David and Goliath

I love watching the Little League World Series.  It is that time of year again.  It is so exciting to watch the kids play.  Well, I just love baseball.

One of the things that is pretty easy to notice is that in the Little League years, there are boys playing against men.  Boys who are 11 and have not entered puberty and those who have.  The distance can be overwhelming.  It is not uncommon for a 150 lb 11 year old young man to be pitching to a 95 lb 11 year old.  It has to be frightening to the smaller boys to come up against the bigger boys.  In 8th grade my son played football.  He used to comment on the muscles of some of the guys in the locker room.  He would say, "Dad they are like men!"

It is often the case that teams with the big boys dominate and win the series.  But not always.  Many a team with a larger than life pitcher have been defeated.  I am reminded of the scripture from Ecclesiastes 9

The race is not always to the swift
or the battle to the strong,
nor does food come to the wise
or wealth to the brilliant
or favor to the learned;

What are you facing today?  Does it seem overwhelming?  Do not give up.  You can get through it.  You can get to the other side.  You are not alone.  God can help you overcome your giants.  He has done it many times before.

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.....

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

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

Click here to read or download the Paris Normandy Brochure

Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds is the son of professional baseball player Bobby Bonds. Barry played professional ball for the San Francisco Giants.  He was an all star and holds many records.  He has been denied entrance to the hall of fame because of his use of steroids.  A couple of weeks ago, his number 25 was retired in San Francisco.  No Giant will ever again wear #25.

The night that they retired his number, he gave a speech at ATT park.  He said, "I asked my dad before he died, why he was so hard on me.  Dad replied, I knew that you would keep working hard as long as you were chasing my approval."

How sad.  Sad that a Father would make a son chase his approval. 

Mine did the same thing.  He withheld approval and embrace.  It made for some odd times, especially as a young adult.  One year on Christmas morning we were opening presents, I asked him to borrow his pocket knife.  He said, "when will you ever learn that real men carry a pocket knife???"  I snapped.  I said, "really??? It is Christmas morning.  I am here with my wife and 2 children.  In case you hadn't noticed, I am a man.  Now give me the knife."

He gave me the knife.

This encounter totally changed our relationship, for the better.  He started treating me like a man.  I asked him about this encounter years later.  We agreed that I had been chasing his approval and that he had been waiting for me to stand up and be a man with or without his approval.  Aren't relationships complicated?

I am glad that Barry Bonds, me, you and anyone else already has the approval of our loving heavenly Father.  There is nothing to prove and nothing to earn.  Offer your welcome and approval to everyone, just as you have received it from God.

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.....

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

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

Click here to read or download the Paris Normandy Brochure

dualism

Dualism.  The practice of seeing the world as divided between two camps.  This group or idea over and against this idea.  KU vs MU.  Gator vs Seminoles.  Democrats vs Republicans.  God vs the devil.

Christians should not be dualists.  We should see people as people and embrace them.  There is no reason to square off with someone because they have different ideas than we do.  In fact the only people we learn from are those whose ideas stretch us.

We should work to take folks in rather than separate them. 

And when it comes to faith, we are not dualists.  We do not believe that God is in a fight for his life with an equal and opposite force [the devil.]  Can we please stop talking like the devil is the opposite of God!  He is a created being, a fallen angel.  He is not all knowing or all present.  Only God is.

This is our Father's world.  He puts his arms around everyone, even Miami Hurricane fans.

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.....

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

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 Sunday 8-19-18 The Centurion's Servant: Miracles, Faith and who gets in

click here to listen to the sermon audio

It takes me a while

Sometimes it takes me a while.  My friend Jean sent me a bunch of comics.  I loved them all, but I loved this one because it took my brain about 5 minutes to get it.

Which reminded me of something that I notice about myself.  Sometimes I am in a meeting or a situation and I think the best that I can, but later or the next day, I find clearer thoughts.  It is like under pressure, I do what I can, but later I can think longer and come to a better conclusion.

So give yourself time when you can.  Don't jump into a decision in the first meeting.  Take your time and let your brain stew on the situation.  You may come up with a better resolution.

Weird... no windows....


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.....

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

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

Click here to read or download the Paris Normandy Brochure

it's not you

Maybe you are frustrated because you can't find a parking space.  Don't yell at the dog, it is not his fault.  Maybe you have been working in the heat of the day and you are hot and sweaty.  You come inside and yell at the kids.  Don't do it.  It is not their fault.  You had a bad day at work.  Don't take it out on the next human you run into.

It's ok to be angry, but don't take it out on the people around you.  If need be, give yourself some time away to recover your grace.  It is also fine to simply let them know that you are upset and it is not their fault.

I am sorry that you were hot.  I am sorry that you were hungry.  Don't kick the dog. Or the other people that you live with.

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.....

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

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

Click here to read or download the Paris Normandy Brochure

where is my car?

Sometimes I can't find my keys or my wallet.  I have learned over the years that I know right where they are.  They are right where I put them.  The problem is that I don't remember where that is.  Why does this happen to us?  Some suggest that it is because we are getting older, but it happens to young people too.

The reason we misplace our things is because we are not paying attention.  We are not in the moment so what we do is lost.  We are distracted by something or we are in such a hurry that we don't register our actions.

I am walking in the door and I set down my keys but I am really thinking about yelling at the dog, or the kid or the spouse.  I set down my wallet but I am really rushing to the TV to catch the end of the ballgame.  And we suddenly can't remember where we put anything.

This is funny.
A friend borrowed a car from a friend to run to Walmart.  They were in such a hurry to get to Wally world that they did not bother to notice what kind of car or what color of car they were driving.  They rushed into the store, made their purchases and then came out to get in the car.  But they had a problem.  Not just where is my car, but oh my.  What kind of car am I looking for?  They had to call their friend to get the make, model and color.  The friend also suggested pushing the lock button and the horn would honk.

The moral of the story is that every moment of life is sacred.  Pay attention to them.  I bet if you walked into your house and set down your keys, looked at them and said, "here keys you will rest and wait for me" you would surely remember where you put them when it was time to go.

Slow down.

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.....

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

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

Click here to read or download the Paris Normandy Brochure

Michael the Archangel

Michael the Archangel has been following me around.  He goes where ever I go.  He is always with me.  He protects me from evil and guides me in all of my ways.  He is a constant companion to me Jeff Brinkman and a source of continual good to me personally.

Does that sound crazy?  Do I sound certifiable?  Yes.  YES!  That is crazy.

Here is my point.  When we talk about the devil tempting us and hanging around and being an enemy to us personally, that is just as crazy.  Michael and Lucifer are the same order of beings.  Angels.  They are not all present or all knowing or all powerful.  Only God is.

Let's stop talking about the devil as if he is everywhere all the time.  He isn't.  Neither is Michael or Gabriel.  Only God is omni-presnt.  Lets talk about God and give God the glory of our attention.

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.....

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

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

Click here to read or download the Paris Normandy Brochure

enculturating an organization

I am pretty sure that enculturating is not a word.  I am going to use it anyway. 

Enculturating is the process of building the culture of your organization, business or church.  Or it is the process of changing the culture.  It is done one person at a time.

Many cultures are broken.  Themes of power and control can quickly harm a culture.  Big ideas without legs can harm a culture.  Anything that is not relevant or normal can harm a culture.  A lack of joy, a lack of hard work, and any number of things can create a negative culture.

That is where you and I come in.  You can affect the culture of your organization.  Even if you are not in charge, you can effect positive change.  You can be the one server at the restaurant that everyone wants.  You can be the one cashier at the grocery store that people wait in line for.  You can be the one friendly person at your church.

Here are the steps to build a positive culture.
1.  Love one another.  Love everyone.  See people as valuable.  Invest in them.
2.  Maintain an outward focus.  It is not about me, it is about our mission.
3.  Reduce organization and meetings.  Keep it simple.  Don't torture people by talking things to death.
4.  live each day with Joy, authenticity and excellence.
5.  And finally, love one another.

You can make a difference in your world.  You are already leaving a trail, either positive or negative.  We are not here forever.  Why not join the positive voices and bring love and joy to your organization or church.  You can make a difference in your cubicle, your pew, your community.

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.....

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

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

Click here to read or download the Paris Normandy Brochure

why are you here

A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships were built for.  There is something that a ship is supposed to do.  A ship has a purpose.

We humans like security.  We don't like change.  To the extent that we can, we quickly make life about us. 

Some years ago a friend of mine adopted a child from a very poor country.  They later commented that the child that grew up with nothing and lived with food scarcity, well it took them all of three weeks in the USA to become a spoiled demanding teenager. 

We make it about us very quickly.

There is a reason that you are here.  Don't just sit in the harbor.

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.....

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

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

Click here to read or download the Paris Normandy Brochure

Sermon Audio from Sunday - why do bad things happen - glorifying God in difficult times

click here to listen

Ouch

Lynne Twist in her book The Soul of Money, suggests that "we must rid ourselves of the notion that There’s not enough to go around. . . . Not enough resources in the world. Somebody’s going to be left out. . . . If there’s not enough for everyone, then taking care of yourself and your own, even at others’ expense, seems unfortunate, but unavoidable and somehow valid. . . ."
Americans are worried about not having enough. So they collect more and more and more. When in fact we are the richest society in the history of the world. We Americans spend more on black Friday than it would cost to provide clean water and sanitation [outhouses] for every human in the entire world.

Yet when the Kohls ad comes, we lust for the next shirt or pair of shoes.

Here is the point of this blog.... Let's look at what we have and realize that we already have more than enough. Let's admit that continuing to collect things in an insult to the poor of this world and it is not God's will. Let's consider giving away more of what we have. Would it hurt you to give away $10 today? Probably not. $100? Probably not. $1,000? Maybe not. There are folks in this world that are suffering because we keep more than what we need.

Jesus told this parable in Luke 12...

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

May we all learn to live our lives in perspective and become just a bit more generous. I would love to hear from some of you about who you gave $10 or $100 or $? to.

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.....

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

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

Click here to read or download the Paris Normandy Brochure

two ways

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." Albert Einstein

"Life is a banquet. And the tragedy is that most people are starving to death... There's a nice story about some people who were on a raft off the coast of Brazil perishing from thirst. They had no idea that the water they were floating on was fresh water. The river was coming out into the sea with such force that it went out for a couple of miles, so they had fresh water right there where they were. But they had no idea. In the same way, we're surrounded with joy, with happiness, with love. Most people have no idea of this whatsoever."     Anthony Demello in Awareness 

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."  Albert Einstein

It's a beautiful miraculous 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.....

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

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

Click here to read or download the Paris Normandy Brochure

Father and Son

Today I let you inside, to a little bit of my pain.

This is a picture that I took of Scott walking to his apartment in November.  It was his last day in Vero Beach.  I miss him.

I often think of the Cat Stevens song, Father and Son.  It is a painful dialogue between a Father and his Son as the Father seeks to hold his Son close and the Son seeks to make his own way in life.  I have personally felt this angst first as the Son who wanted to make my own way in life, and now many years later as a Father as I desperately miss my Son.

I am crying as I write this.

click here to listen to the song

Father
It's not time to make a change,
Just relax, take it easy.
You're still young, that's your fault,
There's so much you have to know.
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy.

I was once like you are now, and I know that it's not easy,
To be calm when you've found something going on.
But take your time, think a lot,
Why, think of everything you've got.
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not.

Son
How can I try to explain, when I do he turns away again.
It's always been the same, same old story.
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen.
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.

Father
It's not time to make a change,
Just sit down, take it slowly.
You're still young, that's your fault,
There's so much you have to go through.
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy.

(Son-- Away Away Away, I know I have to
Make this decision alone - no)

Son
All the times that I cried, keeping all the things I knew inside,
It's hard, but it's harder to ignore it.
If they were right, I'd agree, but it's them They know not me.
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.

(Father-- Stay Stay Stay, Why must you go and
Make this decision alone?)

It is still 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.....

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

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

Click here to read or download the Paris Normandy Brochure

nothing better

Not too long ago I witnessed some young people frolicking on a pontoon boat.  It was delightful.  I thought of how beautiful they all were.  I thought of how wonderful it was to be young.

I have held onto that thought for a while, and now today I am writing a blog about it.  I am realizing something about how I felt that day.  It was not their young skin or trim bodies that made me feel happy, it was that they were happy.

Youth is good but it is not better than middle age or old age.  Any age can be good or any age can be miserable, it all depends on how you play it.  I have know woebegone young people and woebegone old people.  I have known happy young folks and happy old folks.

Who we are is our choice.  Why not be happy?  Why not smile?  Why not see the good?  It will be good for you, but it will be good for everyone.  Try smiling at people and see how well your day goes.

It is all good.

"I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person... than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them... all the days of the life."  Ecclesiastes 8:15

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.....

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

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

Click here to read or download the Paris Normandy Brochure

nothing to say

A few months ago I got an email from my friend Mike who reminded me that even when we say nothing, we can say a bunch.

We humans always want to have the right words to say.  Sometimes there are no words.  Sometimes our words hurt.  Sometimes it is best to say nothing at all.  Alison Krauss sings a beautiful song that is titled, you say it best, when you say nothing at all.

Sometimes the gift of your presence is all that is needed.  Sometimes just a card with a very simple message.  "Thinking of you" or "Praying for you" or "I love you."

Don't feel like you have to solve the worlds problems every time you open your mouth.  Just love 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.....

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

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

Click here to read or download the Paris Normandy Brochure

I Can't

I can't do it.  I cannot help.  I only have one loaf of bread and one small fish.  I can't do it.  I am not a good speaker, I can't.

I can't is the enemy of everything constructive in this life.  I can't is why people feel that they are living mediocre lives.  I can't is why there is so much brokenness, hunger and hurt in this world.  There are plenty of resources to help with the world's problems, but we are worried that we won't have enough.

I have low self esteem.  I can't do it. 
I have never done that before.  I can't do it.
I
I
I
I
can't

I can't is the enemy of everything constructive in this life.

What can God do with someone who says "I can't?"
not much.

Do you want to be used by God to change the world?  Change your community?  Change your church?  Do you want to be used by God to steer a positive course?  Do you want to be used by God for anything?

Turn I can't into availability.  Lord I may not be so great at this, I may have no experience, I may be scarred to death, but I am here and I am yours.

Then watch what God can do with a man or a woman, a boy or a girl whose life is put into the Master's hands.

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.....

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

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

Click here to read or download the Paris Normandy Brochure

The character of a person

If you go online this quote is attributed to many people.  I like to watch Sport Center in the mornings on ESPN.  I like Scott Van Pelt.  He used this quote in reference to the character of rookie basketball sensation Donovan Mitchell.  Mitchell is evidently a very kind and caring person.  SVP said that you can tell the true character of a person by whether they are spoiled by wealth.  Mitchell evidently is the real deal.

May the same be said about each of us.

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

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

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

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

Click here to read or download the Paris Normandy Brochure

God gave me this car

Over the years I have had many people tell me that the Lord gave them this new car.  I would always ask them if the Lord gave them a payment or if he gave it to them outright.

My point is this.  We blame many things on God to try and spiritualize our lives.  We should stop.  Jeff and Cathy bought a car the other day.  While the ability to do so is certainly a gift from God, the decision to buy it was a choice.  Our choice.

We humans have free will.  God allows us to choose.  Sometimes we choose well and sometimes we choose poorly. 

We should take responsibility for our choices and stop trying to sound spiritual by blaming everything on the good Lord.  He wants us to have a life and live 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.....

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

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

Click here to read or download the Paris Normandy Brochure

Sermon Audio from this morning - The feeding of the 5,000

Click here to listen