Upon the Rock

Day 3

After seeing what I saw and feeling what I felt yesterday . . . I, honestly, wasn’t all that excited about what Day 3 had in store for me and my fellow Pilgrims. But it didn’t take long for me to see how misguided of a thought that was.

First, we went to the tribe of Dan’s— one of original 12 tribes of Israel. There we saw beautiful ruins, but the highlight for me was Abraham’s Gate. Believed to be the same gate Abram/Abraham entered through in Genesis 14:13-16. . . That means the gate I was looking at was from 1750 B.C. American Pickers sure has NOTHING on that find as it was uncovered in 1979— the year I was born. I marveled as I looked at the gate they actually believe is the one who Abram entered through. That’s amazing! Abraham’s Gate is the OLDEST arch in the entire world— that’s pretty awesome! Anything that falls in the ‘BEST OF’ category is simply in a class of its own.

Sometimes in life, although it’s rare, we can go from amazing to even more awesome!! In a world, where we often times self-sabotage, fear and doubt extremely too much, living in a waiting for the other shoe to drop mentality, we rarely live with expectation instead of dreading what could possibly coming.

But after Dan’s exploration and Abraham’s prized relic, and symbol of Christiandom, I didn’t think it was possible to get any better especially just a few minutes down the road! I have have never been more wrong in my life.

We went to a place that gave me one of the biggest a-ha moments in my 41 years— Caesarea Phillipi. The Bonia Springs, which flow, peacefully and gently over the rocks, beneath the temple of Pan and cave gateway are as serene as it gets. But what happened today, I simply wasn’t prepared for!

I was overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of this place from the moment my eyed locked onto it! But what floored me even more was a story you can back up with Holy Scripture. I’m actually tearing up as I type this lying in my hotel room.

Jesus, who I mainly call Yeshua, brought the disciples to this place. He asked them, “Who do you say that I am?” While the disciples meekly- offered up responses; it was Peter who said, “You are Christ Son of the living God!”

Jesus, pleased with his answer replied, “Upon this rock, I will build my church and the gates of hell/hades will not prevail against it!” Matthew 16:15-16.

There I stood, after failing to notice the significance at first, in utter shock, complete disbelief in total JOY!! The HUGE pillar of rock I was gazing upon. The blue, green water in the cave I was looking in were exactly what Jesus and His 12 disciples were looking at a couple thousand years ago!

I had, and trust me, I don’t say this lightly and still can’t comprehend it, just walked where Jesus once walked literally and stood in the same place! Why did Yeshua bring the 12 here to reveal to them WHO He was?!?

Remember that cave I was telling you about? Guess what it served as for the followers of Pan— a portal to hell!” The Messiah took them here to reveal Himself as the Son of God, but also as a LOUD declaration the gates of hell . . . Even the most famous one in the region could NEVER prevail against it!

Talk about my mind being BLOWN!!! It’s one thing to see the Bible— the people, places, things and customs— in word-form, but this journey is making the Bible literally come ALIVE!! Visiting the beautiful intersection of historical facts and devout faith and the wanting, and longing, your beliefs are true and just as real as the God Who saved us, is something that’s hard to put into words. The validity of the facts mixed with the validation your beliefs can be backed up with locations, Scripture and people even by people who don’t believe, or belong to another religion, is something truly something!! See, they don’t have a dog in the fight and still they can confirm this happened even if they don’t believe it for themselves.

My day was close to as perfect as I could imagine. Was I perfect?! NOPE, but this day was like a Hollywood script. Nobody on my bus made a big to-do about birthday when they had volunteered they would announce it earlier. I wasn’t bummed, and a few people wished me a happy birthday along the way. It made my heart smile. My Mom gave me a card, along with my aunt and uncle and some delicious jelly beans . . . Oh, how I love jelly beans!

But ascending the Golan Heights, seeing lush grass and craggy gardens of rocks, seeing a snow-capped mountain and picturesque lake made for a good second half of the day! Tamar, our guide, was again well-spoken, efficient, filled with knowledge and truly a fountain of facts and did you knows? To about 98.9% the answer is NO we didn’t know!

We even ran around, given full access to a castle— a CASTLE!! I’ve seen castles on TV and even explored a couple in Europe, but this one, King Nimrod’s, was absolutely stunning! We marveled how could a castle as maginifcent as this still be not only beautiful with amazing architecture and design, but how could it still be in-tact after all these years?

After we left there, during lunch, we sat outside on the porch, above the aforementioned lake, two of the pastors Pastor Lee and my pastor on this trip Mark Muckler, of Mt. Pleasant Methodist, came out and busted into song.

“Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to John Mark. Happy Birthday to you!”

With Nutty Buddy in hand, serving as my make-shift birthday cake, I about busted into tears. I was so grateful!

I was, once again, overwhelmed. Mom and I went for a walk on the boardwalk called the Prominade hand-in-hand with my Momma. Did I mention she’s my Little Rock?

We bought some souvenirs then headed to dinner. After a little bit at dinner . . . Boom, it happened again— completely blindsided!! Though I’ve been blindsided by death, heartbreak, feelings of fear and inadequacy; this was the good kind of blindside . . . That has nothing to do with Michael Oher. Nearly the whole cafeteria erupted in singing Happy Birthday! I, not one to be embarrassed, was shades of red!!

I talked to my Mom, Uncle Marcus and aunt Patsy Mullen and ended the night talking to Laughy Taffy, Debbie, Cherie, Amber, Jill and even an Israeli named David. God showed up. He showed out! We laughed, I shared my heart, they cried, I cried. They spoke so many beautiful, life-affirming, challenging and awesome Truths into my life. We talked for over an hour— No surface-level, mundane stuff . . . Deeper, than the deep-end conversation! David shared with me how he had just lost his Dad 2 weeks earlier— a 47-year-old man opening up his heart to me and a table full of Americans. That can only be the work of God.

I encouraged him and told him about losing my Step-Dad and told him grief is more unpredictable than the weather in North Carolina. I was honest about how there would be good days, days where they felt close, bad days, days where the tears seemingly would not end, but I also told him HOPE ABOUNDS even in the midst of death’s cold grip!

We ended the night hand-in-hand praying for each other. Man, you talk about some powerful stuff! It was powerful!! I talked to David another hour or so, picking his brain about his beliefs, what separates Jews, Christians and Muslims. I listened how he lost his dad— One minute he had a fever, next he was on life-support. His lungs had failed him. I cried with him. He opened up to me as if he had known me for years. My Mom and I met him last night. See, contrary to popular belief no matter what race, what religion, background or sex, no matter how DIFFERENT we are . . . We are STILL the SAME!

This was honestly probably the BEST birthday I’ve ever had. If I’ve wronged you, if you hate me, if you hate to read this excitement and happiness . . . I’m truly sorry. I’m sorry for whatever I’ve done and I’m working to become a better man. For those of who in my corner, you are truly the wind in my sail and I’m blessed and happy I get to voyage through life with you! Truthfully, I have to say— this was not just one of my best birthdays, but one of the best days of my LIFE!!

So, I leave you with this. Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” He’s still asking that very same convicting question today. Do I always answer that right? Heck no! Not even close! Not by a long shot, but I want to be able to answer through my words, and MORE importantly through my actions, “You are Christ Son of the Living God!”

Because He is just ALIVE as EVER!!

Remember friends— + התקווה שופעת +

JMB

Ocean of REGRET

I’m crying this morning. Why? I didn’t know Mia Stokes, who at 18-years-old, died in a car accident last night. Although I did meet her, her sister Mallory and her dad Eric, one night at a Hornets’ game, I didn’t know them,  but my hearts hurts for them and I’m crying because of how much they hurt and remembering my own hurt of similar losses.

See, I have a BIG heart— always have, but I live with SO many regrets!! All the wish I would’ves, could’ves and should’ves; I carry them daily. I have forgiven myself, but the scar tissue stays with me like gum on the shoe of my heart. ALL the times I wish I made the time, all the words I wished I said, all the memories I wish I would’ve made . . . It all makes me vigilant moving forward.

ALL of that is gone, evaporating over the moments of time’s tapestry, but there is a blank canvas I receive daily to speak Life into people, to love and serve them, to make sure they know how I feel about them and to make time for the people who really matter to me . . . After all, without sacrifice, there can be no LOVE!

God made me an ENCOURAGER!! Other than obedience, and trying to fail Him less, part of why I go the extra mile to send texts, prayers, words of encouragement, make that visit, is I want LESS regret movinG forward! Damn, I carry enough on my back as it is. I don’t want to add to it!! If I had a tear for every time I felt remorse, I would have an ocean!

There are SO many things I would do over if I could— off the top of my head . . . I would’ve spent more time with Mamaw (even though I spent a ton of it) even though she wouldn’t remember, I would’ve worked with Papaw in the garden more, helped Buddy build things in the workshop, gone to see Buddy more, especially when Mom was gone on a trip, but I could do that when he was older, right? Right!?! I would’ve texted, called, or MySpaced Karson the 6 months God told me to— laying it on my heart in bold fluorescent letters! I would’ve treated A.J. with more patience and love, even though he was an annoying teenager. I would’ve gone to see my Uncle Bobby even though I literally thought what was the point since he’ll be dead soon. I would’ve told my childhood best friend Jonathan I loved him even though in high school guys simply don’t do that! I could go on and on and on and on about ALL the regrets that eat at me like I’m a continual meal . . . I wish I could do SO much over!!

But I can’t, so I do what Hebrews 12:1-2 says . . . I focus my eyes on Jesus and run the race He has in store for me! I won’t always get it right, but I own my failures but not my successes— they belong to Jesus 🙏The marathon— remember, it’s not a sprint—Continues!

Young people, and of all ages, that’s what I would say: Make time for that visit, send that text, let them know you’re praying for them n there for them! Live each day with GRATITUDE and SERVE! You never know when your time is uP or their’s and you don’t want to have regrets of not doinG!

Don’t be too busy with LIFE that you forget to LIVE!! I’m a firm believer in this . . . People make time for the people, and things, that are important to them! If they love you, and want you in their lives, they will make time for you plain and simple. But, as humans, we don’t always . . . Do we! Sad, but true. Now, I do my very best to do just that!!

Some 💩 seems IMPORTANT— at the time— and it’s really not at ALL! Ask God to give you guidance, discernment and PERSPECTIVE about what and WHO really matters! I’m willing to share my PAIN for it to be your LESSON. I can’t force you to learn it— that decision comes down to you! It’s my HOPE this makes you think, challenges you and maybe even prompts you to pick up the phone to text somebody or call someone you love . . . I didn’t always do that— see for yourself.

Read There’s Always Next Year on my blog—

http://jmbrooks17.blogspot.com/2012/11/theres-always-next-year.html?m=1

Get Off My Lawn

Warning— unpopular message ahead. Oh, and one more thing . . . Glad I’m single so, I wasn’t like the millions of boyfriends, and husbands, who got in trouble with their significant other, or even worse got the silent-treatment or cussed out! 😂

J-Lo and Shakira, passionate women, on the biggest stage and, in all places, on South Beach, but . . . 

That halftime show was SHOCKING! It always is, right? After all, that’s what boosts ratings! But as an advocate for women— extremely close to my Mom, my sister and nieces and very close to my Mamaw— and them being treated with respect . . . It was TRASH!! 

I knew the suspects and I knew they were in Miami, so, I expected it to be over the top, but this surpassed even my wildest predictions. 

I thought of ALL the little girls standing in front of the TV seeing the raunchy dancing, the skimpy outfits, more crotch shots than a bar on a crowded Saturday night, performers/singers/dancers, who are extremely talented but who did something that’s sadly become the norm, taking our daughters, nieces, sisters and telling them this— it’s OK to dress like that, it’s OK to show off your body, it’s OK to mimick sex in prime time, it’s OK to show ALL of you and not only show it, but have specific choreography that focuses on backsides and what’s between your legs and, instantly, no matter how much we’ve tried to protect our little girls . . . They were transported to a strip club. I won’t be hypocritical (as I’ve been in them plenty in the past) but as an adult I have that choice and prerogative. But them? They don’t!! 

While I agree J-Lo and Shakira are beautiful, sexy and attractive— seemingly both having found the Fountain of Youth, and while I appreciate the Latina community represented— it made me mad! They are not the problem. Who we have become as a country, and society, is the problem! They are simply a microcosm of that. 

And I honestly felt like we were watching something— the biggest spectacle in the world— that was just shy of pornography. Again, let me reiterate, I understand it’s performance art, but as someone who sees how it affects our little girls, all of whom are impressionable, I was appalled, disappointed and frustrated. 

Did I enjoy their looks, moves and bodies? Honestly, yes . . . But again, adults weren’t the only ones watching! The present, and future are, and, from that standpoint, it simply wasn’t acceptable!! 

Again J-Lo and Shakira are a reflection, like any other award show— a symptom of the sickness— they are not the problem! In terms of just their performance, they rocked it! How do I know our overly-sexualized culture is affecting our youth? Go to ANY dance, or cheer, competition and see their outfits, listen to the music, see how they move . . . They are simply copying behavior that we, as a society, have not only deemed OK but is NORMAL. It’s not!! They are taught the moves on women then we get mad and have the audacity to say they’re trying to grow up too fast or get upset when they wear a revealing outfit, shorts that are too short or or wearing makeup too early! 

I’m not trying to be the old man screaming, “Get off my lawn,” but I listened to the reaction from women at my sister’s Super Bowl party and they felt the exact same way!! 

Full disclosure— I’ve been a womanizer and an objectifier, of women, in the past  . . . and still struggle with being naughty, engaging in pictures and text conversations I shouldn’t— All facts I’m NOT proud of, but it’s not about me, or any other adult, it’s about this: we can’t champion the #metoo movement . . . we can’t call out sex trafficking, rape and other horrific treatment of women,  but not have the courage to say, “This is NOT right” even if those words sound a lot like, “Get off my lawn” in this day and age! 

But the reality is this— the more we let the lesser things slide, as acceptable, the greater likelihood the bigger things become more likely to happen!! As a believer, and follower, of Jesus, I faced a serious tug of war watching them perform— flesh vs. spirit, the old me vs. the new me, the immature boy vs. the man I’m trying to become and while I lost that, at times, during the 30-minute performance . . . I repeatedly said out loud, “This is ridiculous! Little girls should NOT be seeing this.” They should not be susceptible to these images. It was, in many ways, degrading. The one fitting aspect of the show was the stripper pole— that was apropos for what we were seeing!  

Franklin Graham, Billy Graham’s son, who started Samaritan’s Purse, said in America it seems we have always done a good job of protecting our children, in prime time time-slots, and that it could be slipping away. I say this. Shakira’s hips don’t lie . . . Just like the fact we’ve already lost the battle on television, in movies and in music, so it’s IMPERATIVE, we teach our sons, daughters, nieces and nephews the RIGHT way to treat girls and women and how, as girls and women, they should expect to be treated!! I’ve always been challenged when I read: “Close your eyes and think how you’re treating your girlfriend or wife— is this the way you would want your daughter, niece or sister treated?” In reality, sadly, I haven’t always been able to say yes. 

We should teach them to open doors for girls, be respectful, walk on the side closest to the sidewalk, pull out chairs, call not text, send flowers, write love notes, pray for, lead, cherish and pursue as the rib God created them from as equals to walk beside and yet to be protected and made to feel valued! We need to teach our girls to expect this or like I tell my nieces, “Find somebody who does!!” 

From the playground, as children, girls are taught if a boy likes you, he will be mean to you! That’s simply a lie that transcends, and translates, into adulthood. That’s why so many women fall for jerks, bad boys and a-holes, while the nice guy finishes last! Sadly, it’s a lesson that sticks with them, but what if we taught them something different? 

I’ve always taught my nieces their value doesn’t come from what grades they make, how popular they are or what clothes they wear no more than their validation comes from how pretty they are or what their body looks like. While TV and movies push a certain image— have to be skinny, beautiful and air-brushed— I’ve taught them they are already validated, and have infinite worth, based on the fact God sent His Son Jesus to die for them. Because they have been taught beauty comes from within, “That God made only ONE of you in the whole wide world” they don’t have to keep up with Joneses, what they see in magazines, the internet or television, because they are BEAUTIFUL just as they are! It’s my hope since they already have that validation, and love, that they won’t seek it in boys, but later find it in their husband.   

In world, that this is now normal, we must teach our little girls to swim mountains and climb oceans and walk to the beat of a different drum . . . In other words let’s teach them to be DIFFERENT, go against the crowd, and as they get older, that their worth is not found in what a boy thinks of them, or in their bodies, or what they look like, but in WHO they are! Let’s teach them to follow God when everybody else is following the crowd! Let’s make sure they know they are WANTED by the KinG is the Universe, and wanted by us, that they belong, in world that tells them they are mainly wanted for their bodies! 

I’m not saying I’ve treated girls, and women, perfectly, because I have enough failed relationships to plainly say I haven’t. Hope you agree with this—But if not, I’m content being the OLD, grumpy man screaming from the front porch, “Get off my lawn!”

As long as someone hears me!! JMB 

**I’ve been very candid about being a sex addict, and admitting my short comings, I fully-acknowledge that, but this was a message I felt led to share. Hope, at the very least, it challenged the way you think about some things. I’m not saying parts of me didn’t enjoy them, because I did. I won’t BS anybody when it comes to that. They are HOT!! But this was about something much bigger than simple entertainment. That’s the message I’m trying to relay. The aforementioned was NOT just about a 30-minute halftime show, as as parents, we can simply not let our kids watch it, if we deem it inappropriate (simple solution), but I was hoping to evoke thoughts of the bigger picture and bigger issue. Perhaps, they could put a rating up at the beginning of the awards show, or halftime show, to help parents make a more informed decision about whether their kid should watch it. Final thought— we act, and present, ourselves as whores . . . How can we ever embrace the fact we are princes and princesses??

The Jungle

As I stand in the darkness waiting to hear Light’s Voice, Light appears to light my path. 

A lion— the Lion— fierce, strong, with sharp, yet hidden teeth, a majestic mane, deep, yet still, ever so kind eyes turns His head and sees me. He looks into my soul, without speaking a single word, and His unspoken, sweet whisper melts away my FEAR! 

In one breath of Victory, Love drowns the pain in the deepest part of my being. I am FREE!! No longer paralyzed by the uncertainty of the future, no longer bound by the mistakes of my past . . . Only FREE to walk step-by-step, moment-by-moment behind the Lion, with the Lion. 

With each step, the Light embraces me and guides me. Though wolves encamp me, I will not be afraid! The fog engulfs me. Worry threatens my Peace. Fear wants to render me helpless, but I choose to follow because I’m LOST without the Lion in this scary jungle! I know He’s taking me to a beautiful destination because each decided step, with Him, is exactly that— a Beautiful Place!

+Hope Abounds+ JMB 

P.S. I had a prophetic vision, and revelation, one night as I slept . . . I experienced what I just wrote and I’m excited to share it with y’all. I’m in a very uncertain place, but I stand with CERTAIN Peace. I hope it encourages , blesses and challenges you.

Dancing on the Grave

Let's see ourselves, even in our current struggles, and wrestling of sin, as LOVED, BEAUTIFUL, PURE, ADORED and WORTHY instead of MISERABLE FAILURES, embarrassments, 'can't get rights' and hypocrites like the devil wants us to see when we look into the pool of reflection.


When God says who WE are, who are THEY to say who we AREN'T? I know who I AM. I know who I've BEEN. And I know where I'm GOING, but most importantly . . . I am who I am because the I Am tells me WHO I am! Even though I've failed, I'm NOT a FAILURE! Although I've fallen short, I refuse to stay down! Even though I've been defeated, I won't wear DEFEAT! Even though I've shamed myself, I simply won't wear SHAME! Even though I’ve experienced LACK, I lack NOTHING! See, I won’t wear who I USED to be, because every single day I fight to be the NEW me! I don’t always succeed in that, but I continue to fight.


FAR too OFTEN, we own our shame, our regret, our pain and our failures, but we RARELY own our AWESOME! Each one of us is unique!! ALL people, throughout the history of time, have different fingerprints—is that not amazing?!? Before the foundations of the Earth, before we were in our mothers’ wombs, God knew us! He took His time PERFECTING us and CRAFTING us—We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God had previously ordained that we should walk in them Ephesians 2:10--  and part of our creation was developing a plan for our lives that ONLY you can do! That means EACH ONE of us, every SINGLE ONE of us is IMPORTANT!!


I used to be a sex ADDICT—porn, strip clubs, strippers, webcams, escorts, couples, BDSM, etc. (I would share more, but to protect my family, and out of their consideration, I won't)—I did just about everything. I remember, literally, going to a strip club, coming back that night and messing around with a girl, getting drunk then, without any sleep, rolling up into church. Talk about trying to serve two masters!! That’s on a whole ‘nother level. But the last 7-8 years, I’ve worked extremely hard to let the Potter mold me into a new CREATION (2^nd Cor. 5:17)!

Here’s the thing, we can strive. We can toil. We can work. We can promise to do better, but that’s a LIE—in many ways—because the beautiful reality is . . . though our gardens are MESSY—filled with sticky, ugly briars, weeds threatening to overcome the flowers and green grass and is grown up—Jesus sees BEAUTY!! So, I encourage YOU to just REST in that UNCONDITIONAL LOVE and find rest for your weary soul in that pasture. We don’t come to Jesus ALL cleaned up; we come to Jesus to get clean!! I’m still working on that second part. Church is not a museum for SAINTS, but is a hospital for the SINNERS. I’m a redeemed-sinner, so whether I’m sick or healthy; I will remain at the feet of the Doctor of my soul.


For years, I let God speak to me. I listened. I FOUGHT. I RAN. I worshiped. I cried. I felt His scalpel removing things—destructive habits, sin, negativity and evil—and felt Him replacing them with His Nature. I knocked. I sought Jesus! I asked. I learned. I screwed up and missed the mark more times than I’d like to admit . . . and still do, but I have become a NEW person! I REJOICE over that! Am I perfect? FAR from it, still too many pictures, conversations, texts and actions I take part in, but I am CLIMBING that mountain! I will slip, I will fall, I will grow weary and stop the ascent, but I will not TURN BACK!


See, I’ve endured A LOT in my life . . . my little step-sister passing away in a car accident at 16, an ill-advised marriage, and subsequent divorce just months later, my Papaw, who helped raise me passing away at 90, my little step-brother passing, due to a heart ailment, at 22, me losing my job as a sports editor, and writer, after five years due to the recession, me becoming one of two finalists to be the main writer for the Carolina Panthers’ website, which would’ve been a dream job, before ultimately missing out on it, then had a girl I was dating, who, between my generosity and her being a thief, completely drained me of my savings account . . . throw in a porn addiction, and near-insatiable desire for sex, which involved the aforementioned things, and more, I was at rock bottom.


Since the events I just described took place over the span of five-six years . . . all the gut-wrenching, heart-breaking losses took their toil. I lost my peace. I lost my mind.


At my lowest point, I had a gun in my hand, a .38 special, ready to kill myself. But in that moment, Jesus, the One I had worshiped, learned from, read His words, growing up and prayed to, whispered just enough Truth, Hope, Peace, Joy and Love for me to not go through with it! He consoled me, encouraged me, loved me and gave me just enough Hope, in the midst of hopelessness, to find the strength to go on . . . in short, Mufasa had more work for young Simba to do! He loved me right in the middle of my MESS.


When the Lord RESTORES your life from rock bottom an unspeakable change happens. You smile bigger. You laugh harder. You cry more. You say, “I love you” more. And the little moments you used to take for granted, you no longer do—rather, you appreciate them for what they are-- hidden treasures! You learn a compassion that can only be born through tragedy, tears and trial.


In exchange for ashes, God gave me BEAUTY! He’s shown me the flames aren’t meant to consume us, but rather refine us. Storms will come. That is inevitable, but what we must remember, no matter how great the waves, how loud the thunder or how bright the lightning, is Jesus is in the boat with us. That beautiful, powerful and wonderful truth has come in handy over the past year.

 

I’ve thrown up over 2,200 times, and even though I’ve never abused alcohol or drugs, had severe ulcers in my stomach and small intestine, a loose lower-esophagus, have esophageal spasms, a hiatal hernia and three cysts in my liver, but my faith has NEVER wavered! Has it been exhausting? Has it, at times, been frustrating? Absolutely to both, but I’ve had Peace, which truly passes all understanding over the 14-month ordeal. At my lowest point, in less than a month and a half, I went from 185 pounds to 142. I had 15-20 tests run, in and out of the hospital, and have had three specialists to put into perspective how dire it’s been.


My recent health battle came on the heels of losing two of the pillars of my family—my Step-Dad Buddy, of 32 years, and my Mamaw, who led me to accept Jesus on the porch in Elk Park at six-years old, both passed away in the past three years. As you can see, since having my life restored (Joel 2:25), it has been no walk in the park, but it’s one we don’t take alone. He walks with us, and when we’re too weak to carry on, He carries us, but what I’ve found is there are times in our lives in our lives where we don’t even want to be carried and it’s in those times we can crawl up into our Heavenly Father’s arms and simply be held—held by the Greatest Love in the Universe. Isn’t that an awesome thought?!?


Although I miss them terribly, and long to hug them, see their warm smiles or hear their voice, I’m thankful they’re no longer in any pain and are with Jesus, worshiping before the Throne. I have the assurance I will see them one Sweet Day in a land where there is no more death, no more mourning, no more suffering and no more pain! (Rev. 21:4)


Like the tree planted by the water—I was not, and shall not, be moved! Although, I’ve gained all my weight back, I’m still throwing up a few days a week. While I long to be healthy again, I’m healthy in spirit as I face this battle. Through faith, I hear the VICTORY trumpet before it’s here. I see the light at the end of the tunnel before it’s there. Over the past year, there have been plenty of times, I haven’t FELT the love of Jesus, so it’s a good thing I knew, and know, how much He loves me! See, feelings are fickle, fluid and like mosquitos, in the summer, all over the place, but the Love of God is unconditional, immovable, all-consuming and immune to our mistakes, feelings and seasons of life—whether on the peak or in the valley.


I worked too incredibly hard to crawl out of the debris, from under the rubble that once felt impossible to climb out from under and ruins of my life to STAY under it! The same way God caused the boulder to be rolled away from the tomb; He rolled those stones off me. I WILL complete my mission!


My hope is to share Jesus, and His Love, with a lost and dark world, to breathe Life into everyone who reads my words and to share the unending Hope, Peace and Joy I’ve found not because I am good, but because He is worthy and beyond AWESOME!!


Every day we can love Him, love, and serve, others, walk in gratitude and find humility in the simple truth we don’t deserve a single flower of blessing in life’s beautiful garden. That alone should make us grateful. Any blessing in our lives is nothing more than a MUD PUDDLE, while He is the endless, beautiful Ocean we have unlimited access to. Whether we find ourselves in the pit, or in the palace, let’s cling tightly to the God, Who clings tightly to us. For the palace, without the King, is nothing more than an EMPTY house!


Over the past decade, I’ve gone from a pauper to a prince. Where I used to be lost, now I am found. Where I used to be overwhelmed by the tests, now I am PROUD of my testimony. Where I used to be an orphan, I now know I’ve been adopted by the King of Kings! Where I used to be a complete mess, God has turned me into a beautiful MESSage!!(Gen. 50:20) I’m dancing on the grave that once held me bound—and what a SWEET dance it is!


I used to view myself as an addict . . . now, I know I’ve been called, set apart, chosen, part of a royal priesthood and child of the King and Creator of the Universe all because of the blood His Son shed for me on the cross and me accepting Him as my Savior.


So, let’s TRY, let’s WORK, let’s STRIVE, let’s want more of Jesus and less of us (John 3:30), but if we screw up . . . let’s extend GRACE to ourselves and begin again. The older I get, and further and longer I walk, I want to fail Yahweh, Yeshua and the Holy Spirit less and love Him more! I want to give the angels in Heaven, and the Great Cloud (Hebrews 12:1-2), something to be proud of and something worthy to cheer for!


What shall we do? We should PRAY as if EVERYTHING depends on God and WORK as if everything depends on US and rest in the BEAUTIFUL TRUTH we are all works in progress (Phil. 1:6) and are LOVED more than we could EVER fathom-- RIGHT WHERE WE ARE!!

+Hope Abounds+ JMB

2020 Vision The 10 I Wills

The 10 I Wills for the New Year
by John Mark Brooks

1. I WILL guard my PEACE! It’s PRECIOUS, and special, and I won’t sacrifice it for ANY reason. I will be vigilant in protecting it as though my life depends on it because after all, true life does!

2. I can read a post on social media, that I vehemently disagree with, and scroll past it, protecting my Peace by not expending energy! I WILL ignore it. I will ignore those who try to project their unhappiness onto me. I often times hold the power in silence more than in response.

3. I WILL put my phone down. My mind, spirit, heart and soul appreciate the REST! To be DISCONNECTED is to CONNECT to real INTIMACY— with Jesus and the people who surround me not just the ones on the other end of the screen.

4. I WILL understand friendships are like a CHAIN. . . So, I will link up with colorers— those who challenge me, encourage me and pray for me with my best interests at heart. A chain is ONLY as STRONG as its WEAKEST link!

5. I WILL seek LIFE and let it pour into me— relationships, music, books, movies will be Life-giving!! I can’t pour 💩, trash, into my mind, spirit and heart and wonder why I feel like crap and not more alive!!

6. I WILL know I am to be both water and pour into all, while also being a selective-sponge, learning from everyone I encounter. Whatever God pours into my heart, spirit and mind; I will eagerly-share! Water is fluid, but stays true to its nature and is always life-giving . . . So will I!

7. If I am led to the ocean (person) I WILL cross that ocean even if they won’t cross a mud puddle for me because it pleases my Creator! The blessing is in the doing, not in the payback, so I will go the extra mile for Jesus, even if it’s uncomfortable . . . There can be no LOVE without sacrifice!

8. I WILL NOT become entangled in pointless arguments about politics, religion, world views etc. When you argue with a clown, you only become part of their circus. I will seek common ground and intentionally-listen, to be sympathetic and to learn, not just as means to an end to respond.  I will just as intentionally keep my mouth closed or avoid the would-be disagreement altogether. There is much wisdom is listening, hearing and keeping your mouth closed.

9. I WILL not beg ANY person to see my infinite WORTH! No matter the nature of the relationship, if a person doesn’t want to be my friend, or significant other, I will be a gentleman and show them, or myself, the door. I refuse to beg for CRUMBS from those who don’t appreciate me, while I can FEAST at the table of those who do . . . The ones who have been divinely orchestrated to be in my life. Many times we chase the crumbs and miss out on the fellowship the table brings and the feast that’s served! Those Love (The Lord) wants in your life; you don’t have to beg, plead or hope for them to be in your life, part of your world . . . They simply, and intentionally, WILL!

10. I WILL continue my GROWTH. I won’t say a tired cliche like: “I will be better tomorrow than I was today” or “Live every day like it’s your last.” But I will seek the Giver of Life, try to love Him more and fail Him less and extend GRACE to myself (and others) when I do not measure up or when they let me down. We are human. We are messy. We fall and fail.

Each New Year is exciting!! The endless possibilities, the beautiful thoughts of what may come and where the path may lead and the excitement of a clean slate, a FRESH start and blank canvas are gripping. They give us something to lay claim to and to latch onto. My HOPE for you, and anyone reading this, is to realize we don’t have to wait until Jan. 1 every year! We have NEW mercies every morning!!

Having 20/20 vision is this— we are humans. We ALL deserve Love, Kindness, Encouragement, Consideration, Compassion, Validation and Peace and Contentment!

Let’s be BRIDGES instead of WALLS (not a political statement), let’s seek to do what Theodore Roosevelt implored us all to do, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

ANYONE can find DIRT in someone— be the one who finds GOLD (Proverbs 11:27) In the New Year, let’s do that! What’s oft-forgotten is no matter what race, sex, religion, socioeconomic background, age, sexual orientation, geographical location or place in life we are . . . We are ALL in THIS TOGETHER!!

Do GOOD not to be just SEEN doing good, but because goodness matters and it pleases the One, Who is so much better than good! I long for the days of yesteryear when we did things out of the kindness of our hearts and not recording it in hopes of going VIRAL! I miss the times where if someone was getting beaten up, someone jumped in to stop it, not stand idly by and record it in the ultimate act of APATHY!

It’s DISCOURAGING, and I am dismayed by both, but as long as there is TIME, there is POTENTIAL for CHANGE! Like Rumi said, “Treat each DROP like an OCEAN.” If one drop feels like an ocean a world of new POSSIBILITIES emerge and in a world of OPEN minds maybe we can open our minds to the one thing that’s so often-times missing— LOVE!

I wish each of you Peace, Love, Blessings, a closer walk with Thee, Joy and Happiness in the New Year and remember

+Hope Abounds+

JMB

Pass on By

You pass on by and I’m broken don’t even have enough clothes to keep me warm

But you’re lost in the hustle and bustle, so you don’t notice, I guess that just the norm


As you pass on by, I see the cross dangling, from your neck, and I can’t believe you’re so cold

I thought we were supposed to look after one another, and protect, I guess that code’s grown old


So, pass on by, don’t even look me in the face, you might actually see a human being

It never ceases to amaze how many ears are deaf and how many blind eyes that should be seeing


Pass on by and go back to your nice home, warm shower and all the food you can eat

I’ll go back to under the bridge, and this thin blanket, I hear they’re calling for snow and sleet


I had a tent, in the woods, but somebody stole it one afternoon while I was away

It turns out even angels can have a terrible, horrible, bad day!

See, I was sent from Heaven, on assignment, to find one soul He could bless

But I’ll just pass on by since you ignored me and treated me lesser than less


It’s just like the Master said, “Be nice to strangers for they may be angels unaware”

And one crossed your path today, but you showed no love or care


You chose to pass on by, so too, will I do the same

At the end of your life’s journey will the Book of Life hold your name?


Or did you lead a life so selfish that you passed on by those who hurt so much

Were you too busy running your race to be someone else’s crutch?


I’ve never understood how the King doesn’t just look at you and pass on by

When you fail to notice his goodness in the valleys or peaks on high


I will continue my assignment for I know many still know how to love

The ones who still know how to be kind and gentle in a world known for its shove.


And on them He will pour out His blessings better yet pour out Himself

It amazes me how you say you love Him, but leave His Book sitting on the shelf.

+Hope Abounds+
JMB