By Brady Speers
One simple question.
Had Steve Jobs birth mom decided to end his life through abortion, how would your life be different?
Ever used an Apple Computer back in the day? Ever play the Atari? What about iTunes, an iPhone, iMac, iPad or iPod? Ever seen a Pixar film such as Finding Nemo, or Toy Story or others? Been to Disney World lately?
Steve Jobs was in and about all of the above and so much more. He was truly an innovator; a Thomas Edison of our day. He was an entrepreneur above them all.
The world should hug both his birth mom and adoptive parents. Thanking one for not killing him which sadly many would have done. Thanking the others for giving him the chance to make his mark on all of our lives.
Abortion only has one worldly result – a selfish resolution to a child one doesn’t want. Nothing else about abortion is good. It is dark, evil, mean, cruel, ugly and barbaric.
Adoption results in all things positive – life, hope, joy, laughter, and family to name a few.
If only the world would choose adoption more often, maybe we would meet some more Steve Jobs.
Our world will forever be thankful for his contributions and grateful murder through abortion didn’t take him away from us.
Peace Mr. Jobs.
weMorn.
“Thou shall not kill." Exodus 20:13
© 2011, J. Brady Speers
"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
sponsored by http://www.bradyspeers.net/
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Life Is Good….But it Hurts
No bones about it. Life is good, but life also hurts.
But in reality life without the good or without the bad wouldn’t be life after all. It has a beginning and life has an end. In between are times of great joy, experience, relationship, happiness and hopefully a mind full of memories.
This past week our beloved 10 year old boxer, Sam, suddenly feel ill. Earlier, he had been relaxing on the couch as usual while the kids ran amuck throughout the house. But just a few hours later my wife and I had the terrible experience of having to hold him in our arms as our vet put him to sleep. After all he had given us there was simply no way we were going to let him suffer one second longer than he should. We laid on the floor holding him in our arms one last time.
Sure we can seclude ourselves from certain pain by keeping our lives “all about us” and simply refusing to get too close to a child, a friend, a family member or even an animal that needs a home, but that’s not God’s design. Rather, He intended that life be about relationships. God is love and love can only be expressed outwardly towards something else.
We just have to know that the more we allow ourselves to have these relationships the more likely we are to have a week like we just did. One in which the tears come suddenly and the heartbreak just won’t leave you be. It’s true the more we love, the more we will be hurt, either in death or in relational pain.
The saying goes “life happens” and at times it certainly feels that way. As we watched Sam take his last breath that afternoon life was certainly “happening” and we hated every second of it in that moment. But, even still, life is very good.
Without pain, our joys wouldn’t mean much. Without tears, our smiles might not be as bright. Without struggle, our wisdom might never appear. Without death, we wouldn’t cherish the days we have.
I hate it when a relationship in life has to come to an end and death parts us from that someone or something we love. I still miss my granddad all the time and most of you are thinking about someone, or a loving pet, right now that you miss too.
But that’s what makes life an adventure. We just have to make no bones about it and embrace it - even though we know it’s gonna hurt.
“A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal." Proverbs 12:10
© 2011, J. Brady"
I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
But in reality life without the good or without the bad wouldn’t be life after all. It has a beginning and life has an end. In between are times of great joy, experience, relationship, happiness and hopefully a mind full of memories.
This past week our beloved 10 year old boxer, Sam, suddenly feel ill. Earlier, he had been relaxing on the couch as usual while the kids ran amuck throughout the house. But just a few hours later my wife and I had the terrible experience of having to hold him in our arms as our vet put him to sleep. After all he had given us there was simply no way we were going to let him suffer one second longer than he should. We laid on the floor holding him in our arms one last time.
Rarely have I ever cried that hard.
Sam provided our family with 10 amazing years of incredible joy, funny moments and a sweet, protective bond that seems to only exist between man and his dog. He gave us way more than we ever imagined. He was beyond just a “good dog”. He was family. He was there through most of our major family events; when we started dating, when we got married, when we moved into our only home, when we changed churches, when we had our twins, through tough business times and the adoption of our son.
Our other dog, Max, a 12 year old Jack Russell mix is old too and God only knows how long we have with him. “Max & Sam” were the best of buds and they were our kids, before our kids were our kids. Now Max will have to adjust to life without Sam just as we’ll have to. This will be a new normal for all of us.
Though Sam is gone I believe he is running the fields of Heaven waiting on us to join him one day. Think about it…if God is good enough to surprise us with amazing stars and things we have yet to discover, I am sure He is good enough to ensure that our dogs run up to us when we step into eternity. He did make the animals before He made man. And, after all, isn’t it ironic that God is dog spelled backwards?
As a friend told me during this, when we love someone or something like our dog, we take the risk of having a few days or weeks of incredible pain when they are gone. But, that’s nothing compared to the years of untold joys we receive for loving and embracing that relationship.
We are called to love God and that is mainly expressed by loving others and His creation. We should desire to love on more kids, rescue and love on more animals and seek out and have deeper relationships with our family and friends.
Sure we can seclude ourselves from certain pain by keeping our lives “all about us” and simply refusing to get too close to a child, a friend, a family member or even an animal that needs a home, but that’s not God’s design. Rather, He intended that life be about relationships. God is love and love can only be expressed outwardly towards something else.
We just have to know that the more we allow ourselves to have these relationships the more likely we are to have a week like we just did. One in which the tears come suddenly and the heartbreak just won’t leave you be. It’s true the more we love, the more we will be hurt, either in death or in relational pain.
The saying goes “life happens” and at times it certainly feels that way. As we watched Sam take his last breath that afternoon life was certainly “happening” and we hated every second of it in that moment. But, even still, life is very good.
Without pain, our joys wouldn’t mean much. Without tears, our smiles might not be as bright. Without struggle, our wisdom might never appear. Without death, we wouldn’t cherish the days we have.
I hate it when a relationship in life has to come to an end and death parts us from that someone or something we love. I still miss my granddad all the time and most of you are thinking about someone, or a loving pet, right now that you miss too.
But that’s what makes life an adventure. We just have to make no bones about it and embrace it - even though we know it’s gonna hurt.
“A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal." Proverbs 12:10
© 2011, J. Brady"
I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Abused Friends Need You to Take a Stand
By Brady Speers
If you had a friend that had been abused or horribly mistreated by your own priest/pastor and you learned about it, what would you do? What if there was a pattern of this priest/pastor doing this to others for years?
If the abused party was truly a friend, doing nothing would only condone his actions and betray your friendship.
Your options would be one of three things:
1. Work to make him repent and humble himself before God and his congregation and MAYBE let him continue in his role
2. Leave the church and warn others
3. Confront him with others and force the priest/pastor to leave
Either he would have to repent, seek forgiveness or leave, or you would have to leave. It’s really that clear, yet instead, most in the situation do nothing.
A local well-known pastor has been hurting and abusing people in his own congregation for years. I personally know of nearly 10 different couples he has greatly hurt. The Bible makes it clear that Christians are to demonstrate the “Fruits of the Spirit” and certainly a man in his position should even more so. Yet, those of you still attending this church should read the list and ask yourself which of these “fruits” appears in his personal life. If you don’t know him well enough, ask someone who does.
"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Gal. 5:22-23.
Does he demonstrate even one of these?
Knowing and having followed this man myself for 10 years, what I see is lack of control, meanness, uncaring, rudeness, insensitive, power hungry, explosive anger, critical spirit, pride and more. Sure, we all struggle with sin. We all need to work to produce better fruit in our own lives. But when a priest/pastor fails to demonstrate even the basics of humility, grace, love and patience with his own people, but instead berates people, and runs over them emotionally, there is character issue that should keep him from being in his position.
Christians need to unite during this time and reclaim their own church. They must stand up for their friends, even if it means they too get kicked out and escorted off the property. You would have only proved the point even more that this man must go.
Doing nothing lets the devil continue to have his way. Doing nothing hurts your friends who are likely in shock that you have put this man ahead of your dear friendship. Doing nothing means it continues and yet again gets swept under the rug.
Doing nothing is NOT what Jesus did. When he saw the leaders of the church taking advantage of their followers, he responded accordingly. With righteous anger and immediate action.
Now it’s your turn. Pony up and let the Holy Spirit lead you. Though your heart may beat quickly, and fear may come on you, it is the right thing to do!
Your friends deserve it!
“Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves.” Matthew 21:12
© 2011, J. Brady Speers
"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
sponsored by http://www.bradyspeers.net/
If you had a friend that had been abused or horribly mistreated by your own priest/pastor and you learned about it, what would you do? What if there was a pattern of this priest/pastor doing this to others for years?
If the abused party was truly a friend, doing nothing would only condone his actions and betray your friendship.
Your options would be one of three things:
1. Work to make him repent and humble himself before God and his congregation and MAYBE let him continue in his role
2. Leave the church and warn others
3. Confront him with others and force the priest/pastor to leave
Either he would have to repent, seek forgiveness or leave, or you would have to leave. It’s really that clear, yet instead, most in the situation do nothing.
A local well-known pastor has been hurting and abusing people in his own congregation for years. I personally know of nearly 10 different couples he has greatly hurt. The Bible makes it clear that Christians are to demonstrate the “Fruits of the Spirit” and certainly a man in his position should even more so. Yet, those of you still attending this church should read the list and ask yourself which of these “fruits” appears in his personal life. If you don’t know him well enough, ask someone who does.
"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Gal. 5:22-23.
Does he demonstrate even one of these?
Knowing and having followed this man myself for 10 years, what I see is lack of control, meanness, uncaring, rudeness, insensitive, power hungry, explosive anger, critical spirit, pride and more. Sure, we all struggle with sin. We all need to work to produce better fruit in our own lives. But when a priest/pastor fails to demonstrate even the basics of humility, grace, love and patience with his own people, but instead berates people, and runs over them emotionally, there is character issue that should keep him from being in his position.
Christians need to unite during this time and reclaim their own church. They must stand up for their friends, even if it means they too get kicked out and escorted off the property. You would have only proved the point even more that this man must go.
Doing nothing lets the devil continue to have his way. Doing nothing hurts your friends who are likely in shock that you have put this man ahead of your dear friendship. Doing nothing means it continues and yet again gets swept under the rug.
Doing nothing is NOT what Jesus did. When he saw the leaders of the church taking advantage of their followers, he responded accordingly. With righteous anger and immediate action.
Now it’s your turn. Pony up and let the Holy Spirit lead you. Though your heart may beat quickly, and fear may come on you, it is the right thing to do!
Your friends deserve it!
“Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves.” Matthew 21:12
© 2011, J. Brady Speers
"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
sponsored by http://www.bradyspeers.net/
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Time to Party Because the 4th Was Won by Friends
It’s no secret that the Speers family loves to host parties. Making worlds collide and bringing friends together from a variety of circles makes for a good time of sharing memories, bashing each other, laughing and usually lots of food and drinks. Julie and I live to have everyone over. It makes the tough times easier and good times even better.
We purposefully built the home we have so we could enjoy being with our family and close friends. We made sure it had a game room, large open areas and even put in a pool, so that our place could be “your place” too. It cost us a little more than we like, but it’s an investment we won’t ever regret. Most people can count on one hand how many good friends they really have. It takes two hands for most of you in our group. We all should thank God every day that we have each other.
We look for almost any reason to gather the gangs together. We’ve celebrated end of school, various holidays, birthdays, NFL kickoff weekends, baseball playoffs and most recently the Dallas Mavericks winning of their first NBA title.
But in the scheme of things, fewer better reasons exist than to get together for Family, Friends, Fireworks and Fun in the Sun, than to honor of the birth of Freedom; the birth of America.
Last night we had a patriotic celebration with the Sherman, Jensen, Curlee, Hedger, Butler, Winter, Ermish, Ruzika, Franklin, Stroder, and in spirit with the Rinehart, Atwell, Hadash, McMahon and Novinger families. It was amazing to see all the kids cranking out giggles, pool splashes and serious hot dog eating as the rest of us sat and talked about kids, food, the NFL lockout and who will beat Obama in 2012. We ended the evening watching the Mansfield fireworks which shoot off from what almost feels like our own backyard.
The 4th just brings it all together…just like it must have 235 years ago.
Few think about this fact. But our freedom was paid for by people just like those of us that partied last night. They played together. They worked together. They schooled together. They worshipped together. They partied together. And in the end, many died together.
As we celebrate our nation’s birth and think about those we are lucky to share our lives with, let’s not forget it was people like you and me that gave it all. As the British were coming, the cookouts were stopped, the balloons were popped and the kids were all hidden. Freedom was about to be won and there was one thing each of them called the other.
Friends.
“There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.” John 15:13
© 2011, J. Brady Speers
"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
sponsored by http://www.bradyspeers.net/
We purposefully built the home we have so we could enjoy being with our family and close friends. We made sure it had a game room, large open areas and even put in a pool, so that our place could be “your place” too. It cost us a little more than we like, but it’s an investment we won’t ever regret. Most people can count on one hand how many good friends they really have. It takes two hands for most of you in our group. We all should thank God every day that we have each other.
We look for almost any reason to gather the gangs together. We’ve celebrated end of school, various holidays, birthdays, NFL kickoff weekends, baseball playoffs and most recently the Dallas Mavericks winning of their first NBA title.
But in the scheme of things, fewer better reasons exist than to get together for Family, Friends, Fireworks and Fun in the Sun, than to honor of the birth of Freedom; the birth of America.
Last night we had a patriotic celebration with the Sherman, Jensen, Curlee, Hedger, Butler, Winter, Ermish, Ruzika, Franklin, Stroder, and in spirit with the Rinehart, Atwell, Hadash, McMahon and Novinger families. It was amazing to see all the kids cranking out giggles, pool splashes and serious hot dog eating as the rest of us sat and talked about kids, food, the NFL lockout and who will beat Obama in 2012. We ended the evening watching the Mansfield fireworks which shoot off from what almost feels like our own backyard.
The 4th just brings it all together…just like it must have 235 years ago.
Few think about this fact. But our freedom was paid for by people just like those of us that partied last night. They played together. They worked together. They schooled together. They worshipped together. They partied together. And in the end, many died together.
As we celebrate our nation’s birth and think about those we are lucky to share our lives with, let’s not forget it was people like you and me that gave it all. As the British were coming, the cookouts were stopped, the balloons were popped and the kids were all hidden. Freedom was about to be won and there was one thing each of them called the other.
Friends.
“There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.” John 15:13
© 2011, J. Brady Speers
"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
sponsored by http://www.bradyspeers.net/
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Class Does Win...Sometimes
It is rare in a world of so much pride, arrogance and immorality to see the old school characteristics of hard work, selflessness and determination rise to the top in the sports scene. Though there is no "I" in team, the last decade has many examples of stars trying desperately to do so.
Then in 2011 the Dallas Mavericks popped onto the scene.
After a heart breaking "choke" (and they did) in the 2006 NBA Finals followed by 4 more years of bitter playoff loses, owner Mark Cuban was determined to he could build a winning team with mature, veteran, proven players. He avoided the flash of the big free-agent signings and quietly assembled a team he believed in. Coach Rick Carlisle was brought in to establish a new culture of teamwork based on selfless play with one goal in mind - winning it all the old fashioned way.
At the same time, the Miami Heat were purchasing the rights to super stars like Chris Bosh and LeBron James to go along side Dwyane Wade and the arrogance quickly grew to unworldly proportions. On their own TV special, with pomp and circumstance, fireworks and smoke, they told everyone they were too good to be beat and would roll off the next 5,6,7, or even 8 titles in a row.
Meanwhile the Mavs faded into the background of the Western Conference behind the likes of the Spurs and the Lakers and few doubted the Mavs would do much.
But class, selflessness, determination and teamwork would soon prove the world wrong.
After beating the rough and physical Portland Trailblazers, they faced the defending World Champion Los Angeles Lakers and their stars of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. Even I doubted it would last long. I was right...but in the wrong direction. The Mavs quickly destroyed them in a 4 game sweep.
Then came the Western Conference Finals against the upstarts from Oklahoma City with their new confident super star Kevin Durant, the leading scorer in the NBA. Everyone again knew this was the end of the road for the Mavs. Again, the Mavs prevailed in 6 games.
Finally, the Finals rematch was set against the arrogant Heat machine with home court going to Miami. Mavs were once again doomed and after losing badly in game one, it appeared as though history was going to repeat. Cocky, rich arrogance was looking to make fools of our beloved Mavs. We could barely watch and some of us (including myself) turned it off!
Final result - Mavs win their first title in 31 years 4 games to 2, completely dismantling the Heat in the 4th quarter of nearly every game. They outplayed them, outworked them, and outlasted them. The King and his men looked stunned, confused and dazed. Eventually they gave up and called it a series.
Goliath was slain and Dallas was about to parade around with his head.
Yes, it's true that many times good guys don't win. But in the case of Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, JJ Barea, Tyson Chandler and the rest, the good guys DID win it all.
In the words of Dallas' game 6 star point guard Jason Terry, "God is good and He gave us a 2nd chance to come back and win it all again!"
Great job Mavs!
"The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished." Proverbs 16:5
© 2011, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
Sunday, April 24, 2011
It’s You That Rejects God, Not God That Rejects You
God is love. He died for you.
Why is that so hard to believe?
Yet, the Bible makes it clear that few will believe and few will enter the gates of heaven. The road is wide that leads to hell and most in arrogance or ignorance choose the road leading to eternal suffering and separation from God and many that love them. Along many along this path will be non-believers who claimed Christians were trying to “save them” or were just being “pushy”, “intolerant” or “self-righteous”.
Their eternity in hell will not be because God didn’t love them and it certainly won’t be because He didn’t put people in your life that tried to show you that love.
It’s you that rejects God, not God that rejects you. You can either accept or reject Jesus, but you must make a choice.
Thousands of years ago the Scripture predicted the time would come when Christians would be despised by the world, when most would deny God, and most would try and earn their way into Heaven by trying to “be a good person”.
By Brady Speers
If you have a friend that’s been trying to tell you about Christ, maybe for once you should let your mind dwell on the idea that maybe, just maybe, your friend is simply trying to save your soul. Nothing is more loving than one friend trying to help another, and if you spend eternity separated from God simply because you rejected him, nothing would hurt more.
God is speaking to you even now if you’re reading this….and you know it. Stop being hard headed and accept what He offers you – eternity with Him and those you love.
Think about it….if you’re right and I’m wrong, what I have a suffered by living the Christian faith? I would have done nothing but live with peace, joy and purpose.
But, if I’m right and you’re wrong….your price to pay is pain beyond measure.
In the words of a famous old black preacher, “You say there is no God? You say there is no heaven or hell? Well, you better hope not Mister, ‘cause if there is, you’re going to go straight there.”
Make the right choice. Your time could come to an end today.
“The fool says in his heart, ‘there is no god.’” Psalm 14:11
© 2011, J. Brady Speers
"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
sponsored by http://www.bradyspeers.net/
Why is that so hard to believe?
Yet, the Bible makes it clear that few will believe and few will enter the gates of heaven. The road is wide that leads to hell and most in arrogance or ignorance choose the road leading to eternal suffering and separation from God and many that love them. Along many along this path will be non-believers who claimed Christians were trying to “save them” or were just being “pushy”, “intolerant” or “self-righteous”.
Their eternity in hell will not be because God didn’t love them and it certainly won’t be because He didn’t put people in your life that tried to show you that love.
It’s you that rejects God, not God that rejects you. You can either accept or reject Jesus, but you must make a choice.
Thousands of years ago the Scripture predicted the time would come when Christians would be despised by the world, when most would deny God, and most would try and earn their way into Heaven by trying to “be a good person”.
By Brady Speers
If you have a friend that’s been trying to tell you about Christ, maybe for once you should let your mind dwell on the idea that maybe, just maybe, your friend is simply trying to save your soul. Nothing is more loving than one friend trying to help another, and if you spend eternity separated from God simply because you rejected him, nothing would hurt more.
God is speaking to you even now if you’re reading this….and you know it. Stop being hard headed and accept what He offers you – eternity with Him and those you love.
Think about it….if you’re right and I’m wrong, what I have a suffered by living the Christian faith? I would have done nothing but live with peace, joy and purpose.
But, if I’m right and you’re wrong….your price to pay is pain beyond measure.
In the words of a famous old black preacher, “You say there is no God? You say there is no heaven or hell? Well, you better hope not Mister, ‘cause if there is, you’re going to go straight there.”
Make the right choice. Your time could come to an end today.
“The fool says in his heart, ‘there is no god.’” Psalm 14:11
© 2011, J. Brady Speers
"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
sponsored by http://www.bradyspeers.net/
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