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SPAMMAN INDEX
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EAT MORE SPAM!
Bob eats SPAM at least 3-4 times per week. It's great!
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Weekly PowerBreak Messages PowerBreak is a weekly feature, designed to given you some power from God's Word as you begin your week. This internet newsletter has been sent out continuously for over three years as the list of recipients continues to grow. If you would like to receive PowerBreak messages via email each week, please send your request to SPAMMAN. The name PowerBreak was taken from Bob's endurance races where each water stop was a quick refueling, or a break for power on the go. Bob designed the PowerBreak to be that for all who receive the messages each week. A quick thought and power from the Word of God for people on the go. PowerBreak Messages for January, 2001 KEEP SCROLLING DOWN Links to previous messages below. PowerBreak Message for January 29, 2001 GOD INTENDED IT FOR GOOD? Want a real thriller? Pick up a Bible this evening and read the account of Joseph. (Genesis chapters 37-50) It's well worth your reading. In a nutshell: The story begins with God speaking to Joseph via dreams about his future position in life. How cool! Joseph gets the picture he is going to be ruling over his brothers. He is so excited that he tells his father and his brothers about the dreams, which doesn't sit too well with them. Later Joseph's brothers throw him into a pit and were intending to kill him when some traders happened by so they sold Joseph as a slave to them. In Egypt he was sold again to a man and became his top servant. When the man's wife tried to seduce Joseph and he refused she framed him, which resulted in his being thrown into prison. In prison he interpreted the dreams of two of the Pharaoh's servants and one of them was restored to his position in the palace. A couple of years later Pharaoh had some dreams about the future but could not get any help in interpreting what the dreams meant. Finally, Joseph was brought to the palace and he not only interpreted the Pharaoh's dreams regarding an upcoming famine but also gave him good advice about how the country could survive by setting aside grain in the seven years of plenty that were to proceed the seven years of famine. Pharaoh was so impressed with Joseph's wisdom that he put him in charge. When the famine set in, Joseph's brothers came to Egypt to buy food and guess whom they had to see? Joseph! Finally, Joseph makes it known to them that he is Joseph and they are scared. Later when his father dies, Joseph's brothers are really scared that Joseph is going to really let 'em have it. To which Joseph replies this way: Genesis 50:19-21 (NIV) But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. Notice the words: "God intended it for good." You can think of things that have happened in your life. Some are from your own dumb decisions or moves. Still other things have happened as a result of the decisions or moves of other people. Regardless, if you look real hard, you can say with Joseph: "God intended it for good." The Bible teaches us that God is in control. Although we don't see all that He is doing from His point of view we are instructed to trust Him and cooperate with Him to see the good that He is working in our lives. Romans 8:28 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. It's not easy! I am sure it wasn't easy for Joseph being sold into slavery, falsely accused and thrown into prison, forgotten in prison, etc. We never see any evidence that while things didn't seem to be working for good that Joseph ever murmured or complained. What we do gather from the rest of the story is that Joseph was driven by the strong belief that God was using this for good, rather than being driven by a bitter attitude of vengeance. As you read the account you can see how he could have taken vengeance upon his brothers but he didn't - instead he reflected the hope that God was in control and he was just cooperating with God's plan. How about you? Something to think about if things are not working out just as you had hoped they would on a Monday. I hope you will take a moment and read the account of Joseph. You'll be glad you did. GODSPEED! Bob Brubaker, a.k.a. "SPAM MAN" PowerBreak Message for January 22, 2001 NO SHORTCUTS No matter how obvious the answer, my calculus three instructor always made us show our work. He emphasized the need to never take a shortcut because as he would say, "you are only cutting yourself short." I thought of that principle the other day as I was preparing to talk to a group of junior high students and wanted to make a point about the benefits of daily discipline. There are no short cuts to the benefits you get from daily discipline. The daily discipline of exercise will help you lose weight and feel better. You can take a pill that seems to give you a shortcut to losing weight and/or feeling better but the results are short lived and there are side effects. You can "get by" cutting short the daily discipline of a quiet time with God but the benefit of really knowing God and the peace obtained in spending time with Him is missed. In a world of shortcuts and time saving designs there is one thing that can't be cut short in the long run. When God led the children of Israel out of Egypt He did not take them on the most direct route to the promised land because He wanted them to learn to trust Him. There were circumstances they needed to face, obstacles they needed to overcome, and victories they needed to win - all benefits they would have missed had they taken a short cut. Jesus could have but avoided a short cut one time because He needed to go to Samaria to minister to one person. John 4:3-4 (NKJV) He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. 4 But He needed to go through Samaria. Jesus could have taken a short cut and missed the cross but He knew the benefit would be lost, so we are instructed in the Bible to look at Him as an example and avoid the shortcuts because they only rob us of benefits. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. My wife, Jan has a greater understanding of this principle today, having completed her first marathon yesterday - she was thankful for the many miles she trained because she would never have been able to complete the course of 26.2 miles. There was always the temptation to cut the workouts short but the enjoyment she experienced in crossing the finish line made it all worthwhile. As you go through this week and focus on the goals ahead of you, there will always be a temptation to take shortcuts, especially in the area of daily discipline. Be aware: those shortcuts can only rob you of the benefits you long to get. As the famous Nike slogan says: JUST DO IT! GODSPEED! Bob Brubaker, a.k.a. "SPAM MAN" PowerBreak Message for January 15, 2001 UNCONDITIONAL LOVE The other evening Jan and I were watching the video tape of the 1999 Ironman Triathlon World Championship and were captured by the Hoyt story. In case you missed the NBC presentation - they focused on Dick and Rick Hoyt and their progression through the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run in Kona, Hawaii. The fact that Rick was born with cerebral palsy meant the only way for him to cross the finish line was for his father, Dick Hoyt to get them both there. That mean he had to pull his son in a raft, peddle a specially designed bike that allowed Rick to sit over the front wheel, and push his son in a wheel chair over the grueling course in Hawaii that takes it's toll on the best of athletes. It's quite an inspirational story that began when a father said "no" to a recommendation to institutionalizing Rick when he was born but has said "yes" to making sure his son has had the opportunity to experience everything he's every dreamed in life. It's obvious that Rick's dreams have been influenced by his father's dreams for his son and his "can do" attitude. It's like the process God does with us. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. God's love for us is not dependent upon performance. His love is unconditional and never ending. He plants a dream within us. We capture that dream and it seems bigger than life. When we realize it's impossible for us to carry out that dream we are actually approaching the first step to realizing the dream come true. "What is impossible with men, is possible with God." - Jesus Christ As Rick Hoyt had to allow his father to have complete control over the situation and just cooperate with him, so we must not fight God and what He is doing in our lives, but cooperate, and watch Him do great things in us, through us, and around us. Ephesians 3:20 (NIV) Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Seeing Dick and Rick Hoyt cross the finish line in Kona is a very moving scene. Rick is declared an Ironman but without his father he could never have done it. So in every achievement - without the help of God and His unconditional love, you can never achieve your dream. The story of Dick and Rick Hoyt is a story of a father's unconditional love that gives us a glimpse of God's unconditional love for us. Have you taken time to capture His dream, allow Him to move you toward that dream, cooperate with Him in achieving that dream, and give Him the honor that is due Him? It's well worth finding a copy of the video of the 1999 Ironman Triathlon for some great inspiration. GODSPEED! Bob Brubaker, a.k.a. "SPAM MAN" PowerBreak Message for January 8, 2001 WINNERS DO NOT ALWAYS COME IN FIRST PLACE Everyone loves a race but sometimes the winner does not take it all. A good example is seen in the Old Testament. There was a battle and a young man by the name of Ahimaaz had a great desire to take word of the battle back to the king. Captain Joab however had chosen another, known simply as the Cushite, to run with the message. Once the Cushite left Ahimaaz decided he'd race him to the king. Arriving to the finish line first did not make Ahimaaz the winner, however. The king looked to him for some report of what was happening at the battle front. All he could report was there was a great of confusion. In other words, he had no report because he had not purpose in running. When the Cushite arrived, apparently the loser in the race - he delivered the full report of what was happening on the battlefield. Great lesson: If you want to come out a winner - know your purpose before you get into the race. Otherwise, how can you fulfill what has not been defined? I thought of this as I prepared a short message for pre-race worship service for the Disney marathoners yesterday. It's so easy to get caught up in the race, all the training, all the preparation, and all the care that goes into making sure you are ready. Then the gun goes off and you run, you cross the finish line and you feel so unfulfilled. Maybe because you have unrealistic expectations but more than likely you did not define your purpose before you started. Like Ahimaaz, you have crossed the finish line but did not know whether you had fulfilled your purpose or not. Even if you are not racing a marathon or training of some big event - you are in the race of life and if you have not defined your purpose and know why you are in the race and what you are to accomplish - life becomes a big disappointment - even if you appear to be a winner. Jesus won - even though it appeared He lost. His purpose was to do the Father's will - even to the cross. Talk about defining your purpose: John 4:34 (NIV) "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." John 6:38 (NIV) For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me." What is your purpose in life? Why are you doing the things you are doing in your various roles in life? …as a husband or father? …as a wife or mother? …as a friend? …as a follower of God? If you know your purpose you can live with losing the race, knowing you are really debuting as a winner! It's something few spectators who see a marathoner cross the finish line well behind the first place finisher really understand but something with which every person in the race of life who is driven by purpose can not only connect but celebrate the winner who does not come in first place. GODSPEED! Bob Brubaker, a.k.a. "SPAM MAN" PowerBreak Message for January 1, 2001 A FRESH START Ron Hutchcraft told the story of a group of people in Alaska who grow up learning the analogy that every wrong they do is like putting a rock in their backpack that they must carry with them the rest of their lives. So the less wrong they do the lighter their load and the more wrong they do the heavier the load. Unfortunately, as Ron pointed out, many people go through life the same way: accumulating more and more rocks in their backpack, weighed down by the heaviness of the mistakes and failures of the past. Wouldn't it be great to get a fresh start in life? Today is a good time to think about taking a fresh approach to a new year and getting rid of the load you may have been carrying around from the past. It's a new day, a new month, and a new year. Just because you failed in the past - doesn't mean you have to do it again. Just because you messed up - doesn't mean you have to beat yourself up. You can have a fresh start and go forward. The Bible is clear on the subject: God forgives and gives us a fresh start. In the Old Testament, He instructed the children of Israel to celebrate the year of Jubilee every 49 years - basically once a generation. It was a time in which all debts were canceled and burdens lifted. It was a great illustration of how God lifts the burdens of those who are carrying the backpack filled with the rocks of mistakes from the past. The prophets taught that God's servant, the Messiah would come to take away our heavy load, to relieve the burden of past mistakes, and failures. Isaiah 53:6 (NIV) We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Jesus taught that He was willing to relieve that burden for all who come to Him. Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." The good news is this: God forgives and God forgets. He gives us a fresh start, a second chance, "a new backpack." It's easy to dwell on the failures of the past, maybe live a life of beating yourself up. Wouldn't it be great to start the new year by turning that heavy load over to God and allow Him to give you a fresh start? The truth of the matter is this: We have all failed in some way shape or form in 2000. We can either hold on to those failures and allow our backpack to continue to weigh us down or we can be set free to look at the new year as a fresh start - giving the past to God and allowing Him to set us free to really live in the new year. No wonder God gives us this analogy about running the race of life: Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. GET RID OF THE LOAD AND GET BACK INTO THE RACE! GODSPEED! Bob Brubaker, a.k.a. "SPAM MAN" |
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CONTACTING BOB Bob Brubaker Email:Bob Brubaker |
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