I’ll Be Back!

Check back later this winter please.

Season Finale

“To everything there is a season. . . “ so says the book of Ecclesiastes. And this blog is no different. At the beginning of ’09, I committed to several goals this year. Unfortunately, in the process of juggling all these ambitions, I have dropped some along the way. Of course, I may pick them back up but it’s not long before one drops again. I have learned in life that when you are overwhelmed with all the things you are juggling, you can do one of three things: you can keep doing what you’re doing with the hope that you eventually “get it,” you can juggle with less balls until you have mastered that level, or you can just quit juggling.

I have decided to juggle with less balls. Here’s the thought process: If I drop just one ball even periodically, and more than likely it’d be a different ball each time, I fail at juggling period. In other words, I may not reach any of my accomplishments or it will certainly take me longer to get there. On the other hand, if I juggle with less balls dropping none, I am a success, albeit I am a less accomplished juggler than if I were to hit all my targets in the first example but my odds are better. If I stop juggling all together, not only do I fail at juggling but I fail at even trying; failure is certain. Rhetorically, let me ask you this: would you rather invest in a long shot, a sure shot, or a dud?

I want to be a sure shot! And it is for that reason that I am regretfully postponing my blog posts. I have been focusing so much on ensuring a post three times a week that I have  neglected the writing of my book. Writing is my dream. And I have been accomplishing my dream through you, the readers of this blog. But at the same time, the true realization of a writer’s dream, at least this writer’s dream, is publication. Just like our life here on earth is a dress rehearsal for Heaven, this blog has been a dress rehearsal for publication of a book. I appreciate all of you for aiding and abetting me in testing and reforming my style through this medium. While I am not a perfect writer (and never will be), my heart is ready. And quite frankly, that is all that is needed for the realization of a  dream. A heart that is ready will let nothing get in its way. A heart that is ready will not quit or back down. A heart that is ready will not bargain for second best; it will not rest until it has reached its destination; it will not be denied.

This is not a series finale, it is merely the end of a season. I will live to blog again; you have not seen the last of Brian Shaw. In fact, it is quite the opposite. I am taking my series to the big screen if you will. I am taking my passion and purpose to a higher pursuit. Please keep your eyes peeled for the release of my “feature film” in the near future. This is not the end, it is just the beginning . . .

Oh, and if by remote chance there is a published author who has any great advice or contacts he or she would like to share, or better yet, a publisher with some interest in my work, feel free to comment now. (LOL)

To all of you fellow dreamers: I encourage you on your pursuit. Make sure you take time to pause from time to time to compare your map and your current location to make sure that you are still on the shortest distance to your destination. If so, pursue relentlessly. If not, make the necessary adjustments and get back on the road.

Please keep me in your prayers. I am working on writing a 30 day devotional. Pray that the Lord would give me wisdom and continual revelation. Pray that he would guide my pen to position words in a way that will speak encouragement and hope to a multitude of people, not for my own profit but for kingdom profit, that those far from God may be drawn into greater intimacy with the Father through the Son. Pray that He keep me ever so humble and grateful for any talent that He has blessed me with. Finally, pray that I keep “first things first,” not neglecting my own spiritual walk or my own family.

Thank You and May God Bless You Abundantly!

Never Rub Another Man’s Rhubarb

Or touch his lady, or take his food, or steal his money, or curse his God.  Beyond the inherent commandments given in the Bible, I take these as serious offenses that elicit grave consequences (not really the rhubarb, that’s just a line from the first Batman movie––take all the freakin’ rhubarb you want). I expect people to respect those particular elements in my life. I must confess though, I have not always followed my own advice. To whomever I have violated in any of these principles, I am truly sorry. I have never claimed to be a saint but that doesn’t excuse me from misconduct. I have been ashamed, as most of you have also, for things that I have done in the past. Though I can’t guarantee avoiding shameful situations in the future, I feel like I have learned enough not to repeat the same errors over again. Thankfully, He has forgiven me and I hope you will too.

If it makes you feel any better, you can have my Brussel sprouts.

Note: Don’t read into this. Those it applies to know who they are. Don’t sucker punch me next time you see me because you deduced from this that I messed with your woman, ate your French Fries, gambled with your money, or cursed your God (if ours is the same God, I love Him just like you do). This is about my conscience, not about your possessions.

Universal Solvent

Does anybody remember the universal solvent from basic chemistry? Water. Is it any wonder then that Jesus is called the Living Water? And deservedly so. It is His nature to dilute and even dissolve our problems. On top of that, He can wash us clean of sin, cool us when we’re hot, satisfy us when we’re thirsty, drown our sorrows, and put out life’s fires. Like water, He takes the shape of whatever vessel He’s in (namely your heart), He is essential for all life on Earth, and as God, He can be found in three common forms (not solid, liquid, and gas but Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). For the perfect solution, just add Jesus.

The World Is Your Oyster

You’ve no doubt heard how pearls are formed. They are formed when an irritant like a grain of sand enters its shell. It’s natural response is to create a barrier around that irritant to protect itself. The result, of course, is a polished pearly white stone with little to no blemish.

Likewise, God sent Christ into this world as an irritant, with a message so offensive that the world would put Him to death. Out of that, you were washed clean of your sin and made into a precious gem in the eyes of God. You are a pearl for which He paid the highest price, the life of His only begotten son.

You are valuable to God!

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. ~Matthew 13:45-46

Buyer’s Market

There is a positive element about the current economic calamity: It is a buyer’s market. The price of real estate is down, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is at a 12-year low, and Christ’s redemption is being given away freely.

Translation:

• Buy real estate if you can. Jesse Duplantis says, “Buy land, God ain’t makin’ no more!” It’s demand has to go back up because it’s supply never will.

• Buy stock: There’s a big reduction sale going on right now. You can buy more shares for less money! If this was at your favorite place to shop, you’d be having a field day!

• If not “buy land”, then buy “C” (C being Christ). If you’ve never before considered the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, there is no better time than now. Invest in the kingdom––it’s free! And of all these, it is the biggest bargain with the biggest payoff.

I’ve heard my pastor say, “Until God is all you have, sometimes you don’t know He’s all you need.” Maybe you’re at that point. Maybe you don’t have the resources to buy land or purchase stock. Who knows when and if your resources will be replenished? Stop trusting in the resource and put your trust in the source.

All The World Is A Stage

Shakespeare penned those words, “All the world is a stage.” He was absolutely right. God is the Author and Director, His Word is the script, His Son is the superstar, your pastor is the narrator, you my friends are the cast, and the world is your stage. How well have you been acting? Are you studying and constantly practicing your lines? Are you giving an Academy performance or are you just going through the motions? Will you be honored at the ceremony? In other words, when the curtain goes down, will you hear your name followed by, “Well done good and faithful servant?”

Christ was beaten beyond recognition, crucified on a cross, and speared in the side on your behalf, get out there and break a leg!

What Can Brown Do For You?

Truth Hurts

I know you’re probably tired of hearing about my experiences with Megan’s studies, her math in particular, but it seems to have so many spiritual applications.

Math sucks––Megan hates doing it and I hate checking it (no knock on Tina but unfortunately I’m more astute at it than she is). Rarely does Megan ever get 100% of the problems right. Actually, the problems are already there for her, it’s the solutions that she’s tripping up on. I give the paper back for her to correct her mistakes. Inevitably, an attitude and argument ensues. Megan is no different than so many of us––she cannot stand to be wrong.

Sometimes facing the truth can seem more painful than accepting a lie. The fact of the matter is that when you are convinced that your answer is valid or that your way is right, it can be a real punch in the gut to find out differently. Make no mistake about it, though, the pain or disappointment of being wrong has no bearing on the truth of the matter; she can disagree with the truth that her answer is wrong until the cows come home but at the end of the day, her answer is no more correct than it was before, the only difference now is that she’s knee deep in cow dung.

This makes it easier for me to comprehend why some people get so angry or offended when you try to share the Truth of the Word with them. They disagree with you; their philosophy of the Truth is different; you’re telling them that their answer just might be wrong; that they may not have found the right solution. It’s sad but some people would rather sacrifice the Truth for being “right,” sometimes even if they are aware that it will only delay and intensify the pain. We can’t help that. Truth hurts but that doesn’t make it any less true. On that glorious day when Christ comes in the clouds, there’s going to be some hurtin’ people but He’s still coming nonetheless.

Fireproof

I was looking at the gun in my hand at the shooting range the other day and a thought came to mind: guns have safety features that prevent most, if not all, spontaneous firings. Without effort on the part of the operator, like me pulling the trigger, the gun is no more harmful than the monitor in front of you. But point it in the wrong direction, push the right buttons, or mishandle it in any way, and it can become a deadly weapon.

I wish I had some of the same safety features on my mouth. I’ve been known to shoot off at the mouth a time or two. I have learned that words can be as harmful to one’s self-esteem as guns can be to one’s life. Words have the capability to shoot down aspirations, hurt feelings, and kill the dreams of many well-intentioned people. And just like the gun, my mouth is harmless apart from my own actions. Don’t I decide what comes out of my mouth and what direction my words take? If I am as careful and responsible with the words I fire out of my mouth as I am with the shots I fire from my pistol, then no one should get hurt.

Here’s the great paradox: Words have as much potential to generate good as bullets have to create danger. They can be used to speak hope into hopeless, desperate situations; possibility into impossible circumstances; potential into powerlessness; victory in the midst of overwhelming odds; life into a miserable, mortal existence; and light into darkness. Words can be affirmative ammunition to penetrate and ignite a weary soul. Words have power, the power to butcher or the power to nurture; the power to annihilate or the power to stimulate. The power does not rest in the words themselves but in the people using them.

The takeaway:

Words don’t kill, people do. How will you use your words today?

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell . . . but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ~James 3:6,8

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. ~Proverbs 18:21

He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. ~Proverbs 21:23

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. ~ Luke 6:45

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ~Ephesians 4:29

No one will ever remember what you say or what you do but they will never forget how you made them feel. ~Unknown

What if we related the Gospel to people on the basis of how awesome they could possibly be in Christ more than how screwed up they presently are without Him? ~Pastor Steven Furtick