The Simple Truth

Fall Routine

 I know my blog posts have been sparse and sporadic of late.  I hope as my family enters into our new Fall routine I can become more consistent in the blogosphere.  With that in mind here are a few random thoughts rattling around my pea brain...  

• I love routine (I operate best within a structure) but it's tough shifting gears from the summer routine to the fall routine.  Still trying to get my legs under me.
• I love the fall time of the year - the weather cools off, the kids are back in school, vacations are over and people come back to church, the pool is closed (no more weekly or bi-weekly trips to the pool store for chemicals).
• I'm trying to resist the urge to get a smart phone - the Droid looks really cool.  Should I take the plunge or just stay with my current standard phone with slide out keypad for texting?
• Praying for God to do big things in India.  Having lunch today with another potential contact in India. 
• The people of PBC are so amazingly generous - you've already met the giving challenge I gave you in our India Initiative.  Keep it up!
• I love (and hate) how God uses little things in our life to reveal areas where we need to work on our character.
• Really looking forward to the Rescue workers BBQ on 9/25 - praying for good weather, and a good turnout.
• Presently contemplating starting a new Bible reading plan - toying with the idea of reading through the Bible in 90 days.  Anyone want to join me?
• Currently wrestling with our next series which will focus on what it means to be a true follower of Jesus.
• Let me make this statement while I can - the KC Chiefs are undefeated and in sole possession of first place in the AFC West.
• Why do they put a round pizza in a square box?

Busy Weekend Ahead

This holiday weekend stands to be a busy one.  Here are a few of the things going on...

• Men's Breakfast, Saturday at 8:30a.  Always enjoy the time with the fellas.  Lookin' forward to Stan's famous waffles. 
• Ladies Tea, Saturday at 2p.  No, I'm not going but Kerrie is hosting the event at our house and so that means I need to make myself scarce - along with the kiddos.  We'll probably kill the time with some lunch and last minute V-day shopping.  Hopefully there will be some food leftover (not likely).
• Sunday service at PBC, Sunday at 10a.  Hope you'll join us this weekend. I'm doing a special Valentine's Day message.  I've got a special game planned which you don't want to miss.
• Valentine's Day - can't wait to see what Kerrie has planned for me!
• President's Day - no school on Monday.  Not as special since they just had the last three days off because of snow.  We may celebrate Kerrie's b-day on Monday (actual day - Tuesday).  Can't wait to give her the present we got her.  We may also, take the kids to see "Percy Jackson & the Olympians".  May also have to squeeze in a drama shoot for Drew on Monday.
• Almost forgot, I have to try and save some time to watch the Winter Olympics.  Nothing I enjoy more than watching me some "Curling".  Who needs the NFL?!

What are you doing this weekend?

White Shoes, Black Socks

As a kid I remember at times thinking my dad had no fashion sense whatsoever. He occasionally made the fashion fopaux of going out in public wearing white shoes with black socks (and not the black Nike socks that are popular now - I'm talking dress socks).  As a teenager I would never have dreamed of committing such a fashion travesty! 

Last night I learned something about my father and about myself.  First, I learned that I am becoming my father (which isn't necessarily a bad thing).  Second, I learned that my dad's decision to mix athletic footwear with dress socks wasn't entirely about lacking fashion sense.  You see, last night I went out in public wearing white running shoes with black dress socks! Gasp! I know better but my reasoning was two-fold...

1. I was too tired to walk ALL the way back upstairs to get white socks or my Sketchers shoes. It wasn't worth the effort.  The black socks were on, the running shoes were by the door. Convenience drove my decision.
2. I just don't care that much anymore what people think about my fashion sense.  My sense of worth isn't driven by whether people like my outfit or not.

So, don't be so hard on your dad the next time he wears white shoes with black socks.  He might just be really tired or very secure in his sense of self-worth.

What's next for me? Next summer - white shoes (or sandals) with black socks and shorts! See you at the beach.  Not even I'm that tired or secure!

InterVarsity

I had coffee with my friend Tony Y. who is one of the campus staff for InterVarsity on the Rutgers Campus in NJ.  This year Tony actually started a new work on the Douglass Campus of Rutgers and is doing very well.  I also got an opportunity to meet Cathy C. who is the area director for InterVarsity in Central and South Jersey. If you think about it, please pray for Tony and the other InterVarsity workers - they do good work and could use your support.

Campus ministry is near and dear to my heart since I myself became a follower of Jesus when I was in college. It is such an important work.  Not only is it a difficult time of life for many young adults but it is also well documented that the majority of people who follow Christ as Savior will make that decision before they reach their early 20s.  Again, lift these folks up in prayer!

Appreciated

I felt so appreciated on Sunday as the folks at PBC showed me the love for Pastor Appreciation month.  I absolutely hate being the center of attention (just part of my introverted personality) but I did truly feel appreciated.  As I told the congregation on Sunday - it is truly my privilege and honor to pastor the wonderful people at PBC. I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be.

The appreciation was complete with a song written in my honor - Super Brad.  Here are the lyrics composed by my good friend Ernie...

He's at PBC for you and me - He's Super Brad! 

He shares his beliefs while far from his Chiefs - He's Super Brad!

Never needs the warning, "Don't fall in a stupor!"

Kerrie every morning says, "Gee...I love you, Super!"

To Abby and Drew and all the fish, too - He's Super Dad!

He speaks and he blogs in casual togs - He's Super Brad!

Super Brad! Super Brad! Super Brad!   

The appreciating didn't stop there.  The drama team also put together a video about Super Brad. You can check it out on Youtube.  Click below...

To top everything off they presented me with an awesome gift - the Amazon Kindle. Thank you so much, I look forward to many hours of reading on my new toy!

Thanks again everyone! I truly feel appreciated.

A Preacher's Worst Nightmare

Pray for Tony

I had breakfast this morning with Tony Yuhas, who heads the campus staff for InterVarsity on the Rutgers campus.  We had a great time getting to know one another.  I was amazed by how many things we have in common (about the same age, both studied economics as undergrads, married to teachers, two kids - boy and girl, been in ministry about the same amount of time, both play the guitar, amazing!).  Anyway, please join me in praying for Tony and the leaders at Rutgers InterVarsity.  They are doing a great work on the campus of Rutgers!  This fall Tony is planning to kick off a new InterVarsity group on one of the other campuses at Rutgers - please lift him up during that time of transition.

Tony and I agreed to stay in contact and to continue developing our relationship.  We looking forward to teaming together in the future as we strive to build God's kingdom.  

Pray for Pastor Ciby

I just had lunch with my dear friend Enoch who introduced me to my new friend, Pastor Ciby.  Ciby is a neat guy - originally from southern Indian, recently pastored for several years in New Zealand, and now finds himself in Central New Jersey.  Ciby is working with an Assembly of God church in Pennington, NJ and trying to build a church amoung the Indian population in Central New Jersey.  You talk about a tremendous need!  But what a tough field!  Please join me in praying for Pastor Ciby as he endeavors to build this church and outreach into the Indian community of New Jersey.  I look forward to developing my relationship with Ciby in the months to come.

Let it Snow!

I'm in my office looking out the window and it's SNOWING - and I mean hard.  It's October 28th and it's snowing!  It's too early for snow.  This can't be a good sign for what type of winter we're going to have.

Life Inspection

Just returning from taking the church van to the DMV for inspection.  The van is 10 years old and has to get inspected every other year.  It failed by the way - it needs new wiperblades.  I thought there was a very good chance that it wouldn't pass, but not for bad wiperblades.  We got off easy in my opinion.  I have 45 days to replace the blades and get the van re-inspected.

As I stood in the DMV garage waiting on the van and watching all the other cars go through the process of inspection, I started to wonder, "how often do we do a life inspection?"  Depending on the age of your car you at least have to make a trip to the NJ DMV every other year - but that's way too long to wait for a life inspection.  As believers in Jesus Christ we need to regularly search our life and our relationship with Jesus.  What are the major areas of inspection?  Here are a few thoughts...

• Bible reading - is my Bible reading resulting in life changing moments or am I just going through the motions?
• Prayer life - do I have a vibrant daily time of prayer?  Do I see evidence of answered prayer in my life?
• Thought life - what do I spend most of my time thinking about?
• Love for people - am I loving people the way God desires for me to?
• Sin - do I have unconfessed in my life?  Is there a sin in my heart that I need to be cleansed from?

We should follow the example of David and invite God to inspect us from time to time - Psalm 139:23-24.  How often should we do this type of inspection?  There's no set answer - everyone is different.  However, I would recommend that you make some time for inspection or introspection at least every month.  Set some time aside and head out to God's DMV.  Hopefully you'll pass with flying colors.