Was watching this clip this morning, and it helped remind me that unless I make surrendering to God a daily practise, all my efforts to control my own life just turn into heavy, depressing baggage.
How long has it been since you turned all your "stuff" over to God, and allowed Him to not just be a helpline but the Lord (in control) of your life?
He's always willing to take our baggage & replace it with joy... just ask Him.
Love Brooke
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
If not now, when?
When I think about the dreams I have for the future and the plans I have for my life, sometimes I find it very hard to be patient and wait on God's timing.
I mean, He has placed such exciting desires in my heart that I can't wait to get started on, but then He asks me to wait... and wait... and wait! Patience has never been one of my strengths, so the little I have gets tested - a lot! I guess that's partly why He requires it of me so much - so as to build patience into my character.
But what about when our dreams never seem to come about? Is God saying No for now, or No for ever? Sometimes I want to let out my inner-5 year old and scream at the sky "If not now, WHEN??!!" (As if tantrums and tears ever accomplish anything!) What do we do when we feel the Lord gently reminding our spirit "for My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways"?
For myself, I have found it helpful to remember 3 things...
- There is always something I can do today to bring tomorrow closer
Rather than focusing on what I don't have and where I wish I was, I can choose to find something to do right here and now that is a small stepping stone to future dreams. That picture of being a published author can be brought one day closer when I practise my writing skills and upload a new blog post. That vision of being a good mother someday starts now by eating healthier and looking after my body in preparation.
- Turn my attention off myself and bless someone else
When I am constantly thinking about myself, I overlook the fact that there are many other people out there that God desires to bless, maybe even by using me to help bring a dream of theirs into being. God's love is all about passing it on, and when we allow ourselves to walk in acts of service and humilty, we get to be part of the much bigger picture that God is orchestrating. Which is always better than the tiny little worlds we make for ourselves anyway.
- Keep reading
When I first read Isaiah 55:8 I must say that I found it rather discouraging - what hope do I ever have for knowing God and His plans at all if His plans and thoughts are higher than mine?
But when I kept reading, I felt a wonderful peace knowing that its a good thing He's in control:
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seek to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."
So when the Lord says that the plans He has for us are good and prosperous, rest assured that goodness and prosperity are on their way - its as guaranteed as God's word, which is always true. He is never late, but never early either.
In the meantime, we're all here waiting together (!)...
Love Brooke
I mean, He has placed such exciting desires in my heart that I can't wait to get started on, but then He asks me to wait... and wait... and wait! Patience has never been one of my strengths, so the little I have gets tested - a lot! I guess that's partly why He requires it of me so much - so as to build patience into my character.
But what about when our dreams never seem to come about? Is God saying No for now, or No for ever? Sometimes I want to let out my inner-5 year old and scream at the sky "If not now, WHEN??!!" (As if tantrums and tears ever accomplish anything!) What do we do when we feel the Lord gently reminding our spirit "for My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways"?
For myself, I have found it helpful to remember 3 things...
- There is always something I can do today to bring tomorrow closer
Rather than focusing on what I don't have and where I wish I was, I can choose to find something to do right here and now that is a small stepping stone to future dreams. That picture of being a published author can be brought one day closer when I practise my writing skills and upload a new blog post. That vision of being a good mother someday starts now by eating healthier and looking after my body in preparation.
- Turn my attention off myself and bless someone else
When I am constantly thinking about myself, I overlook the fact that there are many other people out there that God desires to bless, maybe even by using me to help bring a dream of theirs into being. God's love is all about passing it on, and when we allow ourselves to walk in acts of service and humilty, we get to be part of the much bigger picture that God is orchestrating. Which is always better than the tiny little worlds we make for ourselves anyway.
- Keep reading
When I first read Isaiah 55:8 I must say that I found it rather discouraging - what hope do I ever have for knowing God and His plans at all if His plans and thoughts are higher than mine?
But when I kept reading, I felt a wonderful peace knowing that its a good thing He's in control:
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seek to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."
So when the Lord says that the plans He has for us are good and prosperous, rest assured that goodness and prosperity are on their way - its as guaranteed as God's word, which is always true. He is never late, but never early either.
In the meantime, we're all here waiting together (!)...
Love Brooke
Monday, September 12, 2011
Love Song
There are so many songs out there that try to define love. Songs about falling in love, losing love, what we'd do for love, the beauty of love... all trying to capture something that can't be described, only felt.
There is one song that talks about a love that can be more than felt, it can be lived. This song really touches my heart every time I hear it and reminds me that that One Love is always on offer to me and has the power to change my life, if I'll let it...
"I See Love"
Some see a teacher
Standing on a hill
Speaking words of wisdom
Some see a healer
Reaching out his hand
To give sight to a blind man
Some see a dreamer
Wasting his life
On what can never be
Some see a fool
Dying for his dreams
But I see love
I see love
Light of heaven breaking through
Well I see grace
I see God's face
Shining pure and perfect love
When I see you
I see love
Some see a prisoner
Alone before his judge
With no one to defend him
Some see a victim
Beaten and abused
With all the world against him
Some see a martyr
Carrying his cross
For what he believes
Some see a hero
Who set his people free
But I see love
I see love
Light of heaven breaking through
Well I see grace
I see God's face
Shining pure and perfect love
When I see you
With your last breath
I see love
Through your death
I see love
I see peace in the eyes of the King
I see hope in your suffering
I see a calm in the centre of the storm
I see a Saviour
I see love
I see love
Light of heaven breaking through
I see grace
I see God's face
Shining pure and perfect love
When I see you
I see love
When I see you
I see heaven breaking through
See God's face
Shining pure and perfect love
When I see you
When I see you
When I see you
I see love
I see love
When I see
Some see Him walking from an empty grave
Some love, huh? More than a feeling or a song - a person.
What do you see when you look at Him?
Love Brooke
There is one song that talks about a love that can be more than felt, it can be lived. This song really touches my heart every time I hear it and reminds me that that One Love is always on offer to me and has the power to change my life, if I'll let it...
"I See Love"
Some see a teacher
Standing on a hill
Speaking words of wisdom
Some see a healer
Reaching out his hand
To give sight to a blind man
Some see a dreamer
Wasting his life
On what can never be
Some see a fool
Dying for his dreams
But I see love
I see love
Light of heaven breaking through
Well I see grace
I see God's face
Shining pure and perfect love
When I see you
I see love
Some see a prisoner
Alone before his judge
With no one to defend him
Some see a victim
Beaten and abused
With all the world against him
Some see a martyr
Carrying his cross
For what he believes
Some see a hero
Who set his people free
But I see love
I see love
Light of heaven breaking through
Well I see grace
I see God's face
Shining pure and perfect love
When I see you
With your last breath
I see love
Through your death
I see love
I see peace in the eyes of the King
I see hope in your suffering
I see a calm in the centre of the storm
I see a Saviour
I see love
I see love
Light of heaven breaking through
I see grace
I see God's face
Shining pure and perfect love
When I see you
I see love
When I see you
I see heaven breaking through
See God's face
Shining pure and perfect love
When I see you
When I see you
When I see you
I see love
I see love
When I see
Some see Him walking from an empty grave
Some love, huh? More than a feeling or a song - a person.
What do you see when you look at Him?
Love Brooke
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
What is Your Life's Blueprint?
This is one of my favourite speeches from Martin Luther King Jr, and I thought you might like it too...
"I want to ask you a question, and that is: What is your life's blueprint?
Whenever a building is constructed, you usually have an architect who draws a blueprint and that blueprint serves as the pattern, as the guide, and a building is not well erected withour a good, solid blueprint.
Now, each of you is in the process of building the structure of your lives, and the question is whether you have a proper, a solid, and a sound blueprint.
I want to suggest some of the things that should be in your life's blueprint. Number one, in your life's blueprint, should be a deep belief in your own dignity, your worth, and your own somebodiness. Don't allow anybody to make you feel that you're nobody. Always feel that you count. Always feel that you have worth, and always feel that your life has ultimate significance.
Secondly, in your life's blueprint, you must have as the basic principle the determination to achieve excellence in your variuos fields of endeavour. You're going to be deciding as the days, as the years unfold what you will do in life - what your life's work will be. Set out to do it well...
And when you discover what you will be in your life, set out to do it as if God Almighty called you at this particular moment in history to do it. Don't just set out to do a good job. Set out to do such a good job that the living, the dead, or the unborn couldn't do it any better.
If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets life Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well. If you can't be a pine at the top of the hill, be a shrub in the valley. But be the best little shrub on the side of the hill.
Be a bush if your can't be a tree. If you can't be a highway, just be a trail. If you can't be a sun, be a star. For it isn't by size that you will win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are."
This inspires me every time I read it, and I hope it encourages you too. Go out and be GREAT!
"I want to ask you a question, and that is: What is your life's blueprint?
Whenever a building is constructed, you usually have an architect who draws a blueprint and that blueprint serves as the pattern, as the guide, and a building is not well erected withour a good, solid blueprint.
Now, each of you is in the process of building the structure of your lives, and the question is whether you have a proper, a solid, and a sound blueprint.
I want to suggest some of the things that should be in your life's blueprint. Number one, in your life's blueprint, should be a deep belief in your own dignity, your worth, and your own somebodiness. Don't allow anybody to make you feel that you're nobody. Always feel that you count. Always feel that you have worth, and always feel that your life has ultimate significance.
Secondly, in your life's blueprint, you must have as the basic principle the determination to achieve excellence in your variuos fields of endeavour. You're going to be deciding as the days, as the years unfold what you will do in life - what your life's work will be. Set out to do it well...
And when you discover what you will be in your life, set out to do it as if God Almighty called you at this particular moment in history to do it. Don't just set out to do a good job. Set out to do such a good job that the living, the dead, or the unborn couldn't do it any better.
If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets life Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well. If you can't be a pine at the top of the hill, be a shrub in the valley. But be the best little shrub on the side of the hill.
Be a bush if your can't be a tree. If you can't be a highway, just be a trail. If you can't be a sun, be a star. For it isn't by size that you will win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are."
This inspires me every time I read it, and I hope it encourages you too. Go out and be GREAT!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Just in Case
I love being able to see "my kids" every week at youth group, hug them and tell them how much God and I love and value them. Even if they think "yeah yeah yeah, I know you love me Brooke - stop telling me all the time", it can never be underestimated how important and life-changing a timely encouragement can be, especially for those who maybe don't receive much affection at home.
So, in case you haven't been told lately...
You are unique, worthy of love and needed in this world
You have been created to fill a place that no one else can fill
You are talented, beautiful, a masterpiece
Your life counts and you can make a difference
Hope and forgiveness are always available to you
You don't have to be afraid to be yourself and follow your dreams
You deserve respect, value and success
You are loved by God in Heaven, your family and true friends, and me.
We will always love you, treasure you, encourage you and believe in you - no matter what.
... Just in case you didn't know :)
Love Brooke
So, in case you haven't been told lately...
You are unique, worthy of love and needed in this world
You have been created to fill a place that no one else can fill
You are talented, beautiful, a masterpiece
Your life counts and you can make a difference
Hope and forgiveness are always available to you
You don't have to be afraid to be yourself and follow your dreams
You deserve respect, value and success
You are loved by God in Heaven, your family and true friends, and me.
We will always love you, treasure you, encourage you and believe in you - no matter what.
... Just in case you didn't know :)
Love Brooke
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Read on, dear ones, read on...
It has often been said that you will be the same person in ten years time as you are today, except for the people you meet and the books you read. And while it is a difficult thing to go into new circles and enlarge your acquaintances when your life mainly consists of school, home and Saturdays at the shopping centre, as most teenagers' lives do, it is possible - and a most exciting possibility at that - to change your thinking, learn about new cultures, discover new truths, have adventures, and better understand God's plan for your life through the inexhaustible world of books.
My mum always encouraged in my brother and sister and I an enthusiastic love of the written word; and while my passion for writing and classic literature isn't for everyone, she did instill in us the universal truth that although your school years may be only for a season, if you are willing to keep your mind and a book open, learning in life can be infinite.
I know in today's world of status updates and texting that sitting still and reading anything longer than 140 characters is a bit unusual, but if you wish to be a well informed and contributing person in society it is a necessary habit, even if a bit unpopular in regular adolescent circles. Think about it this way - other than what your friends at school say and your parents at home talk about, what shapes your beliefs and opinions and teaches you how and what to live for? How do you confidently stand up for something when in fact you may only be standing up for what you have been told? Without actively seeking knowledge for ourselves, we will be like a boat without a rudder, not able to steer our own path but being pressed on all sides by the plans of others be tossed where ever the waves determine.
Proverbs 8 tells us that knowledge is more desirable than the choicest gold and wisdom is better than jewels, and we know that we build wisdom into our lives firstly by reading the The Book - the Word of God, as Proverbs also tells us that the fear (i.e. reverence and adoration) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. All that we read and hear from others must always be measured against the truth of His word before we accept it into our own worldview. But don't let that stop you from exploring the words, thoughts and ideals of those who have gone before us through the vast library of the written word. There are many colourful, courageous, smart and sensitive people who have left parts of themselves to be discovered in their books, whether they be works of fiction, philosophy, poetry, biography or politics, all waiting to be read and mused over by you and I. And even if you don't think of yourself as a bookish-type person (if that's the case, a daily reading of God's Word is a good place to start), there are as many different types of books out there as there are different types of people, so don't give up on your pursuits of finding one that interests you. Because reading is more than a good habit, it's a practice that can literally change your life.
Some of my all-time favs that you might like too are:
The book of Romans (from the Bible)
Velvet Elvis (by Rob Bell)
Wild at Heart and Captivating (by John & Stasi Eldridge)
The Veritas Conflict (by Shaunti Feldhahn)
The Robe (by Lloyd C Douglas)
I Kissed Dating Goodbye (by Josh Harris)
Battlefield of the Mind (by Joyce Meyer)
Love Brooke
My mum always encouraged in my brother and sister and I an enthusiastic love of the written word; and while my passion for writing and classic literature isn't for everyone, she did instill in us the universal truth that although your school years may be only for a season, if you are willing to keep your mind and a book open, learning in life can be infinite.
I know in today's world of status updates and texting that sitting still and reading anything longer than 140 characters is a bit unusual, but if you wish to be a well informed and contributing person in society it is a necessary habit, even if a bit unpopular in regular adolescent circles. Think about it this way - other than what your friends at school say and your parents at home talk about, what shapes your beliefs and opinions and teaches you how and what to live for? How do you confidently stand up for something when in fact you may only be standing up for what you have been told? Without actively seeking knowledge for ourselves, we will be like a boat without a rudder, not able to steer our own path but being pressed on all sides by the plans of others be tossed where ever the waves determine.
Proverbs 8 tells us that knowledge is more desirable than the choicest gold and wisdom is better than jewels, and we know that we build wisdom into our lives firstly by reading the The Book - the Word of God, as Proverbs also tells us that the fear (i.e. reverence and adoration) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. All that we read and hear from others must always be measured against the truth of His word before we accept it into our own worldview. But don't let that stop you from exploring the words, thoughts and ideals of those who have gone before us through the vast library of the written word. There are many colourful, courageous, smart and sensitive people who have left parts of themselves to be discovered in their books, whether they be works of fiction, philosophy, poetry, biography or politics, all waiting to be read and mused over by you and I. And even if you don't think of yourself as a bookish-type person (if that's the case, a daily reading of God's Word is a good place to start), there are as many different types of books out there as there are different types of people, so don't give up on your pursuits of finding one that interests you. Because reading is more than a good habit, it's a practice that can literally change your life.
Some of my all-time favs that you might like too are:
The book of Romans (from the Bible)
Velvet Elvis (by Rob Bell)
Wild at Heart and Captivating (by John & Stasi Eldridge)
The Veritas Conflict (by Shaunti Feldhahn)
The Robe (by Lloyd C Douglas)
I Kissed Dating Goodbye (by Josh Harris)
Battlefield of the Mind (by Joyce Meyer)
Love Brooke
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
A Reputation of Opposites
I was sitting with a group of girls the other day talking about going against the grain, acting in the opposite spirit. To most of them, it was a totally foreign concept. To hear that they had another option other than exploding when someone verbally attacked them was a brand new thought for the majority.
The sad reality of the world we live in is that this group are the norm, not the exception.
Which makes me wonder - even when we are part of the small group of people who are aware of this option, how often do we actually stop and think, evaluate our situation, before we respond to a negative comment or conversation? I mean, it's one thing to say that yes, it's a wise and mature thing to think-before-we-speak, but it's totally another thing to put it into action in our everyday lives. But then, it's not uncommon to say one thing yet believe another...
For example, I firmly believe that a healthy body image starts with being secure in the truth that I am God's masterpiece, a work of beauty created in love by the King, and that truth cannot be altered by any pimple or extra kilo. But yet, I still desire to hide my face from the world whenever I get a breakout, and feel guilty each time I eat a block of chocolate in a day and don't work out for a week. When I allow my doubts and insecurities about my weight, appearance and image to dictate my self-worth, rather than God's Word, I am really saying that I don't in fact believe what I say I do. Because I show my beliefs by my actions, not by my words. So while a cheat day of chocolate eating should encourage me back to my exercise regime, it should not waver my belief in my own true value as a beautiful woman of God, if I have cemented it as a deep-seated truth in my heart.
There are many examples in the world of when it is a destructive habit to act in the opposite spirit, not the least is the above story of holding an honourable principle as a personal belief when in fact it is only a lofty ideal to be boasted in at youth group. But there are also occurences, although not so commonly displayed (unfortunately), of when it is not only beneficial to ourselves but also inspiring to those around us to act contrary to the low standards of the world's expectations.
I remember reading about a high school senior in America who had become the most popular and respected person in her school, not because she wore the most fashionable outfits or dated the cutest boy in the football team, but because she became known as someone who was a friend to everyone, regardless of their clique, group or social standing. And not just a hi-in-the-hallway kind of friend, but a help-you-study, lend-you-a-top, shout-you-for-the-movies kind of friend. With such a positive example to her peers of the power of acting in the opposite spirit, I'm sure that she encouraged others around her to change their mindset of "normal" friendships. Possibly for the first time ever, the students in that school were shown an alternative to their regular I'm-not-talking-to-you-this-week, you're-either-friends-with-me-or-her, did-you-hear-what-he-said-about-you way of relating to each other. She wasn't just another high talking but low acting teenager; rather, she built a reputation for herself of a different opposite - the opposite of deciding not to act the same as everyone else, and lifting her own personal standards above the expectations of the acceptable.
We can stand up in this - dare I say it - revolutionary way, by taking stock of our own lives and choosing our beliefs on purpose, not just accepting convictions by default because it's what everyone else says they believe. When we take the time to look inwardly and recognise what we hold as valuable and important to us as individuals, we can then start to choose to act as we see fit, as we believe young, strong, independent, godly people should act.
While it may be the common practice of the day to believe in something yet act out of an opposing belief, let's not lower ourselves to the popular standard by following the same. Let's choose the positive opposite - of actually acting in a way that aligns with our beliefs; of standing up for righteousness, even when it isn't easy or comfortable; of being known as young men and women who do what they say; of choosing to respond rather than react when provoked to anger; of going against the grain when necessary and acting in the opposite spirit.
Because when all is said and done, I want my repuatation to be one of wisdom, truth and integrity, even if that is opposed to the popular view of the day - how about you?
Love Brooke
The sad reality of the world we live in is that this group are the norm, not the exception.
Which makes me wonder - even when we are part of the small group of people who are aware of this option, how often do we actually stop and think, evaluate our situation, before we respond to a negative comment or conversation? I mean, it's one thing to say that yes, it's a wise and mature thing to think-before-we-speak, but it's totally another thing to put it into action in our everyday lives. But then, it's not uncommon to say one thing yet believe another...
For example, I firmly believe that a healthy body image starts with being secure in the truth that I am God's masterpiece, a work of beauty created in love by the King, and that truth cannot be altered by any pimple or extra kilo. But yet, I still desire to hide my face from the world whenever I get a breakout, and feel guilty each time I eat a block of chocolate in a day and don't work out for a week. When I allow my doubts and insecurities about my weight, appearance and image to dictate my self-worth, rather than God's Word, I am really saying that I don't in fact believe what I say I do. Because I show my beliefs by my actions, not by my words. So while a cheat day of chocolate eating should encourage me back to my exercise regime, it should not waver my belief in my own true value as a beautiful woman of God, if I have cemented it as a deep-seated truth in my heart.
There are many examples in the world of when it is a destructive habit to act in the opposite spirit, not the least is the above story of holding an honourable principle as a personal belief when in fact it is only a lofty ideal to be boasted in at youth group. But there are also occurences, although not so commonly displayed (unfortunately), of when it is not only beneficial to ourselves but also inspiring to those around us to act contrary to the low standards of the world's expectations.
I remember reading about a high school senior in America who had become the most popular and respected person in her school, not because she wore the most fashionable outfits or dated the cutest boy in the football team, but because she became known as someone who was a friend to everyone, regardless of their clique, group or social standing. And not just a hi-in-the-hallway kind of friend, but a help-you-study, lend-you-a-top, shout-you-for-the-movies kind of friend. With such a positive example to her peers of the power of acting in the opposite spirit, I'm sure that she encouraged others around her to change their mindset of "normal" friendships. Possibly for the first time ever, the students in that school were shown an alternative to their regular I'm-not-talking-to-you-this-week, you're-either-friends-with-me-or-her, did-you-hear-what-he-said-about-you way of relating to each other. She wasn't just another high talking but low acting teenager; rather, she built a reputation for herself of a different opposite - the opposite of deciding not to act the same as everyone else, and lifting her own personal standards above the expectations of the acceptable.
We can stand up in this - dare I say it - revolutionary way, by taking stock of our own lives and choosing our beliefs on purpose, not just accepting convictions by default because it's what everyone else says they believe. When we take the time to look inwardly and recognise what we hold as valuable and important to us as individuals, we can then start to choose to act as we see fit, as we believe young, strong, independent, godly people should act.
While it may be the common practice of the day to believe in something yet act out of an opposing belief, let's not lower ourselves to the popular standard by following the same. Let's choose the positive opposite - of actually acting in a way that aligns with our beliefs; of standing up for righteousness, even when it isn't easy or comfortable; of being known as young men and women who do what they say; of choosing to respond rather than react when provoked to anger; of going against the grain when necessary and acting in the opposite spirit.
Because when all is said and done, I want my repuatation to be one of wisdom, truth and integrity, even if that is opposed to the popular view of the day - how about you?
Love Brooke
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