These are My Blogs:
http://dailyblogofmylife.blogspot.com/
http://breyfamilystories.blogspot.com/
http://patbrey.blogspot.com/
http://spiritoftruthsermons.blogspot.com/
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Mute Button
"Why doesn't God talk to me any more?" I asked a friend. "Maybe He has been, and you aren't listening," came the reply. After a little thought, I realized she was right. Somewhere in my spirit, I had pushed the "mute" button, not wanting to hear what God had to say. Now I've released the "mute" button and oh, how I long to hear from Him again. But I realize it will take some effort on my part. I plan to draw close to Him and He will draw close to me, as the Bible says in James 4:8. So, it won't be long now, and we'll be talking just like the old days. I cant' wait.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Immeasurable Love
Immeasurable Love
By
Patricia Brey
"I can't measure my love, there's nothing to compare it to." Those are the words to a song from June of 1980. Those words remind me of God. His love is immeasurable. I mean, think about it. First of all, GOD IS LOVE. We know this because the bible tells us. We also know that God is infinite. He is not bound by dimensions, gravity, space, time, nor anything else we measure by. God is everywhere. He is soooo big. Nothing can contain him, nothing can measure him. And so is His love. His love cannot be measured. His love for us… He can't measure His love because there's nothing to compare it to. It’s immeasurable.
By
Patricia Brey
"I can't measure my love, there's nothing to compare it to." Those are the words to a song from June of 1980. Those words remind me of God. His love is immeasurable. I mean, think about it. First of all, GOD IS LOVE. We know this because the bible tells us. We also know that God is infinite. He is not bound by dimensions, gravity, space, time, nor anything else we measure by. God is everywhere. He is soooo big. Nothing can contain him, nothing can measure him. And so is His love. His love cannot be measured. His love for us… He can't measure His love because there's nothing to compare it to. It’s immeasurable.
Well-Balanced Meal
Well-Balanced Meal by Patricia Brey
“My plate is full” the woman said, obviously overwhelmed by her daily life. So I asked myself, “Do I have a full plate?” Yes, I do, but I don’t feel over-burdened like she did. And that got me to thinking…
We've all gone to a buffet or stood in line at a pot luck meal. And have you ever noticed other people’s plates as they leave the line? Some people pile it up so high, you wonder how they will ever eat it all. Children, at least my granddaughters, will walk away with just potato chips, cake, and couple cookies. And just in case I’m watching, they add one tiny carrot. So, although their plates are “full” it is not well balanced nor healthy.
So is your plate full of prayer, good deeds, fellowship, ministering to others, edifying the brethren? Or is it full of EARTH? So many things need to be done: shopping, laundry, cooking, wash the dishes, a job to go to, mow the lawn, shovel the snow, etc. etc. etc.
God wants us to have a well balanced life. He knows what you have need of. He knows you live on the earth. Go to work….sure. But did you pray today? Gas up the car? Yes, but did you take a moment to call a sister or brother to see how they are doing? So you have a full plate? Good. But is it full of earth or is it a well balanced meal?
“My plate is full” the woman said, obviously overwhelmed by her daily life. So I asked myself, “Do I have a full plate?” Yes, I do, but I don’t feel over-burdened like she did. And that got me to thinking…
We've all gone to a buffet or stood in line at a pot luck meal. And have you ever noticed other people’s plates as they leave the line? Some people pile it up so high, you wonder how they will ever eat it all. Children, at least my granddaughters, will walk away with just potato chips, cake, and couple cookies. And just in case I’m watching, they add one tiny carrot. So, although their plates are “full” it is not well balanced nor healthy.
So is your plate full of prayer, good deeds, fellowship, ministering to others, edifying the brethren? Or is it full of EARTH? So many things need to be done: shopping, laundry, cooking, wash the dishes, a job to go to, mow the lawn, shovel the snow, etc. etc. etc.
God wants us to have a well balanced life. He knows what you have need of. He knows you live on the earth. Go to work….sure. But did you pray today? Gas up the car? Yes, but did you take a moment to call a sister or brother to see how they are doing? So you have a full plate? Good. But is it full of earth or is it a well balanced meal?
Error In Thinking
Error in Thinking - Patricia Brey
Rom 6:17 “But God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” Obey God from the heart, but I’m not always sure about what’s in my heart?
One day I was talking to someone in the church and I said something to the effect that in the right siutation, I would want to lie. I said that because I actually thought in my mind that there can be a situation where sin could actually served me. It is an error in thinking.
If I think there are times when sin serves me, my thinking is corrupt and that leven could corrupt all of my mind. It must be gotten rid of. But how? There is never a time when sin is my slave. It never serves me, ever. It is the opposite. I serve sin. And I become a servant to it. It owns me. It controls me. But somehow it presents itself in a way, that I THINK it will serve me. That it will be FOR me. It will help me. Error. Error. Error.
Can dispbeyng God, EVER be a good idea? No. So sin, which is disobeying God, can never be good. And can never be good for me. It can never serve me or be good for me. I serve sin when I disobey God. I am the servant of sin then.
Rom 6:17 “But God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” Obey God from the heart, but I’m not always sure about what’s in my heart?
One day I was talking to someone in the church and I said something to the effect that in the right siutation, I would want to lie. I said that because I actually thought in my mind that there can be a situation where sin could actually served me. It is an error in thinking.
If I think there are times when sin serves me, my thinking is corrupt and that leven could corrupt all of my mind. It must be gotten rid of. But how? There is never a time when sin is my slave. It never serves me, ever. It is the opposite. I serve sin. And I become a servant to it. It owns me. It controls me. But somehow it presents itself in a way, that I THINK it will serve me. That it will be FOR me. It will help me. Error. Error. Error.
Can dispbeyng God, EVER be a good idea? No. So sin, which is disobeying God, can never be good. And can never be good for me. It can never serve me or be good for me. I serve sin when I disobey God. I am the servant of sin then.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Forgiveness
I was talking to Taylor, my granddaughter, this morning about forgiveness saying if you really forgive you won’t keep bringing it up. It’s like a chalkboard when you erase it making it disappear. But Taylor said at school when her teacher erased something, you could still see what was written there on the chalkboard. I knew what she was talking about. You can still see a faint outline of the words. Forgiveness can be like that. You THINK you have forgiven but there is still a faint outline there so you still see it in your mind, never truly forgiving.
I remember when I was younger when I would have to wash a chalkboard with water…it was the only way to get it truly clean. I want to forgive like God forgives me. I want to wash it clean, not just wipe with an eraser on a chalkboard.
I remember when I was younger when I would have to wash a chalkboard with water…it was the only way to get it truly clean. I want to forgive like God forgives me. I want to wash it clean, not just wipe with an eraser on a chalkboard.
Brett Favre Fan
I live in Wisconsin, which means there is an 80% chance I am a Packer fan. That's just how it is in Wisconsin. I am also a Brett Favre fan. Not fanatic. I just really appreciate his God given talent. I doubt there will ever be another player like him. It is cool to have watched his career. So when the General Manager of the Green Bay Packers traded away BRETT FAVRE I thought he was the stupidest man on earth. And I continued to think that until I watched the football game last night.
Brett is now with the Minnesota Vikings and last night they played the Green Bay Packers. It was a fun game because I was rooting for both teams. I do not believe the Packers have the talent to make it to the Superbowl this year. The Viking, however, look like they have a very good chance, barring severe injuries.
I recall hearing in an interview that what Brett really wanted was to go to another Super Bowl. Whether he makes it or not, it wouldn't have happened with the Packers. They just don’t have the talent. So, he had to go play a year with the Jets which I don't think he really wanted to do. But I do believe he played each game the best he could. And now he is with the Vikings – his best chance at achieving his goal. Where ever he played, I believe he always played his very best.
Your life's direction may not look like it is heading where you wanted or where you thought it should be, but if God is your General Manager, all you gotta do is give your very best every day and He will make sure you are a winner. You can't see the future, so you gotta trust Him and like I said, just do your very best every day, even though it doesn't look good at the moment.
One more thing....Brett took a beating in the press, with comedians, and with people all over the country talking about his decisions, or rather indecision. Brett even did a Sears commercial mocking his own indecision. He had no control over what people were saying. He only knew his goal. And he had to bare it. No one understood what he was doing. I don't even know for sure if he knew his career would take this direction, but he had to bare their talk, criticism, etc. When you are being led by the Spirit, friends, family or even other church members may not understand. They may talk against you. Advise you incorrectly. (Remember Job?) You just have to bare it and stand strong in your faith in Him. He will make you a winner.
Brett is now with the Minnesota Vikings and last night they played the Green Bay Packers. It was a fun game because I was rooting for both teams. I do not believe the Packers have the talent to make it to the Superbowl this year. The Viking, however, look like they have a very good chance, barring severe injuries.
I recall hearing in an interview that what Brett really wanted was to go to another Super Bowl. Whether he makes it or not, it wouldn't have happened with the Packers. They just don’t have the talent. So, he had to go play a year with the Jets which I don't think he really wanted to do. But I do believe he played each game the best he could. And now he is with the Vikings – his best chance at achieving his goal. Where ever he played, I believe he always played his very best.
Your life's direction may not look like it is heading where you wanted or where you thought it should be, but if God is your General Manager, all you gotta do is give your very best every day and He will make sure you are a winner. You can't see the future, so you gotta trust Him and like I said, just do your very best every day, even though it doesn't look good at the moment.
One more thing....Brett took a beating in the press, with comedians, and with people all over the country talking about his decisions, or rather indecision. Brett even did a Sears commercial mocking his own indecision. He had no control over what people were saying. He only knew his goal. And he had to bare it. No one understood what he was doing. I don't even know for sure if he knew his career would take this direction, but he had to bare their talk, criticism, etc. When you are being led by the Spirit, friends, family or even other church members may not understand. They may talk against you. Advise you incorrectly. (Remember Job?) You just have to bare it and stand strong in your faith in Him. He will make you a winner.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Hit and Run
NOTE: To my friends reading this... i just wrote this and i need your in-put. is this easy to read? did you like it? it is too long? tell me what you think. thank you.
Hit and Run
I did a ‘hit and run’ on a blog the other day. I was flipping through blogs and I came across one I wanted to comment on. My comment, although contrary to their point of view, was polite and respectful. But the truth was, I didn’t want to here their come-back justification defending their point of view. I just blew in, stated my words and blew out. My words, however, may have had an impact, either giving them something to consider or just making them angry. Plain and simple, it was a hit-and-run.
People do hit-and-runs all the time. Not an actual hit-an-run in a vehicle, you understand, but a verbal one or one of gestures or actions. Situations where people say things or do things that hurt your feelings or made you angry – and in a flash they were gone. A stranger cutting you off in traffic. If you hadn’t slammed on the brakes fast enough, you could be dead. It makes me angry that they risked my life because they were in a hurry. And now that stranger is gone…I can’t even vent my anger at them. I stuck with that anger in me. A perfect hit and run. Or a friend saying, “well you do have a problem with selfishness” as they walk out the door. Said so matter-of-factly, as one might say, “isn’t it a nice day.” And then they are gone. Hit and run with words.
A hit-and-run leaves damage behind. They blow in, make the hit, whether it be actions, gestures, on a blog or the words you speak. They leave behind anger, hurt, frustration.
What I have learned is this: The hit-and-run person is long gone. Very often they don’t even know they did something wrong. I’ve went up to friends and said, my feelings were hurt when you did this or that and they as so apologetic, saying “I am so sorry. I absolutely did not intend to hurt you. I had no idea that would hurt your feelings.” There are hundreds of reasons why that could be. The one I think is most common is they haven’t walked in your shoes, so they have little comprehension or compassion to where you are coming from.
To the thing about a hit and run is, it’s over for them from the minute it happened. They say it and they are gone, never to think about it again. But for you, it continues and the only way to become free is to forgive. They will never even know that you have forgiven them. Often they don’t even know they did wrong. I’m sure you have heard that “forgiveness is not for the other person, forgiveness is for you.” And you can see, by the hit and run, how true this is.
Hit and Run
I did a ‘hit and run’ on a blog the other day. I was flipping through blogs and I came across one I wanted to comment on. My comment, although contrary to their point of view, was polite and respectful. But the truth was, I didn’t want to here their come-back justification defending their point of view. I just blew in, stated my words and blew out. My words, however, may have had an impact, either giving them something to consider or just making them angry. Plain and simple, it was a hit-and-run.
People do hit-and-runs all the time. Not an actual hit-an-run in a vehicle, you understand, but a verbal one or one of gestures or actions. Situations where people say things or do things that hurt your feelings or made you angry – and in a flash they were gone. A stranger cutting you off in traffic. If you hadn’t slammed on the brakes fast enough, you could be dead. It makes me angry that they risked my life because they were in a hurry. And now that stranger is gone…I can’t even vent my anger at them. I stuck with that anger in me. A perfect hit and run. Or a friend saying, “well you do have a problem with selfishness” as they walk out the door. Said so matter-of-factly, as one might say, “isn’t it a nice day.” And then they are gone. Hit and run with words.
A hit-and-run leaves damage behind. They blow in, make the hit, whether it be actions, gestures, on a blog or the words you speak. They leave behind anger, hurt, frustration.
What I have learned is this: The hit-and-run person is long gone. Very often they don’t even know they did something wrong. I’ve went up to friends and said, my feelings were hurt when you did this or that and they as so apologetic, saying “I am so sorry. I absolutely did not intend to hurt you. I had no idea that would hurt your feelings.” There are hundreds of reasons why that could be. The one I think is most common is they haven’t walked in your shoes, so they have little comprehension or compassion to where you are coming from.
To the thing about a hit and run is, it’s over for them from the minute it happened. They say it and they are gone, never to think about it again. But for you, it continues and the only way to become free is to forgive. They will never even know that you have forgiven them. Often they don’t even know they did wrong. I’m sure you have heard that “forgiveness is not for the other person, forgiveness is for you.” And you can see, by the hit and run, how true this is.
Free Sample
I have two little stories to tell you. They may seem unrelated at first, but I will tie them together at the end. The first is about my granddaughters. The other day I asked them, “Do you want to go to the grocery store with me?”
“No, Gramma. We’re watching cartoons,” the eldest of the two replied.
“Okay, but you’re gonna miss it. Today is Saturday and you know what that means.”
Yelling in unison, they ran for their coats. “It’s free sample day!”
My grandkids love going to the store on the weekends because scattered throughout the store are scores of “free sample” ladies. They set-up their pizza ovens and microwaves on cardboard tables, offering bite-size samples of their delicious wares.
Sometimes if you get a real nice lady, she’ll let you have two samples. But that’s pretty rare. The free sample ladies seem to have some sort of code of ethics about free samples. You know, like, “one sample per person, please.” I think my favorite part about free samples is that I’ve convinced myself that they are also free of calories. I mean, how many calories can be in one little bite? I think just about everyone loves a free sample.
The second story is about prayer. The other day while I was talking to God about my circumstances, a devil interrupted my thoughts and said, “He treats those of the world better than He treats you.” And then I heard myself saying aloud, “God, You treat them better than you treat me.” Like a Jedi mind-trick, I repeated the words the devil fed into my mind. My weakness set off an alarm. What did I say? Do I really believe that? The wheels started turning as I began to analyze.
When a devil talks to me, firstly, he wants to get my attention. He often does that by giving me something I really want – in this case, sympathy. He comes around saying things like, “Ohhhh, you poor thing.” And of course, I reply saying, “Yes,” sniff, sniff, “I am.”
The devil wants me to listen to his words so he starts out with a little bit of truth or something that sounds like truth to get my attention. Remember Eve’s conversation with Satan in the garden? She wasn’t sure what God had really said. So, instead of continuing my conversation with the devil, I ran to God so He could help me sort it out.
“God, I can’t deny the fact that some people in the world have better things in life. So, is this true that You treat them better than you treat me?”
God is so cool. At this point, He could have just smacked me upside the head and said, stop talking such dribble. But He is a patient and kind teacher.
Yes, it’s true some people have nice things. But some have it worse, much worse. But of course, the devil isn’t reminding me about that.
I am continually blessed. God is my protection, my Salvation, my Redeemer, my life, my all. He has given to me many treasures: His Spirit, His love, Knowledge of Him, truth, perfection, health, security, confidence, peace. 1 Cor 2:9 says “…Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
The key word in the devil’s lie, was the word “better.” Matthew 5:45 say, “…for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” But does He treat them better? No. He treats me better.
This life of theirs is just their free sample. A gift. A taste. A sample. But it’s all they get. When their sample is all gone, we'll still be dwelling with HIM. God not only gives us a taste, but He actually gives us all things that are His, as we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ.
David almost slipped when he saw the prosperity of the wicked – their teeny-weeny little samples – until he went to the house of God, then he understood their end. That this life is only just a temporal sample for them, but for us, its eternal!
Ps. 34:8 “O taste and see that the LORD is good…”
“No, Gramma. We’re watching cartoons,” the eldest of the two replied.
“Okay, but you’re gonna miss it. Today is Saturday and you know what that means.”
Yelling in unison, they ran for their coats. “It’s free sample day!”
My grandkids love going to the store on the weekends because scattered throughout the store are scores of “free sample” ladies. They set-up their pizza ovens and microwaves on cardboard tables, offering bite-size samples of their delicious wares.
Sometimes if you get a real nice lady, she’ll let you have two samples. But that’s pretty rare. The free sample ladies seem to have some sort of code of ethics about free samples. You know, like, “one sample per person, please.” I think my favorite part about free samples is that I’ve convinced myself that they are also free of calories. I mean, how many calories can be in one little bite? I think just about everyone loves a free sample.
The second story is about prayer. The other day while I was talking to God about my circumstances, a devil interrupted my thoughts and said, “He treats those of the world better than He treats you.” And then I heard myself saying aloud, “God, You treat them better than you treat me.” Like a Jedi mind-trick, I repeated the words the devil fed into my mind. My weakness set off an alarm. What did I say? Do I really believe that? The wheels started turning as I began to analyze.
When a devil talks to me, firstly, he wants to get my attention. He often does that by giving me something I really want – in this case, sympathy. He comes around saying things like, “Ohhhh, you poor thing.” And of course, I reply saying, “Yes,” sniff, sniff, “I am.”
The devil wants me to listen to his words so he starts out with a little bit of truth or something that sounds like truth to get my attention. Remember Eve’s conversation with Satan in the garden? She wasn’t sure what God had really said. So, instead of continuing my conversation with the devil, I ran to God so He could help me sort it out.
“God, I can’t deny the fact that some people in the world have better things in life. So, is this true that You treat them better than you treat me?”
God is so cool. At this point, He could have just smacked me upside the head and said, stop talking such dribble. But He is a patient and kind teacher.
Yes, it’s true some people have nice things. But some have it worse, much worse. But of course, the devil isn’t reminding me about that.
I am continually blessed. God is my protection, my Salvation, my Redeemer, my life, my all. He has given to me many treasures: His Spirit, His love, Knowledge of Him, truth, perfection, health, security, confidence, peace. 1 Cor 2:9 says “…Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
The key word in the devil’s lie, was the word “better.” Matthew 5:45 say, “…for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” But does He treat them better? No. He treats me better.
This life of theirs is just their free sample. A gift. A taste. A sample. But it’s all they get. When their sample is all gone, we'll still be dwelling with HIM. God not only gives us a taste, but He actually gives us all things that are His, as we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ.
David almost slipped when he saw the prosperity of the wicked – their teeny-weeny little samples – until he went to the house of God, then he understood their end. That this life is only just a temporal sample for them, but for us, its eternal!
Ps. 34:8 “O taste and see that the LORD is good…”
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