do something for them

Yesterday I mentioned that you can show someone that you care by doing something for them.  Here are some ideas.

1.  Take a box of Russel Stovers to your bank teller.
2.  Bring a bottle of wine to a coworker.
3.  Spend a little time, offer a hug.
4.  Buy someone's breakfast
5.  Buy someone's breakfast that you do not know.
6.  Send a present to a child.
7.  Take a pie to a neighbor.
8.  Bob Jeppson and a friend once bought tires for a Taco Johns employee.
9.  Take time to visit someone.
10.  Fly someone somewhere with your airline points.
11.  Invite someone to dinner.
12.  Hold the door open.
13.  Walk someone across the street.

My friend Lori used to talk [still does I am sure] about acts of random kindness.  I am sure that each of you can add to this list.

When we think about helping others, the opportunities are endless. We can find so much joy when we take a bit of our life energy and give it away.

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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

on telling someone that they matter

I talk a lot about how we treat others.  I think a lot about helping people understand that they matter, that they are valued.  But how, specifically can we send a message to others that they matter?

Here are some ideas...
1.  learn their name and use it.
2.  spend a little time with them.  It doesn't have to be a long time but linger.  Deliver the ambiance that you care, because you do!
3.  look them in the eye.
4.  smile.
5.  thank them.
6.  remember their name.
7.  do something nice for them.

Also I would say that it is important to find a level of touch that is appropriate to the situation. Some folks we probably will never touch.  But others, you may find that a handshake, an arm around, a hug, a something will express that they matter.

Letting people know that you care is an integral part of Christianity.  It does not happen by accident.  May we all be more intentional about sharing God's love, one person at a 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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

Dead last

I listened to a woman on the radio talking about how she qualified for a college finals race in Madison Square Gardens.  Thousands of people were watching.  The race was televised.  She was representing her school.  She was in perfect shape.

The starting gun went off.  3000 yards later she finished, dead last.

At first she was unhappy.  Disgusted with herself.  Embarrassed.  She wanted to crawl in a hole and disappear.

Later she decided to change her perspective.  She decided to see the good.  Even though she came in last, even though it did not go her way, she decided to see the good.

These are the principles of her new perspective:

1.  She qualified to compete. 
2.  She prepared well.
3.  She did her very best.
4.  She finished the race.

We may come in last from time to time.   Sometimes all that we can expect of ourselves is to prepare, show up, do our best and finish.

The race is not always to the swift.  Life is good, even when we don't take first.

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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

My mission, your mission

I was talking with someone the other day who was looking for their mission.  It's like they were waiting for some big thing to fall from the sky.  Some activity that would catapult them into a life of purpose.

I told them that maybe a big thing would come along for them.  But maybe not.  Lots of people suffer, waiting for the big thing to come along.  They wait and suffer, looking for a big idea mission, when all around them, all around me, already is our mission.

Our mission is first of all in the little things.  The small encounters, the seemingly unimportant moments.  These are our mission.  To care about, to love, to be kind to every single person.  Every single time you encounter another human is a chance for kindness.

What if someone thought that their mission was to be a doctor but they were not kind?  Are they fulfilling their mission?  What is someone thought their calling was to be a preacher but they were not friendly?  You might think that they had a big mission from on high, but really they were missing the real mission of being kind.

Don't miss the mission, waiting for some big idea to drop from the skies.  Every day opportunities are before us every day.

PS- Steve congrats on graduating from Seminary!!!

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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

I miss you

Yesterday's post about friendship made me melancholy.  Not quite sad, but melancholy.  I miss you, a bunch of you.  A lot.  I am not going to name any names but I sure could.

If you see one of your friends today, hug them.  Look them in the eye and tell them you love them.  If you don't see a friend today, then pick up the phone and call one.

Nothing replaces the value of friends in your 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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

Mister Rogers

My friend John sent this in...

In 1968, several months after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had been assassinated, Mister (Fred) Rogers
quietly did something at that time that was quite unthinkable - he not only hired a black man to take on a regular role in his children’s television program, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” - and asked him to play a police officer. He would also regularly invite Officer Clemmons to cool his feet in the same pool - together. Years later, in 1993, Officer Clemmons would make his last appearance on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. In a touching moment, Mister Rogers once again invited Officer Clemmons, to join him at a pool in the front yard. Two friends, one white, one black, soaked their feet together and discussed the the importance of friendship and being kind to one another. As they said their goodbyes, Officer Clemmons emotionally thanked Mister Rogers and said, “I like being a human being right here and now.” A great reminder that wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.

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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

Grandfather's clock

My Dad was a pretty hard working guy.  During the oil crisis in 1973, he lost his job and my parents went through their entire savings.  Lots of hot dogs that year.

We left California and moved back to Kansas City.  Dad was back on, working at Ford.  Over the next 15 years Dad and Mom did something remarkable.  They paid for three kids to go to college.  And they prepared for retirement.

After the last kid was out of college, Dad did something that he rarely did.  He bought something for himself.  A Sligh [brand] grandfather clock.  That was 1984.  For the next 18 years he wound that clock weekly.  The cadence of its tick-tock and chimes brought a sense of joy to him.

When he died in 2002, the clock came to our house.  For the last 17 years I have wound that clock weekly.  Through three houses, the tick-tock of the clock and the warmth of the chimes have brought a sense of joy to me.

Last week the clock stopped.  Odd.  I opened it up and swung the pendulum again.  It ran for a while and then stopped.

I am not taking this as an omen, simply a reminder that sometimes as we age, things change.  Nothing lasts forever.  Good things come into our lives and sometimes good things go.  Sometimes we need to look for new good things.  Sometimes we need to work a little harder to see the good.

In this case though, I am pretty sure that the clock man can fix her.  The cadence of life will soon return to our home.

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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

grieving a loss

A friend wrote in about how she and a couple of other friends were talking about the grief that they still feel over the loss of a loved one.  2, 5, years later and it still hurts.

I have never lost a spouse.  I have never lost a child.  I have had some very close friends pass.

It hurts.
I am so sorry for your hurt.

Stay busy.  Stay engaged with people.  Give yourself some time.  We will always miss them, but time can turn the pain into a savoring.  To savor a loved one is to value the gift that they were to us.

If I was there I would give you a hug and buy your lunch.

Please remember that you are loved.

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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

Something to live for

I know that some times, people get so discouraged that they feel that there is nothing left to live for.  I have known discouragement at times and I don't want to diminish the feelings of despair that sometimes come our way. 

But I was thinking the other day about reasons to live.

1.  some one loves you.
2.  you can bless the person at the grocery store by being kind.
3.  you have a friend.
4.  you can breath the air, feel the breeze and feel the warmth of the sun.
5.  you can enjoy the gift of work.  [crazy me I like to work]
6.  you can sing a happy song.
7.  you can watch a good movie.
8.  someone will  hug you.

There have to be 100 more reasons to live.

Now if you say that you have none of the above, then I will help you.  I love you.  I will sing you a happy song.  I will give you a good movie to watch.  I will give you a hug.

There is plenty to live for.

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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

Eating

A friend asked me to write about what I like to eat.  Now there is an interesting blog topic...

When I was a kid we ate a lot of hot dogs, pancakes, mayonnaise sandwiches and the like.  As my dad got better jobs, the food improved.  We were required to eat some of everything and to clean our plates. 

The only thing I remember not liking as a kid was pickled beets.  Once I was staying with my Aunt and Uncle.  We were getting ready to go to the carnival.  I only had beets left on my plate.  My aunt told me to eat them.  I told her that she was not my mom.  [I was 8 years old.]  She told me that if I wanted a ride to the carnival, that I might want to rethink my answer.  I ate the beets.

Today I love Mexican food, the Outback Steak house, I love breakfast food at any time of day.  I love the $1.50 hot dog combo at Sam's.  My favorite pizza is Minsky's.  I like chicken and spaghetti and hamburgers and roast beef sandwiches.

I eat about anything and everything which is why my youthful figure has gone to pot.

But I don't eat beets.

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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

looking past the mask

There is this person that is driving you crazy.  They are on your last nerve.  You are so frustrated with them.  Maybe you have tried to straighten them up, and you can't.  Maybe you don't have the authority or the power to straighten them up.  Consequently you may be angry, discouraged or baffled.

What if we could get a glimpse of what is really going on in this person's life?  What if there is more happening than we can see [and of course there is!]  What would we see?

Maybe they are grieving some thing in their life.  Maybe they don't understand life.  Maybe they are suicidal.  Maybe they lack mental capacity.  Maybe they are afraid.  Maybe their heart is broken.

The moment that I see behind their mask, instead of someone that is driving me crazy, they become someone on whom I can have compassion.

Compassion and understanding are always good 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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

On Seeing People

My friend Brian wrote in a story about his friend, Luis...

“I’d like to mention my friend, Luis. Luis has a college degree, but our country does not think highly of the educational institutions in his home country and he works here as a maintenance man at a gym I frequent. Luis is an immigrant but is very much an American and proud of it even if English is not his native language. Luis is happily married and has 3 daughters. He is fiercely proud of them even though they, like all of us, have their ups and downs. Luis is a good man. I’m proud to call him my friend. How do I know so much about him? I took 5 or 10 minutes here and there and just noticed him. When I was in college I worked as a night janitor in a doctor’s building. I’m not sure anyone ever noticed me. I like to think those people may have missed out just as I would have missed out not getting to know Luis a little. This seems to me to be something worth considering in living this part of our lives.”

Too many people walk by and do not notice others.  Too many are stuck in their own worlds.  How sad...We need to see each other.

To see people, to see strangers, to see anyone is a holy thing indeed.  We are here to be here for others.  That begins with noticing 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 this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

thankful

Somewhere there is a very big, very fat, very happy spider.

I was staying at a hotel in Virginia Beach for work.  The view was marvelous, but in the middle of the night I was stalked and attacked.  I never heard or saw the attacker, but 24 hours later, the damage was evident.

So this blog is entitled "thankful."
I am not thankful for spiders, though I bet this one was thankful for me.  He might even have begun with a prayer, "Lord for what I am about to consume, I give you thanks."

I am thankful for calamine lotion.  Most of all, I am thankful for the human body's amazing ability to
heal itself. 

Think about all of the things that happen to us: scrapes, cuts, bruises, bites, even broken hearts.  God has given us the ability to heal.  For that I am thankful.

Think about all of the things that God has healed your from, whether bodily or spiritually.  I am thankful.

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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

not in the Bible

This is going to come as a bit of a disappointment to some of you, and possibly as a surprise.  The story about the woman caught in adultery does not belong in the Bible.

Jeff, how can you say that?  It is in all of the Jesus movies!  We have heard so many sermons on this over the years!  Preachers made us feel guilty with the phrase, "Go your way and sin no more."

If you have the NIV New International Version or any of many other versions of the bible, you will note this phrase attached to the story... "The earliest and most reliable manuscripts do not have [or do not include] John 7:53-8:11"

What this means is that at some point, a scribe added the story to the text and since it became popular, it got to stay in.  But it was not a part of John's gospel.

Another passage that does not belong in the Bible is the ending of Mark 16:9-20.  Again, the oldest and most reliable manuscripts do not contain these verses.  Scholars believe that this ending was added because the original ending 16:8 simply said "Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb.  They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid."  It's not a very positive ending to a gospel.

So what does all of this matter?  Well it means that it is unfair to hear Jesus saying, go your way and
sin no more.  He did not say it.  The other thing it means is that we are not supposed to be handling snakes or drinking deadly poison. 16:18

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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

Grace

I missed church on Sunday May 5th as we were on vacation in wine country.  When I got to church on the 12th I was pleasantly greeted by our church marquis sign which said, "Grace, the pride of Christianity."

I love it.  I want to say it in so many ways.
Grace, the pride of Christianity.
Grace, the core of Christianity.
Grace, the heart of Christianity.
Grace, the heartbeat of Christianity.
Grace, the DNA of Christianity.

Graceless christianity is something that humans invented and preach.
Jesus was all about Grace.

Grace to you my 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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

happiness and joy

A friend asked me to write about happiness and joy.  Are they the same or are they different?

Here goes:  Happiness and joy are first cousins, but they are not the same.  They are not identical twins.

Happiness does not lead to joy, but joy can make us feel happy.

Happiness is rooted in circumstances.  Good things, I am happy.  Bad things, I am not happy.
Joy is deeper than this.  Joy is a sense of well being that transcends circumstances.  It is well with my soul = joy.  I am secure in my skin = joy.  I know what my life is about = joy.  I love and am loved = joy.

I think that both are needed in this life.  Both are definitely desired.  Most humans have some happiness from time to time, but there are many that never experience joy because their lives are too tied to circumstances.

I am reminded of the "very well, very well" story which you can read at this link:

click here to read the very well story - joy is deeper than circumstances

May you find this day, both happiness and joy.  But if you have to choose one or the other, discover and embrace 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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

to be loved

I saw someone running on a treadmill trying to stay in shape. I don’t know why but I had the thought that they need to stay in shape so that someone would love them. 

Now this is an unfair judgment on my part.  Maybe they like to work out.  Maybe they are not worried about being loved or not.  I don't know and it is none of my business why they were on the treadmill.

But let's go back to my original thought.  What if they were working out so that someone would still love them?  Because if they became old or lame or flabby, if they lost anything of the beauty of youth they would no longer be lovable. 

What makes us lovable in the first place?  I love the friends that just love us because we are who we are: old skin, fat tummys, balding heads and broken knees. We all need people to love us for who we are, treadmill not needed.

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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

who I like to hang out with

I asked my friend SG to give me some ideas to write about.  One of the things that she asked me to do was to write about who I like to hang out with.

So how do you explain who you like to hang out with?

I will hang out with lots of people, but in my ideal world, here is what I want, here is what I need.

You have to accept me, warts and all, and I will do the same for you.

I want you to have a sense of humor.  You have to be able to make fun of me and to laugh at your self.

I want you to like chicken wings.

I want you to be willing to drive 90 miles an hour in the Apple Market parking lot.

I want you to like baseball.

I want you to be able to say that you are sorry.

I want you to be able to cry, to be vulnerable.

I want you to be able to talk about really hard things without being a jerk about it.

You have to have a joke or two.

Somehow between us, the discussion has to feel real.

And I guess at the end of the day, that is the bottom line.  If you want to hang out with me, like buds, then our talks have to feel, and have to be, real.  REAL.  Down to earth and relevant.  

Life is too short for games.  Call me up.  Let's have a beer, 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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

not enough

My friend Linda wrote in to suggest that "I am sorry" is not enough.
"I'm sorry" leaves it about me.  There is another piece to add, she says, and I agree.
Part 2 is, "please forgive me."

I'm sorry.
Please forgive me.

Most people that I know could barely if ever deliver an "I'm sorry."

Please forgive me makes it all a little more real. A little more deep.

Something to think about.

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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

Happy Mother's Day

My mother was not perfect.  But she did carry me for 9 months and go thru the pangs of labor for me.  She also delivered 2 other healthy children, daughters, my sisters, Julie and Amy.

I love them.  My sisters, I love them.

My mom also had three miscarriages.   I know that this hurt her.  She suffered for the loss of those three other children who never saw the gift of life.

One of the reasons that we celebrate mother's day and make a big deal out of it is because most of us have no idea of the suffering and the struggle of mothers.  What do they feel?  What sacrifices did they make?  What is it like to put every thing about you into a subordinate position so that this new life can live???

Unless you are a mother, you have no idea.  I certainly don't.
But I can take this day to say, Moms I love you.

Happy Mother's 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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

more on wounded healers

My friend Bev sent this in...

And I so resonate with this.  Those who have a healing touch are not perfect.  Those who know how to reach others have usually crawled out of a dark hole and emerged into the light.  We think that they are full of light and we want to put them on a pedestal but they are just like us.  They were broken and they somehow crawled out of the ground like a 7 year locust. 

Now they are here.  They have survived their wounds and they are here for you.

Or maybe you are such a soul who is here for someone else? 

Stop thinking that others are perfect.  Stop thinking that you need to be perfect.  Crawl out of the pit and rise to live.  Rise to love.

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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

Sphere of influence

Everyone has a sphere of influence.   These are the people that revolve around you, or you at least frequent their worlds.  They are in your ball park, they are in your neighborhood, they are in your sphere of influence.

Please understand that they are there so that you can reach them, so that you can love them.  If you don't do it, who will?  You can call me or someone else in, but they relate to you, not me......

There are people moving in and out of your life all of the time.  They are your opportunity to love someone in the name of Jesus.  Don't shrink back.  Get your kind words in for Jesus.

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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

I'll stand by you

I was thinking about the Rachel Platten song, "I'll stand by you." Here are the lyrics.

Even if we can't find heaven

Hands, put your empty hands in mine
And scars—show me all the scars you hide
And hey, if your wings are broken
Please take mine so yours can open, too
'Cause I'm gonna stand by you

Oh, tears make kaleidoscopes in your eyes
And hurt, I know you're hurting, but so am I
And, love, if your wings are broken
Borrow mine 'til yours can open, too
'Cause I'm gonna stand by you

Even if we're breaking down, we can find a way to break through
Even if we can't find heaven, I'll walk through Hell with you
Love, you're not alone, 'cause I'm gonna stand by you
Even if we can't find heaven, I'm gonna stand by you
Even if we can't find heaven, I'll walk through Hell with you
Love, you're not alone, 'cause I'm gonna stand by you

I'll be your eyes 'til yours can shine
And I'll be your arms, I'll be your steady satellite
And when you can't rise, well, I'll crawl with you on hands and knees
'Cause I... I'm gonna stand by you

Life is not about being perfect.  It is about getting up every day in your brokenness and doing the best that you can.  It is about rising and being there for people that need you.  And all around you are people that need you.

It's a beautiful day in God's broken 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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

angry

Sometimes things happen and I am angry.  I mean angry with God.  I am still angry about Lion's Den Man's death.  I am angry that Dave Coffman got sick and died.  Now my friend's niece is killed in a drive by shooting.

Some times I am just angry and I have to tell God something like this... "God this breaks my heart... I can't see myself getting over this any time soon.  You are just going to have to understand that any time that I think about this, I am going to shake my head and feel upset."

Friends, I am glad that God does accept us as we are.  He knows our frame.  He knows that we don't understand.  I still go to church.  I still love God.  He just has to understand that some of these things are a struggle for me.  And he does understand.

Don't feel bad about being angry with God.  In time I will work through it.  In time, we will work thru it 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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

Truth

Someone asked if I had read a certain author.  Yes I have.  I have read many authors that are not approved by the Catholic Church or the Baptist Church.  I have read Eckhart Tolle, Richard Bach, Rob Bell, Anthony Demello, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Paul Coutinho to name a few.

None of these authors are anything like Max Lucato.  Some people call such authors "new age."  All that means is that they offer ideas that do not fit the 1960's denominational view of Christianity.

There are authors that we read to reinforce our "Christianity in a box" thinking, and there are authors that we read to stretch our brains.

Remember Jeff and friends, there is more to life than what is dreamt of in your philosophy.

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.  Jesus is the truth. No longer a man in a human body, Jesus is Spirit, he is God, he is truth.

So, if I find a truth in my denomination, Jesus is there. If I find a truth in your denomination, Jesus is there. If I find a truth in creation, Jesus is there. If I find a truth in a denomination that I don't particularly like, then Jesus is there too. If I find truth in Rob Bell, then Jesus is there.  If I find truth in Judaism or Islam, then Jesus is there.  Where ever truth is, Jesus is, because he is the truth.

"A person who is a good and true Christian should realize that truth belongs to his Lord, wherever it is found, gathering and acknowledging it even in pagan literature." St. Augustine

Paul the Apostle read secular books and acknowledged the truth in them. He was familiar with Greek poets and philosophers and quoted them in Acts 17 in his speech on Mars Hill.

Jesus is the truth. Where ever you find it. He is there. He is bigger than my brain, bigger than our church and bigger than our ideas about him.

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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

Those who say

There is a very old saying.  I first heard it from my father.

"Those who say, don't know.  Those who know, don't have to say."

That was my father's version.  In other places I have found it in a shortened form: Those who say don't know, those who know, don't say.

At any rate it is a reminder that there is never a reason to blow one's own horn.  My dad used to say that when we blow our own horn it doesn't sound very good.  If there is praise to be had, let someone else offer it up.  It sounds a bit hollow when we ourselves are telling others about how much we have or how smart we are or what ever.

Just relax in life and be ok in your skin.  We can look at life and be content without the need to be lifted up.  Life is good, with or without the praise.

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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

Cinco de Mayo

Today is Cinco de Mayo. Cinco = five. Mayo = May. The fifth of May.

I love to ask people, "when is Cinco de Mayo this year?" Many people recognize it as a holiday but do not understand that it is date specific. Much like someone from another culture might hear that we celebrate a holiday called July 4th. If the words July and fourth don't translate well into their language, they might not know it was a specific day.

Did you know that Cinco de Mayo is not celebrated very much in Mexico? Cinco de Mayo is actually a fabricated holiday for Americans to drink margaritas and have a party.

It is also not the Mexican day of Independence. That is September 16th. Cinco de Mayo celebrates a Mexican victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla, May 5th 1862.  

Anyway, today is Cinco de Mayo. When is it next year?

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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

May the Fourth

Today is a new national holiday.  It is Star Wars day.  May the Fourth be with you!

Someone wrote a few years ago and indicated that they needed more from me this morning than that.  And I say to one and all, what is better than a good laugh first thing in the morning?

May the Fourth be with 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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

A simple man part deux

Following up on yesterday's post I thought of the song "Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd.  That song is a favorite of my friend Paul Dodds.  It is one of my favorites as well.

In a world where too many people need to call attention to themselves, and need to practice self-exaltation, there is a common wisdom shared in this song.  There is a link below to listen if you like.

Mama told me when I was young
"Come sit beside me, my only son
And listen closely to what I say
And if you do this it'll help you some sunny day"

"Oh, take your time, don't live too fast
Troubles will come and they will pass
You'll find a woman and you'll find love
And don't forget, son, there is someone up above"

"And be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me, son, if you can"

"Forget your lust for the rich man's gold
All that you need is in your soul
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try
All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied"

"And be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me, son, if you can"

Oh yes, I will

"Boy, don't you worry, you'll find yourself
Follow your heart and nothing else
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try
All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied"

"And be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me, son, if you can"

Baby, be a simple, be a simple man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby, be a simple kind of man

click here to listen to the song on youtube

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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

A simple man

My friend Brian reminded me of some of Billy Graham's last words...

Lately, I have lost a few friends.  For a number of years, I faithfully read Billy Graham’s daily column in the KC Star. The Star did not continue the column after Rev. Graham died but he did get a chance to write a last column knowing it would be printed after he passed from this world. In that column he answered the question “how would you like to be remembered?” This was a man who spoke to hundreds of thousands if not millions over the years and helped many find their own version of faith. He did all that without any real scandal and without using guilt as an organizing tool. So how did he want to be remembered? As “a good man, a good husband, a good father and grandfather and as a good Christian.” Nothing grandiose about his accomplishments, nothing self-serving, just the simple affirmation of a life well lived. That sounds right to me. It also applies to many, if not all of those I’ve “lost” recently. How do you want to be remembered? It was simple for this man. Seems like it should be simple for me as well.”

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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf

awareness

To be aware is an amazing thing.

So many people live their lives on auto-pilot.  So many do not see what is around them.
Stop for a minute and look at something.   What is the thing that you have chosen to look at?  Look at it.  See it.  Think about how your eyes work.  What a miracle they are!

When one is aware, the don't walk past things, they see things.  When one is aware, they don't walk past or ignore people, they see them and they value them.

Do you actually stop and see what is there around you?  Do you value the people that you meet in a day?

Life is short and nothing should be taken for granted.  May we all wake up and see the good.  Dear God, help us all to be more aware... of everything.

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.....

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

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020 $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf