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SPAMMAN INDEX
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 September 2000 PowerBreak Message for September 25, 2000"PREPARING TO WIN" The Olympics are fun to watch and catch the excitement of those who win. It's also interesting to note the degrees and expressions of those who experience the agony of defeat. We can all feel for the athlete who has come up short because we've all been there. It's interesting to note the various reactions. Some athletes beat themselves up. Some tend to point fingers and blame others. Others find excuses. And some analyze the situation, learn from the experience and find a reason to enjoy the moment, no matter what the outcome. Wouldn't it be great to carry that through life and learn from each situation and enjoy life? Remember the scene in the movie, A FEW GOOD MEN when Tom Cruise asked Jack Nicholson a question to which Nicholson responded: "You want the truth? You can't handle the truth!" I'm afraid that many times we don't analyze the situations in life because we don't want to face the reality of why we missed the mark. It could be a simple thing but if we fail to analyze and change our ways as the old saying goes; "if you keep doing things the same way, you'll continue to get the same results." God even says that some things we don't get in life, simply because we can't handle it. The biblical principle in simple: LIFE IS A TEST. God is constantly allowing us to see how much we can handle and if we are not good stewards with little things in life, how can He or why should He trust us with any more? The words of Jesus: Luke 16:10 (NIV) "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. In the Old Testament there was a famous prophet by the name of Jeremiah. Things were not going well for him at all. He was delivering God's message but as a result the people who didn't like his message were making life miserable for him to say the least. Jeremiah just turned on God and began to complain to which God responded: Jeremiah 12:5 (NIV) "If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?" Wow! The Bible is so relevant! If we don't learn to handle the situation at hand, how can we face what it will take to bring success? If we are complaining, blaming, pouting, we are wasting the situation that God has given to us to take us to the next step. Take a step back and use each situation you face - good and bad to learn what you can to take you to the next step. As a result you'll find a reason to enjoy the moment - no matter what the outcome. GODSPEED! Bob Brubaker, a.k.a. "SPAM MAN" PowerBreak Message for September 1 8, 2000"RUN TO WIN" It's Olympic time and even though there is a 15 or more hour time difference, depending on where you live in the USA, it's still captivating to watch the competition. It's great to see the thrill of victory, there is hardly anyway to describe how thrilled a person is to get the gold in Olympics. But what about those who did not get the gold? Too often they are made out to be losers but you can hardly call anyone who has qualified and competed in the Olympics as a loser. Would you call one of the girls in the triathlon who was wiped out in the bike crash a loser? I don't think so! Would you call the 4 X 100 freestyle men's relay team losers because the Australian swimmer got to the wall a fingernail's thickness ahead of the American? No way! I am writing today as my heart goes out to these who do not bring home the gold, who do not get the glory, who gave it their all but have come up short of the ultimate prize. I am writing because most of us can identify with these people, probably more than the ones who do come home with the gold, although we admire their achievements. No matter where you are, what you set out to accomplish, or at whatever level you establish your goals, there is the possibility you won't make it - so what does that make you? - A loser? Not hardly! You are a winner for trying, for giving it your best, for picking yourself up and continuing when you were down. You are a winner for being in the game. The Bible gives us some principles we can use in life that will help us feel like winners - even if we come up short of the goal we had set for ourselves. Look: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV) Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
HERE'S THE GREAT NEWS - YOU TOO CAN BE A WINNER! Go for the prize! Get in the race. What have you desired to do, wanted to do, tried to do, but have not done? Go for it! But don't stop there. Give it all your effort. A half effort will get you nowhere. The Bible says go for the prize. Even if it looks unattainable - REACH FOR THE PRIZE. Discipline yourself to do the little extras that will make the difference. Seek out help in establishing activities with meaning, not just time consumption. Finally, practice the lost art of self discipline in all areas of your life. THE RESULT - no matter what the outcome - YOU WILL BE A WINNER! You will have nothing about which to be ashamed. No doubt you'll accomplish far more that what you could have or would have without applying the principles above but regardless of the outcome - YOU ARE A WINNER so RUN TO WIN! GODSPEED! Bob Brubaker, a.k.a. "SPAM MAN" PowerBreak Message for September 11, 2000 "A CHIP ON THE SHOULDER ONLY HOLDS YOU DOWN" "GET EVEN!" - It's the cry of our society today. Whether it's litigation in the courtroom or road rage it just seems everyone wants to GET EVEN. Ever notice how hard it is to avoid it? It really gets to you when you are driving. Here's one that gets everyone: You are waiting patiently in a long line of stopped vehicles where everyone is waiting their turn and someone drives off the road passing everyone and someone let's this cheater in about twenty cars ahead of you which meant his waiting time practically nil while yours increased by one more car. Been there, done that? It gets to you doesn't it. Or does it? It doesn't have to. In fact if it does, your resentment really works to hold you back from where you want to be. No wonder Jesus said: in Matthew 5:38-45 (NIV) "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. 43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." Ever try that? Oh, I mean really try it, not just acknowledge it? Like when someone does you wrong - PRAY FOR THEM, BE NICE TO THEM, GO OUT OF YOUR WAY TO HELP THEM. Why? Note verse 45 - God takes notice of it, and remember He is in control. Not only that but here's another reason. When you hold on to resentment and grudges you just add a really heavy burden to yourself - GUILT. Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV) For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Did you know those two verses actually follow the example or outline of prayer that Jesus gave His disciples, often called "The Lord's Prayer." Check it out! How many times have you recited the words before but these verses could be the very reason you are feeling down. Could be the very reason you are not getting where you want to in life. You are carrying too much on your shoulders that you weren't meant to carry and don't have to carry. A friend and I were riding our bicycles in an event recently and he commented how odd it seemed to see people who were noticeably 20-30 pounds overweight riding expensive "lightweight" bicycles. As my friend said, "It might have been cheaper and better in the long run to spend less money on the bicycle and more time on the rider." Same goes for all of us. We look for new ways to get where we want to go faster and more efficiently. When in reality maybe what we need to do is unload some of that heavy load called the old chip on the shoulder. It could just make for one fantastic week. GODSPEED! Bob Brubaker, a.k.a. "SPAM MAN" PowerBreak Message for September 4, 2000 "HOW TO GET WHERE YOU WANT TO GO" There's an old saying, I believe it's attributed to Thomas Jefferson that says, "you can't help someone across the river without getting there yourself." The Bible puts it this way in the book of Proverbs: Proverbs 11:25 (NIV) A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Jesus said it this way: Matthew 7:12 (NIV) So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Putting the principle in a negative way: "You'll never get where you want to be just thinking of yourself." No matter how you put it, no matter where you find it - the principle is true. If you want to really get ahead in anything in life - BECOME A GENEROUS PERSON. It's amazing how much encouragement you get when you seek to be an encourager. It's amazing how positive people are around you when you try to brighten the way for others. Proverbs 22:9a (NIV) A generous man will himself be blessed, Acts 20:35b (NIV) The Lord Jesus himself said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Several years ago I talked a good friend into doing a race and he agreed to do it as long as I would help him prepare for the race. I took the preparation quite serious and sought to encourage him as much as possible. Once the race began, although I participated, my concern was my friend, not my performance. Interestingly, even though I had my best race ever the highlight of my day was seeing my friend cross the finish line. The are countless examples you have or could have on your job, in your family, your church, your workouts, etc. People all around you are in need of a word of encouragement, a helping hand, a generous offering. God has promised a blessing upon us when we show generosity to others, part of which is getting an extra push toward where we would like to be. Something to think about to help you get where you want to be. GODSPEED! Bob Brubaker, a.k.a. "SPAM MAN" |
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CONTACTING BOB Bob Brubaker 469 C Alafaya Woods Blvd. Oviedo, FL 32765 Email:Bob Brubaker |
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