wrong

Ryobi cordless blower - a cool tool.

Wrong, again.  I was.  Wrong, again.

The other day I climbed up on a ladder and cleaned out my neighbors gutters.  They didn't ask me to do it, but I could tell that it needed to be done.  So I did it.

Here is the method of cleaning gutters.

1. set ladder up near starting point.  
2. blow leaves and stuff out of gutter with fancy new blower that you are proud of.
3. move ladder down along the gutter as needed and repeat.
4. set fancy blower down in the yard.
5. drag out hose and wash leaves off of roof.
6. wash all debris into and through the down spouts.
7. pick up tools.
8. feel good about a job well done.

Now fast forward.  I went to bed at 10pm.  At 330am I woke up and I was hot.  So I got a drink and moved to the couch.  Around 6am I am waking up, deciding whether I will try to sleep some more or get up and get going.  Then I realize a tragic thing has happened.  I left my new blower out in my neighbors yard.

Time to get up.  I pop to my feet.  I find some clothes.  I grab a flashlight and I go out looking.  Now it is still dark outside and I am walking around in someone else's yard with a flashlight.  Good way to get shot, I thought.

Damn.  The blower is gone.  Maybe my neighbor took it inside for me.  Probably the neighborhood kids stole it.  Dog on it!

So I head toward the garage.
Ahhh!!!  There behind the bush is my blower, right where I had stashed it yesterday.
So I did not leave it out in the grass, the neighborhood kids did not steal it.
I was wrong, again.

Why do I sometimes assume the worst?
Well this is a new year.  I am going to make a couple of resolutions.
1.   think the best of people whenever possible.
2.  Put tools away when done using them.

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

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

Holy Land via Jordan

March 5-14 2018

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

Wesley's Ireland

October 8-17, 2018

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

more puns

Some of my favorite posts come from ewe the readers. I have had a number of responses to the recent puns posting and will bee sharing them from thyme to time. This is from my friend Bunny.

My first job was working in an orange juice factory, but I got canned. Couldn't concentrate.
Then I worked in the woods as a lumberjack, but I just couldn't hack it, so they gave me the ax.
After that I tried to be a tailor, but I just wasn't suited for it. Mainly because it was a so-so job.
Next I tried working in a muffler factory but that was exhausting.
I wanted to be a barber, but I just couldn't cut it.
Then I tried to be a chef. I figured it would add a little spice to my life but I just didn't have the thyme.
I studied a long time to become a doctor, but I didn't have any patients.
I became a professional fisherman, but discovered that I couldn't live on my net income.
I managed to get a good job working for a pool maintenance company, but the work was just too draining.
So then I got a job in a gymnasium, but they said I wasn't fit for the job.
Next, I found being an electrician interesting, but the work was shocking.
After many years of trying to find steady work I finally got a job as a historian until I realized there was no future in it.
My last job was working at Starbucks, but I had to quit because it was always the same old grind.

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

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

Holy Land via Jordan

March 5-14 2018

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

Wesley's Ireland

October 8-17, 2018

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

literal

From time to time I run into people that like to use the Bible as a hammer.  I am sure that you have too.

When I was younger I used to insist that we take the Bible literally. I said those words without really thinking about what they meant. There are many passages that cannot be taken literally.

• Mark 9:47 If your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out.
• John 6:54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life
• Deuteronomy 21:18-21 A rebellious son is to be put to death.
• 1 Peter 2:18 Slaves obey your masters...
• Ex 21:24 an eye for an eye...
• Deut 28:53 We are to eat our children during a siege... [look it up if you don't believe me]

Even Jesus challenges Scripture and some of it's directives... Mt 5:38-39  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’  But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.

People that insist that the Bible be taken literally would not take any of the above passages literally. And there are more that I could list that they would not take literally if I wanted to take the time to look them up.

What most folks are saying when they insist that we take the Bible literally is that we should respect the Bible and not challenge their interpretation of it.

I am all for respecting the Bible. We should read it for it's insights, its wisdom, its inspiration, and its direction. But the Bible is not God. There are only three parts to the trinity, Father, Son and Spirit.  The Bible does not point us toward itself. It is not the goal of our faith. God is the end and the goal. The Bible is one of the means to that end.

The Bible should not be used to separate people from each other, but to draw us all  together.  May we fight about the Bible less, lean on it more as we are able, and keep pressing our way towards the God of grace and love.

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

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

Holy Land via Jordan

March 5-14 2018

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

Wesley's Ireland

October 8-17, 2018

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

sermon audio from Sunday

This was the last sermon of 2017.  Sunday Dec 31.
Title:  The gifts of Christmas.

Click here to listen

Ireland Trip

Here are a couple of updates on the Ireland Trip. 
There are a series of early registration discount deadlines, one of them is coming up on January 8th.

I have also asked the tour company to design a post trip in London.  It would most likely be without a guide or meals so we would be on our own to explore the city for three days.

Here is the link to the trip brochure if you are interested.
Link to Ireland Trip Brochure

Currently we have 9 registered, but I am expecting others for sure.  I hope that you can join us.

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

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

Holy Land via Jordan

March 5-14 2018

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

Wesley's Ireland

October 8-17, 2018

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

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all of my friends and readers.  Happy New Year to people I don't know.  Happy New Year to people who know me and don't like me.  Happy New Year to all.

Should old acquaintance be forgot? I am reminded of Billy Chrystal's line from When Harry Met Sally.... "What does this song mean? My whole life, I don't know what this song means. I mean, 'Should old acquaintance be forgot?' Does that mean that we should forget old acquaintances. Or does it mean that if we happened to forget them, we should remember them, which is not possible because we already forgot them?"

So from time to time I think about people that I know and love.  From time to time I get a new reader.  In the past few weeks I found out that Di from St. Louis is a reader.  I got a nice note from my friend Michelle who evidently has been reading for some time.  I think of so many of you that I have had the privlege of meeting and loving in this life.  We are all so fortunate to have people to love.

May this year bring us good.  No more shootings.  No sickness.  No untimely deaths.  May this new year bring us lots of smiles, lots of hugs and lots of laughter.  May all of our churches do well this year.  May God's love ooze out through us, may it rush out through us.  May we be conduits of joy to many in this coming year.

Hello to my friends one and all.  To Joe and Judy, Ginger, Joanne, Nancy, Aaron, Michelle, Paul, Billie, Gina, Dave, Amy, Michael, Sherri, Bruce, Laura, Pat, Carol, Chris, and to 1,000 others whose names I have not mentioned but you are dearly loved!

Happy New Year one and 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 in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan

March 5-14 2018

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

Wesley's Ireland

October 8-17, 2018

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

As a man thinketh

James Allen 1864-1912 is the author of the book, As a Man Thinketh.  The title of the book is taken from Proverbs 23 "as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."

When I was grousing a few weeks ago about growing old, my sixth grade teacher, Betty Jackson suggested that I read the book.  Think about that for a minute.... I am still learning from my sixth grade teacher!!!  How many people in this world can say that?

I have read a number of books on positive thinking over the years.  I am not a fan of the "faith movement" which tells us to "name it and claim it."  They teach that you can demand things from God by faith.  I do not believe that God is a celestial Santa Claus.

This book is different than that.

Allen was 39 when he wrote the book and lived only 48 years on this earth.  Yet he saw the great impact that a person can have on their own life situation.  Seeing the good, or not, aspiring for greatness or not.

I have always been a believer in self-fulfilling prophecies, that if you string it along long enough you can bring either good or bad to yourself.  You can also rise above difficulty with determination and prolonged intent.

I have also been a believer in the Dr Phil adage, "so how is that working for you?"  The results of some behavior is predictable.

While not taking away from the power and abilities of God, Allen points to the responsibilities that we have in the life and the power of our freewill to shape our lives for better or for worse.

Allen says that, "Man is made or unmade by himself; in the armory of thought he forges the weapons by which he destroys himself; he also fashions the tools with which he builds for himself heavenly mansions of joy...by right choice and true application of thought, man ascends to the Divine Perfection, by the abuse and wrong application of thought, he descends below the level of the beast.  Between these two extremes are all the grades of character, and man is their maker and master."

What do you aspire to this day?  What are you pursuing with your life's energy?

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

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

Holy Land via Jordan

March 5-14 2018

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

Wesley's Ireland

October 8-17, 2018

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

"

puns

My friend Arlene and I have been trading puns. She gave me an article to read about annual pun contests. There are several-

The Bay Area Pun-off
Pundamonium in Seattle
Punderdome 3000 in NYC

Here is a great pun from the article....
Where do cantaloupes spend their summer? At John Cougar's Melon Camp.

Which spurred me on to say...
Cantaloupe tonight, Dad's got the car.
and
Two blood cell" fell in love, ah but is was all in vein.
and
Doctor, there's a patient on line 1 that says he's invisible" "Well, tell him I can't see him right now."

Hungry?  It's a beautiful day for God's cheese, be sure to see the gouda.
Send puns and replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

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

Holy Land via Jordan

March 5-14 2018

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

Wesley's Ireland

October 8-17, 2018

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

no feet

There is an old saying, "I complained that I had no shoes, until I met a man that had no feet."

Over the years this saying has been celebrated and maligned.  Celebrated because of the perspective that it can give a person who is unhappy, and maligned because some see it as devaluing the suffering of those who have no shoes.

In other words, should the fact that my problems are not as bad as other people's problems be a reason for me to not be concerned about or complain about my problems?

My personal response to this is that it is our responsibility regardless of the size and scope of our problems, to see the good.  We have all known people who had small problems, like worn shoes, and complained all the time.  We have also known people who had no legs but were filled with joy and a zeal for life.  Which kind of person do you want to hang around with?  Which kind of person do you wish to be?

Our outlook has to say something about our existence here on this planet.  I will add that times of suffering in the past have made me really appreciate the days that held no suffering.

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

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

Holy Land via Jordan

March 5-14 2018

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

Wesley's Ireland

October 8-17, 2018

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

Best Christmas

I want to tell you that I just had the best Christmas.  Not that the other years were bad, but this one was outstanding.

The service at church was delightful.  I loved the atmosphere and the music.
For the first time in 7 years, my entire family was in church together.
People were friendly and kind.
The pressure of the old days is gone.... I loved Woods Chapel, but Christmas Eve was a real heavy chore with 6 services.

After our 7 pm service at Fort Pierce, I got to do something that I have never been able to do on Christmas Eve - ever.  I went to dinner with my family!  In the past, I did not get home until 12:30am and everyone was usually in bed.

I think of my friends, new and old, near and far, and I am blessed.  Oh how I love you all.  I am looking forward to seeing many of you in the coming 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 in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

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

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

memories

So I got down an old Rubbermaid tub.  It is filled with old letters and such from when I was in college.  Much of it I had to throw away as I did not want my children or my grandchildren to see what I was like in those days.  I did save some of the letters. 

I also found a bunch of assignments from grade school and will be posting about them in upcoming days or weeks.

I also found in the letters some jokes that I used to know, but have forgotten.  So since they were like brand new again to me, I am sure than none of you have ever heard them.  Here are three that I found in letters from college...  I hope you like them...

A karate expert joined the Army.  On his first salute, he killed himself.

I used to be a photographer but I had to quit.... too many shuddering experiences.

Why do Beethoven fans hate chicken?
All the chickens ever talk about is bach, bach, bach.

It appears that I had a sense of humor even back in college.

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

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

Holy Land via Jordan

March 5-14 2018

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

Wesley's Ireland

October 8-17, 2018

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

When Christians Get it Wrong

Down the street from our house is this little church with this sign message board.  I have written about their messages before.

Now let me take a commercial break to say that I have no right to criticize the religion of another.  However, in my opinion, one of the main reasons that Christianity has fallen on hard times in America is because it has turned inward.  It has become about me, mine and ours and has forgotten about the least of these.

So here is a sign that says "Hallelujah is the highest praise."  Hallelujah means "praise God" or "Praise the Lord."  There is surely nothing wrong with praising God however, I believe that too many Christians praise the Lord and forget the rest of the world.

I still love my Amy Barlett quote, "we show our love for God by loving others." 

In the story of the Good Samaritan, the Samaritan was not celebrated for praising God, in fact, the Priest and Levite, walked by the broken man to head to church so that they could praise God.

Maybe God wants us to praise him by loving 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 in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan

March 5-14 2018

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

Wesley's Ireland

October 8-17, 2018

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

Christmas Eve Audio Sermons

Merry Christmas!!!
I love you guys!!!

For anyone that is interested, here are the audio files from yesterday.

Sunday Morning Sermon 9:30am click this link:

Sunday Morning 12-24 audio

Sunday evening candlight service 7pm... begins w O Holy Night, includes a ten minute message and Silent Night.  Click this link:

Candlelight Service 7pm

Have a very blessed day!

Thoughts on Christmas

Thoughts on Christmas...

Christmas is about Jesus, and it is about me and Jesus.
Jesus is born.
Somewhere along the line we chose him.
Somewhere along the way we came to know him.
We evaluate our lives by his teachings.

Christmas is also about family.
I remember the Christmases of my childhood.
The year I was scolded for breaking an ornament.
The year I was given switches and coal.
The times we went caroling.
The programs at church.
The many presents that I received in my later elementary days.
I remember Christmas in college.  Trying to get home.
I remember the year my water pump went out in Joplin and I was fortunate to find someone to fix it on Christmas day.
Christmases with young children.  Oh those were great!
Every Christmas since... how delightful.

Let me take a moment this day to celebrate you, my many friends.  I thank God for the gift of knowing you.  Whether you live in California, Missouri, Kansas or Florida or wherever, I love you and I am so happy that we have become friends.

Have a very very Merry Christmas!!!

t's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

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

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

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

Christmas Eve

Today is Christmas Eve.  Fort Pierce First UMC is holding two services.

At the 9:30 am service the sermon will focus on the shepherds being the Charlie Browns of the Christmas Story.  Our world sets certain people aside, but God draws everyone in.

At 7pm we will have our candlelight service.  Dick Lystra our Choir Director has but together a wonderful presentation of the Scriptural Christmas story woven into some wonderful music.  The pastor's message tonight will be on the light that shines in the darkness.

Today will certainly be a wonderful day in God's house.  If you are anywhere near Ft. Pierce, Florida, you are cordially invited to attend.  9:30 am and 7:00 pm.

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

no standards

Anytime I talk about not judging others, there is some well meaning Christian who spouts, "so there are no standards???"

Let me ask a question.  Would you like to be judged?  What would we find?  Something I am sure.  I know we would find something because there was only one sinless person.  Oddly enough, he is the one who said, "do not judge."

If we stop judging does that mean that we have no standards?  Yes.  No more standards, only a standard, one standard, and that is to love.  Love is the mark of the Christian, it is the only standard that matters.

Read 1 Cor 13.  If I can do all of these spiritual things, but have not love.... If I have the gift of discerning who is good and bad, what is right and wrong, but have not love....

There is a standard.  It is God's gold standard.... love.  Love one another.

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

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

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

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

making amends

A friend sent this in..... and let me compliment this friend... one of the most stable normal people I have ever met, from one of the most stable normal families.... good folks for sure... here is what they sent in....

I have a couple of people I have tried to make amends with multiple times and I have finally just come to the conclusion that I have done what I can and the ball is in their court. I still miss their friendship, though, I know that God will help mend relationships in the end or we will get to heaven and all the things we got so upset about on Earth won't matter anymore. There will only be love.

Good stuff.  Sometimes we have to let the broken things be broken and just move on.  Sometimes we have done all that we can.

It's 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 in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

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

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

play dough

So I have been digging through old boxes.  Old boxes from my old office, old boxes from the storage area of the old house, old boxes.

And I have come across some treasures.  One of them is this can of play dough that was given to me by my friend Jennifer Dancy, a fantastic person for sure.

Over the years I have had opportunity to talk with the staff about playing well with others.  But sometimes I had to tell them that they needed to be firm.  To stick to the mission.  To stand up for what is right.  I would tell them that some folks are like play dough, they are the shape of the last person that squeezed them.

While it is great to be flexible and accommodating, when it comes to the mission, we must retain our shape regardless of who is squeezing.

I remember when she gave me the play dough.  It made me happy then, and it made me happy to find it the other day.  I am temped to open it and see if it is still good. 😂😂😂

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

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

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

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

sermon audio from Sunday for those interested

here is the link to sunday's sermon.....

not one of the best in my opinion... i struggled with it.

click here for the sermon audio

3 Dreams - part three

7pm - Ft Pierce First UMC

My third dream that night was about Christmas Eve.  The worship service to be precise.

Preaching is always something that I think should be taken seriously.  Consequently I tend to be nervous about getting up in front of people and talking.  This is no more true than on Christmas Eve...

So in this third dream of the night I am fretting over what I will say this year on Christmas Eve at Ft. Pierce.  I think of all of the stories that I have told over the years and I say to myself, "well you can just use one of those."  But that does not sit well in my brain, in the dream.  Suddenly, I get an idea.  It just pops into my head.  A story that will fit very well that I don't think I have ever told.  I don't even think my family knows this story.

I was excited.  It woke me up.  I popped over to the computer and wrote the sermonette for Christmas Eve.  Now if you are at the Ft. Pierce First UMC on Christmas Eve and you hear the story, you may think that it isn't that great of a story.  You might be right. 

But here is the good news.... I have a feeling that it is the right story for the Candelight Service.  I hope God uses it.  We shall see.

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

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

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

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