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/
Saturday, June 09, 2012
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."
Monday, September 27, 2010
The Love of Money
I have to admit it. I love me some cold hard cash. Always have. Since I was 15 and learned the lesson of working hard for myself in lawncare and stock piling the green stuff in a glass jar, I knew it didn’t buy happiness, but it sure bought baseball cards, bubble gum and Atari games.
Money makes the world go ‘round. Right? Well, sadly, it does require money to keep the lights on, to feed the family and to support God’s work around the world.
The problem for most of us of course, there never seems to be enough of it. The money runs out before the month, the debts pile high and Benjamin Franklins can be more elusive than Bigfoot.
Personally, I have experienced both the days of much and the days of little. God has used both to show me truths about life and about His provision. I know both wealthy people and poor people that love God more in ways that inspire me.
Whatever your current financial lot in life, you can know God will provide. He will meet our needs for food, shelter, clothing and most importantly joy. Life isn’t about what you can buy, where you can go or what you can do. Life is about who you are and who you spend it with.
Sure having a little excess in the money department makes life a little easier to deal with. But knowing God is on your side makes life good and peaceful even when the account is below zero.
Cold, hard cash really isn’t the root of all evil.
It’s the LOVE of money that’s the problem.
“Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have.” Hebrews 13:5
© 2010, J. Brady
”I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
Money makes the world go ‘round. Right? Well, sadly, it does require money to keep the lights on, to feed the family and to support God’s work around the world.
The problem for most of us of course, there never seems to be enough of it. The money runs out before the month, the debts pile high and Benjamin Franklins can be more elusive than Bigfoot.
Personally, I have experienced both the days of much and the days of little. God has used both to show me truths about life and about His provision. I know both wealthy people and poor people that love God more in ways that inspire me.
Whatever your current financial lot in life, you can know God will provide. He will meet our needs for food, shelter, clothing and most importantly joy. Life isn’t about what you can buy, where you can go or what you can do. Life is about who you are and who you spend it with.
Sure having a little excess in the money department makes life a little easier to deal with. But knowing God is on your side makes life good and peaceful even when the account is below zero.
Cold, hard cash really isn’t the root of all evil.
It’s the LOVE of money that’s the problem.
“Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have.” Hebrews 13:5
© 2010, J. Brady
”I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Quinn and the Lizard
I felt like a schmuck.
Here is what happened...
I came home to take over on kid duty. Getting ready to take the kids out for our favorite pizza run with good ol' Daddy.
"Everyone go get your shoes on," I said. The girls complied. As usual Quinn pretended to not hear and started wandering around.
A few minutes later...
"Quinn go get your flip flops on now!"
"But there is a lizard in there," he said with a very poor attempt at crying.
"Whatever!"
Knowing he pulls these kinds of stunts all the time, looking for any reason to not obey, I wasn't about to be fooled.
"Go get your flip flops now or we are not going!"
"Whaaa!" he started crying a little harder.
"Quinn!"
I began pushing him towards the small basket the kids kept their shoes in.
Still he refused, frustrating me more.
Finally, I gave in.
"Never mind...we don't have time for this."
I started digging around the basket for his flip flops. "See!" I proudly proclaimed, "There are no lizards in here."
Right about then he screamed and I looked down at my hand to see a large Gecko running around the outer edge of the basket!
"Holy crap!" I yelled. (I couldn't help it).
By then the girls had joined the commotion and everything ran from the scene screaming, including myself with the basket in hand.
Quickly I opened the front door and the little dude jumped off on the porch.
"I'm so sorry buddy!" I said while hugging a sobbing Q-ster. "There WAS a lizard in there!"
Thank God Father of the Year awards are later in the winter!
What a scene.
Here is what happened...
I came home to take over on kid duty. Getting ready to take the kids out for our favorite pizza run with good ol' Daddy.
"Everyone go get your shoes on," I said. The girls complied. As usual Quinn pretended to not hear and started wandering around.
A few minutes later...
"Quinn go get your flip flops on now!"
"But there is a lizard in there," he said with a very poor attempt at crying.
"Whatever!"
Knowing he pulls these kinds of stunts all the time, looking for any reason to not obey, I wasn't about to be fooled.
"Go get your flip flops now or we are not going!"
"Whaaa!" he started crying a little harder.
"Quinn!"
I began pushing him towards the small basket the kids kept their shoes in.
Still he refused, frustrating me more.
Finally, I gave in.
"Never mind...we don't have time for this."
I started digging around the basket for his flip flops. "See!" I proudly proclaimed, "There are no lizards in here."
Right about then he screamed and I looked down at my hand to see a large Gecko running around the outer edge of the basket!
"Holy crap!" I yelled. (I couldn't help it).
By then the girls had joined the commotion and everything ran from the scene screaming, including myself with the basket in hand.
Quickly I opened the front door and the little dude jumped off on the porch.
"I'm so sorry buddy!" I said while hugging a sobbing Q-ster. "There WAS a lizard in there!"
Thank God Father of the Year awards are later in the winter!
What a scene.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Buddha Won't Tame the Tiger
Tiger Woods has been in the business of shocking the world since he first landed on the golf scene in 1996.
He is arguably the most famous athlete on the planet.
In the last 14 years he has won tournament after tournament, earned more than any golfer in history and has two cute kids after marrying what some say is the most beautiful sports wife in the world.
But in the fall of 2009 the world learned that Tiger was on the loose with a trail of infidelity that was even more shocking than any of his wins. Most of us could not comprehend the depth of the sexual depravity Tiger pursued. As a result, his life was changed forever and a year later he is without his reputation, his wife, his family, most of his endorsements and his ability to succeed on the course.
When he apologized to the world months later, Tiger stood in front of the world and proclaimed he had lost his way and that he was going to lean on his faith to start over and clean up - his faith in Buddha that is.
Over a billion people all over the world put their faith in Buddhism which teaches to focus on self enlightenment through suffering and right living. Sadly, almost a billion people have it all wrong.
Buddha won’t tame Tiger. Only the spirit of the living God has that kind of power. For any man that deals with lust and temptation (and if you are a man, you do), we know in the overly sexual society in which we live that God’s power is our only hope. The flesh cannot be tamed merely by will power or via the pathway formulate by a man that lived long ago and is still dead.
We have to depend on God and not on ourselves. For when we depend on ourselves or anything other than God, we fail. Tiger fell hard. But don’t be fooled, he wasn’t thinking this would happen to him and each of us is could fall just has hard.
Tiger still has the three things some people in the world want the most – money, fame, and power.
His price?
The thing he loved the most – his family.
Only the one that created the Tiger can tame one and it’s our job to give Him the reigns every single day.
I can only pray Tiger let’s Jesus paint him some new stripes.
"Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.” Ephesians 4:19
© 2010, J. Brady"
I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
He is arguably the most famous athlete on the planet.
In the last 14 years he has won tournament after tournament, earned more than any golfer in history and has two cute kids after marrying what some say is the most beautiful sports wife in the world.
But in the fall of 2009 the world learned that Tiger was on the loose with a trail of infidelity that was even more shocking than any of his wins. Most of us could not comprehend the depth of the sexual depravity Tiger pursued. As a result, his life was changed forever and a year later he is without his reputation, his wife, his family, most of his endorsements and his ability to succeed on the course.
When he apologized to the world months later, Tiger stood in front of the world and proclaimed he had lost his way and that he was going to lean on his faith to start over and clean up - his faith in Buddha that is.
Over a billion people all over the world put their faith in Buddhism which teaches to focus on self enlightenment through suffering and right living. Sadly, almost a billion people have it all wrong.
Buddha won’t tame Tiger. Only the spirit of the living God has that kind of power. For any man that deals with lust and temptation (and if you are a man, you do), we know in the overly sexual society in which we live that God’s power is our only hope. The flesh cannot be tamed merely by will power or via the pathway formulate by a man that lived long ago and is still dead.
We have to depend on God and not on ourselves. For when we depend on ourselves or anything other than God, we fail. Tiger fell hard. But don’t be fooled, he wasn’t thinking this would happen to him and each of us is could fall just has hard.
Tiger still has the three things some people in the world want the most – money, fame, and power.
His price?
The thing he loved the most – his family.
Only the one that created the Tiger can tame one and it’s our job to give Him the reigns every single day.
I can only pray Tiger let’s Jesus paint him some new stripes.
"Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.” Ephesians 4:19
© 2010, J. Brady"
I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
Saturday, July 03, 2010
An Age Old Christian Debate
Since the days Christ walked the planet, we believers have debated theology and spirituality. 2000 years since the crucifixion and we still find the need to have about 100 different denominations of Christianity.
The debate ensues and at either spectrum lies extreme Charismatics or radical Fundamentalist. The irony being our political system here in America runs on the same tracks. Right or Left. Conservative or Liberal, etc. Very few really ride down the middle.
For me, I have spent a fair amount of time on both sides; growing up Baptist and later spending years in the Charismatic movement on staff as a youth minister. Both sides have some things figured out and certainly each can make strong scripture based cases for their views, but both extremes miss the mark in great ways if you ask me.
Outside of America, Christianity is certainly different looking. We are so blessed in the U.S. it is hard to fathom. Other people's of the world are lucky to have bread or water for the day yet as believers they passionately worship and study His word. Possessions mean nothing. Only God is the source of any "abundance" in their lives. They seem to more diligently seek Him, spending 10-12 hours at a time, sometimes in secret studies or meetings. I have no doubt that life's circumstances can greatly affect our walk with Christ. The Israelites sought God more when in captivity than when free. All the same, when we are hit with despair, tragedy, oppression, suffering, pain, illness, death or loss we naturally seek God more than when life is just rosy. Some might even believe our American freedoms prohibit us from knowing God deeper and though I ceraintly pray we never have to live the way believers in China or North Korea do, I find it hard to argue their point.
Sad but true.
The bottom line for me is this - until Christ returns and we share His eyes so that all things become clear to each of us - believers are going to seek God in different ways and neither extreme is healthy.
Balance is really the key and here is what I can only hope to teach my kids to believe.
You can serve God with all of your heart and enjoy life here to the fullest. God is good and loves us as His children. We should trust and believe in God's grace, mercy and goodness having hope tomorrow can be better than today. God's power is great; He can heal illnesses and move mountains yet knowing Him deeply is more important than anything. We should seek His face more than His hand. Sometimes He moves in power, but Jesus did more small things to show Himself each day than perform miracles of power. Only His word can truly be trusted in terms of seeking His will and way. He can make bad things in our lives bring Him glory. God is holy and in His presence we are filthy, dirty and plain stink - thank God He saved us - and every day we remind ourselves that we don't deserve to be saved. There are both wealthy and poor Biblical heroes. Whatever our "lot in life" brings us (wealth, health, poverty, illness or the like) we should glorify Him by how we talk, act and serve mankind around us. What we do for the lost around us is going to have a greater impact on them than what we say. We can ask God for anything and we should. God is on our side. God doesn't intend to see His children suffer but if it is necessary He will allow it. We should tell others about Christ and that without Him they are destined to hell. It is more important to give than receive but if we live "giving" lives we will be blessed. We should stand up and speak out for Christ and His values in the dark world we live and yes, our world is a very, bad, bad world right now. Above all, we will be known by how we love those around us, including our neighbors and enemies.
The debate ensues and at either spectrum lies extreme Charismatics or radical Fundamentalist. The irony being our political system here in America runs on the same tracks. Right or Left. Conservative or Liberal, etc. Very few really ride down the middle.
For me, I have spent a fair amount of time on both sides; growing up Baptist and later spending years in the Charismatic movement on staff as a youth minister. Both sides have some things figured out and certainly each can make strong scripture based cases for their views, but both extremes miss the mark in great ways if you ask me.
The extreme Charismatics focus on the "power and presence" of God, spending more time in long, emotional worship services than in actual Bible study. Prayers are long and focus on asking God for various things and begging Him to reveal His power and glory. It seems they search for God's hand in terms of wanting to see Him do something, more than they desire to know Him deeper through the main thing He gave us to study, the Bible. Leaders within this circle preach exceptionalism, God's goodness and grace, healing, joy, faith, success, with some being called "name in claim it" or "prosperity" preachers. They believe God is a friend, loves us, wants the best for us, has good things in store for His children, that we can glorify Him by being successful, enjoying life and having a good attitude, and that all bad things can work out for the better if you just believe. They point out various heroes in the Bible who had wealth and success, including Jesus who they claim was self-sufficient and maybe even wealthy Himself due to working in the family carpentry business or gifts He received as a child from local kings. Essentially, they strongly believe a better "self" brings great glory to God and the more you have the more you can bless others.
The radical Fundamentalist focus on knowing God more deeply through His word and the fellowship of other believers, spending less time in worship and more time in deep theological discussions about various books and verses in the Bible. Prayers are brief and focus on adoration of who God is and asking for insight into who He is by asking Him to reveal Himself through His word. Leaders within this circle preach the coming of God's anger and judgment, focus on God's holiness and man's failures, teach deep theological truths, studying every word of every line of scripture for deep, life changing meaning and and that sacrificing one's "self" is the ultimate goal to glorify God. Though the core belief that God is good is intact, the focus is centralized on God's holiness and essentially that man, and certainly our lives here, does not matter. They have an intense desire to be right with God and know Him more. They judge the world around them, even other believers, and seek to be "holy" as He is holy. Seeking good things here in this temporal life is a general waste of time and if we really love God we will live as Christ did, which according to them, was as a homeless/jobless man, with nothing to His name, calling out the evil in the world around Him, running from the law of the day, but serving others all along the way. Essentially, they strongly believe that denying "self" brings God all the glory and the less you have the more unhindered you are.
Ugh...can you see the mess we have?
It seems possessions, money and wealth remain a central core to this entire debate too. But let's take a look and see what we can come up with.
Was Jesus really a homeless/jobless man with no earthly possessions or money? What about the expensive gifts (worth millions) He was given at birth? What about growing up in the family business? Did we really think He begged for food, wandered the streets asking for money? Did the society of His day require money in order to survive or did He just create it with a twinkle of the eye when more was needed? Surely He worked, right....at least before He entered the ministry fulltime. Would He create us with the internal drive to "work" and provide if He didn't do the same when here as a man? In the same sense do possessions here on earth really mean a hill of beans? What IS the point? We can build pyramids to store it all in when we die, but they won't go with us, we know that. Yet, the world requires money, and lots of it, and the more of it you have, the more you can give to those in need, the more ministries you can support and the less dependent on your worldly job you are. On the other hand, money can destroy a man if he isn't careful. A quandary for some for sure.
Just food for though - one side of a story few think about - when Jesus called Peter and his men to be "fishers of men" He performed a miracle by overflowing their boat with fish to the point of sinking. Jackpot for sure. They likely sold all of that fish for tons of money. Jesus made a point while helping a brother out. The fish helped their temporal life for a few days or weeks, but their focus needed to be on the bigger things Christ was asking them to do.Outside of America, Christianity is certainly different looking. We are so blessed in the U.S. it is hard to fathom. Other people's of the world are lucky to have bread or water for the day yet as believers they passionately worship and study His word. Possessions mean nothing. Only God is the source of any "abundance" in their lives. They seem to more diligently seek Him, spending 10-12 hours at a time, sometimes in secret studies or meetings. I have no doubt that life's circumstances can greatly affect our walk with Christ. The Israelites sought God more when in captivity than when free. All the same, when we are hit with despair, tragedy, oppression, suffering, pain, illness, death or loss we naturally seek God more than when life is just rosy. Some might even believe our American freedoms prohibit us from knowing God deeper and though I ceraintly pray we never have to live the way believers in China or North Korea do, I find it hard to argue their point.
Sad but true.
The bottom line for me is this - until Christ returns and we share His eyes so that all things become clear to each of us - believers are going to seek God in different ways and neither extreme is healthy.
Balance is really the key and here is what I can only hope to teach my kids to believe.
You can serve God with all of your heart and enjoy life here to the fullest. God is good and loves us as His children. We should trust and believe in God's grace, mercy and goodness having hope tomorrow can be better than today. God's power is great; He can heal illnesses and move mountains yet knowing Him deeply is more important than anything. We should seek His face more than His hand. Sometimes He moves in power, but Jesus did more small things to show Himself each day than perform miracles of power. Only His word can truly be trusted in terms of seeking His will and way. He can make bad things in our lives bring Him glory. God is holy and in His presence we are filthy, dirty and plain stink - thank God He saved us - and every day we remind ourselves that we don't deserve to be saved. There are both wealthy and poor Biblical heroes. Whatever our "lot in life" brings us (wealth, health, poverty, illness or the like) we should glorify Him by how we talk, act and serve mankind around us. What we do for the lost around us is going to have a greater impact on them than what we say. We can ask God for anything and we should. God is on our side. God doesn't intend to see His children suffer but if it is necessary He will allow it. We should tell others about Christ and that without Him they are destined to hell. It is more important to give than receive but if we live "giving" lives we will be blessed. We should stand up and speak out for Christ and His values in the dark world we live and yes, our world is a very, bad, bad world right now. Above all, we will be known by how we love those around us, including our neighbors and enemies.
God is love.
See? Isn't that simple? Guess that settles that!
"Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." I Corinthians 13:12-13
© 2010, J. Brady
“I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Be Like Mike - A Star We Can Embrace
In a day and time when celebrities and sports figures rarely accept their position of influence and act as good role models for the rest of us, it sure is nice when one comes along that we can embrace.
And boy did Dallas embrace this one.
The Dallas Stars played their final home game tonight ending a long, boring, non-playoff season on the ice. While most of the DFW area begs for Cowboys football, gears up for the Rangers and prepares for another Mavericks playoff run, in the background the Stars were slowly getting closer to another off season.
Yet this one game felt like those great games in the late 90s. The AAC was standing room only, the crowd was rowdy and loud and the game was amazing. Dallas beat Anaheim 3-2 in a shoot out...but that's not even important.
This was all about Mike Modano. Sadly, it was likely his last in Dallas and maybe his last home game ever.
In classic Modano fashion he thrilled the crowd with another assist and two goals; one the game tying and the other the game winner. Outside of Wayne Gretzky few players have impacted the sport more than he. And certainly, when people think of hockey in Dallas, they think of Mike.
The Cowboys had Roger.
The Mavs have Dirk.
The Rangers had Pudge.
The Stars had Modano.
I remember meeting Modano (briefly) at Texas Star in Euless back in 1998 along with Brett Hull and the band Pantera. I had no idea the next year they would win the Stanley Cup and win the hearts of the metroplex.
I just can't believe it has been that many years and that it is over.
As Modano stood on the ice tonight saluting the fans with tears in his eyes during one of his many long standing ovations, I too choked back some sports tears. As fans emotions are strongly tied to those that give us local civic pride. And above most others, Modano is one classic dude. He lives a quiet life. Loves his family and gives back to the DFW area more than most. He is a true role model for all of us. It's just a shame more aren't like him.
Life just goes too fast.
Dallas will miss Mike, and it was obvious tonight that Mike will miss Dallas.
And boy did Dallas embrace this one.
The Dallas Stars played their final home game tonight ending a long, boring, non-playoff season on the ice. While most of the DFW area begs for Cowboys football, gears up for the Rangers and prepares for another Mavericks playoff run, in the background the Stars were slowly getting closer to another off season.
Yet this one game felt like those great games in the late 90s. The AAC was standing room only, the crowd was rowdy and loud and the game was amazing. Dallas beat Anaheim 3-2 in a shoot out...but that's not even important.
This was all about Mike Modano. Sadly, it was likely his last in Dallas and maybe his last home game ever.
In classic Modano fashion he thrilled the crowd with another assist and two goals; one the game tying and the other the game winner. Outside of Wayne Gretzky few players have impacted the sport more than he. And certainly, when people think of hockey in Dallas, they think of Mike.
The Cowboys had Roger.
The Mavs have Dirk.
The Rangers had Pudge.
The Stars had Modano.
I remember meeting Modano (briefly) at Texas Star in Euless back in 1998 along with Brett Hull and the band Pantera. I had no idea the next year they would win the Stanley Cup and win the hearts of the metroplex.
I just can't believe it has been that many years and that it is over.
As Modano stood on the ice tonight saluting the fans with tears in his eyes during one of his many long standing ovations, I too choked back some sports tears. As fans emotions are strongly tied to those that give us local civic pride. And above most others, Modano is one classic dude. He lives a quiet life. Loves his family and gives back to the DFW area more than most. He is a true role model for all of us. It's just a shame more aren't like him.
Life just goes too fast.
Dallas will miss Mike, and it was obvious tonight that Mike will miss Dallas.
"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." Proverbs 22:1
© 2010, J. Brady
“I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
Monday, March 22, 2010
Comments Welcome But....
Please have the guts to leave REAL name and REAL contact information! Annonymous comments are cowardly. After all, I make it easy for anyone to find me!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Little Cadine
Little Cadine is only a baby. Her mother and father admire her with pride. Her cute little smile, and her smooth, silky skin sheen with the hope of tomorrow.
Yet, in the twinkle of an eye she became an orphan. Now little Cadine lays on an old mattress crying out for mommy and daddy to come home.
The sad truth is the recent Haitian earthquake has taken the lives of thousands of men, women and children, forever shattering the landscape of the Haitian people. Life will never be the same and for thousands of sweet little girls and boys their parents will never return.
Can you imagine a child not having someone to call “mommy” or “daddy”? Pause a moment from eating that bowl of cookies-n-crème, turn on CNN and that reality will be right in front of your content eyeballs.
The greatest joy in life is giving, and no greater love is this; than laying down your life (as you know it now) for another. A decision you make today could chan
ge the lives of one of these orphans forever.
Consider adopting now.
Speaking from personal experience, adopting a child is one of the greatest thrills imaginable. It stretches your faith beyond all limitations, teaches you the truth about sacrifice, and fills your soul with an amazing sense of significance.
God does something magical in your life when you decide to provide an orphan a lifetime of love. You will sense His presence, His favor and His hand in your life like never before. You only live once! Are you really ready to miss out on doing something beyond your own little world? Adopting doesn’t “change” your life. It only makes it better!
You can change and bless a little Cadine today. Orphans by the thousands are arriving in the States daily. They deserve and need a family and it might very well be YOU that God is calling to do so.
People often say this to us about our son, “Ahh, he is blessed to have you!”
Our response is always the same – “No, trust me. We are the one’s that are blessed to have him!”
Contact Dillon International today!
http://www.dillonadopt.com/Haiti_screen.htm
“Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This girl, who was also known as Esther, was lovely in form and features, and Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.” Esther 2:7
© 2010, J. Brady"
“I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
Yet, in the twinkle of an eye she became an orphan. Now little Cadine lays on an old mattress crying out for mommy and daddy to come home.
The sad truth is the recent Haitian earthquake has taken the lives of thousands of men, women and children, forever shattering the landscape of the Haitian people. Life will never be the same and for thousands of sweet little girls and boys their parents will never return.
Can you imagine a child not having someone to call “mommy” or “daddy”? Pause a moment from eating that bowl of cookies-n-crème, turn on CNN and that reality will be right in front of your content eyeballs.
The greatest joy in life is giving, and no greater love is this; than laying down your life (as you know it now) for another. A decision you make today could chan
ge the lives of one of these orphans forever.Consider adopting now.
Speaking from personal experience, adopting a child is one of the greatest thrills imaginable. It stretches your faith beyond all limitations, teaches you the truth about sacrifice, and fills your soul with an amazing sense of significance.
God does something magical in your life when you decide to provide an orphan a lifetime of love. You will sense His presence, His favor and His hand in your life like never before. You only live once! Are you really ready to miss out on doing something beyond your own little world? Adopting doesn’t “change” your life. It only makes it better!
You can change and bless a little Cadine today. Orphans by the thousands are arriving in the States daily. They deserve and need a family and it might very well be YOU that God is calling to do so.
People often say this to us about our son, “Ahh, he is blessed to have you!”
Our response is always the same – “No, trust me. We are the one’s that are blessed to have him!”
Contact Dillon International today!
http://www.dillonadopt.com/Haiti_screen.htm
“Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This girl, who was also known as Esther, was lovely in form and features, and Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.” Esther 2:7
© 2010, J. Brady"
“I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thanks a Bunch Day
No doubt about it. Fewer days are more enjoyable in life than Thanksgiving. This morning my 4 year old twin girls and my 2 year old boy joyfully woke us up early ready to celebrate the day. Of course this had to start with the latest episode of Mickey’s Clubhouse which just so happened to center around a theme of being thankful.
Thanksgiving is one of our most important celebrations we still revere as Americans. Being thankful is a key to being humble, staying dependent on God and hopeful for the future. Nothing makes faith easier when we take the time out to recall God’s hand in the past and present. Sadly, we only have one sanctioned day to reflect and most of us, if we are honest, focus more on food and football than we do being thankful. Back in Biblical times, festivals were held throughout the year as a way of demonstrating faith and giving thanks for all God had done.
Truthfully, each of us likely has a huge list of things we can thank God for and this Thanksgiving would be a good time to start a new tradition of putting them on a list to remind ourselves of how good we really have it.
I promise when you are done, you will be thankful.
Here’s my list in no particular order (I’m sure it will grow daily as I remember it all!):
• God himself, for Christ, his Grace to put up with me and the hope He gives me
• Life – another day without a tag on my toe is another to be thankful for
• Being an American
• My incredible wife Julie
• My twin daughters Chloe and Sidney
• My amazing son, Quinn
• The country and people of Korea
• The magic of adoption
• My dogs Max and Sam
• My mom and dad
• Julie’s mom and dad
• Everyone in the Speers and Wroten families (I have amazing in-laws)
• Our church
• Our home
• Our vehicles, especially the Vette, and yes, the minivan
• My business and AdzZoo
• Our amazing friends
• My business partner
• HPU and my days in Brownwood
• Dallas Cowboys and football!
• Sports in general
• Internet and Facebook!
• Our home and the things we have
• The DFW area
• The beach
• Childhood in Houston
• My skills, talents and abilities
• My life experiences
• Pizza – especially Mazzio’s
• Mexican food
• My Papa Jack and Grandma Kat
• Grandma’s homemade rolls
• Travel!
• Disney Channel
• The Wiggles
• The invention of DVR
• Digital cameras
• My lawn guy Stevie!
• Christmas
• ChickFiLa
• Dr. Pepper
• Texas
• Various business contacts and friends
• Snow skiing and the mountains
• Memories with dad at Astros and Rockets games
• Memories with mom shopping at the mall
• Computers and technology
• My health
• Loud music
• My thick hair at 40!
• My good eye-sight at 40!
• My kids good health
• Good movies and movie theater popcorn
• Growing up in the 80s
• Mickey Mouse
I guess ol’ Mickey had it right. It’s pretty hard to think of a better title to give Thanksgiving.
“Thanks a Bunch Day” fits perfectly.
Thanks Mickey….you made my list!
“Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy...” Nehemiah 8:12
© 2009, J. Brady"
“I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
Thanksgiving is one of our most important celebrations we still revere as Americans. Being thankful is a key to being humble, staying dependent on God and hopeful for the future. Nothing makes faith easier when we take the time out to recall God’s hand in the past and present. Sadly, we only have one sanctioned day to reflect and most of us, if we are honest, focus more on food and football than we do being thankful. Back in Biblical times, festivals were held throughout the year as a way of demonstrating faith and giving thanks for all God had done.
Truthfully, each of us likely has a huge list of things we can thank God for and this Thanksgiving would be a good time to start a new tradition of putting them on a list to remind ourselves of how good we really have it.
I promise when you are done, you will be thankful.
Here’s my list in no particular order (I’m sure it will grow daily as I remember it all!):
• God himself, for Christ, his Grace to put up with me and the hope He gives me
• Life – another day without a tag on my toe is another to be thankful for
• Being an American
• My incredible wife Julie
• My twin daughters Chloe and Sidney
• My amazing son, Quinn
• The country and people of Korea
• The magic of adoption
• My dogs Max and Sam
• My mom and dad
• Julie’s mom and dad
• Everyone in the Speers and Wroten families (I have amazing in-laws)
• Our church
• Our home
• Our vehicles, especially the Vette, and yes, the minivan
• My business and AdzZoo
• Our amazing friends
• My business partner
• HPU and my days in Brownwood
• Dallas Cowboys and football!
• Sports in general
• Internet and Facebook!
• Our home and the things we have
• The DFW area
• The beach
• Childhood in Houston
• My skills, talents and abilities
• My life experiences
• Pizza – especially Mazzio’s
• Mexican food
• My Papa Jack and Grandma Kat
• Grandma’s homemade rolls
• Travel!
• Disney Channel
• The Wiggles
• The invention of DVR
• Digital cameras
• My lawn guy Stevie!
• Christmas
• ChickFiLa
• Dr. Pepper
• Texas
• Various business contacts and friends
• Snow skiing and the mountains
• Memories with dad at Astros and Rockets games
• Memories with mom shopping at the mall
• Computers and technology
• My health
• Loud music
• My thick hair at 40!
• My good eye-sight at 40!
• My kids good health
• Good movies and movie theater popcorn
• Growing up in the 80s
• Mickey Mouse
I guess ol’ Mickey had it right. It’s pretty hard to think of a better title to give Thanksgiving.
“Thanks a Bunch Day” fits perfectly.
Thanks Mickey….you made my list!
“Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy...” Nehemiah 8:12
© 2009, J. Brady"
“I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
OMGosh I'm 40
Just yesterday I was looking up the hill.
Today I proudly stand on top.
Problem is tomorrow I start going down.
I’m 40.
Seriously! How in the world can I be 40 years old? This just isn’t possible! Whose fault is this anyway?
Just yesterday my wife and I were in talks about adopting a child. That was already 2 years ago.
Just yesterday our twin girls were born at Arlington Memorial. That was 4 years ago.
Just yesterday I remember standing in front of a TV watching the Twin Towers in NYC collapse on 9/11. That was 8 years ago!
Just yesterday I met my wife for the first time in a singles class at church. That was 10 years ago.
Just yesterday I met my business partner Chris Novinger at the Parks Mall. That was 13 years ago.
Just yesterday I was getting my Master’s at Baylor and hanging out with friends in Fort Worth on the weekends. That was 15 years ago.
Just yesterday I was at Howard Payne being a “fella”, getting a degree and starting Club J Ministries. That was 18 years ago.
Just yesterday I was tromping around Houston, cheering on the Astros with dad, enjoying my “first love” and being a beach bum with mom and my sister. That was 24 years ago.
Just yesterday…
It’s weird how turning 40 is such a hallmark in life. Some freak out. Some do nothing and others kind of do both. For me, well, I don’t really plan to freak out, but I have spent a lot of time over the last few months thinking about my life up to now and searching for how it should be the same, better or different in my “second half”.
God always has His ways. About 6 months ago on a plane I sat next to a former pastor who nearly made me swear when I got home I would read a book called “Halftime” by Bob Buford. He said it changed his life and would change mine. Finally, a month or two later I remembered the incident and got my copy. Little did I know how it would challenge me to the core. If only I could have read this book 10 years ago…
Buford contends that we are given a “box” in life and only one thing can be in it. Whatever is in it is what our lives are truly centered on. And if only one thing could be in my “box” and I had to answer the obvious question – what is in it? In reality most of us have to admit we are the ones in the center of our own boxes. Even as Christians, many times simple things we claim are "for God", like attending church regularly, are in reality done for our own rewards. We are selfish creatures.
In short, the book challenged me to move my focus from being about me and being “successful” to becoming “significant” by truly making Christ and His work the center of my life. Everything should surround the purpose of leaving a legacy of building His kingdom – work, family, goals, church, money, etc. Only after we do, will we truly become fulfilled, happy, and know life at its fullest.
Halftime is about learning this reality and setting a new game plan for the second half of life. God has called each of us believers to more than the routine of work, kids, school, and church. We have to get beyond our own worlds and do more and as a family if possible.
Julie and I have talked for hours about what we can do in the second half. We are bored with the mindless routine of school and work during the week, church on the weekend and a date night here and there. We know He has called us to more than this American standard most Christians accept. We believe God has called our family to some specific actions that will challenge us in ways I am sure we don't even see yet.
Personally, I think I am about ready to start the game of life once again. God has things for me He wants to change - habits, sins, attitudes, and the like. And yet He is gracious enough to still use me in the process. I am eager to make the 2nd half count.
Yea, it is hard to believe driving at 16 was 24 years ago and it’s just as hard to believe it was 14 years ago the Cowboys last won a Superbowl!
It does seem the hour glass of life gets quicker as the grains pass through from one side to the other. But I think I have an idea of what kind of second half God wants from me – some plays that worked in the first half for sure, but many more new ones designed for when it’s all on the line!
Yep, I’m 40. Big deal. I’ll still be fun, loving and cute (by someone’s standards!) But truth be told it won't be long until I will be sitting here barely able to read or write trying to pen the words "just yesterday" again.
I just hope my second half is as much fun as the first and slows down just a little.
After all, there isn't another game on the schedule.
"The glory of young men is their strength, And the honor of old men is their gray hair." Proverbs 20:29
© 2009, J. Brady
”I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
Today I proudly stand on top.
Problem is tomorrow I start going down.
I’m 40.
Seriously! How in the world can I be 40 years old? This just isn’t possible! Whose fault is this anyway?
Just yesterday my wife and I were in talks about adopting a child. That was already 2 years ago.
Just yesterday our twin girls were born at Arlington Memorial. That was 4 years ago.
Just yesterday I remember standing in front of a TV watching the Twin Towers in NYC collapse on 9/11. That was 8 years ago!
Just yesterday I met my wife for the first time in a singles class at church. That was 10 years ago.
Just yesterday I met my business partner Chris Novinger at the Parks Mall. That was 13 years ago.
Just yesterday I was getting my Master’s at Baylor and hanging out with friends in Fort Worth on the weekends. That was 15 years ago.
Just yesterday I was at Howard Payne being a “fella”, getting a degree and starting Club J Ministries. That was 18 years ago.
Just yesterday I was tromping around Houston, cheering on the Astros with dad, enjoying my “first love” and being a beach bum with mom and my sister. That was 24 years ago.
Just yesterday…
It’s weird how turning 40 is such a hallmark in life. Some freak out. Some do nothing and others kind of do both. For me, well, I don’t really plan to freak out, but I have spent a lot of time over the last few months thinking about my life up to now and searching for how it should be the same, better or different in my “second half”.
God always has His ways. About 6 months ago on a plane I sat next to a former pastor who nearly made me swear when I got home I would read a book called “Halftime” by Bob Buford. He said it changed his life and would change mine. Finally, a month or two later I remembered the incident and got my copy. Little did I know how it would challenge me to the core. If only I could have read this book 10 years ago…
Buford contends that we are given a “box” in life and only one thing can be in it. Whatever is in it is what our lives are truly centered on. And if only one thing could be in my “box” and I had to answer the obvious question – what is in it? In reality most of us have to admit we are the ones in the center of our own boxes. Even as Christians, many times simple things we claim are "for God", like attending church regularly, are in reality done for our own rewards. We are selfish creatures.
In short, the book challenged me to move my focus from being about me and being “successful” to becoming “significant” by truly making Christ and His work the center of my life. Everything should surround the purpose of leaving a legacy of building His kingdom – work, family, goals, church, money, etc. Only after we do, will we truly become fulfilled, happy, and know life at its fullest.
Halftime is about learning this reality and setting a new game plan for the second half of life. God has called each of us believers to more than the routine of work, kids, school, and church. We have to get beyond our own worlds and do more and as a family if possible.
Julie and I have talked for hours about what we can do in the second half. We are bored with the mindless routine of school and work during the week, church on the weekend and a date night here and there. We know He has called us to more than this American standard most Christians accept. We believe God has called our family to some specific actions that will challenge us in ways I am sure we don't even see yet.
Personally, I think I am about ready to start the game of life once again. God has things for me He wants to change - habits, sins, attitudes, and the like. And yet He is gracious enough to still use me in the process. I am eager to make the 2nd half count.
Yea, it is hard to believe driving at 16 was 24 years ago and it’s just as hard to believe it was 14 years ago the Cowboys last won a Superbowl!
It does seem the hour glass of life gets quicker as the grains pass through from one side to the other. But I think I have an idea of what kind of second half God wants from me – some plays that worked in the first half for sure, but many more new ones designed for when it’s all on the line!
Yep, I’m 40. Big deal. I’ll still be fun, loving and cute (by someone’s standards!) But truth be told it won't be long until I will be sitting here barely able to read or write trying to pen the words "just yesterday" again.
I just hope my second half is as much fun as the first and slows down just a little.
After all, there isn't another game on the schedule.
"The glory of young men is their strength, And the honor of old men is their gray hair." Proverbs 20:29
© 2009, J. Brady
”I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Had No Idea What They Were About to Do
I honestly didn't see it coming. Had no idea. It totally took me by surprise.
It all started one morning when my business partner Chris called me on the phone at 7am and made my wife wake me up. I knew it wouldn't be good. He never does that.
"Man, one of our sales reps just called me panicking and told me everyone on staff is leaving us and starting another business and they are doing it right behind our backs!"
That one sentence announcement started a three month cycle of personal betrayal few have ever experienced. Despite my mind telling me this simply could not be the case, soon enough we learned it was true and less than 2 weeks later 90% of our staff had left us high and dry. Most of this occurred while I was away during our annual summer vacation on the Gulf.
In a matter of days my business world had turned upside down.
I was stunned, demoralized and frankly frozen in state of absolute denial. There was simply no way these people would do this and do so in this manner. No way.
What made the situation hardest to swallow was learning who the culprits were behind it all which turned out to be most of our upper level management team, nearly every key sales rep and most of our administrative staff. To add to it, the owner of this new agency was our own insurance MGA (Master General Agent)! An MGA is basically a mentor to a GA (General Agent) which is what he had been to us for the last few years. We had become good friends and even had a summer vacation planned together in Mexico. Needless to say, that trip was cancelled. Just two weeks before all of this he and I personally met to discuss some concerns and issues going forward. I even asked him if he had any intentions of competing with me and setting up his own call room. He totally denied the idea and reassured me he wanted no part of running one and that we in fact were the "marketing geniuses".
The other leader, was our Operations Officer who resigned suddenly just a few weeks prior to all of this. He and I had become personal friends and talked nearly daily about sports, kids and God. I considered him one of my best friends. He worked for us for nearly 6 years and lived right around the corner. When we got back from the gulf coast he was the first one I met with. At the time he acted shocked at all we had learned about this new business and claimed to have no part in setting it all up. Weeks later he became the president and co-owner of the operation and in fact, had lied to me about it all.
Following them were other long term employees, some with nearly 10 years of working with Chris and I. One of them was even Chris' brother-in-law. My wife put it best, when she said one night, "the only person you can trust in that office right now is Chris." She was right. Over the coming weeks, another 10-12 employees would leave assuming the "grass was greener". In total we went from nearly 50 employees to around 15 in about 30 days time. Sales went down the drain, morale was gone, fear was running rampant and Chris and I were in an emotional tailspin.
Shock does not even come close to describing the way Chris and I were feeling. Betrayed, hurt, angry, confused, worried and determined were all apart of the emotional pot being brewed each and every day. I hated going to the office, fearing what I would learn, who else had left and what this other new business was doing behind our backs.
A few employees involved in this scheme hid their involvement so they could remain on staff with us while working on this new business down the street. We later discovered hundreds of internal documents being sent from our offices to their personal email accounts for use at this new location! On top of that, they were calling the few employees we had left attempting to recruit them by telling them we were "going out of business" or that "this ship was sinking so get off now". It was unreal.
This new business didn't just started a competing location. That's just business. Rather, this new business had stolen nearly all of our people, all of our business contacts, business materials, training documents, scripts, marketing concepts and the like. Our name is Equal Health & Life. Their name is United Health & Life. Lacking any ability to be creative on their own, they simply took our "Coke formula" in an attempt to short cut a road to financial success. They were merely a mirror image of the company Chris and I had worked to build over an eight year period. Starting a competing business is one thing, but stealing nearly a decade of trade secrets, operational theories, documents, contacts and the like is a whole new level of deceit.
In a matter of days, they stole it all.
Now Chris and I were facing our biggest challenge yet. Our faith was really all we had left. Even the entrepreneurial spirit we had leaned on for years together was wiped out. There wasn't anything left but prayer.
And, that's when God stepped in and made Romans 8:28 come to life right before our eyes.
About three weeks into the ordeal we began to see a silver lining in the situation and He began to do and reveal things to us that still blow my mind. While reading through Leviticus one night of all things, a verse jumped out at me. God spoke as clear as day that He and He alone would make things right and, they would pay for their actions.
We recently learned our MGA behind all of this had been acting illegally in his home state and most others. He was acting without a license, his health insurance products were determined to be illegitimate and the state took over control of his operations and bank accounts. We immediately moved all of our customers to a new provider and things quickly improved. Customers began telling us just how terrible they had been treated by his company. Truth was coming out daily. A win-win lawsuit had been laid in our laps at the same time against a very large insurance company he was representing. After a month of them denying everything we had been telling them about him and them trying to come after us, they finally admitted we were correct. Sorry Charlie. A little too late. (Lawsuit City is likely a stop in our future.)
Not even 90 days later, our vision for the future is brighter than ever. We have renewed energy, a new office, better management, a stronger staff, a more cautious approach, leaner finances and a great new insurance provider in Assurant Health. Just last week we won a big contest for the numbers of new clients we have brought on over the last 90 days -during all of this! If we stay focused, 2010 can be our best year yet. Yes, God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good.
I never knew how bad betrayal really was. I never understood how Jesus felt when his close and only real friends let him down and denied their connection to him. But, now I do.
I pray I never do the same to someone else.
I have a good idea, I never will.
"God spoke to Moses: "When anyone sins by betraying trust with God by deceiving his neighbor regarding something entrusted to him, or by robbing or cheating or threatening him; or if he has found something lost and lies about it and swears falsely regarding any of these sins that people commonly commit—when he sins and is found guilty, he must return what he stole or extorted, restore what was entrusted to him, return the lost thing he found, or anything else about which he swore falsely. He must make full compensation, add twenty percent to it, and hand it over to the owner..." Leviticus 8:1-5 (the Message)
© 2009, J. Brady
”I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
It all started one morning when my business partner Chris called me on the phone at 7am and made my wife wake me up. I knew it wouldn't be good. He never does that.
"Man, one of our sales reps just called me panicking and told me everyone on staff is leaving us and starting another business and they are doing it right behind our backs!"
That one sentence announcement started a three month cycle of personal betrayal few have ever experienced. Despite my mind telling me this simply could not be the case, soon enough we learned it was true and less than 2 weeks later 90% of our staff had left us high and dry. Most of this occurred while I was away during our annual summer vacation on the Gulf.
In a matter of days my business world had turned upside down.
I was stunned, demoralized and frankly frozen in state of absolute denial. There was simply no way these people would do this and do so in this manner. No way.
What made the situation hardest to swallow was learning who the culprits were behind it all which turned out to be most of our upper level management team, nearly every key sales rep and most of our administrative staff. To add to it, the owner of this new agency was our own insurance MGA (Master General Agent)! An MGA is basically a mentor to a GA (General Agent) which is what he had been to us for the last few years. We had become good friends and even had a summer vacation planned together in Mexico. Needless to say, that trip was cancelled. Just two weeks before all of this he and I personally met to discuss some concerns and issues going forward. I even asked him if he had any intentions of competing with me and setting up his own call room. He totally denied the idea and reassured me he wanted no part of running one and that we in fact were the "marketing geniuses".
The other leader, was our Operations Officer who resigned suddenly just a few weeks prior to all of this. He and I had become personal friends and talked nearly daily about sports, kids and God. I considered him one of my best friends. He worked for us for nearly 6 years and lived right around the corner. When we got back from the gulf coast he was the first one I met with. At the time he acted shocked at all we had learned about this new business and claimed to have no part in setting it all up. Weeks later he became the president and co-owner of the operation and in fact, had lied to me about it all.
Following them were other long term employees, some with nearly 10 years of working with Chris and I. One of them was even Chris' brother-in-law. My wife put it best, when she said one night, "the only person you can trust in that office right now is Chris." She was right. Over the coming weeks, another 10-12 employees would leave assuming the "grass was greener". In total we went from nearly 50 employees to around 15 in about 30 days time. Sales went down the drain, morale was gone, fear was running rampant and Chris and I were in an emotional tailspin.
Shock does not even come close to describing the way Chris and I were feeling. Betrayed, hurt, angry, confused, worried and determined were all apart of the emotional pot being brewed each and every day. I hated going to the office, fearing what I would learn, who else had left and what this other new business was doing behind our backs.
A few employees involved in this scheme hid their involvement so they could remain on staff with us while working on this new business down the street. We later discovered hundreds of internal documents being sent from our offices to their personal email accounts for use at this new location! On top of that, they were calling the few employees we had left attempting to recruit them by telling them we were "going out of business" or that "this ship was sinking so get off now". It was unreal.
This new business didn't just started a competing location. That's just business. Rather, this new business had stolen nearly all of our people, all of our business contacts, business materials, training documents, scripts, marketing concepts and the like. Our name is Equal Health & Life. Their name is United Health & Life. Lacking any ability to be creative on their own, they simply took our "Coke formula" in an attempt to short cut a road to financial success. They were merely a mirror image of the company Chris and I had worked to build over an eight year period. Starting a competing business is one thing, but stealing nearly a decade of trade secrets, operational theories, documents, contacts and the like is a whole new level of deceit.
In a matter of days, they stole it all.
Now Chris and I were facing our biggest challenge yet. Our faith was really all we had left. Even the entrepreneurial spirit we had leaned on for years together was wiped out. There wasn't anything left but prayer.
And, that's when God stepped in and made Romans 8:28 come to life right before our eyes.
About three weeks into the ordeal we began to see a silver lining in the situation and He began to do and reveal things to us that still blow my mind. While reading through Leviticus one night of all things, a verse jumped out at me. God spoke as clear as day that He and He alone would make things right and, they would pay for their actions.
We recently learned our MGA behind all of this had been acting illegally in his home state and most others. He was acting without a license, his health insurance products were determined to be illegitimate and the state took over control of his operations and bank accounts. We immediately moved all of our customers to a new provider and things quickly improved. Customers began telling us just how terrible they had been treated by his company. Truth was coming out daily. A win-win lawsuit had been laid in our laps at the same time against a very large insurance company he was representing. After a month of them denying everything we had been telling them about him and them trying to come after us, they finally admitted we were correct. Sorry Charlie. A little too late. (Lawsuit City is likely a stop in our future.)
Not even 90 days later, our vision for the future is brighter than ever. We have renewed energy, a new office, better management, a stronger staff, a more cautious approach, leaner finances and a great new insurance provider in Assurant Health. Just last week we won a big contest for the numbers of new clients we have brought on over the last 90 days -during all of this! If we stay focused, 2010 can be our best year yet. Yes, God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good.
I never knew how bad betrayal really was. I never understood how Jesus felt when his close and only real friends let him down and denied their connection to him. But, now I do.
I pray I never do the same to someone else.
I have a good idea, I never will.
"God spoke to Moses: "When anyone sins by betraying trust with God by deceiving his neighbor regarding something entrusted to him, or by robbing or cheating or threatening him; or if he has found something lost and lies about it and swears falsely regarding any of these sins that people commonly commit—when he sins and is found guilty, he must return what he stole or extorted, restore what was entrusted to him, return the lost thing he found, or anything else about which he swore falsely. He must make full compensation, add twenty percent to it, and hand it over to the owner..." Leviticus 8:1-5 (the Message)
© 2009, J. Brady
”I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)