Mom Struggling Well

I was in a made-for-my city-tv movie when I was in high school.

It’s true.

I had to dress the same (or similar) each day—and run down hallways pretending to be afraid of something and scream at nothing when opening a door.

It was really weird for me because I didn’t understand how television or movies are made.

And I probably did a horrible job.  But it was with a couple friends from high school and was made for our personal city’s television channel.

I actually never watched it—because there was no way I was going to watch myself running down an empty hall screaming in fear at basically nothing.

I am sure, if anything, it was good practice for my friends making the film—and great entertainment of horrible acting by anyone that actually spent time watching it on actual television.  Haha!

Since, I have been on the radio.

On one program (KFLR) where we had the opportunity to talk about building the New Life Center, I was asked the question, “What will your role be at the New Life Center once it is opened?”

What’s the New Life Center?  It’s a transitional center my husband and I opened to help men out of homelessness.

Okay—so let’s get back to my answer, “Uh…I guess I’ll pick up a shovel and shovel…dirt.”

Yes, I did.  I did say that, “…shovel…dirt.”

Goes to show how suave I am at anything in the communication world.

A time before that I was actually taking a Communications class at university (Arizona State University, Baby!) when my professor approached me after what I thought was an amazing speech.

Guess what she asked, “Brooke, do you mind if I use you as an example for the class tomorrow?”

Golly Gee!  Of course!  So, I totally agreed—just completely flattered at the request—thinking my speech was just complete ROCKSTAR!

When the next day in class, it happened.

What?

“Class—Brooke gave her speech yesterday, and I would like to point out 5 things that you should NEVER do when giving a speech…”

Where she proceeded to point out a million and one flaws (felt like a million more than 5, at least) in my speech giving and how they don’t have to make the same mistakes that I did.

So flattered to be used as a bad example 😉

Good thing I am made of apparently EXTREMELY thick skin.

Believe me, these are just a few stories.  I shan’t repeat more.

Anyhow…

All of these stories are brought up to basically share with you the fact that I had the immense honor of being interviewed for one of my favorite podcasts Mom Struggling Well.

And here is the interview.  I hope, if you can get past the initial awkward recording of my computer loud voice, that as you listen it will encourage you—-as it charges into many subjects that are close to my heart and soul and I found myself laughing and crying through it—even though it was me (oddly enough).

Episode 10:  Mom Struggling Well

I hope that you will have a chance to listen—and that in some small way you, too, can be encouraged throughout.

xoxo b

 

The Pumpkin With The Light of Jesus…

Every year when it’s time to carve pumpkins, we do this awesome thing at church.  We carve pumpkins with the children.  And we share the story how God scoops sin out of your life and carves a smile on your face and puts his light in you for all the world to see.

It’s really great and the kids love it.

So, yesterday when I went to pick up Maxwell (age 3) from Sunday school and hear all about his pumpkin, I asked him whose light should shine in our lives.  You know…typical Sunday school review stuff.

“The pumpkin’s light!” He shouted.

There you have it, Friends…

Sometimes the best of intentions still get lost to the cutest responses.

What can I say?

#kids #pumpkins #carving #thelightofjesus

I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. 

John 12:46

The Me Generation?

I think any kid in any generation could be the “Me” kid.  But this fast-paced world makes it seem as if it’s really that generation of children we’re seeing raised and raising.

But I disagree.  In any generation the Me kid could be raised.  All it takes is:

1.  Lack of attention

2.  Lack of discipline (no—I’m not speaking of the rod)

3.  Lack of “No”

I will not say Lack of Love—because I don’t necessarily think that’s true…

But if we take the time to teach our children that there is great joy in giving and serving others—-that Generation Me becomes the beautiful Generation We.

We are the world…

We are the children.  

We are the ones to make a brighter day—so let’s start giving!

I sang this as a child—the same age my daughter is today–and I pray that as she goes through each day of her life, she remembers that it truly is all about giving!

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.   1 Peter 4:10

Grace. God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense

I hardly ever get to sit through one of my husband’s sermons. For several reasons. One, I have a toddler.  Two, I have a baby.  Three, I teach Sunday school.  Because of a lack of a nursery and teaching Sunday school, I can’t hardly recall the last time I sat through one of my husband’s sermons.

Our church is a small international church that meets at the Sheraton hotel in Poznan, Poland.  It’s called Poznan International Church and was established in 1997. We absolutely love it!  My husband has been the lead pastor there since May of 2002 (the exemption being the year and the half we lived in the States).

On any given Sunday, you will find roughly 16 languages under one roof—all worshipping one God. That’s pretty darn awesome, right?! Right!

This Sunday we didn’t have church in the general meeting room where we normally have service because there was a conference also taking place on the same day. So we met at the restaurant downstairs called Someplace Else. It is a fantastic restaurant with a great atmosphere.The walls display hundreds of signed photographs or musical or sports memorabilia that the General Manager, Marco, has collected for the Sheraton over the years where he has been GM.

On top of that, it is a cozy area where we meet. And, guess what! Children are full-on in the same place where we are. Does that cause some disruptions? You betcha! I feel like half the time I spend reminding little voices to quiet down and little boys to stop climbing equipment. But, overall, there is something beautiful when we all gather together at the restaurant bar for church.

We sit next to each other. We converse in the service together. And, after church, no one is in a hurry to go. And so we share for hours with one another our lives.

It’s a blessing. And you will never leave with a frown. I guarantee it.

Back to Richard’s sermon for today. It was a a beautiful sermon for me to hear. It was on Grace.

Sometimes we hear this word and forget how powerful its meaning is. Richard shared an acronym with church.  Grace stands for:

G—God’s

R—Riches

A—At

C—Christ’s

E—Expense

You know. I think that as Christians we sometimes become too callous to grace. We think, “We have given our lives to you, God, give us grace!” It’s almost as if we demand it. And we shouldn’t. Because grace is a gift. It is undeserved. And it came at a great cost.

Grace—God gives it to us for free. But Grace came at the cost of Christ.

So, I would like to end by simply reminding you… Accept the beautiful gift of God’s favor undeserved through Grace—but never forget to appreciate that it, Grace, is a beautiful gift that came at a great cost.  And then go and live your lives in respect of this fact, glorifying God in all that you do.

Be beautiful examples of God’s grace here on earth.  Be a gift of grace to your family, your friends, your neighbors, your coworkers.  Set the world on fire for the love that God offers us through his son, Jesus Christ!

Amen.

The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him…God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.   Romans 3:22, 23 (The Message)