little critters that swam my way.  Once, I got a piece of sand stuck in my gullet and I made a pearl.  I loved being an oyster.

Then one day, I was scooped up, pulled out of my home and thrown into a box with a lot of my other oyster friends.  I got cracked open, and someone ate my guts.

Now I am simply a shell of my former self.

And so, my shell was thrown out in the trash.  Or was it?  Actually it was rescued by a lady who uses oyster shells [bones] to make Christmas ornaments.  I was dried out and given to a lovely handyman [Jeff Brinkman] who drilled a hole at the top of my shell for a ribbon.  This year, I will be an ornament on someone's Christmas tree.

I liked being in the ocean and eating things that swam by, but I also like being a part of the Christmas story.  I guess the moral of this story is this:  to every end there is a beginning.  Something may end, but new things can come to be.  Not all change is bad.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
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If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

Grey Day

I was having a grey day.  Down in the dumps.  I felt it.  I felt like anyone that looked at me would be able to tell that I was low.  I realized that my outlook and my attitude would have an effect on others that I would meet.  I might create more greyness if I did not get to the other side.

I tried to be pleasant.  I tried harder to be pleasant.

I do not want my moods to hurt other people.  We all have moods.  Don't let your bad ones bring other people down.

When you're smiling, when you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

love is greater

Love is greater than hurt.  Hurt may show up.   It may sting.  It may shock.  It may surprise.  We may reel from the pain and shock of how we feel. 

Give the thing a little time. Love is bigger than pain. That is how friends stay friends and how brothers stay brothers.  You stay with a thing.  Love is bigger than the hurt.

All the connections can be renewed. If there is someone that you have set aside, let the love in your heart grow and flow toward them. There might be yet, some good on the other side.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

mental neutrality

I was listening to a podcast and the speaker mentioned the "mental world of neutrality."  This is the idea that we grew up in a vacuum where all things were equal and there were no preconceived ideas.

Surprise - spoiler alert, there is no such thing as mental neutrality.

For years, I believed what I believed, because it was what I had been taught.  I assumed that I grew up in a  world of mental neutrality and that my beliefs were rock solid and basic, and should be normative for all people.

Slowly over the years, I realized that there were others that believed differently than I did, and that there was no reason to shame them for that.   People believe in certain ways because we are not raised in a mental world of neutrality.  

One believes Democrat ideas because they might have been raised in a Democrat home.  Another believes Republican ideas because they might be raised in a Republican home.  We all start somewhere.

And so I woke up to the notion that we did not just crawl out from under a rock in a neutral world.  We  are all the shape that we are because of many forces pressing around us all through the years. Our parents, our grandparents, our siblings, our friends and our teachers all helped to shape the environment from which we sprang.

There was nothing neutral about the world that we lived in. The really good news about this revelation is that now I can look at why I believe certain things and I can feel more comfortable to question those beliefs.  I can even set them aside if I so choose.   Just because my father believed it doesn’t mean that I have to.  Just because my pastor in eighth grade taught it to me doesn’t mean that I have to believe it. I can actually look at the world and make my choices and  choose my own beliefs. 

To take a look at the rock bottom core of who I am and to believe what I believe - not because I was taught it, but because I looked at the options, and I made my choices.  It’s a beautiful thing indeed, and it feels good. 

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
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If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

appreciating joy

Sunday I stood in church for the hymns.  Not a big deal for most people, but after knee surgery, it takes weeks for you to feel like you can stand for longer periods of time.

As I stood and sang the hymns, I felt happy.  Joyful.  Glad to be in church.  Glad to be with people that I love.  

We take so many things for granted in America.  The freedom to assemble is a beautiful thing.  To be able to go to church, to sing, to think, to be with friends... all beautiful, joyful things.

Appreciate them.  Make good use of the freedoms that we have.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
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If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

prayer as I see it

There are many kinds of prayer.  There are examples of all kinds of prayers in the Bible.

I do pray for people because the bible says that we can.  But I have noticed that when I pray for others, or when I pray for outcomes, when I pray for something to go a certain way, I notice the self interest.  When self interest gets mixed up in our prayers, we can become filled with anxiety.  Some people even get mad at God when they don't get their way.

Somehow, I am not sure that great prayers are filled with self-interest.  I would rather think that great prayers are filled with self-less-ness.

I find that for me, prayer helps align my heart and mind to the values of Jesus... to kindness, to forgiveness and such.  To me, good prayer is about helping me get over my self interest more so than fulfilling my self interest.

When we release our desires to God, we find peace.  When we pray and pray for a certain outcome, we can get very filled with worry and anxiety.

What are you praying for?

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

People that make you ok

There are people that make you ok.

There are friends.  There are people that you like.  There are people that you enjoy.  People that fill all sorts of roles in your life.

But then there are those few, those very special few, that make you ok.

I did a count the other day, and I have very few.

Take a moment and think of the people that make you ok.  Reach out to them.  Tell them how special they are to you.  Make sure that they know how much they mean to you.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

Blessed Assurance

Last Sunday at Fort Pierce First UMC, in church we sang, "Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine." 

That song always takes me back to a Sunday night in 1977 when we sang that song at the end of a worship service.  I was 20 years old.  During that song, I had a vision.  I saw Jesus on the cross in a wheat field.  He was bloody and bruised.  He spoke to me and he said to me, "I gave my life for you, I want you to give your life for me."  That experience launched 30 years of pastoral ministry.

Now it is 46 years later and we are singing that song again.  During the song, I go back in my mind to 1977, to what I saw and experienced.  This time though, I see something different.  This time, when I go out into that wheat field and see Jesus, he has a different message.  This time I see in him: a smile and a face full of joy.  I feel the forgiveness.  I sense the welcome.  I recognize the unconditional love that is shown by his sacrifice.

That song will always be special to me.  Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine.

I am glad today that I know a Jesus who is all about the welcome, the love and the joy.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

I am lucky

Indiahoma UMC

A couple weeks ago, Pastor Tim from Fort Pierce First UMC opened the service.  He introduced himself as the fellow who is lucky to be the pastor at the church.

I LOVED IT!!!

I personally always felt that way.  I was lucky, I was fortunate to be the pastor in Cache and Indiahoma, St. Johns, Lebanon 1st, Princeton and Mercer, Woods Chapel, Cape Coral and First Ft. Pierce.

It is such a blessing to be employed to care about people.  It is such an honor to get up to the pulpit and tell people how much God loves them.  To reassure people... to release them from guilt... Oh, what a blessing.

If you are reading this and you are a pastor, I hope that you realize what a blessing it is for you to stand at the holy desk.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

God and God alone

It’s 8 o’clock in the morning. I’m driving to a Handy Man job. I have to put in a sign for the client's homeowners association. 

I have a lot of songs on my phone and my phone is playing through the truck radio. A song comes on that I haven’t heard for a long time.   The song is, "God and God alone."  The singer is Steve Green. 

Hearing this song took me back to a time at the old church on Woods Chapel Road when John Knorr was our music director.  He is a long time friend and has a great voice.  He would sing that song... oh what a beautiful song! Oh what beautiful times! 

It is interesting that sometimes we only remember the good from the past, and sometimes we only remember the bad.  All stages of life have good and bad.  Listening to John sing was one of the good part.  Angry members and  trying to raise millions of dollars to build a new building were some of the more challenging.

But John singing God and God alone. Oh what a beautiful time.  And I think about now, today, how I’m worried about finances. I’m worried about my car. I’m worried about other things that I’m not gonna post in the blog.  And it’s easy to focus on what’s wrong and forget the good. 

There is a lot of good.  We live in the lovely home.  We have a little swimming pool in the backyard.  I can still do handyman work.  I’m on the way to a job. These are good times too!!! 

We should all get better at seeing the good in today because one day we will look back on today and say, "remember when you were driving to that Handyman job out on the island?"  Remember those good times?

click here to listen to the song, God and God alone

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

the time is now

Source unknown...


Barely the day started and... it's already six in the evening.

Barely arrived on Monday and it's already Friday.... 

and the month is already over.... 

and the year is almost over.... 

and already 40, 50 or 60 years of our lives have passed.... 

and we realize that we lost our parents, friends. and we realize it's too late to go back... 

So... Let's try, despite everything, to enjoy the remaining time... 

Let's keep looking for activities that we like... 

Let's put some color in our grey... 

Let's smile at the little things in life that put balm in our hearts.

And despite everything, we must continue to enjoy with serenity this time we have left. Let's try to eliminate the afters... 

I'm doing it after... 

I'll say after... 

I'll think about it after... 

We leave everything for later like ′′ after ′′ is ours. 

Because what we don't understand is that: 

Afterwards, the coffee gets cold... 

afterwards, priorities change... 

Afterwards, the charm is broken... 

afterwards, health passes... 

Afterwards, the kids grow up... 

Afterwards parents get old... 

Afterwards, promises are forgotten... 

afterwards, the day becomes the night... 

afterwards life ends... 

And then it's often too late.... 

So... Let's leave nothing for later... 

Because still waiting, see you later, we can lose the best moments, the best experiences, best friends, the best family... 

The day is today... The moment is now... We are no longer at the age where we can afford to postpone what needs to be done right away.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

Roger

I met Roger when I was assigned to the Princeton and Mercer United Methodist Churches.  We became fast friends... that was 1991.

Over the years- time, jobs, children and such... we lost contact.  We found each other 2 years ago.  Actually he read about my son's injury and called me.

We have kept up ever since.  I love having Roger back in my life.  Last week, I drove six hours to spend two hours with him.  It was totally worth it.

When we talk, we talk about everything.  One of the things that he said the other night, that I thought was profound was this... and I am paraphrasing... "there is a strength of character that is shown when one has the power to discipline, but instead chooses to pardon."  Sort of a "mercy and forgiveness are much cooler than retribution."  He is a good man.  Full of mercy and bad jokes.

My life is better with Roger in it.  I hope you have friends that you can say that about.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

trouble at the bank

So I made my deposit at the teller window.  I gave the teller some chocolate.  I started to leave.  On the way out of the bank, I noticed this sign in an empty office.

I read it.  I leaned in the open door to take a picture of it.  The teller shouted at me, "Jeff, what are you doing?"  I explained, and she calmed down.  I am not casing the bank for a later robbery, I just want to post a blog about that sign.

Innovation - The best way to predict the future is to create it.

Just be careful in the bank.  They have had a bit too much training I think!!!

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

Introductions

Introductions should come first.

This is a line from the movie "Dancing with Wolves," one of my favorite movies of all time.  

In the movie, Kevin Costner, a soldier, has caused some concern among local natives by his presence in their land.  They want to know what he is doing there and how many more whites will be coming.

A sit down, inside of a teepee is arranged.  The interpreter begins with questions about his presence here and if more whites will be coming.  In a moment that I find quite beautiful, Costner says, "wait, what are your names..."  This is passed on to the chief who agrees and says, "yes.  introductions should come first."

We all have business to take care of.  We are all working on something.  But remember that introductions should come first.  What is the person's name?  How are they doing?  Take a few moments.  Look them in the eye.  Make a human contact.  That is why we are here.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

making a thing happen

We can't fix everything, and we can't make everything happen, but we can do a lot.  Nothing is ever accomplished by those who give up.  When the going gets tough, the tough get going.  Over the years I saw the hard work of many church staff and members pay off.  It is amazing what a positive attitude can bring to life's obstacles.

These days, I hear a number of voices that want to blame someone else.  They did not get a fair shake.  It is the government's fault.  The odds are stacked against me.

As long as a person persists in negative, defeatist thinking, the outcome is predictable.

"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. 

 I don't believe in circumstances. 

 The people who get on in this world 

are the people who get up

and look for the circumstances they want

and if they can't find them, they make them."

                                                             George Bernard Shaw

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

Tucker

Some years ago, a member of our church [Peg] gave me a card with a $50 bill in it for Christmas.  She explained to me that this was not for me to buy something for myself.  This $50 bill was a "tucker."  She said that you tuck it into your wallet for emergencies.

That was a very nice gift.  Over they years, I used that idea and over the years I forgot it, reverting to what came easy and natural to me.  But I never forgot it.

When you think about it, having a tucker for an emergency is not a bad idea.

Now it is 2023 and I am in the Walmart parking lot.  A woman approaches me and is asking for money.  For a donation.  Her car is broken down.  I am cashless and I cannot help her.

And on the way home, I thought of the tucker.  I think that from now on, I am going to take a $5 bill and pray over it:  "Lord, when someone asks for help, this $5 will be for them.  I will tuck it away until they ask."  And so then in the future when someone asks for help, I can assume that they are sent by God.  I will open my wallet and give them the tucked away $5 bill.

I will tuck it away so that I am prepared to be good to someone in need.  Not a bad idea.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

perspective

A friend of mine was out on the golf course.  They live in a subdivision with a beautiful golf course.  About 3 holes in, they had to use the bathroom.  There are restrooms provided along the course as well as the clubhouse.  In the past, my friend refused to use the bathrooms provided along the way... those bathrooms tended to not get as much attention as the clubhouse bathrooms.  They were also small, smelly and cramped.  So it was a real first world problem when one had to use the facilities along the way.

This view of restrooms dramatically changed when they came back from a visit to a third world country.  In that country, as in many countries around the world, an outhouse is all that is available to a family, and it is often shared by many people from the area.  Sanitation is terrible.  There are no cleaning products.  There is no toilet paper.  This is what people in these countries live with every day and it is what my friend got to see, smell, and use on their trip.

Now when they are out on the golf course, well... they have a very different perspective.  Most people in third world countries have never seen a golf course.  Some have never seen a grass lawn.  Once we Americans realize that, we tend to appreciate our blessings a bit more.  The day of golfing is appreciated much more, and the bathrooms along the way?  Well, they are heavenly.

It is amazing what a little perspective can do.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

know when to let a thing go

I read a lot of news.  I subscribe to lots of news outlets.  I love to keep up on what is going on in the nation and in the world.

I found this story in the Jerusalem Post about a snake who tried to eat a porcupine.  And the old phrase, biting off more than one can chew, came to mind.

Evidently, the snake could not get the porcupine down, nor could he release it.  Neither animal survived the ordeal.

I guess in terms of human thoughts, there are some things that we should just stay away from.  There are no win situations.  Things may look easy, thinks may feel right or righteous, but sometimes, we just need to let a thing go.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

another story about 2 brothers

I was watching a show the other day and one brother said to the other, "we were both born on third base, stop acting like you hit a triple."

I love that.  Most Americans, most all of us were born on third base.  Sure some resting on third, some leading off, some stealing home, but compared to the rest of the world, we were born on third base.  We have a huge advantage.

Consequently we should be humble and grateful people.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

2 brothers - 2 paths

I thought of this story.  It comes from the book, Song of the Bird.  I like this story because it shows that every type of life is valued.  Not just those who go off into the mission field overseas.  But all those who live and love, no matter their trade or vocation, God loves and values them all.

Jesus began to teach in parables. He said: The kingdom of God is like two brothers who were called by God to give up all they had and serve humanity.

The older brother responded to the call though he had to tear himself away from his fiancée and his family and go oft to a distant land to spend himself in the service of the poor.  Years later he was imprisoned for his work, tortured and put to death.

And the Lord said, “Well done my good and faithful servant!   Enter into the joy of your Lord.”

The younger boy ignored the call. He married the girl he loved and prospered in his business. He was kind to his wife and children and gave occasional alms to the poor.

And when he came to die, the Lord said, “Well done my good and faithful servant!  Enter into the joy of your Lord. ”

And so, however you have spent your life, God values it.  Never feel like you wasted your life.  God needs fathers and mothers and workers.  Not just missionaries.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

Favorite Prayers Pt 3

This one is possibly my favorite of the three favorites...

St. Ignatius of Loyola 1491-1556 was a Spanish priest who founded the Order of Jesus [Jesuits]. He is the patron saint of spiritual retreats. He left some pretty cool prayers. Here is one called surrender:

Take O Lord and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my whole will. All that I am, and all that I possess, you have given me. I surrender it all to you to be disposed of according to your will. Give me only your love and grace. With these, I will be rich enough and will desire nothing more.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

Favorite Prayers Pt 2

John Wesley [1703-1791] was an Anglican Priest who inadvertently became the founder of the Methodist Church. He was a fiery preacher who led thousands of people to Christ. Travelling by horseback all over England he would preach three times per day. The common people of the day responded with joy to his message of grace.

Wesley spoke seven languages and wrote a ton of books. Consequently, he made a lot of money, but lived a very austere lifestyle and gave the rest to the poor. Among his many writings is a prayer that has become known as the Wesley Covenant Prayer.

I am no longer my own but thine. Put me with what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing. Put me to suffering. Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee. Exalted by thee or brought low by thee. Let me be full or let me be empty. Let me have all things or let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal. And now O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thou are mine, and I am thine. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.

Good stuff.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

Three favorite prayers #1

I have three favorite historic prayers. I am going to share them with you over the next 3 days. They are awesome. See if you can see a common thread within these three prayers.

St. Francis: Giovanni Fransesco de Bernardone 1181-1226. Patron Saint of animals and the environment. He organized an order of friars which would become known as the Franciscans. You see a lot of statues of him in gardens. We had one at our house in Lees Summit. Although he only lived for 45 years, he left quite a mark on the world, and he left one of my favorite prayers.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master-
Grant that I may not seek to be consoled, as to console.
to be understood, as to understand.
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
It is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.
Amen.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

Revel in the ordinary

During my convalescence from knee surgery, I have struggled with one ordinary, mundane day after another:  Sit in a chair.  Watch TV.  Keep your knee elevated.  Ice.  Repeat.  Exercise.  UGH.

I ran across this prayer that I thought was interesting.  It is a letter or a prayer to a normal, ordinary, mundane day.

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure that you are.   Let me learn from you, love you, and bless you before you depart.  Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.  Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so.  One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, for your return.                                             Mary Jean Iron

Perspective is a beautiful teacher.  I guess an ordinary day is ok after all.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

Compliments

I love compliments...  Gosh, I love them so much, I should give more of them to others.  They probably like them as much as I do...

So here are a few compliments:

• You look good!
• I am so glad to see you!
• I feel happy when you appear in the room!

When I left Woods Chapel and moved to Florida, I received two compliments from Bill C. that I will never forget.  The first was... "Thanks for putting your family before your career."  The second one was basically, "Thanks for not staying so long that you became old and irrelevant."  I loved both of those comments.  Still do.

Last Sunday, a friend from church gave me a compliment about this blog.  She said, thank you for speaking straightforwardly, thanks for reminding me to "get a grip."  I loved that.

Hey, it's not that hard.  Get a grip!!!

What ever is going on in your life, get a grip.  And while you are at it, give a few more compliments!

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

More on friendship

How do we make friends?

Friendship is an important part of our human experience. Through friendship we can give and receive
love. Given this important aspect of our lives, how do we make friends? Is it easy? Does it take a long
time? Do I have to be in a certain environment?

What are some of the key components for making a friend or friends?

1. Common interests
    a. Music
    b. Helping others

2. Finding a connection
    a. Working together on a common goal
    b. Sharing thoughts and ideas

3. Being able to listen
    a. Genuinely interested in what others have to say
    b. Understanding their perspective

4. Open to meeting others
    a. Social interaction
    b. Honest communication

5. Open to new experiences
    a. Overcome fear of rejection
    b. Actively seek new opportunities

This list is not exhaustive by any means but should give us a great place to start thinking about how we
make friends.  After considering the aspects of the above list, I believe our focus may be one of the most important pieces to this puzzle. If we focus on serving others instead of thinking about what we will receive from them, people will notice our genuine care and love for others. This recognition may just lead us to connections for friendships.

It’s a beautiful day in God’s world, be sure to be a friend.

Respectfully submitted by Bruce L.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com

Scammers

From time to time I get Facebook messages and even email messages from people who want something.  Pretending to be someone that I know, they want money or a gift card or they want your personal information.

I have started the habit of replying to the scammers with questions like, "does your mother know what you do for a living?"

The other day, one of the scammers wrote me back.  He said that he was doing this because our country had stolen so much from other countries.  He said that our prosperity was built on the backs of little people like him... he was only trying to get his fair share back.

Interesting logic.

Please be careful when accepting friend requests.  Please do not ever pay for anything online with a gift card.  If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

The scammer said that 30% of his victims fall for the ploy.  Don't be one of them.  Just because the name and picture are familiar does not mean that the message is from your friend.

Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure
If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com