Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The Immovable Truth

I recently watched an old black-and-white film based on the WW2 war criminal trials in Germany. Apart from the superb acting of legends like Spencer Tracey and Burt Lancaster, the thing that struck me the most was the presentation of the ever-relevant struggle between what is legal and acceptable, and what is right and moral.
While I hope our planet never has to face another world war, I believe it is a subject that all people have to face within themselves at one stage or another: To act in accordance with what society (or the pressures of that society) says, or to act in accordance with what their conscience says.

As Christians, we have an added obligation to align our conscience with the truth of the Word of God, and stand in absolute conviction on that immovable standard. I know it isn't always easy to separate truth from personal belief, especially when personal beliefs are often motivated by heart issues; but God's laws stand alone in morality as they are based not on human understanding, logic or ethics, but on His very nature which is as unchangeable and immovable as the Creator Himself.
I am so thankful everytime I read  in the Word of His steadfast ways and holy justice, because I know that means that not only am I freed from having to defend myself, but that I am also freed from having to decide on the guilt of others.
There is great comfort to be had in the thought of being a tiny speck in the hand of a good and just God, especially when I come to understand that He is a God who always desires the best for me - that tiny little speck!

We are not alone in our battles, or even responsible for the outcomes. The Lord will always bring about His will in a situation, in His own time & way, regardless of social pressures, laws of the land and human understand. So when God says that He causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him (Rom. 8:28), have confidence that its the Truth.

Love Brooke

Saturday, February 11, 2012

In Love

February… the month of love!
The month that Hallmark makes it’s entire profit for the year in 2 weeks, the month that teddy bears & flashing novelty items become more than stocking-stuffers for kids, and the month that chocolate appears everywhere in heart-shaped boxes (not that we’re complaining about that last symptom!). Every year at this time, there are movies coming out that try to create a picture of what love looks like. According to the media, love means staying together only as long as you are ‘in love’, it means leaving your boyfriend for a handsome stranger, or sometimes it can even mean becoming a vampire to be together(!).

Let’s have a look at a different picture of love:
God Himself, in human form, sitting in a garden late at night, crying tears of blood in despair because of what He knew was to come, and yet willing to go through with torture, ridicule, betrayal, separation & death itself to be able to once again be with the one He loves—you. The Creator of the heavens and the earth sending the Ultimate Valentine, His only son, so as to be reconciled with his lost children—us.

Let’s spend some “date time” this month rereading His love letter to us: the Gospel, and delight in the love of our Lord, whose love knows no conditions, it simply is, regardless of our mistakes and sinfulness.
Lovers of our legs, smile, personality and talent last but a moment, but the Lover of our soul will continue to desire us long after the focus of the world turns away from Valentines Day. Which is better than a Hollywood storyline any day!

Love Brooke

Friday, February 3, 2012

Giggles

What makes you laugh?
When there seems to be no other way to get out of a slump, brighten a dull day or shake out of lethargy, a good laugh is a great response to an otherwise negative outlook.

Some things that I love to laugh at are:
Bill Bailey comedy
My brother's wisecracks
Bill Cosby recordings
Silly photos of my nieces and nephew
Playing the Paper Game

So, if you haven't had a good laugh in a while, or just haven't felt like smiling today, here's a little fun to brighten your day:





:) Love Brooke