The world hates Christians. That’s a given. They hate what we stand for. They hate our passion and they would rather us just flat disappear. The Bible made it clear in end times that this would occur and these same people don’t realize they are fulfilling prophecy.
But before it comes to a point in which we are all shipped off to a remote island somewhere in the Pacific let’s take a moment and think about a world without Christians and without the influences of Christianity. Then maybe the world can realize things really aren’t all that bad with us believers around…
Without Christianity there would be:
- No Christmas holiday
- No major hospital networks from the Catholics, Methodist, Baptist or Presbyterians
- No major charities such as the Red Cross
- No Sundays off of work (see China)
- No Easter to celebrate
- No Bible to hold to in tough times
- No Thanksgiving to partake in
- No major universities like Harvard, SMU, TCU, Baylor, Yale, Notre Dame, and many, many more
- No Disney World
- No children being adopted each year by the thousands
- No priests or pastors to call on
- No chaplains in the military
- No cathedrals to be in awe of
- No food pantries and outreaches to the homeless by countless churches all over America
- No kids camps in which kids learn good, wholesome values and faith
- No church groups like Texas Baptist Men going to help those in natural disasters
- No God to call on in wars, famine or chaos
- No guiding laws such as the 10 Commandments
- No Valentine’s Day
- No Pope
- No Veggie Tales
- No J.R. Tolkien
- No Mary Kay
- No Billy Graham
- No C.S. Lewis
- No Heinz ketchup
- No George Washington
- No Ronald Reagan
- No ChickFiLa, Wendy’s, Costco, Walmart, Tyson Foods, InNOut Burger, Hobby Lobby, and many other business establishments we enjoy
- No Dallas Cowboys as we know it without Tom Landry
- No Duck Dynasty
Need I go on?
Frankly, if you study real American history, there simply would be no America. If you bleed red, white and blue, you can thank us Christians for your right to hate us. For without us, there would be none. Study it and you will see. America was started by those that believed in God.
If you think the world is bad now, just imagine what it would be like with no Christians around. One day, in the end, that will occur. We will all be gone and the world will find out just what it’s like without us around to help keep chaos from ruling.
Until that day comes, it might be a good thing if we all just learned to get along…
"If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.” John 15:18
© 2012, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Saturday, December 22, 2012
The Biggest Financial Secret
Some "experts" might disagree with what I am about to share, but I believe and know it personally to be true.
The best method to ensuring financial success in your personal life is to make sure you live as a giver.
To whom much is given much is expected. Give and it shall be given unto you.
These are biblical truths that stand the test of time. No other place in the Bible does God himself encourage us to "test" him other than with our money.
If you give, He will take care of you. Period. End of story.
I can personally testify to this both individually and corporately. My wife and I contribute more than 10% of our annual earnings to our church and various organizations or causes we believe in. We do so happily and joyfully. We are blessed to be able to give. I know and believe our future is taken care of. +
Corporately, Novers supports nearly a dozen different causes, ministries and organizations too including adoption and orphan care, outreach to the homeless, Christmas toy drives, church mission work, Bible translation, schools in need, and children’s camps. When there is a need we do all we can to help.
No time of year is a better reminder of this than Christmas.
Have a heart for giving and watch how things will just take care of themselves for you.
Sure, your financial future has alot to do with your earnings, savings and investments....but at the top of that list should by your habit of giving.
Trust me on this.
“Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.” Deuteronomy 16:17
© 2012, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
The best method to ensuring financial success in your personal life is to make sure you live as a giver.
To whom much is given much is expected. Give and it shall be given unto you.
These are biblical truths that stand the test of time. No other place in the Bible does God himself encourage us to "test" him other than with our money.
If you give, He will take care of you. Period. End of story.
I can personally testify to this both individually and corporately. My wife and I contribute more than 10% of our annual earnings to our church and various organizations or causes we believe in. We do so happily and joyfully. We are blessed to be able to give. I know and believe our future is taken care of. +
Corporately, Novers supports nearly a dozen different causes, ministries and organizations too including adoption and orphan care, outreach to the homeless, Christmas toy drives, church mission work, Bible translation, schools in need, and children’s camps. When there is a need we do all we can to help.
No time of year is a better reminder of this than Christmas.
Have a heart for giving and watch how things will just take care of themselves for you.
Sure, your financial future has alot to do with your earnings, savings and investments....but at the top of that list should by your habit of giving.
Trust me on this.
“Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.” Deuteronomy 16:17
© 2012, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
Friday, December 21, 2012
A Different Christmas
Christmas should be a little different for each of us this year. After all, for about 40 of our fellow American moms and dads, it certainly will be after the terrible massacre that occurred in Newtown, CT.
Not since 9/11 has a tragedy stuck with me like this one has and almost everyone I have talked to says the same thing. This one just hurts nearly too bad to even think about.
We hurt. We are sad. Yet, it’s Christmas.
Miles away the holiday season has changed forever. It was senseless and more evil than any Hollywood flick and we are angry about it. Sometimes all we know to do is offer a simple prayer of "please help them God".
I’ve decided that it’s ok to pause here and there this weekend and think about those families. It’s ok to tear up looking at your little kids and even feel a little guilt for proceeding with “Christmas as usual”. All of our lives were changed by a gunman with no humanness to him. As our President said so nicely those children murdered “were all our children”. The adults that were murdered were our heroes.
As American’s we hurt together and stand together, even when we disagree with each other. So it only makes sense that each of us should find a way this Christmas to acknowledge the underlining tug on our hearts as we open presents, enjoy the company and the time off from routine. The tug we feel is the tie that binds us. The families who lost their loved ones don’t deserve for us to bury our heads in the sand just because we can’t handle thinking about it. They need us.
It could have been my Chloe, Sidney or Quinn that day. It could have been yours.
Our world is insane.
Jesus came to a dying, hurting, mean world. I don’t mean his world. I mean ours. The entire meaning of Christmas was to give a world like ours hope and the peace of knowing there would be an end to evil and eternity in our future. All we have to do is believe and tell Him so. It’s His free gift to us.
Certainly those precious children stepped into eternity instantly and are now angels in Heaven having more fun than any Christmas Day. But all the pain for those of us left here means nothing if we don’t embrace it and ask God to change us.
God will not allow evil to win even when it feels like it has. Lives will be changed and God will be at work. Our world is very, very sick. No doubt about it.
And when you are in a season like we are, we need the reason that He is.
Charlotte Bacon, Daniel Barden, Rachel Davino, Olivia Engel, Josephine Gay, Ana M. Marquez-Greene, Dylan Hockley, Dawn Hochsprung, Madeleine F. Hsu, Catherine V. Hubbard, Chase Kowalski, Jesse Lewis, James Mattioli, Grace McDonnell, Anne Marie Murphy, Emilie Parker, Jack Pinto, Noah Pozner, Caroline Previdi, Jessica Rekos, Avielle Richman, Lauren Rousseau, Mary Sherlach, Victoria Soto, Benjamin Wheeler, Allison N. Wyatt
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
(c) 2012, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and make no bones about it.”
Not since 9/11 has a tragedy stuck with me like this one has and almost everyone I have talked to says the same thing. This one just hurts nearly too bad to even think about.
We hurt. We are sad. Yet, it’s Christmas.
Miles away the holiday season has changed forever. It was senseless and more evil than any Hollywood flick and we are angry about it. Sometimes all we know to do is offer a simple prayer of "please help them God".
I’ve decided that it’s ok to pause here and there this weekend and think about those families. It’s ok to tear up looking at your little kids and even feel a little guilt for proceeding with “Christmas as usual”. All of our lives were changed by a gunman with no humanness to him. As our President said so nicely those children murdered “were all our children”. The adults that were murdered were our heroes.
As American’s we hurt together and stand together, even when we disagree with each other. So it only makes sense that each of us should find a way this Christmas to acknowledge the underlining tug on our hearts as we open presents, enjoy the company and the time off from routine. The tug we feel is the tie that binds us. The families who lost their loved ones don’t deserve for us to bury our heads in the sand just because we can’t handle thinking about it. They need us.
It could have been my Chloe, Sidney or Quinn that day. It could have been yours.
Our world is insane.
Jesus came to a dying, hurting, mean world. I don’t mean his world. I mean ours. The entire meaning of Christmas was to give a world like ours hope and the peace of knowing there would be an end to evil and eternity in our future. All we have to do is believe and tell Him so. It’s His free gift to us.
Certainly those precious children stepped into eternity instantly and are now angels in Heaven having more fun than any Christmas Day. But all the pain for those of us left here means nothing if we don’t embrace it and ask God to change us.
God will not allow evil to win even when it feels like it has. Lives will be changed and God will be at work. Our world is very, very sick. No doubt about it.
And when you are in a season like we are, we need the reason that He is.
Charlotte Bacon, Daniel Barden, Rachel Davino, Olivia Engel, Josephine Gay, Ana M. Marquez-Greene, Dylan Hockley, Dawn Hochsprung, Madeleine F. Hsu, Catherine V. Hubbard, Chase Kowalski, Jesse Lewis, James Mattioli, Grace McDonnell, Anne Marie Murphy, Emilie Parker, Jack Pinto, Noah Pozner, Caroline Previdi, Jessica Rekos, Avielle Richman, Lauren Rousseau, Mary Sherlach, Victoria Soto, Benjamin Wheeler, Allison N. Wyatt
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
(c) 2012, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and make no bones about it.”
Sunday, November 11, 2012
America is Changing
The re-election of President Obama and the Democratic platform of values signals a big shift in the cultural thinking of most Americans.
America is changing right in front of our eyes – and not for the better.
In a “progressive” movement away from the values of God towards the values of the world, the nation is shifting quickly. Liberalism has always been a part of our society but the agenda of the current Administration in DC is more telling than ever. For goodness sake, the word “God” was removed from their political platform before being put back in after three votes (and listening to the recordings make it clear more were opposed than in favor of).
The Bible tells us in the end times that the world would embrace earthly morals and turn further and further away from God. We are watching it take place like a virtual reality show. Each election more conservatives lose. Each election more votes go for the party that supports more abortions, more handouts, less God, and the homosexual agenda.
God help us.
It can be unsettling and very frustrating to observe our amazing country fold into itself. America has always been the light to the world in many ways. But not much anymore.
But as time marches on we must hold tight to the following truths:
1. God is in control. In the end, He will reign and every knee will bow before Him
2. He told us these times were coming and He will be with us
3. He will come for us before it gets real bad
4. We can and should focus on making a difference in our own communities
5. We need to continue to stand for the values of God even if we keep losing
I know for me, I will still love and thank God for America. I will still vote, get choked up when I hear a good national anthem and celebrate our fun patriotic holidays. We are still a nation with millions that worship Him and millions that beleive in His values. We are just not the majority anymore.
Now is the time to enjoy the family, your church, and life as you know it. Times might get even tougher. But our joy is new every morning and He is our source of happiness. Heaven is our future.
And, as the country gets darker and people struggle more and more, they are going to want to know one simple thing - how is that you can smile?
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12
(c) 2012, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and make no bones about it.”
America is changing right in front of our eyes – and not for the better.
In a “progressive” movement away from the values of God towards the values of the world, the nation is shifting quickly. Liberalism has always been a part of our society but the agenda of the current Administration in DC is more telling than ever. For goodness sake, the word “God” was removed from their political platform before being put back in after three votes (and listening to the recordings make it clear more were opposed than in favor of).
The Bible tells us in the end times that the world would embrace earthly morals and turn further and further away from God. We are watching it take place like a virtual reality show. Each election more conservatives lose. Each election more votes go for the party that supports more abortions, more handouts, less God, and the homosexual agenda.
God help us.
It can be unsettling and very frustrating to observe our amazing country fold into itself. America has always been the light to the world in many ways. But not much anymore.
But as time marches on we must hold tight to the following truths:
1. God is in control. In the end, He will reign and every knee will bow before Him
2. He told us these times were coming and He will be with us
3. He will come for us before it gets real bad
4. We can and should focus on making a difference in our own communities
5. We need to continue to stand for the values of God even if we keep losing
I know for me, I will still love and thank God for America. I will still vote, get choked up when I hear a good national anthem and celebrate our fun patriotic holidays. We are still a nation with millions that worship Him and millions that beleive in His values. We are just not the majority anymore.
Now is the time to enjoy the family, your church, and life as you know it. Times might get even tougher. But our joy is new every morning and He is our source of happiness. Heaven is our future.
And, as the country gets darker and people struggle more and more, they are going to want to know one simple thing - how is that you can smile?
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12
(c) 2012, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and make no bones about it.”
Sunday, November 04, 2012
Where I Belong
Emily was born in 2004 in a suburb of Dallas. She was so cute. A little thing, weighing just 5.7 ounces. Fit right in the palm of my hand. Her little nose was the most precious thing ever and her eyes pierced your soul.
Within a few weeks I went to see her again at the hospital and she was full of life. Grunting and squirming like the others around her. Yet, something about Emily was different. Just not sure what it was. Strange thing is she almost seemed to recognize me when I came near. Her little eyes perked up and she became more active. I enjoyed just feeding her and loving on her. She was so soft and cuddly it put tears in my eyes. I knew whoever she belonged to was certainly blessed beyond words. She had to be the joy of their life.
Nine months later I was asked to drop by and visit a local shelter for children in the area. In the States we don’t like to call them what they are – orphanages. But they do exist. Last I had heard nearly 30,000 kids alone in Fort Worth needed to be adopted and needed a family. It’s a sad truth but over 3,000,000 in these United States don’t have anyone to call “mom” or “dad”. I could never understand that. Just broke my heart.
My wife and I had thought about adopting at some point. But despite my career and volunteering efforts, we never took it any farther than just a random thought. If God wanted us to He would make it clear, right? Besides, adoption was kind of like a final option if the wife had issues having kids. We wanted to have our own children.
Making my rounds in this shelter and seeing all of the children without homes was never easy though. Kids just reflect God’s love and grace like nothing else. They loved the attention no matter the age. The baby area always got to me too. I just couldn’t wrap my mind around these little ones being homeless. But it happens.
Walking in that day I spent time going from crib to crib and bed to bed loving on those precious kids. The entire time I prayed asking God to take care of these little ones. After all, everyone deserves to be loved and everyone deserves a family.
Walking around a corner a lady approached me with a bundle in her arms.
“Can you hold her a second?” she asked. “I need to attend to something and this one has really been an issue the last few weeks. She just won’t stop crying.”
“Sure,” I said taking the bundle with a smile. I knew my magic would probably calm the little one down.
“Now, now,” I said as I looked down at the child.
Staring back at me was Emily.
I nearly lost it at that moment. Thoughts rushed through my mind faster than I could process them. I was speechless. How could this little bundle of love be in this place? Where were her parents? The outrage and pain hit me right in the chest. Didn’t she belong to someone?
Her eyes perked up and immediately she stopped crying. Piercing my mind, her eyes begged for belonging and familiarity. I was something she knew.
I didn’t know what to do in that moment but one thing was certain, I had to do something. I mean, you don’t just emotionally decide to take a child home like you would a puppy, do you? Emotions were all over the place.
I sat in a chair. Time was frozen.
Little Emily just snuggled up against me and fell asleep. Peace.
A few hours later Emily’s care worker came to get her from me. “Wow,” she said seeing her asleep. “You really do have some magic. This little girl has been a pain for months. Finally, we can get some peace around here.”
Her words weren’t mean for harm, but they hit me in the gut like a Mike Tyson punch.
“You want peace!?” I thought. “What about little Emily?”
I left that day and cried for hours on the way home. My life would never be the same.
Eighteen years later my wife and I cried once again as we watched Emily cross the stage at her graduation. Our daughter was on the way to adulthood. That same personality at 9 months of age was alive and well. She was the life of the show most of the time. Too many friends to even count. She was smarter than all of us and was headed to college in the fall to begin her career in robotic medicine. God always has a plan doesn’t He?
I still visit those children a few times a year and since then more than one friend of ours has also given a child a family to call their own.
Nearly two decades ago I had no idea how much life was about to change for so many when I walked in to that shelter that day.
But one thing will never change as long as we all shall live. Emily didn't belong in that shelter.
Emily belonged to us.
"Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows." Isaiah 1:17
(c) 2012, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and make no bones about it.”
(this was a fictional account of adoption)
Within a few weeks I went to see her again at the hospital and she was full of life. Grunting and squirming like the others around her. Yet, something about Emily was different. Just not sure what it was. Strange thing is she almost seemed to recognize me when I came near. Her little eyes perked up and she became more active. I enjoyed just feeding her and loving on her. She was so soft and cuddly it put tears in my eyes. I knew whoever she belonged to was certainly blessed beyond words. She had to be the joy of their life.
Nine months later I was asked to drop by and visit a local shelter for children in the area. In the States we don’t like to call them what they are – orphanages. But they do exist. Last I had heard nearly 30,000 kids alone in Fort Worth needed to be adopted and needed a family. It’s a sad truth but over 3,000,000 in these United States don’t have anyone to call “mom” or “dad”. I could never understand that. Just broke my heart.
My wife and I had thought about adopting at some point. But despite my career and volunteering efforts, we never took it any farther than just a random thought. If God wanted us to He would make it clear, right? Besides, adoption was kind of like a final option if the wife had issues having kids. We wanted to have our own children.
Making my rounds in this shelter and seeing all of the children without homes was never easy though. Kids just reflect God’s love and grace like nothing else. They loved the attention no matter the age. The baby area always got to me too. I just couldn’t wrap my mind around these little ones being homeless. But it happens.
Walking in that day I spent time going from crib to crib and bed to bed loving on those precious kids. The entire time I prayed asking God to take care of these little ones. After all, everyone deserves to be loved and everyone deserves a family.
Walking around a corner a lady approached me with a bundle in her arms.
“Can you hold her a second?” she asked. “I need to attend to something and this one has really been an issue the last few weeks. She just won’t stop crying.”
“Sure,” I said taking the bundle with a smile. I knew my magic would probably calm the little one down.
“Now, now,” I said as I looked down at the child.
Staring back at me was Emily.
I nearly lost it at that moment. Thoughts rushed through my mind faster than I could process them. I was speechless. How could this little bundle of love be in this place? Where were her parents? The outrage and pain hit me right in the chest. Didn’t she belong to someone?
Her eyes perked up and immediately she stopped crying. Piercing my mind, her eyes begged for belonging and familiarity. I was something she knew.
I didn’t know what to do in that moment but one thing was certain, I had to do something. I mean, you don’t just emotionally decide to take a child home like you would a puppy, do you? Emotions were all over the place.
I sat in a chair. Time was frozen.
Little Emily just snuggled up against me and fell asleep. Peace.
A few hours later Emily’s care worker came to get her from me. “Wow,” she said seeing her asleep. “You really do have some magic. This little girl has been a pain for months. Finally, we can get some peace around here.”
Her words weren’t mean for harm, but they hit me in the gut like a Mike Tyson punch.
“You want peace!?” I thought. “What about little Emily?”
I left that day and cried for hours on the way home. My life would never be the same.
Eighteen years later my wife and I cried once again as we watched Emily cross the stage at her graduation. Our daughter was on the way to adulthood. That same personality at 9 months of age was alive and well. She was the life of the show most of the time. Too many friends to even count. She was smarter than all of us and was headed to college in the fall to begin her career in robotic medicine. God always has a plan doesn’t He?
I still visit those children a few times a year and since then more than one friend of ours has also given a child a family to call their own.
Nearly two decades ago I had no idea how much life was about to change for so many when I walked in to that shelter that day.
But one thing will never change as long as we all shall live. Emily didn't belong in that shelter.
Emily belonged to us.
"Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows." Isaiah 1:17
(c) 2012, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and make no bones about it.”
(this was a fictional account of adoption)
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Jesus Would Vote, Just Not For Obama
This one is gonna make some mad. But, truth hurts and I make no bones about it.
In a matter of just a few weeks now, believers all across America will have an interesting political choice to make.
On one hand, we have Mitt Romney; a smart family man with a huge business background that believes in God, studies the scriptures, has ministered and helped others, and attends church regularly. The glaring problem to most Christians is that he is in fact a Mormon. Oops.
On the other hand, we have President Obama; an educated, good family man, with a desire to see people get “a fair chance”, yet who has a Muslim heritage with too many Islamic friends to count. While he claims to know Jesus, he attended a controversial “black theology” church led by the extreme radical Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Huh?
So what would Jesus do?
See the truth is God doesn’t really care about our economy. He doesn’t give a rip about bailouts, big gulp bans, taxes on the rich, healthcare, the value of the dollar or spending money on NASA so we can get to Mars. In fact, there are only a few things he would care about if he was here on November 6, 2012, and his voting results would likely be easy to follow. It’s really not that hard once you see it through the prism of the Word and break it down to the five real issues Jesus himself would truly care about.
Entitlements - The Bible makes it clear that we are to take care of those that are truly in need and/or are desperate for help and we have both Christian and worldly systems in place for those people now. The Bible also makes it clear a man is responsible to care for himself, provide for his family and work or he shall not eat. Nowhere in scripture can you see the character of God endorsing a growing system of handouts and dependency on any system made by man. In fact, Paul himself worked so that “he may not be a burden” on anyone. Nearly 50% of American’s now get some form of check or handout from the government. Slackers abound and irresponsibility has its own Twitter hash tag. As a business owner that has hired hundreds of people I have seen it first hand and it makes me sick. This growing attitude of dependency is 100% contrary to the teachings of the bible. Under President Obama handouts and dependency have grown astronomically while responsibility has been swept under the rug.
God’s Word and Values – The attack on Christian values in this country and around the world has increased tenfold in the last decade. You see it just like I do and frankly, it is scary. There is no doubt the End is near. But neither are we supposed to let the world just run ramshod over us like an old Super Dave skit without speaking out. The Bible has been and always will be the center of Truth for life. Our nation, and sadly many Christians, is caving to the pressures of various worldly, anti-God movements such as political correctness and tolerance of immorality. The fastest growing religion in the world is now Islam, with a temple near you. It is alarming to say the least. Jesus spoke out against immorality and large portions of the New Testament are about false teachers and false religions. Laws that would prohibit us from speaking the truth and proclaiming the teachings of God are being worked on now. We have to act. During the Democratic National Convention the word “God” was voluntarily removed from their platform. Under pressure it was put back in even though the vote taken audibly was clearly against it. Need I say more?
Homosexuality – God’s first ordained structure was the family, consisting of Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. The family was God’s first defense against Satan’s front line and the homosexual movement is the devil’s biggest weapon. Homosexuality is sin. Period. End of story. Those are God’s words and the popularity of legalizing homosexual marriages is tragic. Everyone sins and every sinner has a right to exist. We can and should befriend homosexuals and love them. But when laws are made to promote and condone this movement, a line has been crossed. Obama has promoted and embraced the homosexual movement more than any President in our history.
Israel – The Jewish people were promised by God a homeland and that occurred in 1948 primarily because America forced it to. For decades we have supported, protected and defended these vulnerable chosen people of God. The scripture makes it clear that those who oppose His people “will be cursed” and my guess is we don’t want to be on the wrong side of the line when God curses anything. Recent actions, even under President Bush, have brought us very close to crossing over that line. Jews will always be His people and we better get back to remembering that in a real hurry. Under the leadership of President Obama, Israel has been left in the dark. He hasn’t even visited them one time in 4 years. He is no friend of Israel. Not good.
Life – Finally and most important, Jesus would care about the sanctity and respect for the unborn. Over 50,000,000 Americans won’t be voting this year because they were killed by the lawful act of a doctor. The Word makes it clear that life begins when God says it does, not when Chris Matthews does. Obama is one of the most radical supporters of abortion in history…even infanticide. He makes Hillary Clinton look like the Pope on this issue. Romney may have once supported a woman’s right to choose, but he says his views have since changed and that’s all that matters, even if it was merely political. The Republican party will hold him accountable to standing firm in supporting the pro life movement or the Tea Party will see he is a one-term flash in the pan. Regardless of Romney, Obama hasn’t changed his views and even made it clear he would want his own daughter to have the freedom to kill his grandchild if it inconvenienced her life should she get pregnant. Look it up. This one issue alone is all any believer really needs to make their decision clear. A Christian that is pro-choice needs to make sure they have the right version of the Bible and try re-reading it.
Despite all of these completely anti-God issues, some Christians like to argue that there should be a separation between politics and faith. Many have a carefree attitude to the point of apathetic disinterest in the process. They say “God is in control, so who cares?” What they fail to realize is that God ordained the world we live in from the beginning. It was God that knew we would have governments, political systems and laws. His word clearly explains that both in the New and Old Testaments. He also knew there would be corruption, bickering, elitism and the like. After all, men run these systems and many times they are, in fact, epic failures.
Yes, Christians need to lead by example and only Jesus can change the hearts of man but worldly governments can either be run by His people or those that hate Him, and in America that is decide by voting. God expects believers to stand up for the values and expectations He gave us in His word. We need to wake up to that reality. Even the Israelites eventually had to make a stand against their ruler and in a similar way America was founded by believers that also took a stand.
Today is no different. More than ever America needs to start making a turn back to our roots and right now we are blessed that we can still do that with our votes. Judges will be appointed in the next 4-6 years that could determine all kinds of laws – either for or against the teachings expressed in God’s word.
It’s time to make people have personal responsibility. It’s time to stand up for Israel. It’s time to defend the God ordained family structure and resist the homosexual agenda. It’s time to stand up and defend the Bible and the values it demands we live by. And, most importantly to God, it’s time we stop killing babies.
Jesus stood on a cross in defense of you. The least we can do is stand at a voting booth in defense of Him.
The Democratic Party endorses abortion, promotes homosexuality, has weakened in their defense of Israel, gives applause to irresponsibility, and wants God removed from nearly everything, including their own party platform. So it’s pretty easy to see…
Jesus wouldn’t vote for Obama, will you?
“But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens." Exodus 18:21
(c) 2012, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and make no bones about it.”
In a matter of just a few weeks now, believers all across America will have an interesting political choice to make.
On one hand, we have Mitt Romney; a smart family man with a huge business background that believes in God, studies the scriptures, has ministered and helped others, and attends church regularly. The glaring problem to most Christians is that he is in fact a Mormon. Oops.
On the other hand, we have President Obama; an educated, good family man, with a desire to see people get “a fair chance”, yet who has a Muslim heritage with too many Islamic friends to count. While he claims to know Jesus, he attended a controversial “black theology” church led by the extreme radical Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Huh?
So what would Jesus do?
See the truth is God doesn’t really care about our economy. He doesn’t give a rip about bailouts, big gulp bans, taxes on the rich, healthcare, the value of the dollar or spending money on NASA so we can get to Mars. In fact, there are only a few things he would care about if he was here on November 6, 2012, and his voting results would likely be easy to follow. It’s really not that hard once you see it through the prism of the Word and break it down to the five real issues Jesus himself would truly care about.
Entitlements - The Bible makes it clear that we are to take care of those that are truly in need and/or are desperate for help and we have both Christian and worldly systems in place for those people now. The Bible also makes it clear a man is responsible to care for himself, provide for his family and work or he shall not eat. Nowhere in scripture can you see the character of God endorsing a growing system of handouts and dependency on any system made by man. In fact, Paul himself worked so that “he may not be a burden” on anyone. Nearly 50% of American’s now get some form of check or handout from the government. Slackers abound and irresponsibility has its own Twitter hash tag. As a business owner that has hired hundreds of people I have seen it first hand and it makes me sick. This growing attitude of dependency is 100% contrary to the teachings of the bible. Under President Obama handouts and dependency have grown astronomically while responsibility has been swept under the rug.
God’s Word and Values – The attack on Christian values in this country and around the world has increased tenfold in the last decade. You see it just like I do and frankly, it is scary. There is no doubt the End is near. But neither are we supposed to let the world just run ramshod over us like an old Super Dave skit without speaking out. The Bible has been and always will be the center of Truth for life. Our nation, and sadly many Christians, is caving to the pressures of various worldly, anti-God movements such as political correctness and tolerance of immorality. The fastest growing religion in the world is now Islam, with a temple near you. It is alarming to say the least. Jesus spoke out against immorality and large portions of the New Testament are about false teachers and false religions. Laws that would prohibit us from speaking the truth and proclaiming the teachings of God are being worked on now. We have to act. During the Democratic National Convention the word “God” was voluntarily removed from their platform. Under pressure it was put back in even though the vote taken audibly was clearly against it. Need I say more?
Homosexuality – God’s first ordained structure was the family, consisting of Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. The family was God’s first defense against Satan’s front line and the homosexual movement is the devil’s biggest weapon. Homosexuality is sin. Period. End of story. Those are God’s words and the popularity of legalizing homosexual marriages is tragic. Everyone sins and every sinner has a right to exist. We can and should befriend homosexuals and love them. But when laws are made to promote and condone this movement, a line has been crossed. Obama has promoted and embraced the homosexual movement more than any President in our history.
Israel – The Jewish people were promised by God a homeland and that occurred in 1948 primarily because America forced it to. For decades we have supported, protected and defended these vulnerable chosen people of God. The scripture makes it clear that those who oppose His people “will be cursed” and my guess is we don’t want to be on the wrong side of the line when God curses anything. Recent actions, even under President Bush, have brought us very close to crossing over that line. Jews will always be His people and we better get back to remembering that in a real hurry. Under the leadership of President Obama, Israel has been left in the dark. He hasn’t even visited them one time in 4 years. He is no friend of Israel. Not good.
Life – Finally and most important, Jesus would care about the sanctity and respect for the unborn. Over 50,000,000 Americans won’t be voting this year because they were killed by the lawful act of a doctor. The Word makes it clear that life begins when God says it does, not when Chris Matthews does. Obama is one of the most radical supporters of abortion in history…even infanticide. He makes Hillary Clinton look like the Pope on this issue. Romney may have once supported a woman’s right to choose, but he says his views have since changed and that’s all that matters, even if it was merely political. The Republican party will hold him accountable to standing firm in supporting the pro life movement or the Tea Party will see he is a one-term flash in the pan. Regardless of Romney, Obama hasn’t changed his views and even made it clear he would want his own daughter to have the freedom to kill his grandchild if it inconvenienced her life should she get pregnant. Look it up. This one issue alone is all any believer really needs to make their decision clear. A Christian that is pro-choice needs to make sure they have the right version of the Bible and try re-reading it.
Despite all of these completely anti-God issues, some Christians like to argue that there should be a separation between politics and faith. Many have a carefree attitude to the point of apathetic disinterest in the process. They say “God is in control, so who cares?” What they fail to realize is that God ordained the world we live in from the beginning. It was God that knew we would have governments, political systems and laws. His word clearly explains that both in the New and Old Testaments. He also knew there would be corruption, bickering, elitism and the like. After all, men run these systems and many times they are, in fact, epic failures.
Yes, Christians need to lead by example and only Jesus can change the hearts of man but worldly governments can either be run by His people or those that hate Him, and in America that is decide by voting. God expects believers to stand up for the values and expectations He gave us in His word. We need to wake up to that reality. Even the Israelites eventually had to make a stand against their ruler and in a similar way America was founded by believers that also took a stand.
Today is no different. More than ever America needs to start making a turn back to our roots and right now we are blessed that we can still do that with our votes. Judges will be appointed in the next 4-6 years that could determine all kinds of laws – either for or against the teachings expressed in God’s word.
It’s time to make people have personal responsibility. It’s time to stand up for Israel. It’s time to defend the God ordained family structure and resist the homosexual agenda. It’s time to stand up and defend the Bible and the values it demands we live by. And, most importantly to God, it’s time we stop killing babies.
Jesus stood on a cross in defense of you. The least we can do is stand at a voting booth in defense of Him.
The Democratic Party endorses abortion, promotes homosexuality, has weakened in their defense of Israel, gives applause to irresponsibility, and wants God removed from nearly everything, including their own party platform. So it’s pretty easy to see…
Jesus wouldn’t vote for Obama, will you?
“But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens." Exodus 18:21
(c) 2012, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and make no bones about it.”
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Winners that Cheat Are Losers
One of the main lessons any good parent tries to teach their children is to be honest and never cheat.
I guess Lance Armstrong either was never taught that lesson or simply forgot it.
Armstrong took the sports world by storm by winning seven Tour De France bike racing titles and putting the cycling sport on the map. Because of him we all now worry about running over riders during rush hour each day. Bikers are everywhere, all the time. Even I have one, though it is begging me to take her out for a ride.
For years this man was an American hero, even overcoming cancer during the process and inspiring people all over the world. What he had done was amazing; a record most agree was up there with the likes of Nolan Ryan's 5,000 strikeouts. It was a record most agree would never be broken again.
Too bad the record no longer stands.
Armstrong retired amidst a storm of controversy surrounding allegations of sports enhancement drug use. Though he never tested positive, most know athletes these days can beat nearly any drug test even those done without warning. Apparently, this man was proud and open about his use of the drugs, including his teammates and friends in his scheme. As most cheaters do, he felt invincible and never even thought about all that was at stake.
Well, the heat soon got too hot to stand ending in him being banned for life from the sport he loved and having all of his titles scratched from the record books.
It wasn't his enemies that did him in and called him out. It was his closest friends who finally spoke the truth.
Honesty and integrity are hard to find these days. Kids see other kids cheating, watch TV stars and other "idols" get away with lying and see too many adults that are just as bad. Even our nation's leaders appear to mislead and lie in attempts to win.
No one is perfect and all of us have likely crossed the lines between truth and untruths, but now more than ever we need to rise above the mediocrity and do our best to go against the tide - even if that means we lose.
Winning by cheating may feel good for a minute. It may even last a few years. But in the end a cheater is still just a loser in costume.
True winners don't cheat.
"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." James 4:17
(c) 2012, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and make no bones about it.”
I guess Lance Armstrong either was never taught that lesson or simply forgot it.
Armstrong took the sports world by storm by winning seven Tour De France bike racing titles and putting the cycling sport on the map. Because of him we all now worry about running over riders during rush hour each day. Bikers are everywhere, all the time. Even I have one, though it is begging me to take her out for a ride.
For years this man was an American hero, even overcoming cancer during the process and inspiring people all over the world. What he had done was amazing; a record most agree was up there with the likes of Nolan Ryan's 5,000 strikeouts. It was a record most agree would never be broken again.
Too bad the record no longer stands.
Armstrong retired amidst a storm of controversy surrounding allegations of sports enhancement drug use. Though he never tested positive, most know athletes these days can beat nearly any drug test even those done without warning. Apparently, this man was proud and open about his use of the drugs, including his teammates and friends in his scheme. As most cheaters do, he felt invincible and never even thought about all that was at stake.
Well, the heat soon got too hot to stand ending in him being banned for life from the sport he loved and having all of his titles scratched from the record books.
It wasn't his enemies that did him in and called him out. It was his closest friends who finally spoke the truth.
Honesty and integrity are hard to find these days. Kids see other kids cheating, watch TV stars and other "idols" get away with lying and see too many adults that are just as bad. Even our nation's leaders appear to mislead and lie in attempts to win.
No one is perfect and all of us have likely crossed the lines between truth and untruths, but now more than ever we need to rise above the mediocrity and do our best to go against the tide - even if that means we lose.
Winning by cheating may feel good for a minute. It may even last a few years. But in the end a cheater is still just a loser in costume.
True winners don't cheat.
"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." James 4:17
(c) 2012, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and make no bones about it.”
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Cowboys All About Profits
There just aren’t many bigger Dallas Cowboys fans than me. I have shrines celebrating Cowboys history in my home office as well as my main office. I worked part-time for the team back in the early 90s just so I could go to games for free. I go to training camp for a few days by myself just to study and prepare for the season. I owned a suite at one time and I’ve had season tickets since the early 2000s.
But at the end of last year I came to this reality: Jerry Jones has substituted winning for profits and ruined my team.
In the last 246 games, the team has gone 123-123 under his ownership and direction as the general manager. We have won one playoff game since 1996 much less sniff a SuperBowl.
The Cowboys now offer a mediocre product for the highest price and Jones is laughing all the way to the bank. The pride of the Schramm and Landry days are long gone. Even Jimmy Johnson is an old memory now. Put it this way, teams like the Raiders, Seahawks and Saints have won more in the last decade than we have and all three of those have been to a SuperBowl!
In any other real business world, a company that couldn’t improve its services or products for nearly two decades wouldn’t last even a few years. Yet Cowboys fans like me keep drinking the cool-aid in hopes one days Jones’ idiocy will win anyway.
I sent Jones a letter telling him goodbye last year and explained the above to him in clear detail. Now I go to a few games a year and buy some other schmucks tickets instead for about 1/5th the price.
If he cared so much about winning he would realize he is the common denominator each year and he would remove himself from personnel and team moves. I feel bad for the players and coaches to be honest.
Needless to say I am bitter about the whole thing. Can you tell? I love football and I love my Cowboys. It is my drug. Instead of hard working players eager to please and scared of losing their incomes, Jones and the NFL in general have created a money making monster of unreal proportions. Even the famed pink “Breast Cancer Awareness” push each year is more about money than the sad disease.
Maybe one day things will change. If not, I can only pray and hope my favorite time of the year ends with a Cowboys team finding a way to rise above blandness and win something on accident.
Because until it hits Jerry in the pocketbook; cash will be king.
Winning isn’t even on tap.
"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil…” I Timothy 6:10
(c) 2012, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and make no bones about it.”
But at the end of last year I came to this reality: Jerry Jones has substituted winning for profits and ruined my team.
In the last 246 games, the team has gone 123-123 under his ownership and direction as the general manager. We have won one playoff game since 1996 much less sniff a SuperBowl.
The Cowboys now offer a mediocre product for the highest price and Jones is laughing all the way to the bank. The pride of the Schramm and Landry days are long gone. Even Jimmy Johnson is an old memory now. Put it this way, teams like the Raiders, Seahawks and Saints have won more in the last decade than we have and all three of those have been to a SuperBowl!
In any other real business world, a company that couldn’t improve its services or products for nearly two decades wouldn’t last even a few years. Yet Cowboys fans like me keep drinking the cool-aid in hopes one days Jones’ idiocy will win anyway.
I sent Jones a letter telling him goodbye last year and explained the above to him in clear detail. Now I go to a few games a year and buy some other schmucks tickets instead for about 1/5th the price.
If he cared so much about winning he would realize he is the common denominator each year and he would remove himself from personnel and team moves. I feel bad for the players and coaches to be honest.
Needless to say I am bitter about the whole thing. Can you tell? I love football and I love my Cowboys. It is my drug. Instead of hard working players eager to please and scared of losing their incomes, Jones and the NFL in general have created a money making monster of unreal proportions. Even the famed pink “Breast Cancer Awareness” push each year is more about money than the sad disease.
Maybe one day things will change. If not, I can only pray and hope my favorite time of the year ends with a Cowboys team finding a way to rise above blandness and win something on accident.
Because until it hits Jerry in the pocketbook; cash will be king.
Winning isn’t even on tap.
"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil…” I Timothy 6:10
(c) 2012, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and make no bones about it.”
Sunday, October 07, 2012
Spoons, Forks and the Fellas
One thing is certain. Nothing means more to me than friends and family. Nothing.
Business is a challenge and it pays the bills and my sports teams give me that rush throughout the seasons. But nothing comes close to being with those you love. And rarely do I laugh more than when I’m acting stupid with my buddies.
Over the decades God has blessed me beyond measure with a group of close friends, some of which have known each other since the mid 80s. We call each other “the fellas”.
Today’s fellas derived from a group called “the dwellos” formed at Howard Payne University back in the early 90s but over the last two decades the group has grown to include others diversifying the group’s background and pushing the gang to over 10 members strong. I could name them all, but they know who they are.
As we have all moved farther apart, gotten older, and busier with work and kids, we rarely get to see or even talk to each other these days; especially not as a group at the same time. In the old days, the original members would have to find things to do like create the classic home movie Attack of the Killer Spoons in 1992.
In the summer of 2007 one of those rare times occurred at my home in Mansfield at “Fellas Weekend III”, in which most of us were able to gather for a quick reunion. What started off as a fellas take-over of Fort Worth and the Stockyards, ended with the filming of a new movie that paid homage to Spoons called Revenge of the Forks.
It took us 5 years, but in the fall of 2012 it was completed and released. As of this writing, it has well over 75 hits on YouTube, setting some new records. Just not sure which ones…
The world premier night was another one of those funny and rare fellas events. Spread all over the place between Denver, New Jersey, Dallas and San Antonio, we grabbed a hold of modern day technology to join together and watch it live as one. We started out with Facebook chatting, then moved to a conference call party line where the next 10 minutes was spent in total chaos as each of us tried to give the other a hard time. It had been more than 5 years since we had spent any kind of time together so a lot of ribbing had to be done.
A few minutes later “Dave” started the live streaming of the 8 minute horror classic we had created and the laughter began. Though a little more technology was used than in Spoons, Forks was truly a perfect sequel. After we spent another 10 minutes telling each other how stupidly hilarious it was and catching up some, the night ended as most of us had to tend to kids or get ready for the next day.
Life always happens.
I’m not sure if the fellas will ever unite again under one roof for Sliced by the Blades or some other stupid event. With kids and life being the way it is in your 40s, it may be eternity before we have that kind of time, or at the least we will likely be learning the secrets to wheel chair racing. But one thing is clear – we are all greatly blessed to know each other and have been brought together over the years.
Most people spend their lives hoping to have 1-2 friends they could trust with their lives. We just happen to have about 10 and none of us really know why.
I love my fellas. More than most of them will ever know.
God is good all the time and all the time God is good.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." Colossians 3:16
(c) 2012, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and make no bones about it.”
Business is a challenge and it pays the bills and my sports teams give me that rush throughout the seasons. But nothing comes close to being with those you love. And rarely do I laugh more than when I’m acting stupid with my buddies.
Over the decades God has blessed me beyond measure with a group of close friends, some of which have known each other since the mid 80s. We call each other “the fellas”.
Today’s fellas derived from a group called “the dwellos” formed at Howard Payne University back in the early 90s but over the last two decades the group has grown to include others diversifying the group’s background and pushing the gang to over 10 members strong. I could name them all, but they know who they are.
As we have all moved farther apart, gotten older, and busier with work and kids, we rarely get to see or even talk to each other these days; especially not as a group at the same time. In the old days, the original members would have to find things to do like create the classic home movie Attack of the Killer Spoons in 1992.
In the summer of 2007 one of those rare times occurred at my home in Mansfield at “Fellas Weekend III”, in which most of us were able to gather for a quick reunion. What started off as a fellas take-over of Fort Worth and the Stockyards, ended with the filming of a new movie that paid homage to Spoons called Revenge of the Forks.
It took us 5 years, but in the fall of 2012 it was completed and released. As of this writing, it has well over 75 hits on YouTube, setting some new records. Just not sure which ones…
The world premier night was another one of those funny and rare fellas events. Spread all over the place between Denver, New Jersey, Dallas and San Antonio, we grabbed a hold of modern day technology to join together and watch it live as one. We started out with Facebook chatting, then moved to a conference call party line where the next 10 minutes was spent in total chaos as each of us tried to give the other a hard time. It had been more than 5 years since we had spent any kind of time together so a lot of ribbing had to be done.
A few minutes later “Dave” started the live streaming of the 8 minute horror classic we had created and the laughter began. Though a little more technology was used than in Spoons, Forks was truly a perfect sequel. After we spent another 10 minutes telling each other how stupidly hilarious it was and catching up some, the night ended as most of us had to tend to kids or get ready for the next day.
Life always happens.
I’m not sure if the fellas will ever unite again under one roof for Sliced by the Blades or some other stupid event. With kids and life being the way it is in your 40s, it may be eternity before we have that kind of time, or at the least we will likely be learning the secrets to wheel chair racing. But one thing is clear – we are all greatly blessed to know each other and have been brought together over the years.
Most people spend their lives hoping to have 1-2 friends they could trust with their lives. We just happen to have about 10 and none of us really know why.
I love my fellas. More than most of them will ever know.
God is good all the time and all the time God is good.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." Colossians 3:16
(c) 2012, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and make no bones about it.”
Sunday, September 16, 2012
The Last American Hero?
Think about this for just one second:
You move your foot off a step and slowly, nervously place it....
...on the flippin' moon!
Over your shoulder is home, in the minds eye position usually reserved for the very thing you just put your foot down on. The man on the moon is now your neighbor. Earth is a color marble hanging in the stars and you have no idea if your vehicle will really get you back. No internet, smart phones, or texting. Just you, a few other crazies like you and God.
That was Neil Armstrong's very experience in 1969 when he became the essential American icon of all time and a hero to us all. Hundreds of thousands of miles away was everything he knew. Yet he and his crew did this to make America stand taller than all the rest. And because everyone else was simply too afraid.
The moon?? Really?
It's still amazing to think of even now, 43 years later.
That's what makes his recent passing so historical and captivating.
At a time when the cold war was a daily threat, civil rights was a heated movement, and a President had been assassinated just a few years prior, the country was in need of something to hang on to.
We needed a hero and Neil Armstrong stepped up to the plate by stepping onto the moon.
Our world is once again in chaos and it needs heroes more than ever before.
You might not be able to put your boot on the moon. But one thing you can count on: God has a plan for you, and it's not just sitting by watching the rest of us. Adopt a child, volunteer more, give more, stand up for your faith, help someone in need, or just be a better friend. Do something.
Find "your mission" and grab a hold of it. Be a hero.
And like his family asked us to do, throw a wink up towards Neil the next time you see that big glowing sphere lighting up the night.
One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained." Psalms 8:3
© 2012, J. Brady Speers
"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
sponsored by http://www.bradyspeers.net/
You move your foot off a step and slowly, nervously place it....
...on the flippin' moon!
Over your shoulder is home, in the minds eye position usually reserved for the very thing you just put your foot down on. The man on the moon is now your neighbor. Earth is a color marble hanging in the stars and you have no idea if your vehicle will really get you back. No internet, smart phones, or texting. Just you, a few other crazies like you and God.
That was Neil Armstrong's very experience in 1969 when he became the essential American icon of all time and a hero to us all. Hundreds of thousands of miles away was everything he knew. Yet he and his crew did this to make America stand taller than all the rest. And because everyone else was simply too afraid.
The moon?? Really?
It's still amazing to think of even now, 43 years later.
That's what makes his recent passing so historical and captivating.
At a time when the cold war was a daily threat, civil rights was a heated movement, and a President had been assassinated just a few years prior, the country was in need of something to hang on to.
We needed a hero and Neil Armstrong stepped up to the plate by stepping onto the moon.
Our world is once again in chaos and it needs heroes more than ever before.
You might not be able to put your boot on the moon. But one thing you can count on: God has a plan for you, and it's not just sitting by watching the rest of us. Adopt a child, volunteer more, give more, stand up for your faith, help someone in need, or just be a better friend. Do something.
Find "your mission" and grab a hold of it. Be a hero.
And like his family asked us to do, throw a wink up towards Neil the next time you see that big glowing sphere lighting up the night.
One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained." Psalms 8:3
© 2012, J. Brady Speers
"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
sponsored by http://www.bradyspeers.net/
Saturday, June 09, 2012
Is it Black Night?
What kids Say Is Not What They Mean...
Earlier this week, it was a daddy night for me and the kiddos. Julie's business had her out for the evening and I needed some time with the kids so it was a perfect excuse to load them up the in minivan and head out to dinner some place.
Spaghetti Warehouse it was.
Now let me say, having dinner with six year old twins and a four year old boy is always an interesting experience, chopped full of me saying things like: "stop that", "sit down", "get that out of your mouth", "put that down", "get busy eating", "why did you lick that?", "stop starring", "say excuse me", "no more of...", "it's ok, it was an accident", "why did you do that?", "why didn't you tell me earlier?", etc. But the time usually involves some laughter too.
Kids know how to say the funniest things and this was one of those nights.
As the four of us are enjoying the remnants of our Italian feast at a table crammed into the famous Spaghetti Warehouse trolley car, I noticed (in my peripheral vision) a couple and their kids walking right past us and then being seated right next to us. For some reason my mind made a note that they were all wearing black of some kind.
It was then that one of my 6 year old girls said "Daddy, is it black night?".
And mind you, she asked this loud enough for most in the entire trolley car to hear.
I gave her "the look" and took a quick glance at the family.It was then I noted something else about this family.
They were African American. Yep, and they were wearing mostly all black.
All of this transpired in a matter of milliseconds mind you, but I was now horrified and truly embarrassed. I quickly recovered by saying loudly, "Yes honey, allot of people are WEARING black here tonight. People like all colors. See allot of others are wearing red." Then I proceeded to have a little conversation with my sweeties about not starring and not talking about people - much less those that are 48 inches away, and how it's just rude.
I doubt the family even noticed, but we swiftly paid our bill and made our way out leaving these people in the little trolley car to eat their meals in peace and without any further comments that could possibly be construed in some other fashion.
After we left I frankly broke down in complete laughter. Kids. What are the odds? And talk about timing. I mean, really.
The honest truth is that we are about as far from a racist family as one could ever know. It's just not an issue in our home, but boy how that comment could have made the news!
The sad truth is though God made each of us different and did so to glorify his creative abilities, our world still seems content on dividing us by color of skin, origin, geography, social status, and religion now more so than ever.
This funny little moment won't be remembered at all by my three kids years from now. But for me, it was a real reminder that we need to continue to teach others by example that God created each and every one of us and we should spend our lives loving and embracing one another, regardless of our creative differences.
After all, everyone is different in their own way.
Even when many are wearing black.
"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28
© 2012, J. Brady Speers
"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
sponsored by http://www.bradyspeers.net/
Earlier this week, it was a daddy night for me and the kiddos. Julie's business had her out for the evening and I needed some time with the kids so it was a perfect excuse to load them up the in minivan and head out to dinner some place.
Spaghetti Warehouse it was.
Now let me say, having dinner with six year old twins and a four year old boy is always an interesting experience, chopped full of me saying things like: "stop that", "sit down", "get that out of your mouth", "put that down", "get busy eating", "why did you lick that?", "stop starring", "say excuse me", "no more of...", "it's ok, it was an accident", "why did you do that?", "why didn't you tell me earlier?", etc. But the time usually involves some laughter too.
Kids know how to say the funniest things and this was one of those nights.
As the four of us are enjoying the remnants of our Italian feast at a table crammed into the famous Spaghetti Warehouse trolley car, I noticed (in my peripheral vision) a couple and their kids walking right past us and then being seated right next to us. For some reason my mind made a note that they were all wearing black of some kind.
It was then that one of my 6 year old girls said "Daddy, is it black night?".
And mind you, she asked this loud enough for most in the entire trolley car to hear.
I gave her "the look" and took a quick glance at the family.It was then I noted something else about this family.
They were African American. Yep, and they were wearing mostly all black.
All of this transpired in a matter of milliseconds mind you, but I was now horrified and truly embarrassed. I quickly recovered by saying loudly, "Yes honey, allot of people are WEARING black here tonight. People like all colors. See allot of others are wearing red." Then I proceeded to have a little conversation with my sweeties about not starring and not talking about people - much less those that are 48 inches away, and how it's just rude.
I doubt the family even noticed, but we swiftly paid our bill and made our way out leaving these people in the little trolley car to eat their meals in peace and without any further comments that could possibly be construed in some other fashion.
After we left I frankly broke down in complete laughter. Kids. What are the odds? And talk about timing. I mean, really.
The honest truth is that we are about as far from a racist family as one could ever know. It's just not an issue in our home, but boy how that comment could have made the news!
The sad truth is though God made each of us different and did so to glorify his creative abilities, our world still seems content on dividing us by color of skin, origin, geography, social status, and religion now more so than ever.
This funny little moment won't be remembered at all by my three kids years from now. But for me, it was a real reminder that we need to continue to teach others by example that God created each and every one of us and we should spend our lives loving and embracing one another, regardless of our creative differences.
After all, everyone is different in their own way.
Even when many are wearing black.
"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28
© 2012, 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
Adoption Gave Us Steve Jobs & All His Creative Wonders
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/
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/
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/
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Antlers, the Claw and Jesus
Nothing lights a fire more than watching your baseball team compete in the playoffs.
That is unless your sports wood is wet.
For Texas Rangers fans 2010 was a historical journey nearly 40 years in the making that few in the Metroplex are soon to forget. Thanks to the help of some unlikely ingredients – “the claw”, “antlers” and Josh Hamilton’s Jesus, the North Texas baseball team finally broke free of the doldrums of the American League West and not only won a playoff series, but finished off the New York Yankees in considerable fashion in route to their first World Series in franchise history.
The Houston Astros were the first Texas team to do it back in 2005, but even they hadn’t waited in the dark for good baseball as long as Ranger fans had; just 3 playoff trips with just one win and no wins at home!
All season long this underdog, underpaid team of good guys faced transition, hardship and confusion only to fight back each and every time until their goals were accomplished one by one. Soon, two rally cries became “the thing” as “the claw” (symbolizing power and strength) and finger “antlers” (symbolizing speed like a deer) became the craze. Along side those was the incredible real-life story of team MVP Josh Hamilton, whose drug addicted, self-destructive past was turned into a modern life example of the power of Christ. Though not perfect, Hamilton demonstrated a consistent example to us all of humility and dependency on God. Standing on the stage in front of millions on TV while accepting his ALCS MVP trophy he said these words:
“First of all, all the glory goes to God and Jesus Christ. Secondly, I love my teammates,” Hamilton said. “I love them so much. I’m happy to have them. I don’t want to talk about myself. I want to talk about them. We are the reason we are here.”
If only more sports heroes were like this man. Heck, if only more of us reading this article were like him. What a difference we all could make.
Hamilton is so loved and respected by his teammates that after winning the division, and both playoff series, they reserved a special post-game celebration time for him to be sprayed and showered with non-alcoholic drinks. His teammates understood his weaknesses and respected his faith. In our world of intolerance towards all things Jesus, this was simply amazing.
The more real you are and the more you take a stand, the more those around you will embrace who you are. Even the most hardcore cynic has to admit Hamilton is one of a kind. He can cream baseballs out of every park in America and never blink about who gives him that ability. His career and life was saved both literally and spiritually by the only real thing many of us honestly hide under our bushels all too often.
During the World Series you can bet those of us in the DFW are will have our antlers up and our claws out. Only time will tell if the journey ends with a championship over the San Francisco Giants.
Regardless, baseball in Texas is giving those Cowboys a run for their money and over here in this stadium we call Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Jesus gets a spotlight.
Go Rangers!
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13
© 2010, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
That is unless your sports wood is wet.
For Texas Rangers fans 2010 was a historical journey nearly 40 years in the making that few in the Metroplex are soon to forget. Thanks to the help of some unlikely ingredients – “the claw”, “antlers” and Josh Hamilton’s Jesus, the North Texas baseball team finally broke free of the doldrums of the American League West and not only won a playoff series, but finished off the New York Yankees in considerable fashion in route to their first World Series in franchise history.
The Houston Astros were the first Texas team to do it back in 2005, but even they hadn’t waited in the dark for good baseball as long as Ranger fans had; just 3 playoff trips with just one win and no wins at home!
All season long this underdog, underpaid team of good guys faced transition, hardship and confusion only to fight back each and every time until their goals were accomplished one by one. Soon, two rally cries became “the thing” as “the claw” (symbolizing power and strength) and finger “antlers” (symbolizing speed like a deer) became the craze. Along side those was the incredible real-life story of team MVP Josh Hamilton, whose drug addicted, self-destructive past was turned into a modern life example of the power of Christ. Though not perfect, Hamilton demonstrated a consistent example to us all of humility and dependency on God. Standing on the stage in front of millions on TV while accepting his ALCS MVP trophy he said these words:
“First of all, all the glory goes to God and Jesus Christ. Secondly, I love my teammates,” Hamilton said. “I love them so much. I’m happy to have them. I don’t want to talk about myself. I want to talk about them. We are the reason we are here.”
If only more sports heroes were like this man. Heck, if only more of us reading this article were like him. What a difference we all could make.
Hamilton is so loved and respected by his teammates that after winning the division, and both playoff series, they reserved a special post-game celebration time for him to be sprayed and showered with non-alcoholic drinks. His teammates understood his weaknesses and respected his faith. In our world of intolerance towards all things Jesus, this was simply amazing.
The more real you are and the more you take a stand, the more those around you will embrace who you are. Even the most hardcore cynic has to admit Hamilton is one of a kind. He can cream baseballs out of every park in America and never blink about who gives him that ability. His career and life was saved both literally and spiritually by the only real thing many of us honestly hide under our bushels all too often.
During the World Series you can bet those of us in the DFW are will have our antlers up and our claws out. Only time will tell if the journey ends with a championship over the San Francisco Giants.
Regardless, baseball in Texas is giving those Cowboys a run for their money and over here in this stadium we call Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Jesus gets a spotlight.
Go Rangers!
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13
© 2010, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
Friday, October 15, 2010
Life Before Kids....How Boring
Life before kids.
Remember it?
• Sleep past 9…every Saturday.
• Money in the bank
• Never touched, smelled or tasted poop (admit it –I know some of you out there have gotten the stuff in your mouth)
• Still “pee free”; meaning no human was yet to wet on you
• Big boy movies and TV shows were watched in REAL time most days or night
• 90% of your saved recordings weren’t from kids channels
• Milk never ran out
• Precious items around the house were fully intact and working
• Carpet was crisp and clean
• You didn’t own a mini-van
Life was good…or…so you thought.
On the way to work one morning recently I paused mentally and thought about my life with three kids, a wife and two dogs. I smiled so big I nearly wrecked into the completely stopped MiniCooper in front of me on HWY 360. (I’m sure everyone around me assumed I was texting.)
Regardless, it hit me that the life I had now was what “it” was all about. Kids truly make the world go ‘round and nothing is more rewarding than guiding another human being through the maze of it all. Sure sometimes you want to ship them off to the closest zoo but, to be honest life would be a little boring if you did.
My three kids are all 5 or younger as I write this and some of the words they use and comments they make prove my point perfectly. I’m sure you have a similar list.
Enjoy…
“Dad, why did God make brothers so mean?” Chloe asked me one day.
“CrapNCrunch” – what my son called Captain Crunch cereal for a long time
“ToothKip” –my daughter would say when she needed a toothpick
“I want to do magic so I can make Quinn disappear.” my daughter Chloe said at age 5.
“Daddy, I like when you say that.” Sidney said at age 5 with a very bashful look on her face when I told her she are pretty and she could sing well.
“Daddy, this is hard work.” my son Quinn said in all seriousness at age 3 when he was helping me rake leaves in the back yard.
“I got this bruise when I was running around the house with my shirt over my head and ran into the coffee table” Chloe said.
“Mom, that man has a lot of stamps” Quinn said pointing at a man with tattoos all over his arms at a local fast food restaurant.
I still laugh-out-loud when I think about this hilarious examples and I wish I had days to pillage through the mounds of others many of you reading this could send me.
Life might have been fun and more financially free before kids, but life without them would seem incomplete.
Many things are certain about kids, they stress you out, they break the bank, they do not use their brains often, and they stink most of the time. But only thing is certainly clear – nothing makes you understand love more than having a few.
Thank you God for kids. And thanks for letting us be yours.
Now I get it.
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!” Psalm 127:3-5
© 2010, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
Remember it?
• Sleep past 9…every Saturday.
• Money in the bank
• Never touched, smelled or tasted poop (admit it –I know some of you out there have gotten the stuff in your mouth)
• Still “pee free”; meaning no human was yet to wet on you
• Big boy movies and TV shows were watched in REAL time most days or night
• 90% of your saved recordings weren’t from kids channels
• Milk never ran out
• Precious items around the house were fully intact and working
• Carpet was crisp and clean
• You didn’t own a mini-van
Life was good…or…so you thought.
On the way to work one morning recently I paused mentally and thought about my life with three kids, a wife and two dogs. I smiled so big I nearly wrecked into the completely stopped MiniCooper in front of me on HWY 360. (I’m sure everyone around me assumed I was texting.)
Regardless, it hit me that the life I had now was what “it” was all about. Kids truly make the world go ‘round and nothing is more rewarding than guiding another human being through the maze of it all. Sure sometimes you want to ship them off to the closest zoo but, to be honest life would be a little boring if you did.
My three kids are all 5 or younger as I write this and some of the words they use and comments they make prove my point perfectly. I’m sure you have a similar list.
Enjoy…
“Dad, why did God make brothers so mean?” Chloe asked me one day.
“CrapNCrunch” – what my son called Captain Crunch cereal for a long time
“ToothKip” –my daughter would say when she needed a toothpick
“I want to do magic so I can make Quinn disappear.” my daughter Chloe said at age 5.
“Daddy, I like when you say that.” Sidney said at age 5 with a very bashful look on her face when I told her she are pretty and she could sing well.
“Daddy, this is hard work.” my son Quinn said in all seriousness at age 3 when he was helping me rake leaves in the back yard.
“I got this bruise when I was running around the house with my shirt over my head and ran into the coffee table” Chloe said.
“Mom, that man has a lot of stamps” Quinn said pointing at a man with tattoos all over his arms at a local fast food restaurant.
I still laugh-out-loud when I think about this hilarious examples and I wish I had days to pillage through the mounds of others many of you reading this could send me.
Life might have been fun and more financially free before kids, but life without them would seem incomplete.
Many things are certain about kids, they stress you out, they break the bank, they do not use their brains often, and they stink most of the time. But only thing is certainly clear – nothing makes you understand love more than having a few.
Thank you God for kids. And thanks for letting us be yours.
Now I get it.
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!” Psalm 127:3-5
© 2010, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
Friday, October 01, 2010
The Great Game
When I hear the voice of Milo Hamilton I’m immediately thrown back in time to one of the greatest childhood memories I have; coming home from an Astros baseball game with dad listening to the final innings over the AM dial.
Living south of Houston most of my childhood, dad would take me to a nice handful of games each year at the huge Astrodome. It always seemed I would get a gift as I walked in ranging from free hats, small bats, baseballs and such, some of which I now hold in my sports collection. As the games would get late, we would leave early knowing it was usually a school night and a 45 minute drive was ahead of us. Milo Hamilton kept us informed of the action we missed and eventually I fell asleep.
There is just something magical about baseball games.
Now as a parent, I am getting joy of doing the same for my three kids as dad did for me, taking them to see the Texas Rangers at the Ballpark in Arlington. Watching them cheer “Let’s go Rangers! (clap…clap…clap, clap, clap!), seeing them munch down on cotton candy, hoping “red” wins the dot race, and them asking all about the happenings during the game brings me the same joy my dad must have felt way back when.
Kids love games and baseball keeps it simple and real. A ball, a glove and a bat. And nothing is better than sitting out in the stands during a 75 degree evening cheering on the home team. The sounds of “ice, cold beer!”, “peanuts!”, and the smells of hotdogs and nachos stick in the mind for ages.
I still get down to Houston for an Astros game at least once a year. Though I usually go alone, I sit with a smile on my face cheering like I was 10 years old thinking about those nights with dad and Milo talking us home. At the age of 38 my Astros finally won the National League pennant and made it to the World Series. I can only hope our Rangers go all the way for my kiddos a little faster than the 30+ years it took Houston.
It’s said baseball is truly America’s Pastime and I have to say I completely agree. Nothing is more true. God gave us something special when we invented it over 100 years ago.
It’s a great way, to have a great time…at the great game!
"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
© 2010, J. Brady
”I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
Living south of Houston most of my childhood, dad would take me to a nice handful of games each year at the huge Astrodome. It always seemed I would get a gift as I walked in ranging from free hats, small bats, baseballs and such, some of which I now hold in my sports collection. As the games would get late, we would leave early knowing it was usually a school night and a 45 minute drive was ahead of us. Milo Hamilton kept us informed of the action we missed and eventually I fell asleep.
There is just something magical about baseball games.
Now as a parent, I am getting joy of doing the same for my three kids as dad did for me, taking them to see the Texas Rangers at the Ballpark in Arlington. Watching them cheer “Let’s go Rangers! (clap…clap…clap, clap, clap!), seeing them munch down on cotton candy, hoping “red” wins the dot race, and them asking all about the happenings during the game brings me the same joy my dad must have felt way back when.
Kids love games and baseball keeps it simple and real. A ball, a glove and a bat. And nothing is better than sitting out in the stands during a 75 degree evening cheering on the home team. The sounds of “ice, cold beer!”, “peanuts!”, and the smells of hotdogs and nachos stick in the mind for ages.
I still get down to Houston for an Astros game at least once a year. Though I usually go alone, I sit with a smile on my face cheering like I was 10 years old thinking about those nights with dad and Milo talking us home. At the age of 38 my Astros finally won the National League pennant and made it to the World Series. I can only hope our Rangers go all the way for my kiddos a little faster than the 30+ years it took Houston.
It’s said baseball is truly America’s Pastime and I have to say I completely agree. Nothing is more true. God gave us something special when we invented it over 100 years ago.
It’s a great way, to have a great time…at the great game!
"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
© 2010, J. Brady
”I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
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