Rules that WE made up

From my friend Pat,

In Mark's gospel, after Jesus is done preaching the beatitudes, the original Greek bible says that the disciples got in the boat with Jesus and sailed across Galilee. The English translation says they took Jesus "as he is" and left.

I wonder about taking Jesus "as he is". How many historical difficulties happened because we don't take Jesus "as he is" rather, we take him as we think he should be.

It started early with the Apostle Paul: he dictated that while men could pray without a head cloth, women were required to cover their head, and that it was disgraceful for men to have long hair. 

(I recall arguing with my military father that my hair could be long because Jesus's was long. That did not end well) (1 Corinthians 11) I don't recall Jesus commenting on hair length, or head coverings.

And it goes on for 2000 years: all versions of Christianity are heavily laden with rules about how to be a good Christian.

How much better our days would be if we just took Jesus for who he is, the loving son of God who described with simplicity how to live on earth. Rule 1: love one another as He loved us. Rule 2: when in doubt about how any other rule meshes with Rule 1, see Rule 1.

This is taking Jesus as he is. Everything else is just rules WE created.

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

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

man cave

I finally got my turntable fired up so the man cave is now complete.  Computer, printer, generator, ladders, stereo receiver, turntable, refrigerator, ceiling fan, gas cans and the shelf for chemicals.  Man cave complete.

I love music.  The first music I bought was on LP records. 

• CCR - Cosmos Factory
• Neil Diamond - Hot August Night
• Crosby Stills Nash and Young - Four Way Street
• Bad Company

The stereo has been in mothballs for years.  It was never hooked up the year I lived on Deerbrook in Uncle Jay's house.  It was never hooked up in Cape Coral.  I will bet the last
time I listened to a record was in 2014.

But it is up now and running.  I love it!  Steven Stills, Paul Simon, BTO!

Music is a beautiful soulful thing that makes us feel alive.  It's a happy 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.....

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

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

Grace or Anger?

My friend Brian shared this story....

I have a friend from high school who recently shared a story with me. She was approached by an elderly neighbor gentleman. They hadn’t really gotten to know each other, but he appeared to have been waiting for her to come home. He was agitated, and told her that he had just gotten his trees trimmed and the workers cleaned up all of the debris, but the past few days he has found sticks in his yard. He was telling her this because the only thing that could be happening is that neighborhood kids were messing around and leaving sticks in his yard. Since he “knows she has a couple of kids”, he wanted to address it with her…

My friend is a single mom, working the night shift to pay her bills, with one child in the 6th grade at home with her. The “sticks all over the yard” were obviously small dead pieces that had blown down with the recent weather. She could have gotten defensive/angry and told the old man “The Truth”. Instead, she explained to him that she only has one child who is usually well behaved, but since he is obviously upset, she will have a talk with the neighborhood kids and address the issue with them. Then, every day this past week after coming home from her factory night-shift job and before getting her child up and ready for school, she has walked through the man’s yard and picked up the sticks that plague him.

Is he an old stinkpot/grump, as others have suggested? Is he in the early stages of dementia? Is he too old, too bored, too whatever? Nobody knows, except God. And God lives and loves through my friend. What a great God we have!

How wonderful when we choose to share grace.

Mercy always rejoices over judgment.

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

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

On Expressing Love

We are having a memorial service next week for a wonderful man who expressed his love for people via humor.  He was very good at it.

I thought about the ways that we humans express love...

• we may tell someone that we love them
• we may treat them kindly
• we may exercise dry humor and reach for people that way
• we may give them things

There are many different ways that people show love.  I guess the important thing is not the how, but that you actually do it.  I do think saying I love you is important, but just saying it is no good if the actions don't match up.

Every time we see another human, even if it is someone that we don't know, we have the chance to show respect and care.  To those we know and care about, we have the opportunity, no, we have the obligation to make sure that they know that we love them.

My parents were not demonstrative.  They showed love by taking care of us.  I wish that they would have done both, taken care of us and said, I love you.

How are you expressing love to those around you?  Do they know that you love them?  If they don't then does you loving them even matter to them?

Give yourself away.  Reach for others.  Express your 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.....

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

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

stakeholders

Years ago, my friend Carol taught our staff about engaging the key stakeholders.  Too many people charge out into life with a thing and just expect everyone to follow along.  Especially in a church and in organizations where people are volunteers, engaging the key stakeholders is very important.

If I don't work to get people on board, then they are likely to fight a perfectly good idea, simply because they were not included.  If I do get them into the discussion, then I may learn some things from them... there may be some pitfalls that I did not otherwise see on my own.

Whether it is a family, a relationship, a workplace or an organization, building team and building consensus is so very important.  Without the backing of others, we might be in charge, but we are not a leader.  A leader is only a leader when people follow.

If I want my wife to go on a vacation with me, I need to ask her where she wants to go.  Even if I am the boss at work, if I want my employees to like working at their jobs, it is important to ask for their input.

We find success together as a team.  Remember to ask, who are the key stakeholders, and how can I engage 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

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

Prodigal Son/Prodigal's Father

My friend Pat sent this in...

So I was thinking about the Prodigal Son this morning, more specifically about his father. Often when I hear or read this parable, I immediately think of the father as God. Its a drumbeat that we hear from the time we first are introduced to religion: Father = God.

But what if the father in the parable isn’t God. What if YOU are the father in the story, or at least YOU as you should be.

The Parables tell us how we should act. If you let them, a parable will stir you to contemplate how you act. Most of us don’t think these lessons are meant for us: they’re for my spouse, or kids, or that other guy who isn’t in church today - - Which is not true, because in spite of our assumptions about ourselves, we need to rehear these directions, regularly. 

For example, I don’t that believe skin color affects my judgement, yet I know in certain situations, race defines my behavior: I react differently to a group of young blacks than young whites. I have to remind myself not to judge others by the color of their skin.

And it’s the same with the Prodigal Son: I have to work to find ways to bring people together rather than to take the easy way out and draw lines between us.

You see, I want those, for whom I have been the prodigal son, to work equally hard at accepting 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.....

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

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

there is a monkey in the tree

The other day I was at the Kansas City Royals game and my friend Dave Harris was throwing peanuts into my diet coke.  I simply picked them out and ate them.

That reminded me of a story...
There is a monkey up in a palm tree.  As a man walks by, the monkey throws a coconut and hits the man in the head.
The man picks up the coconut.  He cracks it open, he drinks the milk and eats the coconut meat.

That is it.  That is all there is to the story.

Here is the meaning.... From time to time we are going to get hit in the head with coconuts, thrown by annoying people.  We can cry, we can get mad, we can complain, we can pout.  Or we can pick up the coconut, and find the good in 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

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

growing an organization

I found this to be true when I was pastoring a church, I think it is true for many organizations, for relationships and even for us as individuals.

Dysfunction weighs us down and keeps us from becoming healthy.  It keeps us from growing and fulfilling our potential.

Often some well meaning person will come up with some plan to lead the church, the group or the relationship into a better place.  The problem with such plans is that if the dysfunction is allowed to persist, nothing will change.

Dysfunction holds down an organization like a rock tied to a balloon.  Release the rock and the balloon will fly.

Examples of dysfunction:
- a staff person that is rude
- financial policies that are not clear or transparent
- leaders who have made the organization about them instead of the members.
- leaders and relationship partners that do not listen.
- there are a hundred more dysfunctional things that are allowed in churches, organizations and relationships.

Dysfunction must be dealt with and removed if the balloon is going to fly.  Until that happens, no new plan will fix the organizational malaise.

What rocks are holding back your balloon from flying?

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

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

self examination

The ability to think critically about one's self is mandatory for growth in this life.  We are very good at looking at others critically, but if we are to grow, we need to spend some time in honest introspection.  We need to look at who we are and what we are doing.  We need to consider, not simply our intent, but the results of our actions on others.

Some years ago, with the best of intentions I pressed what I called Christian values on some folks.  They rebelled.  In fact, I hurt them. 

If there is anything that we should not do, it is to hurt others.

What are your actions?  How do they affect others?  The ability to think critically about one's self is mandatory for growth.

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

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

stressed out

Today I am stressed out.  I have a number of things that are bothering me.  I want to run away from all of them and hide.

On the spectrum of fight or flight, I am usually the one who wants to run and hide. 
But, I know that I can't run and hide.
The adult world can be a very painful place to be sometimes.  It is hard to stand up and do right when you want to just give up.

Don't give up.  That is the advice I would give you, so that is the advice that I am going to give myself.  Do right.  Do the right thing, no matter how painful.  Don't give up.  If you give in to the temptation to hide, you will only be creating more issues.

Life is good.  God is good.  These stressors will pass in time.  All is well.  See the good Jeff.  See the good everyone.

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

- - - - - - - - -

I am leading some trips 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

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

Jeff

I learned a lot about generosity over the years from my old friends Dave Harris and Doug Hawley.

I have been thinking lately about how I can be more generous.  I at least want to practice what I already know.  Today I woke up with $25 in my wallet a $20 and a $5.  I know that there are people out there that need this $25 more than I do.

I spent the morning working on reports and then I had a meeting with an attorney about a will.  After the meeting I decided to go to Jersey Mike's for a sandwich.  Mmmm.  GOOD.

On the way to the sandwich shop I was at a stop light and a woman held a sign, "hungry- anything helps."  I tooted my horn.  She came to the window, I gave her the $5 bill.  That made me happy.  As she got up close I could see that she needed that $5 much more than I did.

Kind act over, Now it is about me again.  I am zooming to the sandwich shop.  I am hungry!  As I pull in to park, I notice a man sitting in the grass with a sign, "homeless- please help."  No I did not give him the $20 bill. 

What I did do is holler over to him and ask him if he wanted a sandwich.  "ABSOLUTELY.  THANK YOU!"  What kind?  Tuna.  What do you want on it.  Everything.

I went inside.  I order my customary roast beef sandwich and a tuna sandwich.  I bought a fountain drink for him.  I wandered through the traffic and got over to him.  I gave him the drink and told him that he could go in and refill it all afternoon. 

He said thank you.  I reached to shake his hand.  I said, my name is Jeff.  He said, my name is Jeff. 
We struck up a conversation.  He is 61 years old.  When he got divorced, he was unable to work due to a disability and ended up on the street.  He has twin boys, one in Washington State and the other in California. 

He was so appreciative.  I could see that he was a nice man with a good heart who had just fallen on rough times.  It made me happy to buy him lunch.

If you are depressed or down today for some reason, find someone to help.  I makes our souls glad when we help others.

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

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

Spiritual Things

Learning doctrine = religious but not spiritual
Making others feel guilty = religious but not spiritual
Memorizing the Bible = religious but not necessarily spiritual

Truly spiritual things happen when one soul reaches for another.  I heard some great examples lately.

1.  A lady moved to town.  She needed help moving in.  She called the church.  Volunteers from the church went to help a total stranger. 

Spiritual.  Holy.

2.  A man eats breakfast at a regular spot.  He meets a man and learns that he is dying of cancer and has no one.  They begin to meet for breakfast every day.

Spiritual. Holy

3.  A server at a restaurant is befriended by patrons and invited to church.  She comes and brings her husband.

Spiritual.  Holy.

4.  A co-worker is so touched by the kindness of a person that they ask about their church.  Soon the co-workers share both work and church.

Spiritual.  Holy.

Someone is out there waiting for you to be normal, caring, friendly and relevant.

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

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

Choose Goodness and Kindness

From my friend Susan, no commentary from me is needed:

I heard a story this morning about a woman who went into a drive-through earlier today for coffee. The person in front of her in line moved up. When she didn’t move up right away behind him, the person behind her slammed on her horn, throwing her hands up in the air, as if it was the worst thing in the world to make her wait. The caller said she wanted to get out of her car and go back there, but she refrained. Instead, guess what she did??? (I love this!) She pulled up to the window when it was her turn, and PAID FOR THE COFFEE for the person behind her! Instead of being angry and defensive, and feeling like she needed to have a confrontation with the impatient driver, she acted in love. She said, “I don’t know what her circumstances were. Maybe she was on her way to the funeral home, or maybe she was on her way to divorce court. Maybe she just got fired.” We just don’t know what other people are dealing with! The people who are the most un-lovable, are the ones who need the most love. Instead of going about her day with a black cloud over her head, this woman was able to go away with a peaceful heart, knowing that she reached out to someone who obviously was in need of a kind gesture. And who knows? It very likely changed the entire day for the impatient driver as well….and maybe she even felt compelled to pay it forward. Choose goodness. Choose love. It will not only bless you, it will certainly bless others in ways you can’t even imagine.

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

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

Don't change

I love you.  Don't change.  I thought of the following story the other day....

"I was a neurotic for years.  I was anxious and depressed and selfish.  Everyone kept telling me to change.  I resented them, and I agreed with them, and I wanted to change, but simply couldn't, no matter how hard I tried.  What hurt the most was that, like the others, my best friend kept insisting that I change.  I felt so powerless and trapped.  Then one day, he said to me, 'Don't change.  I love you just as you are.' 
These words were music to my ears... don't change, don't change, don't change... I love you as you are.  I relaxed, I came alive, and suddenly I changed!
Now I realize that I couldn't really change until I found someone who would love me whether I changed or not.
Is this how you love me God?"
Anthony Demello in The Song of the Bird

Is this how you love me God?  Listen my friends... Listen.... If God loves us conditionally, we are in trouble.  If God loves us only if we are good enough, then we are in serious trouble.  The only way of understanding God's love, the only way of understanding love itself, is unconditionally.  If there are conditions attached, it is not love.

God loves us.  Get over trying to be good enough.  Welcome the embrace.  Then change if you feel so led.  But know that you are loved.  Period.

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

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

passing on or absorbing

We all have pain.  Some of our pain is self inflicted and some of it comes to us from others.  Sometimes, life itself just brings pain. 

I can blame myself for a number of things.  I can blame other drivers for a number of things.  Some things just happen to us that bring pain.  Old age brings pain.  Change brings pain.

Yes.  Sometimes you have to tell someone that you want their behavior to change.  Sometimes it is healthy to be honest with someone.

But sometimes we express our pain when we should be absorbing it.  There is no reason to yell at the teacher about your child's grades.  There is no reason to boo the sports team that is having an off day.  There is no reason to complain or gossip about your pastor. [To my knowledge no one is complaining about me, I am just saying this in general.]

I think it is true that when we pass on the pain, it is always delivered in a higher dosage than is necessary.

On the cross Jesus absorbed the pain.  He said Father forgive them.  We need to pass less of our pain along and learn to absorb more of it.

Just don't say anything.  Sure you are mad.  In an hour or a day, this will pass and you won't remember it.  Go kick a tree.  We all need to learn to absorb pain.  Give someone a break.  Give someone the grace.  Absorb the pain.

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

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

sermon audio from sunday 8-26-18 miracle. walking on water. fear or faith. with some bad guitar work and weak singing

click here to listen - the guitar work is bad. so sorry

My Dad's Movies

My Dad loved war movies and anything John Wayne.  I can remember taking him to see Saving Private Ryan a few years before his death.  He wept in the theater.  So did I.

The other day I was watching one of his kind of movies, The Devil's Brigade.  The movie was made in 1968 and stars William Holden and Cliff Robertson.  I remember watching it with him as a child.  It was so typical of what he liked.  A little bit of humor, a little bit of boys being boys, and enough war to make things pretty serious.

As I was watching the movie, I laughed on a couple of occasions.  I have come to recognize that I laugh just like he did.  In fact, sometimes, the noises that I make are oddly comforting.  Somehow, he is still here, laughing through me, laughing with me.

I love my dad and I miss him.  I wish I would have had more opportunity to really get to know him.  I am so thankful that our grief, can in time, turn to a savoring.  I am thankful for my dad.

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

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

On Changing the World

Some months ago I had the occasion to drive through the Woods Chapel property.  As a general rule I never do this because I want to keep my distance and I do not wish to be a problem.  But I drove through in April this year because someone told me that the trees were budding and beautiful.

As I drove across the property I thought, "wow, we did it, we changed the world for the better."

As I think back on years in the ministry I think about the times that seemed to go well.  I had several appointments that I was only there for a short time, and it is hard to feel like you accomplished much. 

Cache, Oklahoma/Indiahoma, Oklahoma.  St. John's in Kansas City.  Lebanon, MO.  I was there for such a short time that I don't know that I made a difference.

Cape Coral.  God bless those wonderful folks, I was reeling from all the changes in my life.  I was there a short time but have made some wonderful friends.  Sometimes I wish I could go back there now and try again...

Two places in particular, I felt like together, we made a difference.  Those would be the Princeton/Mercer charge and Woods Chapel. 

My opportunities in Ft. Pierce have been delightful.  I hope that the members will feel that me being there this year has been a good thing.  Gosh it is almost over... I just have September and October left there.  I better get to work!

Anyway, I think it is human nature to look back and reflect on the value of one's life.  I am certainly happy for many things: 

• for every person who found grace
• for every person who finally found a God that was bigger than their devil
• for every person who entered ministry
• for every heart turned towards mission
• for individuals and congregations believing in themselves

There has been so much good over the years.  I have made so many friends.

And as I was thinking about change, I thought of this story:

"I was a revolutionary when I was young and all my prayer to God was ‘Lord, give me the energy to change the world.’ 

"As I approached middle age and realized that half my life was gone without my changing a single soul, I changed my prayer to ‘Lord, give me the grace to change all those who come in contact with me. Just my family and friends, and I shall be satisfied.’ 

"Now that I am an old man and my days are numbered, my one prayer is, ‘Lord, give me the grace to change myself.’ 

If I had prayed for this right from the start I should not have wasted my life." 

                     Anthony Demello - Song of the Bird pg 153

May we all work to make the world a kind, good and gentle place by making ourselves to be more kind, good and gentle.

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

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

sins of the Fathers

My friend Mike asked me to write about the Biblical concept of the sins of the Fathers being passed on to their children.  I know that my Father was very worried that his mistakes would be repeated by his children.  He felt some tremendous guilt for some of his life choices.  So, are the sins of the Father destined to be repeated by or punished in the children?

There are many verses that sound like Ex 34:7
"he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”

there are a few verses that sound like Ez 18:20
"20 The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them."

And of course the overarching theme of scripture is that God is a God of love.

So how could the sins of the parents be passed to the children? I guess if a mom is on drugs, a baby could be born with the same addiction. I hear that some crimes like child abuse are passed down, that the abused become abusers, but I do think that it is a cycle that can be broken.

Surely there are genes that come down from one parent to the children. But in all cases I reserve the right of everyone to exercise their own personal free will, to break the cycles of addiction and to choose for the right. We may not be able to control where we came from but we can certainly shape where we are going in life.

Finally let me say that there are many Bible passages on various topics. You can prove one thing from the Bible and then use another scripture to "prove" the opposite. You have to decide where to hang your hat.

Personally, I am hanging my hat on the concept that we are responsible for our own actions, not those of our parents. [See Ex 20]

If we were punished for our sins, we would all be consumed. Grace comes from God in spite of our brokenness. That is why it is called the good news.

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

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

Defending God

It is funny to listen to some people try to defend God, as if he needed defending.

 Richard Rohr recently wrote, "The great mystics tend to recognize that Whoever God Is, he or she does not need our protection or perfect understanding. All our words, dogmas, and rituals are like children playing in a sandbox before Infinite Mystery and Wonderment."

We think we are defending God, and we are really just playing in the sandbox compared to his power and greatness.

I love ideas that invite us to stop trying to be in charge and just fall into the love and mystery of God.  We make plans and God laughs.  He cannot be controlled.  Just fall into the Mystery.

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