|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
|
bobbrubaker.com SITE INDEX |
BOB'S Weekly PowerBreak Messages before August, 2000 PowerBreak is a weekly feature, designed to give you some power from God's Word as you to through life. This internet newsletter has been sent out continuously since March, 1997. It is amazing how the list of recipients continues to grow. If you would like to receive PowerBreak messages via email each week, please send your request to Bob or just get it each week from this page as it is updated. You may also dig into some past publications by clicking on the links from past months. Bob hopes to be able to offer this PowerBreaks in book for soon. BY THE WAY 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. PRE- AUGUST, 2000 POWERBREAKS PowerBreak Message for July 31, 2000 "THINK BEFORE YOU…" The other day I was reading in the book of Judges in the Bible and came across the story of Jephthah. He was a man who was greatly used by God to bring deliverance to his people but Jephthah had a problem we all have: he made a hasty commitment. Have you ever felt the pressure of a sales pitch and committed to something you later wish you hadn't? Have you ever agreed to take on a new responsibility and regretted it later? We've all been there and done that. It's so easy to get caught in the emotion of the situation, to say yes as a quick way out of pressure, or just speak before we think. When you read the account of Jephthah in Judges 11, you find Jephthah caught up in the emotion of war. He was leading his people into battle and really wanted to show his commitment to the situation and to God so he made a hasty vow to God and it cost him his daughter's life. God never required the vow from Jephthah, in fact later in the Bible Jephthah is listed as one of the men of faith in the Bible. God was well pleased in his actions to take the lead for what was right. What Jephthah did in his hasty vow, maybe as a show to the others of his deep commitment, was to promise God that if God would help them win the battle then he would offer the first thing that comes out of his house when he returned home. DUH! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Jephthah got a little carried away in his commitment and really didn't think things through because what did he think would come out of his front door of his house… a sheep? Although a hasty vow, Jephthah was faithful at making sure the vow he made to God was carried out. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 (NIV) When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. No wonder Jesus admonished his followers to think things through, to avoid hasty decisions, but to make commitments that you intend to keep - THEN DON'T LOOK BACK. Luke 14:27-33 (NIV) And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29 For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30 saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' 31 "Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. When you are under pressure to make a decision this week - remember the story of Jephthah (Judges 11:29-40). It might help you avoid committing to something you may regret later. Have a great week! Bob Brubaker, a.k.a. "SPAM MAN" PowerBreak Message for June 19, 2000 "EXCESS BAGGAGE" A few weeks ago I wrote about some friends who were running the Grand Canyon from rim to rim and back again. THEY DID IT! They all made it and even took pictures along the way to prove it and the pictures are quite impressive. Not only was this a very difficult and long running expedition, the difficulty was multiplied because there were no aid stations along the way as you'd have in a marathon every mile or two. Each runner had to take all the water, food, and other essentials that would be needed for the nearly 50 miles of running over HOT and rough terrain. As you can imagine, it was very hard to plan and prepare for such an adventure. Last weekend I had the opportunity to talk at length with one of the participants, Dr. Joe Salwan, who said if he had it to do over again, he would take less. "The extra weight really got to me," he said, "and I think I could have done with less." When he described all the water and things he had strapped to him, no wonder he felt like he was bogged down like one of the trail mules all day long. The list seemed endless, especially for a runner: a camel pack of water (the large bladder inside a backpack), extra water bottles, food, sunscreen, etc. As Joe said, "It was a struggle to walk with all that strapped on you, let alone run 50 plus miles down into the Canyon up the other side and back again." All I can say is WHOO-AHH! The ultra-marathon runners who completed this feat have really overcome. Hats off to all of them! And what a lesson for all of us… We all have our Grand Canyons to run. It may be the struggles in a difficult relationship. It may be overcoming financial disasters. It may be hitting the wall of a terminal disease. We all face them these circumstances of magnitude and if we are going to make it all the way we can take a lesson from the guys who ran the Canyon. Take what you need and get rid of the EXCESS BAGGAGE. It's really easy to face a moment of magnitude and begin grabbing for anything and everything along the way and some of it is just not needed to run the race. 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. Notice how the Bible put it - "THROW OFF EVERYTHING THAT HINDERS." (EXCESS BAGGAGE) Stop for a moment and check for excess baggage. Do you really need to be worrying about things over which you have no control - like what others are thinking about you? Do you really need the anger because things are not going as planned? Do you really need the bitterness you get from dwelling on the hurt someone caused you by things said or done? Do you really need … (The list could go on but I think you get the point - we all have a tendency to dwell on negative things that hinder our moving through moments of magnitude.) What do you do? Just like the Canyon runners who will go back and do it again - with each thing that is packed goes the question, "Do I really need this?" If you are feeling bogged down today and the journey is getting harder and harder - take moment and go through the checklist of possible excess baggage and allow yourself to do whatever is necessary to lighten the load. WARNING! Significant personal advancements are a possible side effect. Have a great week! Bob Brubaker, a.k.a. "SPAM MAN" PowerBreak Message for June 5, 2000 "Falling Down and Getting Up!" Wouldn't it be great if life went as planned? Everything had a happy ending? Never a bump in the road? No mistakes along the way? NA! We'd never learn anything and our confidence would be willy-nilly. There's something good about making mistakes, about failing, about running into trouble - the experience makes you a better, stronger person. Easy for me to say, right? But if you are in the midst of mistakes, failure, or your road is not so perfectly straight and smooth - keep in mind that God has promised to use even the bumpy road for our good, and even our mistakes to make us better - if we'll just cooperate with Him. 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. The Old Testament version of that principle looks like this: Hosea 2:15 (NIV) There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt. When you first look at the above scripture you may not get all of it so let me point out some things:
You have probably heard the phrase: "When God shuts one door - He opens another one" and that is what God is saying to us. If you'll cooperate with Him and allow Him to show you what is next, instead of focusing on the problem, failure, or trouble - God will give you a reason to look forward to tomorrow. Wow! That is great advice. How many times have you beaten yourself up over your mistakes, failures, or troubles? It never does any good to beat yourself up but somehow we all think we need to do it - even if just a little. God says - "HOLD THE PHONE ON THAT ONE - LET'S FOCUS ON H-O-P-E." Hope means you expect things to get better, not wish for better things, you EXPECT it. Why can you expect it? BECAUSE GOD IS IN CONTROL. Of course we are to learn from our mistakes and any situation in which we find ourselves, but God does not want us to focus so much on our problems, mistakes, and circumstances that we lose hope. So if you have lost hope or are struggling with hope then it's time to get refocused. Romans 5:3-5 (NIV) Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. It's so easy to lose hope and dwell on the negative but keep in mind God says - He intends even that to be a door of hope experience for you. Have a great week! Bob Brubaker, a.k.a. "SPAM MAN" PowerBreak Message for May 22, 2000 "APPROPRIATE WORRY" My wife, Jan is a sales director for Mary Kay and she was sent the following quote: "Don't be afraid of what may or may
not happen. Be afraid of waking Is that appropriate worry or fear? Let's look at it. Be afraid of what may or may not happen is senseless worry. Jesus even devoted an entire segment of His "How To Be Happy" sermon, also known as THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT, to the senselessness of worry. Matthew 6:27 (NIV) Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? Luke 12:25 (NKJV) "And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? Does worrying do anything for us? Nothing other than creating turmoil within ourselves and causing a lot of torture on our bodies. But we all do it! John Maxwell points out that our worrying can be broken down like this: 40% will never happen and most of our anxiety is a result of a tired mind. 30% concerns old decisions which cannot be changed. 12 % centers on criticism, made by people who feel inferior. 10% is related to health concerns which only worsen with worry. That leaves about 8% of our worry as "legitimate" - which is really sorting through problems as we seek to find a solution. For that the Bible says God offers peace - which is another way of saying, "trust me to handle the situation so you don't have to worry about it." Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. If you were to rate your life on a "worry" scale of 1 to 10 - where would you be regarding worrying? When you look at the Maxwell breakdown, you'd have to conclude that we all waste too much time on things we cannot change so the logical conclusion would be to apply that energy to things that will make a difference. (See Philippians 4:6-7 above) Pam Tull's conclusion is absolutely correct! If you spend your energy worrying - you'll only end up in a spiral down pattern. However, if you allow that anxiety to push you ahead, you'll do something positive about your situation rather than sit around and worry about it. "Be afraid of waking up a year from now in the same place" OK, apply it. Take any situation about which you are worrying. Think about it for a moment. Now - realize worry is a senseless use of energy so if you just think about what went wrong, what people said, what might happen, etc. - you'll be like a truck stuck in the mud. Spinning the tires will never get the truck out, only make the hole deeper. Taking some action - any action, not only will OVERRIDE the worrying activity but make a positive impact to get you out of the hole. As Jesus taught on the subject, He didn't just say, "don't worry." He gave positive instruction. Matthew 6:33 (NIV) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Worry can be overcome. Not by just sitting around and doing nothing but by taking clear advice and applying yourself. Appropriate worry then is worry that drives you to take action Have a great week! Bob Brubaker, a.k.a. "SPAM MAN" PowerBreak Message for May 15, 2000 "CONSIDER THE COST" Even if you haven't been to the Grand Canyon, having seen pictures of the place you can sense what an awesome feeling must come over anyone who stands on one side and looks across and down and across again. Picture yourself filled with the splendor of the moment, the vastness of the gap, the formation of the rocks, the array of color - only to be overcome with the anxiety of what is ahead; running from top to bottom, through the canyon up the other side and back, and all without support. What a remarkable feat but you're probably thinking: "Who in his right mind would do that?" The answer is ultra runners who are looking for a challenge. I've been intrigued with a group of ultra-marathon runners. (Runners who compete in distances beyond the standard 26.2 mile marathon, usually 50K which are 31 miles or even 100 mile races.) In the dead of the winter past, the ultra guys from this area who are known for running trails and stacking up miles and miles of hard running no matter what the weather needed a little encouragement. They looked for a bizarre goal, something to help them kick up their training and stay motivated through the winter months. They talked of all kinds of unusual accomplishments, most of which have been achieved this spring like record marathons, 50 mile and 50 K races but they needed something bigger and harder, something that when mentioned in a crowd, people would look at them with awe. They agreed upon a Grand Canyon run going from rim to rim and back again, which is approximately 50 miles of running on terrain that would be challenging to say the least. The run is actually set to take place this coming Saturday, May 20th. The "dream come true" event is really a lesson in the playing out of any dream. Let's look.
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, 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. Luke 14:27-30 (NIV). 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29 For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30 saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' Luke 9:62 (NIV) Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." Lessons for life, faith, and more all come down to tearing back the layers that hinder us from dreaming, from committing to something, and from persevering. As you read about this adventure of a bunch of runners from Northeast Ohio - let yourself go. Dream a little about the things you'd really like to do, no matter how it sounds. Consider the cost, make some plans, and above all take on the "no turning back" attitude and watch what happens. It will change your life! Not just in what you can accomplish but in the way your life will find motivation and passion. Have a great week! Bob Brubaker, a.k.a. "SPAM MAN" PowerBreak Message for May 8, 2000 "BALANCE" You're walking across Niagra Falls on a tightrope. You find yourself beginning to lean to one side and your natural reaction is to lean hard the other way to compensate. However, your overcompensation causes you to lean too far to the other side. Back and forth you go. You end up spending more time trying to balance than making progress. Life is like that tightrope. Only instead of two sides to balance, in order to really make progress, there are three. I had a professor in seminary, Dr. Richard Pratt, who would talk about triads, and point out how simple it was to understand just about everything when broken down three ways. When you think about it, complete training fits this perfectly. The Bible speaks of man as being body, mind or soul, and spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NIV) May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Too often we focus on one area of our lives and leave off other essentials only to find ourselves out of balance. How many times have you focused on getting into physical shape, losing a few pounds, getting your aerobic conditioning back to where it should be along with toning with weight training only to find other aspects of your life are out of balance? Or you attend a seminar with some intense learning and leave just drained and sluggish because you haven't had any physical activity for three days? Out of balance experiences can even happen when we focus on our walk with God and leave off everything else in life. God designed us to be complete individuals and wired us in such a way that we have physical, mental, (intellectual and emotional), as well as spiritual needs. If any of those three needs are neglected our lives get out of balance and no matter how hard we might try to enjoy our accomplishments, we feel something is wrong. 1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV) For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. Notice the Bible is clear that physical training does have some value. Of course it does! Your body is a well designed machine that needs attention and if you neglect it you will pay the price. On the other hand if you only focus on the physical you will lose touch with life and those around you, that is why the Bible is quick to point out the balance of the spiritual with the physical training. It's not easy trying to be a balanced person and make sure you get COMPLETE or balanced TRAINING. It takes discipline and a focus on making sure we keep a tight reign on things. But it's worth it! 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. In order to keep making progress this week, take a look at your balance. Are you working on the physical, mental, and the spiritual? Is one area outweighing the other two? Maybe it's time to balance things in order to move forward. Have a great week! Bob Brubaker, a.k.a. "SPAM MAN"
PowerBreak Message for May 1, 2000 "OVER-COMMITTING" We've all done it! We've said, "Yes" to something we knew we shouldn't because we didn't have time or it wasn't the best use of our skills, or something way out of bounds but somehow we just couldn't say, "NO." It has been said that very few people who have talent also have the single-minded commitment required to really achieve their goals. In fact, in a recent survey it was found that most naturally gifted people lack the focus and follow through necessary to take advantage of their potential. It makes you wonder how many times we are quick to put ourselves outside the ranks of the naturally gifted, when in reality we may just be in the realm of the over-committed which means we lack the focus necessary to stay on the course to take us to our goals. Luke 9:23 (NIV) Then he (Jesus) said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. When we talk about focus and commitment the words of Jesus Christ always come to the front, and rightly so. He's the epitome of someone who could have been easily distracted into over-committing but He knew He had a job to do and focused on doing just that. 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. John 14:31 (NIV) but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. "Come now; let us leave. Stop and think about it - Jesus could have been distracted in a thousand different directions in healing, theological discussions, in teaching his disciples, in providing for the poor, etc. But as He said, "I do exactly what my Father has commanded me." Les Brown, the motivational speaker, says, "Keep the main thing, THE MAIN THING!" Simple to say but hard to do in a day when we have many choices and many voices calling out for our attention. What is a person to do? The first thing is to decide, "WHAT IS THE MAIN THING?" Until that is decided, we will find ourselves going a thousand different directions and simply going through life REACTING to one cry for urgency after another. Once the MAIN THING is decided then a series of benchmarks or short term goals need to be established so you can tell along the way if THE MAIN THING really is the main thing. Now the hard part: identify the MAIN THING killers, the temptations you fall into or the people you try to please, that take us away from where we should be. It's not easy to keep the main thing the MAIN THING. No wonder Jesus compared it to taking up a cross daily. Discipline never is easy. It's forcing yourself to do the things you don't want to do in order to get the results that you really want. Something to think about as you enter a new week and new month. - Bob Brubaker, a.k.a. "SPAM MAN" PowerBreak Message for April 24, 2000 "Trying Too Hard" Every Tuesday morning our track workout includes plyometrics. (Technically, plyometric training is specific work for the enhancement of explosive power. It is a training method to be used in conjunction with other power development methods in a complete training program to improve the relationship between maximum strength and explosive power.) As I was having trouble coordinating the movement which hindered the effectiveness of the output, my coach, John Roseman, kept saying, "Stop thinking, stop trying so hard - just let yourself go." It sounded crazy at first but it proved to be true. When I let go and stopped trying to do the movement just right, I actually performed the plyometric exercise correctly. We've all experienced this concept. How many times have you been looking for something the more you tried and the harder you looked you couldn't see it? Then out of the blue when you were doing something else - there is that thing you were looking for, often right before your eyes. Or, you are trying to find a solution to a problem and the harder you try to think you get nowhere. When you go off and do something completely unreleted - BOOM - there comes the solution. This concept was brought to the forefront a few years ago by W. Timothy Gallwey in his best selling book, THE INNER GAME OF TENNIS. As a tennis instructor, he found the less he "coached" by telling his students what they were doing wrong and how they should correct this aspect of their stroke, and the more he got them to focus on things like the feel of the swing, the better their stroke improved. He described it as a conflict of the inner self one and two. Where self one is the part of you who tries to make the changes and criticizes and self two is the part of you that knows what to do and left alone will just do it. Regardless of what you think of the book and his sequel applying the concept to other aspects of work and life, the more you step back and look at his research the more it makes sense. This concept is not foreign to the Bible. It describes how apt we are to try hard to please God and actually miss the mark but when we let go and allow the spirit of God to live through us, we actually live a life that is right before God. Romans 8:12-17 (NIV) Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. There is a freeing concept of just letting go and being submissive to the working of God from within. As in the Gallwey concept of self one and self two, your performance will be enhanced when you can get self one distracted enough so your movements submit to self two. You move from TRYING HARDER to allowing what you know to do TO FLOW from you. Athletes call this being in the zone, when what they do on the court or in the field just comes easy. The Bible calls it living by faith - just submitting to God and allowing His power to control us. In other words, "WE LEARN TO STOP TRYING SO HARD." It's amazing how apt we are to try to force things to happen in our lives and how we end up beating ourselves up over every little thing. God never meant it to be that way, in the way we live or in the way we to try to please Him. He means for us to feel "set free" and that only comes when we learn to "let go and let it flow." Godspeed! Have a great week! Bob Brubaker, a.k.a. "SPAM MAN" PowerBreak Message for April 17, 2000 "ReFocusing" Getting distracted, focusing on the negative, or even getting off course in life is not uncommon. We all do it and when we lose our focus we have a choice - either to remain off course or get back on the correct route. I guess it's a guy thing that when we get off course or lose our way, we tend to think that a greater amount of effort will get us on tract. But that's not always the case, in fact it seldom is. There needs to be some specifics to getting back to the right direction. Terry Orlick in his book Psyching for Sport recommends every athlete have a specific plan of action in mind for those times when you lose your focus and begin to dwell on things that keep you from reaching your potential in a race. It's interesting how Jesus handled Peter's lack of focus after he blew it big time and denied Jesus. John 21:15-17 (NIV) When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." 17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. Notice that Jesus did not beat Peter up. The first thing he did was to feed him. He allowed Peter to be refreshed before he worked on getting him back on course in life. Sometimes our lack of focus is a result of just being tired or overwhelmed. Sometimes we beat ourselves up so much when we realized we are off course that before we can ever get back on course we need to be refreshed. Jesus understood that principle and fed Peter, allowing Peter to relax in the environment of relaxed company. The second thing Jesus did with Peter was to confront the area of missed focus. Peter loved Jesus, he had just lost his focus when he denied that he ever knew Jesus or was associated with him. Jesus allows Peter to refocus by asking him three times if he loved Jesus. What Jesus is doing is completing a step by step process that is quite applicable to all of us. When we get off course, we don't have the ability to just jump back in the race and continue where we left off because that can be overwhelming in itself. Step by step, inch by inch we can come back and get back in the race. It's not easy getting back and it's not easy taking the time to do what is necessary to restore the focus of our lives. We tend to push the panic button and make bigger mistakes by taking shortcuts. Jesus restored Peter's focus in the three questions he asked Peter but he took it one step farther. John 21:20-22 (NIV) Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" 22 Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." When Peter began to go beyond the focal point and jump from the side of discouragement to the side of judging another Jesus brought him back again to the point of focus. I don't know where you are today, whether you have lost your focus or if you are right on target in life. I do know this: you will have opportunity to lose focus in the race of life or in anything you set out to do. When you do, I hope you will consider the way Jesus led Peter back to getting on course again.
Godspeed! Have a great week! Bob Brubaker, a.k.a. "SPAM MAN" PowerBreak Message for April 10, 2000 "MAKING AN IMPACT" "The road to success is littered with good intentions that were never acted upon." - Anonymous Great achievers act with impact. They don’t talk about, think about it, stew about the obstacles, THEY JUST DO IT! Whether it was Michael Jordon taking a game into his own hands, Lance Armstrong making a comeback from cancer to win the Tour de France, or the people all around you who are living a life of success. They all have the IMPACT factor in common; they are people who take ACTION! Having good intentions or even great ideas just aren't enough. Even an average idea with less than modest intention, acted upon with intensity and focus is 100 percent more potent than a terrific idea that dies because it is not backed by strong, deliberate action. Jesus told a story about MAKING AN IMPACT in the parable of the talents. Matthew 25:14-30 (NIV) "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 "After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' 21 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' 22 "The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' 23 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' 24 "Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.' 26 "His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 "'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Notice the investment principles in that story:
When it comes down to it - there are two types of people in life: the successful - "act-ers" and the average - "passive-ers." The "act-er" is a doer, always finding a way to get things done by following through on ideas and plans. On the other hand, the "passive-er" is a "don't-er," always postponing, always finds an excuse, and is always just a little too late. Whatever God has placed within your heart to do, caused you to dream about, given you a desire to be - JUST DO IT! (There's more theology in Nike's advertising slogan than you first realize.) Cal Ripken said, "Talent helps, but true greatness has more in common with bold nerve than it ever will with ability." Nothing takes time: achievement takes ACTION. Make every action count. ACT WITH IMPACT! Godspeed! Have a great week! PowerBreak Message for April 3, 2000 "Where would you like to go?" Where would you go - if you could go anywhere in the world? What would you do - if you knew you couldn't fail? Interesting questions that start you dreaming. Have you ever noticed how little children dream and make believe then all of a sudden we get too old to dream, too old to ask the enticing questions to get our brains thinking of something other than "RIGHT NOW?" It doesn't have to be that way. The Bible says that those dreams could very well be God speaking to us, stirring our nest, and helping us see that He has something more for 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. Isn't that verse intriguing? God is not out to destroy or wreck our lives but to open up opportunities and direct us ways we haven't even begun to dream. 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, It's God who has more for us and sometimes He actually speaks to us as we allow our minds to be caught away in dreams. Not the kind of thing that happens when your mind is going crazy from the load of carbs you swallowed in the pizza you ate before you went to bed. No - the kind of thing that happens when you release your mind from focusing on the present, the problems, and the impossible situations and ask yourself the "WHAT IF…" questions and the "WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT IF… " questions. It is during this time that you are actually asking, seeking, and knocking - GOD'S way by releasing the tension of your thought pattern, allowing God to fill your mind with possibilities and things you never thought possible. Here's what Jesus said: Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV) "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. We've all experienced this phenomenon of God filling our mind as we have let go. Think of a time you were trying to find something, if you are a guy you probably lost your keys. Now think of how after you have given up and gone on to something else - BOOM - it comes to mind. The same thing happens as we go through the hum drum of everyday thinking. We begin to get bogged down and lose sight of God's plan and the expectation that goes with it. Asking the right questions can help to release your mind so God can place new thoughts and ideas within. Who knows what great things God has in store for you? Where would you like to go - if you could go anywhere? What would you like to do - if you knew you couldn't fail? Godspeed! Have a great week!
PowerBreak Message for March 27, 2000 ON A PERSONAL NOTE: Thank you for your prayers and words of condolence upon word of the death of my father, Harold Brubaker. He was a man who loved the Lord and loved his family. His memorial service, which was really a celebration service was held last Thursday. We are thankful for the years we had with him and thankful that his suffering is over for good. "LOYALTY" It was the last World Series before free agency took over major league baseball and Joe Garagiolla said that this would be the end of baseball as we would knew it. He went on to explain how free agency worked and how once it took hold on the game the loyalty between fans, players, and cities would never be the same. And he was right! Unfortunately, that "free-agency" attitude has gone beyond baseball and infiltrated everything from companies to churches to even families. We all want what is best for me and if it means bailing out on our commitments so be it. That may be the way of life in America today but it's not the pattern for true success according to the Bible. The Bible says to let your word stand. If you make a commitment - KEEP IT! James 5:12 (NIV) Above all, my brothers, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned. My family was blessed to hear a number of stories about my father and most of them centered around his loyalty and commitment. Pastors spoke of being able to count on my father. My brother and I talked about my father going into work at 3:00 a.m. in order to fulfill his commitment on his job and still make one of his son's sporting event or his daughter's musical event. My father was a loyal man. He did the unheard of thing of working at one job for 48 years, almost as long as he had been married to my mother for 54 years. What a legacy! Proverbs 18:24b (NIV… but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Wouldn't it be great to find a really loyal friend, someone you can count on to always be there for you? The Bible says that when you talk about loyalty and unconditional love, God will stick closer than even a brother. His love is eternal and unconditional. I am thankful to have the example of love and commitment in the life of my father but the Bible says there is something even better - GOD'S LOVE AND COMMITMENT TO US. As you begin this week, I challenge you to three things.
Commitment, loyalty, love, dependability - we all need people around us like that and the people around us need us to be like that too. Godspeed! Have a great week! Bob Brubaker, a.k.a. "SPAM MAN" PowerBreak Message for March 20, 2000 "The Growing Attitude" Ray Kroc once said, "As long as you’re green, you’re growing; as soon as you’re ripe, you start to rot." It's true that once we think we have arrived at anything we stop moving forward. When we stop advancing we actually begin a backward slide. In other words, we never are still, we are either going forward or backward in life. Think about it. It's true in every area of your life. Whenever you stop making forward progress, even for a moment, you find yourself behind. Thankfully, there is a cure. It's simple. Make growing, learning, and improving a continual goal in every area of your life. The growing attitude is quite biblical. Just notice what Paul writes: Philippians 3:8-15 (NIV) What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Here is a guy who did great things for God but still did not consider himself to have arrived. Paul could have gone on for days recounting all the great things he had done. Instead, notice his words. (Here's the great lesson.) ": Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me" It's only natural to take an assessment of where we are and how far we have come. Before we spend too long looking down the mountain at what is behind, in order to achieve the goal before us we must keep looking forward, focusing on the ultimate goal. This concept was driven home to me this past week by a friend's example. My friend has a very good marriage. It's obvious that he and his wife are best of friends and enjoy one another immensely. The two are a great example to others, including their grown children. But regardless of how great their marriage is now, my friend and his wife are constantly taking courses, going through workbooks, reading books, and always seem to be reaching out for anything to improve their already great relationship. That's the growing attitude. Never being content with the way things are. Always looking for a way to make an improvement. Never sitting down and feeling like you have arrived. Forgetting what is behind and reaching for the goal. That will keep you growing, moving, and give you a better week this week than you had last week. Godspeed! Have a great week!
PowerBreak Message for March 13, 2000 "The Failure Fuel" Can you imagine how it would feel to hold the world's swimming record in the 100 meter butterfly event, enter the 1984 Olympic games in your own backyard and come up short? Can you imagine how it felt four years later to again hold the world's record and miss out on making the Olympic team? Can you imagine how Pablo Morales felt at the age of 27 to return to competitive swimming in 1991 only to be written off as too far out of shape and too far removed from the sport with three years off? But can you imagine the drive that not only took him to the 1992 Olympic games but to a gold medal in the 100- meter butterfly event? Some call it failing forward, others call it using your failures as a fuel to spur you on, still others call it the stick of disappointment that moves you to the carrot of success. Whatever you call it - we all need it. Anytime we mess up, we have a choice to wallow in the mire and have a pity party or pick ourselves up and get back in the race. The Pablo Morales adventure is a good example of one who refused to stay down, who had every reason to go through life with the "shoulda, coulda, woulda" stories. Instead he used his failures as fuel, propelling him forward to his goal. David in the Bible is an example. He knew failure BIGTIME - military defeat, emotional breakdown, friends turning against him, even his own personal spiritual failure before God. The good part about viewing David as an example is you never see him sitting around having a pity party, in fact his darkest times seemed to be the beginning of his greatest victories. One of the greatest examples is when David and his men were fighting a battle and another enemy overtook their hometown, burned it to the ground and took their families away as captives. Upon learning this, David's men talked of stoning their leader. You might say David had a bad day and felt like a failure. Instead of pitching a fit, here's what he did: 1 Samuel 30:6 (NKJV) Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. David's defeat brought him strength because he went back to the source of strength and courage - GOD. Failing, missing the mark, losing the edge, or whatever you want to call the experience can be good for us if we can learn from the situation, assess the damage, pick up the pieces and get back into the race. The Bible gives us many examples but look at what a guy named Paul writes: 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 (NIV) But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. You may look at the week that is past and see some times that you missed the mark. Thank God you have a chance this week to pick up the pieces and make something happen. You don't have to live in the past. You can feel the pain but refocus on the place you want to be and the action you want to take. Allow the failure to drive you as did Pablo Morales and David and Paul in the Bible. The choice is yours! Who knows where that failure from the past may drive you down the road - if you let it. Godspeed! Have a great week!
PowerBreak Message for March 6, 2000 "WHERE'S YOUR PASSION?" Imagine waking up on Monday morning and feeling like you can't wait to get to work. Imagine doing something you really love and getting paid for it. That's called passion. If you were filling out a survey how would you answer the following questions?
Unfortunately, most people you meet in life are passionate about very little. They are in a survival mode and feel they can't get out or refuse to stretch into the unknown to do something they really love and about which they are a passionate. How about you? Every job and everything we do in life has its ups and downs so I'm not talking about living on a high but experiencing the drive, the inner motivation, the love of life feeling that says, "I'm living out a dream." Notice the people around you today and see if you can pick out a person who really lives with passion. See what makes that person tick, and see if you can model some of that in your life. Of course, the Bible is full of living examples of people with passion who are great examples for us. The little man who refused to give up in the New Testament was named Paul. Listen to his words and see if you can pick up how passionate he is about what he is doing: 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 (NIV) Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. In the Old Testament, one of my favorite guys is the prophet Habakkuk: Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NIV) Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. 19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments. You'll notice that neither Paul's nor Habakkuk's passion kept them from trouble, but the passion they had for serving God caused them to look beyond the trouble to see the good that God was doing in them and through them. "They were living out a dream." Where are you? Too many times you meet people who get stuck in the 9-5 rut and all they can see is the clock and the time spent at the job as they look forward to retirement. Isn't it about time to begin living TODAY? If you aren't doing something you really are passionate about, maybe it's time to take an assessment of what you are or could be passionate about and find a way to just do it. Perhaps it's cleaning house in your own mind and attitudes to get back to the passion you once had for what you are doing now. Regardless, you'll enjoy life a bunch more, be more productive, and help others if you can learn to live with passion. Godspeed! Have a great week!
PowerBreak Message for February 28, 2000 "JUMP IN WITH BOTH FEET" "If you are going to do something, give it your all, otherwise do yourself and those you're working for a favor and quit." - Mama Ziglar I was sitting in the audience in Jackson, Mississippi spellbound like the other 25,000 people in the room who paid top dollar to hear the famed motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar when he began sharing an experience of working at a job half heartily. When he recalled what his mama always told him, as he spoke in that distinct Mississippi accent, he made a choice to change his attitude by changing his commitment and once he did that - everything began to change. "Wow! That makes sense," I thought, along with the other people who roared in applause for the always smiling and super successful native of Yazoo, Mississippi. "If you're not going to give it your all - why bother. You only make yourself and those around you, miserable" said Zig. How about looking at yourself and doing some assessment as you begin this week? Is what you are doing worth your commitment? If it is - THEN JUMP IN WITH BOTH FEET and quit testing the water with a little dab here and there. If it's not worth your commitment - QUIT and do something else. Don't just take it from Zig or me. Listen to what Jesus Christ had to say on the subject: Luke 9:62 (NIV) Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." Luke 14:33 (NIV) In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 18:28-30 (NIV) Peter said to him, "We have left all we had to follow you!" 29 "I tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life." What does it cost to be a true follower of Jesus Christ? Everything! What are the benefits? Out of this world - BEYOND WHAT WE CAN THINK OR IMAGINE. (See below.) Ephesians 3:20-21 (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, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Why don't most people enjoy this kind of confidence and faith? Commitment - or lack thereof. We never get the full benefits of anything we do, unless we are ready to jump in with both feet. OK, it's a swimming expression and it simply means you cannot learn to swim until you are willing to get into the water and launch out from the wall. Likewise, no matter what you are doing in your job, your marriage or any other relationship, your fitness, or your finances - until you are ready to let go and jump in - giving it your all, you'll never know the benefits. Quit playing games with yourself and missing out on life! There's a guy in the Bible I'd like to meet. His name is Caleb. He is one of the tough guys who just believed God would do everything he promised so he jumped in with both feet when it came to his faith. No playing games, no testing the waters, no wamsy-pamsy commitment - IT'S ALL THE WAY OR NO WAY for Caleb. When he's 85 years of age, he is recounting his life and journey with his friend Joshua, who happens to be the leader of God's people. Caleb requests permission to take a mountain to claim as his possession. It happens to be the same mountain area where Caleb, Joshua and the other spies saw giants, which caused those other than Joshua and Caleb to turn the hearts of God's people against the idea of going into the promised land, which upset God, which led to an entire generation, other than Joshua and Caleb missing out on God's promised blessing. Now, Caleb wants to take the land of the giants. He is granted the request but you have to get God's reason. Joshua 14:13-14 (NIV) Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. 14 So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly. Did you catch that? WHOLEHEARTEDLY! God blessed a guy named Solomon with more wisdom than any other man and here's what he had to say: Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV) Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. Quit playing games. If you are going to do something - JUST DO IT! Give it your all - or miss out. It's an important lesson because we have a tendency not to want to make a full blown commitment to anything, fearing what we might lose if we do. In playing out that fear, we lose big time - every time. Godspeed! Have a great week!
PowerBreak Message for February 21, 2000 "What REALLY Happened?" It's fourth and long. The quarterback drops back and lets it go. The pass is long enough if the wide receiver will just make the little extra effort he'll catch the ball and be in the end zone to win the game. Wait a minute. The wide receiver has come up limping. The ball is long and everyone is disappointed. Not as disappointed as the wide receiver because he knew his limp, although not totally a fake was really an excuse for not putting forth the extra effort he and his teammates said they were willing to make to win the game. His condition is known as a Loser's Limp. Ever experience it? If we are honest we all have come up short and if we are honest about what really happened we'll have to admit we just didn't put forth the effort that was required to make the goal. The Bible is full of stories of people who suffered from Loser's Limp, who missed out on God's best but the Bible is also full of hope for those who are honest enough to admit what really happened, get back in the race, and go for the prize. If we'll go back to Jacob in the Bible we'll find Jacob's name means "deceiver" and he was. Jacob's Loser's Limp came from always trying to work things out by deception and trickery. He was never willing to admit coming up short but God gave him a second chance in life, when in a wrestling match with God he held on for the prize. As a result of blessing Jacob, God also changed his name to Israel which means prince with God. What a prize! Where he had tried to finagle his way in life he now found it was favor with God that made the difference. Interesting, God also touched his hip so he struggled with a limp for the rest of his life. From a losers limp to a winners limp, you might say, for the blessing he received from God followed him to the end. There was a man name Gideon in the Bible who suffered from a Loser's Limp and God had to show him how to win. Gideon's loser's limp came from looking at himself and comparing himself to others and his circumstance. We can all identify with Gideon. When God called him, he had one excuse after another why he couldn't do the job. (What are your excuses?) God simply reminded Gideon that he was to look to God, not Gideon and quit making excuses but God took it another step just to show Gideon a thing or two. When Gideon agreed to lead the charge against the enemy, God showed Gideon that he had too many men. Too many? God wanted to show Gideon just how much he could rely upon God. So Gideon went to battle with just 300 men and saw how God could be trusted. Gideon's second chance reminds us that when we suffer from the Loser's Limp of self doubt we need to take our eyes off ourselves and look at God's strength. Philippians 4:13 (NIV) I can do everything through him who gives me strength. The above statement was written by a guy named Paul. He was greatly used by God but could have suffered from the Loser's Limp of living in the past. Paul was the enemy before God stopped him and turned him around. From time to time you find Paul recounting his past with regret. Instead of dwelling in the past however, Paul quickly turns the past into the present, reminding himself of the difference God has made in his life. Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV) Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Therein lies the key to overcoming the Loser's Limp called "living in the past." Forget that and look ahead. Get your eyes off yourself and look to the goal and rely upon God's strength instead of your own. Quit trying to work things out by yourself, grab hold of God's blessing and watch Him work through you. We have all come up short. We have all suffered from a Loser's Limp of some sort but the Bible is very clear about a second chance when we come up short and have blown it. The first step toward that second chance is admitting the real reason behind the limp. So what is the real reason for the Loser's Limp? Admit it, be honest with God, and get back in the game. Godspeed!
PowerBreak Message for February 14, 2000 "It's About Time" I was taking a personal assessment of my life recently which helped me gain a perspective on where my time was going or not going as the case may be. It's interesting how time seems to get away from us. We spend time on trying to get computer programs to cooperate, needless conversations, television programs, and the like then we wonder why we feel so rotten, having neglected the things we count important. So where has the time gone? The Bible teaches us that the clock continues to tick for all of us and we'd be wise if we'd pay attention to it, be motivated by it, and make the most of the time we have. Psalms 90:10-12 (NKJV) The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 11 Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. 12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. Imagine a calendar with tear away pages and it's stacked to 29,200 pages for eighty years, one for each day. By the time you are five there are only 27,375 days left. When you reach twenty, you have just 21,900 days remaining. If you reach forty, it's just 14,600 days left on the calendar. By the time you are fifty, the pages are getting fewer, only 10,950 left. Whoa! OK - I think we get the point. But remember, there is no guarantee of tomorrow and that is why God says in Psalm 90 that we should use the ticking of the clock and the brevity of life to make sure we apply our hearts to wisdom. If you knew your days were few, what would you change? Would it be worth getting as upset as we do at things we cannot change? Wouldn't it be worth enjoying the moment more and spending time with those we love? God says, if we are wise, we'll not wait for the doctor to diagnose us with an incurable disease before we get smart, we'll do that right now. Quit making excuses and putting off until tomorrow those little things you'd do if you knew your days were few. Do it now! Seize the moment! Allow yourself to enjoy your life now. I heard Tony Robbins on television with Larry King Saturday night and he said he met an incredible women at a spa one time who seemed to be the only person who was enjoying life. When asked what lit her fire she said that she had a brain tumor and was given only a few weeks to live by the doctors so she wanted to enjoy them to the max by helping to make it enjoyable for everyone else. Who knows she said, "I may be cured of this so why not enjoy all my remaining days." Incredible story but no more incredible than yours. She saw the brevity of life and it moved her. How about you? You may not have been given alarming news by your doctor, or maybe you have, but you have received a due warning from God that life is short so if you are going to make something of it - quit putting off living and get a life. That life is found by applying yourself to God's wisdom. Just don't put it off. Godspeed!
PowerBreak Message for February 7, 2000 "Watch Out For Dead Rattlesnakes" I received a "total wellness" magazine this week and on the back was the headline, "WATCH OUT FOR DEAD SNAKE BITES." The article pointed out that even a dead rattlesnake can still bite. In fact, according to The New England Journal Of Medicine, 15 percent of people treated for rattlesnake bites were bitten by a "dead" snake. The article went on to point out that rattlesnake heads are dangerous for up to an hour after decapitation or death. A strong muscular reflex action triggered by sensors in the snake's head remain active, even after death. So don't mess with a dead rattlesnake! What's the connection with dead rattlesnakes and how to have a great week? Everyone of us had the experience of something from the past or some bad habit we thought was dead and gone raising up to haunt us and ruin our day. No wonder Paul writes about being crucified with Christ but finding life. Galatians 2:20 (NIV) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. The Bible teaches us that God is in the process of changing all of us but while we enjoy the changes, sometimes the things we think are gone forever come back to haunt us, like the bite of a dead rattlesnake. For instance, take the bitter feelings we have toward an experience, a person, or even towards God. Just when we think we are over the bitter feelings, like it's been put to death. BAM! Something reminds us of the pain and the poison of bitterness injects us spreading venom from head to toe. No wonder the Bible compares bitterness to a root that, even when it's chopped to the ground seems to await an opportunity to sprout and grow again. Hebrews 12:15 (NIV) See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Guilt is another venomous creature that raises it's head to bite us from time to time. The Bible teaches us that God forgives and forgets. In fact, when we have placed our lives in Jesus Christ, God says there is no condemnation. Whenever we mess up, God says we are to confess it to Him, agreeing with Him that what we have done is wrong and He has promised to forgive us and cleanse the slate clean. 1 John 1:9 (NIV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Romans 8:1 (NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, Hebrews 8:12 (NIV) For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." That's great news but the reality is this: we have trouble accepting that forgiveness and if we aren't careful we will allow the past to spring up and bite us, filling us with guilt and rather than dealing with the matter according to God's prescription in the Bible of confessing it to Him and allowing Him to give us a clear conscience the poison of the past can cause us to rehearse the hurt and ruin or week. Solution: DON'T GO THERE! If you don't want to be bitten by a dead rattlesnake get back on the known path and press forward. When we venture away from our goal and take our eyes off the target we head into the rough and the next thing you know - BAM! - Bitten by discouragement, bitterness, guilt, or some other beast you thought was out of your life. If you don't want to be bitten - stay away! If you want to have a good week - keep your mind's eye on the goal, stay away from the places, the thoughts, the negative inputs, or the people that can bring you down or get you off track. Godspeed!
|
|
PowerBreak - January 31st "THE VALUE OF FRIENDS" People in business today speak of the importance of networking. Making contacts is a way to find others who share your passion and can become allies in your quest for whatever you are setting your sights on. Networking can imply a one-way relationship, find someone who can "help me get what I want" and if that is all you see in networking, you are missing the mark. True networking is about building relationships. Healthy relationships are two-way interactions that benefit both parties, viz. "FRIENDSHIP" There's much to be gained from a friend who shares your vision, dream, or passion. There's counsel, and accountability, that little extra nudge to keep you on track. Proverbs 27:6 (NIV) Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. Proverbs 27:9 (NIV) Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel. Here are some tips on NETWORKING.
Proverbs 18:24a (NKJV) A man who has friends must himself be friendly, Tips for building new relationships:
Point: If you want to have a great week - reach out and be a friend. If you want to go farther, do more, and be better, associate with people who share the passion. You'll be surprised at how correct the Bible is in the statement: TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV) Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Godspeed!
------------------------------------------------ PowerBreak - January 24th "GUIDANCE FROM A TAPEWORM" When I think of a tapeworm I think of a scene from the Three Stooges in which Larry, Curley, and Moe were in a restaurant and the waiter asked Curley what he wanted for breakfast. His reply: "I'll have burnt toast and a rotten egg. I have a tapeworm and that's good enough for him." OK! I guess you'd have to have seen it and have a "Three Stooges" sense of humor, but it always gets a laugh out of me. On to tapeworms! Did you know that the head of a tapeworm is covered with hooks and suckers that allow it to attach securely to its host and not be swept away? This may not be the most pleasant thing to think about on a Monday morning but stick with me on this. (I couldn't resist!) The tapeworm plants itself on something and digs in. He doesn't just wish it to be - he goes after a host with everything he has. Wouldn't it be great to have the same stick-to-it-ness to our goals and dreams? It can happen! Philippians 3:12 (NIV) Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. The guy who wrote that, Paul, was a real tapeworm. God got into him, planted an idea, and Paul took hold of it like a tapeworm does it's host so that in spite of plenty of discouragement, he would never let go. Look at this: 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 (NIV) Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. A tapeworm's life is not easy but when you know what is important enough to latch onto, then come what may you can stick it out and press on. Paul suffered a great deal but each time he suffered for the cause for which he was called, it made his "stick-to-it-ness" stronger and stronger. How are you sticking to your goals and dreams and ideas? Many people made some promises, resolutions, or expressed wishes for the coming year. Maybe you began a new journey of reading the Bible, losing weight, or a whatever and now after three weeks into the new millennium you are beginning to lose the grip. WHOA! Remember the tapeworm. It holds on like his life depends on it - AND IT DOES! So does yours - if you really felt inspired to follow the call of God to make needed changes in your life. DON'T STOP NOW! Hold on, press on, keep going! Every time we give up on a dream or goal or resolution that we felt strongly about, we begin to die a little. My high school wrestling coach warned his team about giving up. He said that it's hard to give up the first time but after you open the door, you'll find yourself giving up easier each time. Isn't that the truth! So what have you begun in this new year that you have been tempted to give up? Picture yourself as a tapeworm grabbing hold of that goal and sucking life out of it as never before. OK! My choice of word pictures may not be the best pick but I hope you see the lesson and I hope you have been given some encouragement to do whatever you need to do not quit. HANG ON! Godspeed!
PowerBeak - January 17th "Lukewarm Gets Nowhere" Ever see a team who tries not to lose? Or "That's good enough!" expression? Ever fall into the trap of just getting by without giving it your all in something? Oh, we all have been there and done that but that doesn't make it right. The Bible is full of admonitions to do whatever we do with our whole heart and not be wishy-washy. Let's begin with a relationship with God. We are told to love God, trust God, and serve God with all of our heart. No holding back or we miss out. Matthew 22:37 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' Proverbs 3:5 (NKJV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; Luke 9:62 (NIV) Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." There's an account in the book of Joshua of Caleb being blessed by God for his whole hearted attitude. There was nothing lukewarm about Caleb. Check this out! Joshua 14:6-14 (NIV) Now the men of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, "You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. 7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, 8 but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. 9 So on that day Moses swore to me, 'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.' 10 "Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! 11 I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. 12 Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said." 13 Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. 14 So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly. Please notice Caleb's secret to the fountain of youth - he's eighty-five years of age and is as vigorous as he was forty-five years earlier. His secret: whole-hearted service to God. It's well known that people who are focused and devoted get more out of life, they enjoy life, and they are happier people. It's amazing how so many people have a goal of doing nothing and when they retire or achieve the level that allows them to do nothing, they fall apart. Here's what the man blessed by God with an abundance of wisdom had to say: Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV) Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. As you look at the week and think about your life, think about getting more out of life than just surviving. Jump in with your whole heart. Get out of the "that's good enough" mode and onto the "give it your best shot" attitude. It'll pay off great dividends this week and days to come. Godspeed!
PowerBreak - January 10th "DIGGING IN OR GETTING OUT" Ever find yourself in a rut? Whew! I am sure there's at least one rut you got yourself into that has carried over to the new millennium. It's happened to all of us. We fall into ruts in the way we do business, the way we keep ourselves fit: you name it - we all have a tendency to get into a rut and we'll never make any progress until we get out. We fall into those ruts when we take the easy way out; or so we think, and all we do is make the ditch a little longer. Or, we know what to do but instead of changing and doing it, we dig in, only to find ourselves in a never ending ditch. OK, we've all been there done that! What can we do? We have a choice to hear instruction or listen and follow instructions on how to get out of the ditch in which we find ourselves. Proverbs 8:34-35 (NIV) Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. 35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD. There is a great deal of benefit and favor gained by listening and not just hearing. When we are in a rut we hear people give us advice, some good and some bad but we tend to just tune it out. Sometimes, we get a jolt that should move us but we dig in rather than use the lift to get us out. The Bible calls this "hardening your heart" which means we tend to resist, resent, or just not pay attention to the clear instruction God is giving to us. Proverbs 15:31 (NIV) He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. If we want to get out of the rut, we have to stop resisting, begin to listen, and take heed to what we hear. For the past couple of years I've been in a rut with my training. I'd hear some principles that seemed good and I'd try them and I'd see progress for a while but I'd slip back into my old familiar habits. Lately, I've placed myself under the accountability of a trainer, John Roseman who writes my workouts and to whom I must give account of my activities, whether I have done what he has prescribed or not. It has been a real change for me but I have been seeing some great results as I have been climbing out of the rut so I am excited about what this year will bring in this area of my life. Before I received the benefits of John's advice, I had to listen, not just hear what he said, then I had to apply what he said, not just agree with it. They say that people will go to seminars, listen to tapes, and even read books - hearing some great ideas but very few change. Very few are willing to apply what they have found and get out of the rut. Maybe that is where you are in your business, your fitness, or your spiritual life. The Bible describes this kind of activity as looking into the mirror, seeing the need for change, and going happily on our way as if the look made the difference. WRONG! The Bible says in order to get the benefit and get out of the rut we are in, we need to listen and put into action the things we have learned. James 1:22-25 (NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does. If you want to get out of the rut - quit resisting, listen, take heed to what you hear, and apply it. Instead of digging in, you'll be getting out of the never - ending grave Godspeed! - Bob Brubaker, a.k.a. "SPAM MAN" PowerBreak from the previous weeks "FROM GOALS TO REALITY" How many of your goals for 1999 were reached? If you are like most people, goals were not even written down. They may have been expressed but never taken any further. If you did write down some goals you are a step higher than the majority. If you actually reviewed your goals throughout the year, you go up another notch. If you took your goal and developed a plan of action you probably can look back at the year past and see achievement, at least progress. Let's face it, it's easy for us to allow goals to be merely a cloud that we see appear and disappear ever so quickly as we try to grab hold of what it is we really want to achieve, be, or obtain. Let's remember it is really futile to think of any goals without consulting God. Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Determining a goal is really like a surfer catching a wave. A surfer paddles on his board out into the ocean and awaits the big one. Once he sees the wave coming, he prepares himself to mount the board and ride the wave. Likewise, God has a wave for us to ride and once we can determine what God has for us, we simply set ourselves to "ride the wave" rather than fight the current. If your 1999 was more fighting the current than riding the wave, then consider following this as you plan your goals for 2000: Proverbs 3:5-10 (NIV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. 9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. 1) Catch the wave. Instead of always asking God to bless what you set out to do, ask Him to help you do what He is blessing. 2) Once you begin to get a handle on what God is saying to you as you tune into Him. Consider the following questions to qualify this as a goal or merely a "vapor wish." A) Why do I want this? (What are the benefits to me, my family, and others? - the more you can say the better.) B) How will I feel if I do not make the goal? C) What do I need to change in my life, attitude, habits, etc. to make it? D) How passionate am I in making this goal? (Scale of 1-10) E) What could be done to feed the passion? F) Who can help me achieve this goal through advice or coaching? (Find them and incorporate them on your team.) 3) Develop a plan of action or the goal remains a "vapor wish." Take the goal and break it down into chunks, take the chunks and break them down into bite size pieces. 4) Take the first step on the action plan, the first bite if you please. 5) Commit your way to God and ask Him for help in developing the daily discipline to make it happen. Psalms 37:3-6 (NIV) Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Catch the wave and it will be a great year. Don't just sit there. Ask God to help you develop some goals, to see what He has for you, then get busy and take the steps necessary to make the goals a reality. Imagine yourself on that surf board finding 2000 the best year ever. It can happen! I hope it does for you. - Bob Brubaker, a.k.a. "SPAM MAN" |
||