anonymous writes

From a friend...

Life happens. As a matter of fact, sometimes life just sucks. Someone dear to me always says "okay, life's sucks, now what are you going to do?"

Murphy showed up at our house over the last few years. Unemployment was forced upon us and we started over in mid life. We lost friends to cancer; the engine in the truck failed, and then I was diagnosed with cancer. Sounds like a bad country song.

Life brings things like that. God doesn't. God is a comforter. He is a love deep in your soul that tells you it's all going to be alright.

As we lay in the valley and look up at the mountain we can focus on the difficulty of the climb or we can feel the lushness of the grass beneath us and the beauty of the mountain waiting to be climbed. And we know we will climb it again. Life is great that way. You get second and third and more chances. Give thanks to God even when life sucks.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com







I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

what was, what is....

What was, what is…

So I was in grade school. I was not liked. I was alone and lonely. I felt dumb and slow.  A rough start to life for sure.
That was then.

In Jr. High my brain started to work. I began to engage in adult conversations. But I was not popular. Still much a loner.

In high school I ran track and played football. I ditched the glasses for contact lenses. I played tennis. I worked at the Bicycle shop. I was president of the bicycle club. I had a girlfriend. I graduated.

In college I was an average nobody.

In seminary I worked to survive. I was 18th out of a class of 84. Nothing to write home about.

Then I served churches in Cache, Oklahoma, Indiahoma, Oklahoma. Lebanon, MO. Princeton, MO. Mercer, MO. Lee’s Summit, MO. And Cape Coral, FL. There was a time when I had the ear of the leadership of our Conference.

Now suddenly I am retired and serving a church part time in Ft. Pierce, FL.  [Great people at this church by the way...]

What was vs. what is….

I used to have energy. Now it appears to be optional. I used to run the 440 yard dash in 58 seconds. Now I don’t run. Some days I hobble. I used to think about the future, now I think about the past. I used to have new ideas. Now I manage old ones. I used to put up the Christmas lights every year. Now I put them up with a note that explains how to do it since I know that this year may be my last.

I used to have ideas about how to fix things at churches. Now I look at what is going on at a church and I think, “oh, my, how do you fix that?”

Life was simpler when I was younger. Life made more sense. Life came easy. The answers seemed readily available.  Now I work really hard to enjoy every day. There is nothing wrong with that. I think a lot of people struggle with meaning as they age.

I am still looking for the beautiful things. A sunrise. A smile. A hug. A friend flying in. There is a savoring of life that I have now, that I did not have when I was young. God makes all things beautiful in his time.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com








I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

bitterness

For years when I was active in full time ministry I wanted to preach on this scripture, but I could never bring myself to do it. I did not want to be the guy who was calling people out from the pulpit.  

So many times I would hear of someone in the congregation that was unhappy with me or something that I did. They would wander around and tell their friends and anyone who would listen how upset they were with me. It poisoned the waters. It hurt my soul. People have no idea what damage they do when they are spewing negativity around. I often thought of this passage and how I wish the unhappy people could find the joy and see the good.

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.   Hebrews 12:15

When we are negative our bitterness spews into others. Trouble is caused and others are defiled. God's family becomes dysfunctional. I am not saying that there isn't a time to complain, but our complaints should be done with kindness and grace.

Is your voice a blessing to others? Is your voice a blessing in your church?

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com








I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

Sunday's audio sermon 11-26-17

Good Morning-
Here is the audio of yesterday's sermon.
Hope you have a great week!

Click here to listen

little things

My friend Brian shared this quote with me...

“Enjoy the little things in life for one day you may look back and realize they were big things”.
       Robert Brault

So let us pause and give thanks for the little things. For the smile of a friend. For a well needed hug. For a time to enjoy a meal with another. For those moments where friends sit together and catch up. For times when friends sit together and nothing is said, but the ambiance of being together is worth a million.

So here is a toast....

Here is to the little, big things of life, may we see them and cherish them.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com






I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

good advice

Sometimes we worry too much.  My friend who plays the piano, missed a note a few weeks ago and was mortified... no one else noticed.... I fumbled through worship a few weeks ago and hardly anyone noticed.

My friend Harriett who is a retired teacher sent in this advice: When I was teaching I use to ask the kids and myself at times the following:  Did anyone get hurt?
Will I remember this next year on this date?
If the answers were no, I and or the kids moved on! Everyday is a new day with no baggage if you will let it be.

So the only baggage that we have in this life is the baggage that we choose to carry. Maybe it is time to put some of the junk that we are carrying down. Then we will have the strength to concentrate on what really is important in this life.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com





I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

hugs

Hugs are good.

My friend Alan Powell sent me these pictures and thoughts from Charlie Brown.  I can relate to both of these thoughts.

May you find a meaningful hug today or very soon.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com





I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

disappointed

I was listening to some Christians talk the other day and one of them said something about how God was disappointed when we sin.  Ouch.  That struck a nerve with me.

Let's discuss this for a moment.  If God is disappointed when we sin, God is always, always disappointed.  He must have a very sad and depressing life because we humans never get it right.

Maybe I have missed the biblical reference but I don't see anywhere in scripture where God is disappointed with us.  The woman at the well in Jn 4 is a prostitute.  Jesus does not express disappointment, but talks to her of living water.  The thief on the cross is a thief.  Jesus does not shame him, but invites him into paradise.  The father is not disappointed in the prodigal son but rushes out to welcome him home.

If we are going to believe that God is disappointed in us, we are going to carry a lot of guilt.  I prefer to believe that God looks at us as we look at our children:  not perfect, but still loved.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
Ps 103:8-14

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com





I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has become one of my most treasured times of the year. My family comes home, and they are on their best behavior. The food is amazing. If you ever get a chance to eat my wife’s cooking, you will never feel sorry for me again. Even in Florida, the weather is cooler.  Football is on the television. And most of all, gratitude is in the air. Whatever attitudes have been carried throughout the year, at Thanksgiving, everyone pauses to give thanks.

Giving thanks changes nothing, but it changes everything. Gratitude can take us from complaining about our job, to being thankful that we have a job. It can take us from complaining about being old to giving thanks that we are alive. Gratitude can change our perspective, and when the way we see the world changes, everything changes.

Someone once said, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”

One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving is that it does not have to be locked into November. The Fourth of July is always in July. St. Patrick’s day is always in March. Thanksgiving however, given a chance, can take over the entire year. It can become a friend that travels with you everywhere that you go. It can take over any month, any day, any hour. It can dominate, if we allow it, every month, every day, every hour.

I am thankful for my family.

I am thankful for my friends.

I am thankful for my new church home in Ft. Pierce.

I am thankful for you.

The scripture asks us to give thanks. Psalm 118 says, “”Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Do you want to change your attitude? Do you want to change your life? Give thanks. Give thanks. Give thanks.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com









I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

Rome

Oh my.  Rome was awesome.  If you asked me which day of this trip was the worst, there was no worst day.  I loved every day.  If you ask my favorite day, that would be the days in ancient Rome.

The forum is amazing.  This is a temple overlooking the forum from 100AD.

original column and marble work.  amazing.

Colosseum was wonderful.  Too bad that early Christians took over half of it away to build churches. 

Trevi Fountain

Hadrian's temple facade 130 ad, now used as an office building

Pantheon.  Yes that is me down in front...

We gain so much by going places that we have never been.  We gain so much by meeting people that we have not known.  We gain so much by learning things that expand our hearts and minds.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com


I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

More Italy

Over the next few days we visited the American WW2 cemetery.  That was tremendously moving.

WW2 cemetery near Florence.  I cried here.

Gelato... mmmmm.

San Giagnano

Sienna Cathedral

Assisi - home of and burial place of St Francis

We visited the towns of Assisi, San Gimignano, and Sienna.  All wonderful.  All beautiful.  All amazing.

I have also contacted a head cold which is not much fun, but......

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com







I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

sermon audio from Sunday Nov 19

For anyone who is interested, here is the sermon audio from yesterday.

click here to listen

day 5 Florence

This day we spent in Florence.  I have watched so many TV shows about the construction of the cathedral at Florence.  It was so cool to actually go there and see it.

Florence is also home to many famous people Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Da Vinci, Galileo and many more.  Certainly a blessed town.  We saw the statue of David by Michelangelo.... He is 17' tall and quite amazing.  I am only showing the top because he isn't wearing any clothes!

Michelangelo's David

The cathedral was started in 1296 and took 140 years to build.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com







I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

day 4

The Medieval town of Lucca, Italy.   And the leaning tower of Pisa.

The city walls of Lucca were amazing.

The front façade of the Lucca Cathedral

The church and tower in Pisa.

yes the tower leans!  and so beautiful!

Why does Pisa have a tower?  Every city in Catholic Europe has a tower.  The Catholic religious complexes had 3 buildings- the Cathedral, the bell tower [leaning tower of Pisa] and a separate building for baptisms.

So the leaning tower, is a bell tower.  Do you think the bell would ring if the tower leaned?

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com







I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

italy day 3

OH MY!!!

We are having such a time.  It is so beautiful.  So amazing.  Today we spent the day in Venice.
Here are some of the sights....

I love history and we are having the time of our lives.
Anytime that we have the chance to see another part of the world, we should.   I am so thankful for the chance to go on this trip.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com







I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

their culture our culture

Some years ago, I was upset to learn what happened to the cover stones of the Egyptian pyramids.  Why are they so rough except for the top of the largest one?  Well I was upset when I learned that the Muslims had removed the smooth cover stones to build their mosques.  Who would do that?  Why would someone deface one of the 7 wonders of the world?  To worship their God?  What would God think of that?  Tearing into one of the greatest structures in the world?  I was upset.

Yesterday, I learned that the reason a big chunk of the colosseum in Rome is missing, is because the Christians removed the stones to build St. Peter's basilica and other churches in Rome.

Hmmm.  So about the time I think that our ways are better than someone else's ways, about the time I think that we are not like them, who ever them is, I find out that we are all the same.  We all have our faults.

Evidently it is common practice to tear down the temples and buildings of other cultures to build our own.  Besides, who wants the reminders around that there was another culture here, maybe greater than our own?

People.  I guess they didn't realize the historical value of the places.  Point being that we shouldn't be pointing the finger at anyone else, because we do the same things.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com





I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

Italy day 1 and 2

 Ok, these posts are going to be about a week behind schedule but I wanted to share with you what I am seeing in Italy.

Day one of our trip was spent in air travel.  I woke up at 4am, electrically excited about the trip.  I left Vero Beach at 8am and drove to Orlando.  I flew out of Orlando at noon, arriving in Newark at 2:45.  In the airport, I found Steve and Laurie, then Lori and Lynn.  Later Jim, Marilyn, Doc and Nancy arrived.  It was like old times.  I was so glad to see everyone and so glad that everyone is doing so well. 

Our plane took off for Milan at 6:30.  There is a six hour difference, so we landed in Milan at 8:30 in the morning.

That was day one.  Day two was much better.  Great bus, great driver, great guide.  My favorite part of the day was Verona.  Seeing the old city walls, the old Roman amphitheater, and the quaintness of the Italian town landscape.

I was excited when I left Vero to drive to the airport.  I am more exited now.  I can't wait for tomorrow.  All day in Venice.


It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com





I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

too good not to share

A friend shared this story.... it is too good not to share.

Yesterday at lunch with some former business associates, one of the women talked about having just come from her church, and a very moving experience. She's a devout Catholic and long time member of Cure'ofArs church in Overland Park. Somewhere in the neighborhood of the church a man died. He had no family, and probably not many close friends. He had left a wish that, at death, he would like to be buried in a Catholic cemetery. After the mortuary contacted Cure's priest, he decided the lonely man should have a nice funeral service. So he contacted his entire church member list and told them of how alone in life the man passed, and asked their members to come to a funeral service yesterday morning, and be the "family he never had."

But the priest didn't stop there. He contacted two more Catholic churches in the area, and asked those priests to invite their church members. My friend was very moved by what resulted. She said at their church yesterday, it was standing room only, and she had to sit in the children's section to have a seat.

If this isn't what church is about, I'm not sure what more God could desire.

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

Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

I am leading some trips in 2018.  If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan

March 5-14 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland

October 8-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

flowers

During late August I took my annual trip to the redwoods.  This year I went north and stayed in Ft. Bragg, California.  I saw some beautiful flowers on the trip.  These pictures were taken in the little town of Mendocino. 

Have you ever had the experience of looking at something beautiful, and find yourself at a loss for words?  That's how I feel when I look at these pictures.

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

Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

I am leading some trips in 2018.  If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

who does this?

I was out at one of my favorite haunts a few weeks ago and I saw other patrons park this guys car in.  I am often reminded of the country song, God is great, beer is good, people are crazy.

I am not able to believe that people did this on purpose.  I must simply believe that they were not paying attention.  Father forgive them for they know not what they do.  Surely they did not know how their actions would affect another person. 
Actually if we saw the results of our actions, I think that we would start doing a lot of things differently.  How do the choices that we make affect other people?  Do we care?

Don't go through life like a bull in a china shop.  Leave room for others to live.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com





I am leading some trips in 2018.  If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

hugs part 2

My friend Sherry send this in....

Hugs Part Two

Now that we may have piqued your awareness of the value of increasing a person’s sense of well-being, by sharing a hug with them, the issue of whether we keep hugging the same people, and are unknowingly preferential about who we hug comes to mind.

Do I only hug my favorite people, or do I reach out to those who are really in need of a hug, but I haven’t noticed them.  We have a very loving church family at our church, but sometimes on Sunday morning I notice that people keep hugging their friends and their favorites.

I would invite you to join me, the next time you’re at church, and catch a glimpse of those who do not feel a part of the inner circle, but might really feel valued if they received a hug. 

This coming Sunday I’m going to try to be conscious of giving one person a hug, or sharing a kind word with them, but I haven’t previously reached out to them.

I encourage you to do the same.

My comments....... How true!  If we only love those who love us, what reward should we expect?  Even non-Christians do that.

I have noticed at times though, when I reach out for the "less desirable people" some of God's beautiful people get annoyed.  That is too bad.  Every human is desirable.  We don't live the same life, but we will all die the same death and stand before the same God.  When we were in Jr High we only sat at with our friends at the lunch table.  We had our little group and we played favorites.  We  are not in Jr High any more.  Whether a hug or a handshake and a smile, let's learn to value and to reach out to everyone.

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

Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

I am leading some trips in 2018.  If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

pastors are less than perfect

After yesterday's post, I thought of this story.....

The village priest was a holy man, so each time the people were in trouble they had recourse to him. He would then withdraw to a special place in the forest and say a special prayer. God would always hear his prayer and the village would be helped.

When he died and the people were in trouble they had recourse to his successor who was not a holy man but knew the secret of the special place in the forest and the special prayer. So he said. “Lord, you know I am not a holy man. But surely you are not going to hold that against your people? So listen to my prayer and come to our assistance.” And God would hear his prayer and the village would be helped.

When he too died and the people were in trouble they had recourse to his successor who knew the special prayer but not the special place in the forest. So he said. “What do you care for places, Lord? Is not every place made holy by your presence? So listen to my prayer and come to our assistance.” And once again God would hear his prayer and the village would be helped.

Now he too died and when the people were in trouble they had recourse to his successor who did not know the special prayer or the special place in the forest. So he said. “It isn’t the formula that you value. Lord, but the cry of the heart in distress. So listen to my prayer and come to our assistance.” And once again God would hear his prayer and the village would be helped.

After this man died, when the people were in trouble they had recourse to his successor. Now this priest had more use for money than for prayer. So he would say to God, “what sort of a God are you that while you are perfectly capable of solving problems that you yourself have caused, you still refuse to lift a finger until you have us cringe and beg and plead? Well, you can do as you please with the people.” Then he would go right back to whatever business he had in hand. And, once again, God would hear his prayer and the village would be helped.”

Pastors are not perfect.  Never confuse them with God.  Beware of putting them on a pedestal.  Pastors should always point people to God, never to themselves.

It’s a beautiful day in God’s world, be sure to see the good.
send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com




Travel with Pastor Jeff

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours


Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

I fumbled

Sunday I fumbled, I bumbled my way through the service.  I was gone last week so it was like I forgot how everything went.  People don't understand how much pressure is on a pastor or worship leader's brain to do all the things in the right way and the right order.

• It started when the song lyrics on the screen did not match what the song leaders were singing.  I tried unsuccessfully to get their attention.
• Next I wasn't sure if it was time for the passing of the peace.  I had to ask.
• Then I forgot that it was time to preach.
• Now I am completely disheveled and I forgot to record the sermon.
• Then I forgot to ask the people to bring their connect cards and their offerings up during communion.
• Then I introduced the closing hymn.......... "Lets and stand and sing This is my Fathers world."  The hymn was actually "Faith of our Fathers."

I felt like a complete loser..........
I am glad that God uses those who are less than perfect.


It’s a beautiful day in God’s world, be sure to see the good.
send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com




Travel with Pastor Jeff

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours


Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

Glad

I am glad to see you.  That is how I feel every Sunday morning, and how I have felt every Sunday morning for 30 years.  If you are in church I am glad to see you.  And for that matter, if you are not in church and I see you at the grocery store, I am glad to see you there as well. I am glad to see you.  Heck.  I am just glad.

I can feel the energy coming out of the pews when I am glad to see them and they are glad to see me.
We all want someone to be glad to see us.  Tyler, if I get to see you, I will be glad to see you.  I will hug your little Western Kansas neck.  Same for 700 more of you.

We humans love to be liked.  If you can, if I can just spend a few minutes and recognize someone who is there, it makes them feel valuable.  And we all want to feel valued.

I am glad to see you.  Find someone today and look them square into the eyes and tell them that you are glad to see them.

It’s a beautiful day in God’s world, be sure to see the good.
send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com




Travel with Pastor Jeff

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours


Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

question

A friend asked, if I am having a bad day should I call the blog, "Can you hear the birds poop?" My friends are very funny.

I am not going to discuss whether bird excrement is heard or smelled, but let me say this... I do have days that seem crappy, but are they really?

Lets say that 3x per month you have a crappy day or a day that feels that way to you. Would you like to ask God to remove them? Let's do the math... 3 x 12 = 36. That is 10% of a year. Would you like to have 10% of your life cut off so that you experienced only pleasure? Isn't it the hard days that help us to recognize the good?

This discussion reminds me of one of my favorite Christmas stories... it's about two brothers, the first a pessimist, the second an optimist.

A father once had two sons. He was something of a psychologist. He thought he would give them a little task to see how they reacted. Christmas morning he prepared the stockings for the boys and for the pessimist he filled it up with the finest toys that could be found. And the stockings of the optimist he filled them with horse manure. Christmas morning the two boys came down. The pessimist arrived, grabbed his stocking full of beautiful toys. In a few minutes he was crying his eyes out. The father said, “What is wrong, son?” He said, “Father, just think, in a few days all these beautiful toys will be broken.”

Later, in comes the optimist, grabs his stocking with a whoop of joy, and said, “Father, isn’t it wonderful: with all of this poop, I know that there must be a pony hiding nearby!!!

Life will bring you it's moments. We still have to keep looking for the good.  Poop and all.

It’s a beautiful day in God’s world, be sure to see the good.
send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com





Travel with Pastor Jeff

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

Italy

Florence Cathedral

Today I begin the Italy tour with 8 friends.  I can't wait to see these friends and catch up.  I am also very much looking forward to the sites that we will see and the memories that will be made.

Today I ask you to share my joy.  Take a short 2 seconds and be happy for me.  This is actually a great exercise in life... to learn to be happy for another.  For example, when our team loses, we can sulk or we can take a moment and be happy that the other team's fans are happy.  When we take joy in the joy of others, our minds get off of our own issues and for a brief moment, we can see the good, and by seeing the good and the joy in others, we take some of it into our own lives.

It’s a beautiful day in God’s world, be sure to see the good.
send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com




Travel with Pastor Jeff

Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours


Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

Holy Land and being open to grow

Good Morning,  I want to let you know that if you are interested in the Holy Land trip, there is an early registration discount that ends on Nov 20.  So far 9 people are signed up to go so the trip is a go for sure.

Here is the link for the Holy Land trip:

http://www.eo.travelwithus..com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Now on to today's blog post.

 One of the things that I have noticed in this life is how many people there are that either consider themselves "finished products" or act as if they are.  I know there were times in my life when I thought I knew everything.  I am sure I was very annoying then, more so even than I am now.

I believe that a sign of greatness is the openness and desire that a person has toward learning and growing.  To seek, discover, and assimilate a new idea is a tremendous gift from God.

What are you reading?  What are you learning?  How are you allowing God to morph and shape you?

There is a great joy in expanding our horizons.

It’s a beautiful day in God’s world, be sure to see the good.
send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com




Travel with Pastor Jeff

Italy's Historic and Religious Sites
November 7-16, 2017
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/it17-brinkman-17768#eotours


Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours


Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

cheap or generous

So I was going into Sam's Club and I saw this group raising money for a trip to Washington DC.  I had one $20 bill in my wallet.  Now I wanted to help them, but not $20 worth.  So I thought about this while I was in the store.  What should I do.  Then I figured that lots of people just walk by and do nothing for them.

So when I came out of Sam's I stopped and talked with them.  I stepped out on a limb... I asked them if they could break a $20 bill.  They said yes of course.  I gave them $5.  Then I asked them if that was generous of me or cheap.  They laughed.

Was that a generous act?  Or a cheap act?

I'm still thinking about that....

It’s a beautiful day in God’s world, be sure to see the good.
Send Replies to Jsbrink57@gmail.com




Travel with Pastor Jeff

Italy's Historic and Religious Sites
November 7-16, 2017
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/it17-brinkman-17768#eotours


Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours


Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

rich

We were getting off of the shuttle bus at the airport.  Almost everyone handed the driver a couple of $ bucks.  I overheard a 10 year old boy say to his dad, "gosh everyone is rich."

I stayed close to them so I could hear the father's response.  It was classic.  "Son, they might be rich, but maybe they are just generous."

You can be generous even if you don't have lots of money.  In fact, I think that I would rather be generous than rich.  To live a generous life, whether by giving money, time or attention, to live a generous life is to live a happy life.

We can all be more generous.

It’s a beautiful day in God’s world, be sure to see the good.
Travel with Pastor Jeff



Italy's Historic and Religious Sites
November 7-16, 2017
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/it17-brinkman-17768#eotours


Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours


Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

For Granted

For granted

Possibly one of our worst sins as humans is taking things for granted.  When we don’t have enough of a thing, we want it.  During the hurricane, water was scarce so everyone wanted it.  We crave the things that we don’t have.  Then one day we wake up and we see that we have so much.  

We wake up in beautiful homes with nice cars and television sets.  We shower in clean water, we eat fresh food and we surf the web.  We are so entitled, we get mad when the cable goes out or the internet is down.

It is time to appreciate our abundance.  It is time to count our blessings.  There are so many. 

It’s a beautiful day in God’s world, be sure to see the good.
Travel with Pastor Jeff



Italy's Historic and Religious Sites
November 7-16, 2017
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/it17-brinkman-17768#eotours


Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours


Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

about me

Stuff about Jeff

Somebody wrote in and asked me to share some things in the blog about myself that people might not know.  I not sure if anyone is interested in this stuff, but here are some little known Jeff facts.

• I was baptized at 8 days and I smiled when the water was applied.
• I named our daughter Jenny after my first dog.
• I got my first kiss in third grade from Sue Ellen Butler.
• I was the president of the bicycle club in high school.
• I am a black belt in Karate.
• I have kayaked on the ocean.
• I once kicked a 40 yard field goal.
• I slammed my thumb in the car door on Superbowl Sunday in 1970.  We had to drill a hole in the nail to relieve the blood pressure.
• I was once shot right between the eyes with a bb gun.
• I play the saxophone.  I was once in a band.
• I used to have hair.
• I once got 6 foul balls at a Royals game.  
• I had perfect attendance in jr. high.
• I once had meningitis.
• I scored a hat trick in a college intramural soccer game.
• My first concert was BTO at the Cow Palace in San Francisco in 1974.
• I got kicked out of boy scouts.
• I was fired from my first job.

Ok, those are the only things that I can think of that you might not know.

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

Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com



Travel with Pastor Jeff



Italy's Historic and Religious Sites

November 7-16, 2017

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/it17-brinkman-17768#eotours



Holy Land via Jordan

March 5-14 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours



Wesley's Ireland

October 8-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

all saints day

It is all saints day and I am thinking of some of my friends.  You know, we could have been born hundreds of years apart.  You could have been living in the middle ages, and I in the Roman empire.  But no. We are here now.  You and I we are living this life together now.

Scott, Jim, Paul, Dave, Brian, Donna, Kim, Aaron, Chris, Mike, Ginger, Joe, Judy, Adam, Keefe, Peggee, Jennifer, Bernie, Martha, Arlene, Kathy, Cathy, Carlotta, and 100 more of you.

We are in this together now.  You and I.  Saints or sinners.

I am so glad to have foujnd you in this life.  I am so glad to have crossed paths with you while we yet lived.



It’s a beautiful day in God’s world, be sure to see the good.
Travel with Pastor Jeff

Italy's Historic and Religious Sites
November 7-16, 2017
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/it17-brinkman-17768#eotours


Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours


Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours