the long line of unknowns

My friend Pat wrote...

A few weeks ago we here in KC were been pretty wrapped up in football. “Greatest game ever”, “preview of the Super Bowl”, and so on. It was hard to go to sleep Monday night, given the intensity of the game, KC Chiefs vs LA Rams.

But it won’t matter. Two Thousand years ago, the world renown gladiator Tetraites defeated his greatest rival Prudes in the Colosseum. The exploits of both are depicted on glass vessels found in present day France, England and Hungary. But it doesn’t matter either. Or does it?

Its all a matter of perspective. 2000 years from now, no one will remember Patrick Mahomes and the LA Rams game, just like no one really remembers Tetraites and Prudes. Not everything that seems significant lasts. Sometimes what appears insignificant punches above its weight.

We still remember the teachings of Christ 2000 years later, even though they really weren’t popular culture at the time.  This is because of the efforts of a long line of mostly unknown people since then.

2000 years from now, no one is likely to remember you, or me. Will they still remember the way of life taught by Christ? That depends on whether you and I join that long line of unknowns. Will you?

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

It's Almost Saturday Night

I was driving down the road the other day and a song came on the radio, It's Almost Saturday Night by John Fogerty.

It took me back to a place in time.  A happy time.  My first album was a CCR [John Fogerty] album.  I have always loved his stuff.  This particular song is a happy song, it is a driving in the car song.  I remember putting that CD in my 1998 Ford Mustang GT.  My friends Bruce Letner, Mike Montgomery and I all had Green Mustangs of that body style.  Back then we played softball and talked cars, children and life.

As I remember those days, I feel happy now.  Memories can be a beautiful  thing.  The cars are gone, but I still love those guys.

If you want to listen to the song, here is the link. 

click here to listen to the song

And if you have a Mustang for sale, give me a call.

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

Jesus made room for all

From my friend John Johnson...

My wife and I watched a movie this weekend titled The Greatest Showman. In the movie, one of the actresses made a statement to P.T. Barnum about him creating a home for the people who did not have a place in society. [dwarfs, bearded women, super tall, etc...]  I have thought about this a lot since watching the movie and that is what Jesus was doing. Helping broken people find a home. A real home where they are accepted for their soul and not their appearance.

My pastor made a comment yesterday that has intrigued me.

  Every one of us in the world displays a characteristic of God. If we put everyone in a room together, we might get a better picture of who God is.

I thought about this and came to the conclusion that if we follow this line of thinking, the people who intentionally hurt others do display a side of God. This is the side of God that gets angry. We do not like that side of God but it exists just like it does in all of us.

As you have said in your blog, there are issues that the church needs to wrestle with. People are desperate to have real conversations about these real issues. There has to be more meaning to life than what makes it onto our smartphone news app. I appreciate the opportunity to dialogue about these issues.

It is a beautiful snowy day in Missouri. The snow transforms the world from the dying fall look to the white beauty of winter.

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

youth, the church, and the counter culture

I have a friend that is a young man.  He is a writer for counter culture TV shows.  We had a discussion the other day about how young people feel about religion.  He tells me that in his field, many young people are expressing counter culture by engaging in art that shares their message in a way that nips at the traditional perspective of the older generation.

The picture here is an example of one young person's counter culture dark art.  The young person has inserted something from their culture on top of something from the older generation.  So here is the famous picture from the Sistine Chapel of God reaching to touch man.  A dialogue box is superimposed on it that one might get on their computer.  The dialogue box says "Fatal Error - Disconnected."

Young vs Old.  New vs Old.  Young folks telling us that we don't get it.  A rejection of traditional religion.  We have made a fatal error and they are disconnecting.

We can try to make them think as we do, but it won't work.  We must find a way to understand why they feel as they do about organized religion.  But more than that, we must change.  They feel disconnected.  How can we help them feel loved and connected?  It must be done on their terms, not ours.  We must be willing to depart from our ideas and leave our world and enter into theirs.

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

preemptive

I don't know how many pastors read this blog.  This is a bit of advice from an old guy for how to handle the upcoming General Conference issue in February.

pre·emp·tive
/prēˈemptiv/
adjective

1.serving or intended to preempt or forestall something, especially to prevent attack by disabling the enemy:
"a preemptive strike"

When the General Conference happens in February it is going to be all over the news.  It is very likely that pastors and churches will need to declare their opinion on homosexuality.  Will we welcome and accept everyone, or will still consider it a sin?  There are many good people on both sides of the issue.

In my opinion, a church and a pastor has one of two choices.  Either wait to see what happens in February or take a preemptive strike on the issue now.

Those that choose to wait run the risk of allowing the media to shape the issue.  They will also be forced to act upon the issue when people's emotions are in a heightened state.

Recently, two of my friends took preemptive action.  They wanted to control how the message was delivered.  They wanted their people to know where they stood.  They wanted to get the bleeding over with so that when February came it would have no effect on the church.

One pastor talked with his staff.  Determining that they were all on the same page, he told the congregation in a sermon that they would be welcoming everyone.  Many were happy.  A few left.  That was painful.  But he controlled the message and the bleeding is over.

Another pastor brought in all of the former pastors of the church.  Together, they stood in front of the congregation and told them about the church's historic identity of welcoming everyone.  They took a preemptive strike.  They controlled the narrative.  A few were unhappy, a few left, but the issue was managed according to the plans and leadership of the pastor.

Those who wait until after February 26 to talk with their congregation are going to be doing so in the midst of a media firestorm.  I recommend that Pastors take the initiative and talk with their congregations now instead of waiting for the media to paint the issue.  Step out, take the lead and work through the difficult situation.

In general it is always better to take a problem head on.  Face it, name it, deal with it and move on.

But I am retired.  What do I know?

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

sermon audio from 11-25-18 I was filling in for Pastor Tim at First UMC Ft. Pierce

click here to listen to the audio of the sermon

With

From my friend Pat...

Here’s a thought.  “Love”, in the Bible is really overrated.

Plenty of Christians talk about how Jesus loves you. Bumper stickers and sermons abound based on that saying. But I don’t recall Jesus saying “I love you” much . In fact, not until late in the story does he give a new commandment to “love one another as I have loved you”. What he does say repeatedly though, is “I am with you”; his ministry was a lifelong example of how to be with others.

“With” is the most important four letter word in the Bible.

Much of what Christ taught was a new paradigm about taking care of one another. “When did we feed or house you Lord? When you fed the poor, when you housed the homeless.” For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” Matthew 20:28.

Christians often hide behind the notion that “Jesus loves you” because of how it makes us feel. OK, Jesus loved everybody, I will too, end of duty. What Jesus really does is give you a road map of how to act.(he doesn’t talk much about your feelings) Saying you love your neighbor is nothing without the active, overt efforts to fill the needs of your neighbor.

Love may be the consequence of your effort, but being with the disadvantaged is the real goal. Christ didn’t walk around saying I love you. He walked around being with others by taking care of them: feeding the multitudes, healing the sick, etc.

In the bacon and eggs of Christianity, words are the eggs, actions are the bacon(the chicken is involved, the pig is committed.) Lets not let our words substitute for our actions.

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

just his initials

Blah, blah, blah...

So if you have hung around me and listened to any of my sermons you have probably heard me say at one time or another, "I won't mention his name, just his initials."  Then I go ahead and use the person's full name.  I only do this when it is safe to do so, and humorous.  I would never want to embarrass anyone.

You might wonder, where did this crazy behavior come from?

So I was in Mr. Willens' 7th grade math class.  I sat in the back of the class in the corner and didn't really pay much attention to the lessons.  Mr. Willens had a dry sense of humor and was known to invite disruptive class members to join him after school for cake and ice cream.  Yes, I joined that party several times.

Anyway, after the first test, Mr. Willens stood up and announced that the test results are back.  "All good," he said, "A's and B's."  "Oh but there was one F.  I won't mention his name, just his initials, Jeff Brinkman."

Everyone laughed.  I was embarrassed, but it did motivate me to work harder in his class.  And it is a joke that I have stolen and used many times over the years.

And now you know the rest of the story.

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

my friends are messed up

I do have a few normal friends, but most of my friends are messed up.  Like wag your head at what they come up with - messed up.

I won't mention his name, just his initials: Derek Noland sent me a delightful Thanksgiving greeting.  Very nice, kind, I love you happy thanksgiving greeting.

He also included this comic which I must share.  I have tried to stop myself a couple of times, but I must share this...

 I am glad that God has a sense of humor.

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

Thanksgiving

If a person can find one thing to be thankful for, everything changes.

Yes you may be in a bad mood, or a funk.  I was yesterday.

But stay with it.  Keep at it.  Find the one thing.  Find the happy thought.

If a person can find one thing to be thankful for, everything changes.

We have 100,000 things to give thanks for, don't we?

I wish you and your family a Thanksgiving full of joy!!!

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

a chance encounter

I'm guessing that this is around 2002.  After church on Sunday, Cathy and I went to the grocery store together.  This never happens.

We were in the Price Chopper before it expanded, we were in the west end by the coolers, walking down the aisle.  I heard a voice from behind me.

Hello. 
I stopped and turned around.
The tall, dark headed fellow said to me, you don't know me, but I have been coming to church.  I enjoyed service this morning and I  just wanted to introduce myself.  My name is Tim.

First meetings.  First thoughts, first feelings.  I liked him.  He asked if we could meet for lunch.  I usually said yes to such requests, and I accepted this one gladly.

We had a great lunch.  And over the years we have had many great breakfasts and lunches.  Except for the time that I over slept and was late to First Watch.

You would never know this about Tim, but he is amazing.  Larger than life.  Famous.  But just so calm and kind and regular and down to earth.

I love this guy.  Although I don't see him often, he is one of my very best friends.  My entire family loves him and his family.

Moral of the story... don't be worried if a stranger stops you to talk at the grocery store, you may be meeting one of your future best friends.

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

stranded family part 3

My friend Di wrote in some thoughts that I thought were very helpful.  She wrote...

"I think people need to hear about ways we can help the poor. A woman who was out alone might have stopped and said I'll bring you some groceries. Or someone could have stopped at McDonald's and picked them up a meal. There are all kinds of ways to help."

For some reason I don't think that it is an accident that this story is on my mind during the season of thanksgiving.  I wish it was on our minds all of the 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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

stranded family part 2

Several of you commented on my post from November 15th about the stranded family.  Someone that I have known since 2000 that I love very much is Terry M.  He sent this comment in regarding the scripture from 1 Jn 3

Here is that scripture again, just in case you forgot.

17 If anyone has material possessions 

and sees a brother or sister in need 

but has no pity on them, 

how can the love of God be in that person? 

18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech 

but with actions and in truth. 

1 Jn 3:17-18

Here is Terry's comment:

The key word in the passage you referred to is “pity”. We are called to not only recognize the struggle of others, but to be emotionally engaged. Only when we are emotionally engaged can the love of God flow freely through us and bless another. And in that moment, if we can help on the physical side, that is it our blessing.

And I ask... Are we emotionally engaged with those in need?

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise
October 23-31, 2019
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

one sentence sermon

My entire life I have heard about some preacher who stood up for the sermon and said one sentence...

"love one another"

and then the preacher sat down.

In another version the preacher said one word:  Love.

then the preacher sat down.



Today as I think of you I want to write a very simple message.  I want you to hear it, as if I was right in the room with you.

Here it is...

I love you!

One

I found this quote online and decided to post a blog about it.

There are many reasons why we don't reach for others. 
Maybe I am busy.
Maybe I am being selfish today.
Maybe I forgot that they were a person too.
Maybe I am nervous.
Maybe I don't want to have interpersonal contact.
Maybe I think that they want something from me.
Yes to all of those maybe's.

But never forget that you have tremendous power to express God's love.  You can make a tremendous difference in someone's life.  You. You. YOU can do it.

One smile can start a friendship.
One word can end a fight.
One look can save a relationship.
One handshake can make a person's day.
One act of kindness can restore hope.
Calling someone by name can bring them joy.

Just because we can't do everything doesn't mean that we shouldn't do what we can.  You have the power to make the world a beautiful place for God.

One touch.  One hug.  One gift.  One kind word.

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

Jesus loves you... but

Last Sunday I visited a local church near our home.  I had met the people when they threw a car wash.  I liked them.  They seemed mission minded and kind.

So Sunday on my first Sunday without a church assignment, I visited their worship service.  They are friendly and kind.  They have good demographics, young - middle and older folks.  The music was great.  The singing was great.

During the sermon [which was 45 minutes long] I heard the same thought over and over.  Yes Jesus loves you, but.  But you need to grow up.  But you need to stop sinning.  But you need to change.  But.  But.  But.

Let me say this...............
If there are conditions on love, it is not love.  I love you but, is not love.  Love welcomes, love embraces, love delivers grace.  Change may come, but it is the love that causes a person to change, not an edict.  Jesus just loved people.

If you are loving people with conditions, please stop.  Just love them.  It is our job to love them, not try to fix them, that is God's job.   Love is our purpose on this earth.  It is what we are created for.

I love you.  You are loved.  No ifs, ands, or buts.

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

Stranded Family

17 If anyone has material possessions 

and sees a brother or sister in need 

but has no pity on them, 

how can the love of God be in that person? 

18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech 

but with actions and in truth.  

1 Jn 3:17-18

In the past I would not have told you stories like this because I never want to come across like bragging.  Ever.

However, I realize that I am not going to live forever and that if one person is touched by a story like this, then it is ok for me to share.

The other day I was running errands in Vero Beach.  I was on 12th Street coming up to US 1.  I was going to turn left and head home.  I noticed that in the corner of the Staples parking lot was a guy with a sign that said "stranded family."  I was in the wrong lane to help.  My light was about to turn.

Then I noticed in his old van was his wife and two little kids in car seats.  One of them was crying.  I got the feeling that I should help.  I swung out across 2 lanes of traffic and turned right.  I pulled up along side of them and asked how they were stranded.

Just moved here from Ohio.  Starting a new job tomorrow.  Staying in the cheap hotel up the way, just for tonight.  No funds for tomorrow.  Hungry. 

They looked like nice people.

I introduced myself.  I asked the man, we will call him Larry if I could take him to the grocery store.  He said sure. 

He hopped in my car.  Larry does not smell very good.

We went to the Publix at 13th and US 1.  I told him to get whatever he wanted.

He picked out juice for the kids.  Vienna Sausages.  Spam.  A case of generic water.  He was very frugal.  I made him get a rotisserie chicken and potato salad, diapers and formula.  Anything that I saw that did not need to be cooked or refrigerated, I threw in.

We checked out.  The bill was $100.  I got out an extra $40.  We took the food back to his van.  I gave him the money.  I told them, God bless you and may good things come your way.

Here are my take aways from this experience.

• I did not leave my name and number... I feel badly about that.
• I did not solve any of their long term problems.
• I think that they are going to enjoy dinner tonight.
• They were people.  Just like us.
• But for the grace of God go I.
• We are so very fortunate.
• I think that we could all help a little more often than we do.

I hope that it is ok that I told you this story.
May God enlarge our hearts of compassion.
Larry and family, may God bless you.

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

Green lights part 2

Red light cameras invade my privacy!!!
Red light runners invade the privacy of my passenger compartment!!!

On Thursday October 25th I posted a story from my friend Valerie about driver's training.  In the post she shared that the trainer said that a green light does not mean "go."  Green means look around and make sure that everyone else is either stopped or yielding to you.

There are some great life lessons from this story, and some of the readers sent them in. We can be right, but at what cost?

One dear friend, wrote in and said, I like to be right. I like others to know if they are wrong. I read something that said, it's better to be kind than right. I am working on it.
I love the humility and the honesty of that statement.

Another dear friend wrote in to say, You can be in the “right” – but DEAD right…

So just another reminder to go slowly on the road of life. A reminder to pay attention to what is really going on. A reminder that people matter more than beating the light, being right or 1,000 other 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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

what a church used to be

I saw this church in London and it got me thinking about how many churches are in decline.  How many Methodist churches are in decline.  Most of them actually.  Big churches, little churches, city and rural are almost all in decline.

Kind of depressing isn't it.

So if you can read the impressions in the stone above the church name, you will see that what is today the First Church of Christ Scientist used to be the Seventh Church of Christ Scientist.  Now on first glance a person might think that this is good.  Like I used to be in 7th place in the Indy 500 but now I am in 1st place.

This is not that situation.  The reason that this church is now #1 First Church is because the other 6 have closed.  Imagine the expense and the effort to change their sign over the years from 7th to 6th to 5th to 4th etc.  A few of the members might have had a better self image as they moved up the food chain, but inside they knew what was happening.

Back to the issue.  Churches are in decline.

This can change in my opinion.  Yesterday's chapter does not have to be tomorrow's ending.  The story line can turn.  The church survived the Roman persecution.  The church survived the black plague.  The church of Jesus Christ still has a future among the hearts of those who believe in it.

Regardless of the size of a church, if it believes in itself and stays on mission, it can make a big difference in the world.  You-you-you yourself can be a force of good in your church.  Don't measure today by yesterday but get up and give today your very best.

Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.  Indeed it is the only thing that ever has."

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

not every wound

I put this shirt on a few weeks ago for church.  Just as I got it all buttoned up, I noticed the stain.  Seems that someone had borrowed my white shirt, ate in my white shirt and dribbled on it.  It could not have been me.

It has already been through the cleaners once, but I took it back to them again and showed them the stain.  When I picked it up, they apologized and said that they were unable to get the stain out.

Some stains come out.  Some stains don't.

Some wounds heal and go away.  Some become a scar.  Jesus can heal lots of things, but some of them we still carry.

If your life has a stain or a wound that just won't seem to come out, welcome to the human race.  None of us are perfect.  Keep working on it as you can.  Love and forgive.  Repeat.  Love and forgive.  Repeat.  Love and forgive.

That wound may hang around for a while, but don't let it dominate the story of your life.  Wash it daily with love and forgiveness.  Repeat.

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

Veterans Day

When I was in grade school, Jr High and High School, the Vietnam war was raging.  I read the newspapers and watched the protests on TV.

I was also required to register for the draft.  When I was in High School I watched the draft lottery show on TV where they would spin the basket and pull out a number that corresponded to your birthday.  If July 5 got a low number, you would be drafted when you got out of school.  If you drew a high number, you got a pass.

I got a pass.  Not because July 5 got a high number, but because the war was coming to an end and by the time they were drawing for those graduating in 1975, the basket lottery was ended.  By the way, in 1974, July 5th was number 22.

I never served in the armed forces.  However, I have met a number of folks over the years who have lost son and daughters.  I have met many with PTSD.  I have heard some of the stories.  I have listened to the pain.

I am so appreciative of every person, man and woman who has served our country.  I didn't always agree with every war, but I believe in supporting the troops.

I never had to go.  Here is a big thank you... THANK YOU... to those of you who did.

Happy Veterans Day.

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

Transforming Pain

From Richard Rohr's post on October 17 - this is a very good read!

All healthy religion shows you what to do with your pain... If only we could see these “wounds” as the way through, as Jesus did, then they would become sacred wounds rather than scars to deny, disguise, or project onto others. 

I am sorry to admit that I first see my wounds as an obstacle more than a gift. Healing is a long journey.

If we cannot find a way to make our wounds into sacred wounds, we invariably become cynical, negative, or bitter. This is the story line of many of the greatest novels, myths, and stories of every culture. If we do not transform our pain, we will most assuredly transmit it—usually to those closest to us: our family, our neighbors, our co-workers, and, invariably, the most vulnerable, our children.

Scapegoating, exporting our unresolved hurt, is the most common story line of human history. The Jesus Story is about radically transforming history and individuals so that we don’t just keep handing on the pain to the next generation...

We shouldn’t try to get rid of our own pain until we’ve learned what it has to teach. When we can hold our pain consciously and trustfully (and not project it elsewhere), we find ourselves in a very special liminal space. Here we are open to learning and breaking through to a much deeper level of faith and consciousness. Please trust me on this. We must all carry the cross of our own reality until God transforms us through it. These are the wounded healers of the world, and healers who have fully faced their wounds are the only ones who heal anyone else.

As an example of holding the pain, picture Mary standing at the foot of the cross or, as in Michelangelo’s Pietà cradling Jesus’ body. One would expect her to take her role wailing or protesting, but she doesn’t! We must reflect on this deeply. Mary is in complete solidarity with the mystery of life and death. It’s as if she is saying, “There’s something deeper happening here. How can I absorb it just as Jesus is absorbing it, instead of returning it in kind?” Consider the analogy of energy circuits: Most of us are relay stations; only a minority are transformers—people who actually change the electrical charge that passes through us.

Jesus on the cross and Mary standing beneath the cross are classic images of transformative spirituality. They do not return the hostility, hatred, accusations, or malice directed at them. They hold the suffering until it becomes resurrection! That’s the core mystery of Christianity. It takes our whole life to begin to comprehend this...

Unfortunately, our natural instinct is to try to fix pain, to control it, or even, foolishly, to try to understand it. The ego insists on understanding. That’s why Jesus praises a certain quality even more than love, and he calls it faith. It is the ability to stand in liminal space, to stand on the threshold, to hold the contraries, until we are moved by grace to a much deeper level and a much larger frame, where our private pain is not center stage but a mystery shared with every act of bloodshed and every tear wept since the beginning of time. Our pain is not just our own.

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

see the good

My friend Bev sent this to me.
I love it.

Every single day you make a choice.
Every single moment we make a choice.
Choose well.  We only go around once 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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

waste not want not

When I was a kid there was only one selection.  Life was less complicated.  There was one brand of band-aids.  Band-aid brand of course.  There was only one style of band-aids that came in an assortment, in a can.

There was only one kind of checking account, one back on a quarter, one donut at the donut shop [it made ordering a donut much easier.]  Anyway, life was much simpler in the day.

So back to band-aids.  In the band-aid can there were three or four kinds, depending on the wound at hand.  Our favorites were the long 3/4 inch wide ones.  They went around a finger well and were used up first.  Always at the end of the can, when everything else was used up, were the little round ones.  I can remember asking mom if we should throw them away.  She always said the same thing.  "NO! Waste not want not."  I would always wonder what we would ever use all of those little round band-aids for.  When mom died I inherited 5 old band-aid cans full of little round band-aids.

Well my mom was smarter than I thought.  A few weeks ago I went to the dermatologist and had a few little "things" burned off of my face.  She said, "this is going to sting a little."   Really???  That was more than a little.

Now I am at home nursing the wounds.  Neosporin and you got it, little round band-aids.  Thanks mom for the heads up.

I am not recommending that you become a hoarder, but you may want to be careful what you throw away, it may come in handy some day.

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

Will we ever let Jesus be Jesus?

From my friend Pat...

My wife and I were talking about our kids, and their friends, and their widespread abandonment of organized religion. Its not news that young people are leaving organized religion.

Recently I listened to a series of podcasts by Andy Stanley who suggested that “the god” that many young people have abandoned was the god of their childhood, and while children matured, often their notion of god never did. You know, the boyfriend God, who is always there to keep you company, or the savior God, who always gets you out of some difficulty and never lets bad things happen to you, and so on. Abandoning that god is really not abandoning God, since that little god isn’t who God is or ever was anyway.

But young people’s abandonment of organized religion is attributable to another source. During this campaign season, I’ve heard the “scions” of Christianity preach awful things: hell for all Jews, damnation for all homosexuals, fire for all non-believers, death for those who vote in favor of those who are pro-choice, and so on. On the other had, the same “scions” endorse candidates whose behavior is appalling: It really boils down to evangelical endorsement of immorality in favor of political expediency.

These are all doctrines I don’t recall Jesus preaching. His message was not one of division, but one of inclusion. Not one of condemnation, but forgiveness; not judgment, but understanding.

So just as Rev. Stanley suggests young people are abandoning the god of their youth, a god that never really existed, so too they are abandoning a Christianity that Jesus never preached.

Paul said “Encourage the young to live wisely. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind” Titus‬ ‭2:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬
The politicization of Christianity is a terrible example for the next generation. No wonder young folks are headed out the door.

Christ loves all of us, not just those that we think He should love. His charge to us is the same. To hold otherwise is to substitute ourselves for him, and none of us are big enough to fill those shoes.

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

At my age

I was talking with someone last month, someone who is about my age.  We were talking about something that we felt badly about.  I had my list and they had theirs.  Things that we feel bad about.

Well sure there are things that we should feel bad about.  But often we are worrying about things that are no one's business but ours.

For heavens sake Jeff.  You are 61.  For heavens sake my friend, you are how old?
Stop worrying about whether or not you take this or that job.  Stop worrying about letting everyone down.  We have the right and the responsibility to make our choices and live our lives for God.

Usually, there is no reason to feel badly about your choices.  They are yours.  At our age, we should stop worrying about all of this and just enjoy the gift of 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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

Sermon audio from 11-4-18 Last sermon at Ft Pierce UMC "Thank You"

click here to listen

Books part 2

A few days ago I wrote a post about my favorite books and shared the attached picture.

A friend wrote in to make fun of me.  He said, "ha ha you have the book Walking on Water in the picture twice.  Welcome to old age."  He attached a meme of a guy in a wheelchair. 😞

I wrote back and let him know that I really liked that book a lot.  Twice as much as the others.

By the way it's not nice to make fun of people.  I won't mention the person's name who made fun of me, I'll just give you his initials... Aaron Israelite.  In the picture below is Dave Harris, me and Aaron is on the right.  This of course was back when he was nice to me.

A bit more on the book Walking on Water.  This book changed my life.  It taught me so much about

Dave, Jeff and Aaron

forgiveness, forgiving others and forgiving myself.  It taught me about grace and seeing the good.  The reason I started writing this blog all those years ago was because I was so excited about what I was learning in that book I wanted to find a way to share.  I once bought 100 copies of the book and spent the next 8 years giving them away.

Anyway, if you struggle with guilt, depression, or not seeing the good, get the book Walking on Water.  Heck buy two... just don't let Aaron know.

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

Thank you Ft. Pierce First UMC

Today is my last Sunday to preach at Ft. Pierce First UMC.  Let me tell you that this past year, serving as the interim pastor has flown by.

I have loved the people at Ft. Pierce and they have loved me.  It was the kind of relationship that every pastor dreams of.

I don't know what the future holds.  I may attend church there as a member.  The DS may have another church for me.  I may be retired again.  But I will tell you this, my memories of this year and the opportunities have only been good.  My soul needed that.

In the picture you see my name tag and my Sunday list.  My Sunday list is the check list that I used every week to make sure that I was all ready for the service.  I hope to need one again very soon.

Thank you all.  I love you all.

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

A perspective on another birthday

From my friend Susan,

In a few days, I will have another birthday. Some days I feel really old, and other days, I just don’t think about it. Why do I feel old when I am healthy, have a wonderful life, and am fully blessed? It happens when I look in the mirror and see a few more lines and wrinkles, or when I pass on a really cute outfit, because it just wouldn’t work on someone my age. Or, when I watch my parents age and struggle with their health. I see friends of my parents, or parents of my friends pass away. Or I realize my coworkers are young enough to be my children!! 

 It’s easy to dwell on those things. But, there is so much good to look for instead. I am blessed to live another year and earn another wrinkle on my face! I can find plenty of cute clothes that work for me! I am so very blessed to still have my parents to spend time with, call, visit, and love here on this earth! When friends lose their parents, it’s an opportunity to surround them with love, as I know they will do the same for me someday. 

 As I get older, I realize that I am made for more. More love (grandchildren), more time (family and friends, the needy and MYSELF), more personal development (reading, podcasts), more reaching out to help others. I have become more focused on God’s purpose for me on this earth, while I’m still here. My knowledge over the years isn’t as important as my understanding, which comes with age. 

The seasons of life are like the 4 seasons of a tree. There is spring when they burst out and green up, summer when they survive the heat and draughts, and then in the fall, they are the MOST beautiful with their brilliant colors before winter comes to claim them. I’d like to think that I have a few more years to go before winter of my life, but if I’m entering into the fall season of life, I want to burst out in full color. So come on, birthday. Bring it!

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

books

One of my favorite movies is Into the Wild.  I don't know why, it is kind of a dark film, but it is also about living and celebrating life.  Once when I was watching it, I noticed that on the desk of the main character, Christopher McCandless, was a stack of books.  Evidently they were what he was reading or his favorites.

I stopped the film and took a picture of the book pile.  I bought a number of them

• Wallace Stegner - The Spectator Bird
• Leo Tolstoy - short stories
• Nicolai Gogol - Taras Bulba
• There were several others...

I could not get into Stegner. 
I fell in love with Tolstoy. 
Taras Bulba was excellent.

So I am packing up my office at Ft. Pierce First UMC.  I have saved my favorite books to pack last.  To close the box on these books will feel like I am putting part of my soul in mothballs. 

Anyway, I notice that they are sitting in a pile, and I remember taking the picture of the stack of books from the movie.  I bought McCandless's books to get inside of his brain. I don't know if anyone would want to get inside of my brain, but if you do, here is the picture of most of my favorite books.  They are all out of print but you can buy them online for cheap.  I hope that they touch you as much as they have shaped and touched me.

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

On riding or driving

Do you want to drive or shall I?

Recently I was riding in a car that someone else was driving.  I was very nervous.  I thought of something that my dad said to me when I was learning to drive.  After several sessions, he said, "well son, you have the basics down, now you just need to learn how to drive so that others are comfortable."

He went on to explain that I got the gas and the brake and the turn signals down, but I wasn't thinking about how the riders were experiencing my driving.  At the time, he was mostly concerned about my inability to hold the steering wheel still.  This kept the car constantly bobbing back and forth on the road.

Today I would say this.  Driving is more than the gas, the brake and the signal.  Please drive so that others are comfortable.

Jeff's rules for driving:

1.  Hold the wheel still.  Keep the car on a comfortable and straight path.
2. Do not follow too closely.  One car length for every ten miles per hour please.
3.  No texting ever.  Wait until you get to where you are going.
4.  Observe the speed limit.  5 mph over tops.
5.  Drive defensively.  Keep your eyes open.  Give others space.  Arrive alive.

Next time we are together, I am glad to do the driving if you like.

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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl19030419g17768#.Wt84h7lRHcs

Paris-Normandy River Cruise

October 23-31, 2019

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs