Articles by Rick Brown at Heartlight

What You Need to Move Ahead

rabrown0@gmail.com (Rick Brown) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

You try to leave them behind on December 31 so you don't have to carry them with you into January 1. But for many of us, after waking up for several weeks into the New Year, we find ourselves surrounded by the same old noise.

For many, the noise comes in the form of tapes played out in the surround sound of the mind. A pre-set, automatic, "play" button is pressed and we hear that same old noise again. One noise reminds you of past mistakes. Another noise replays a recent failure. At times, it seems, we have a never-ending playlist of uninvited noise.

And when we think we are finally silencing the recorded noise, noise comes at us live. A friend or a boss or a family member believes it is his or her duty to remind us of our failings and frailty. As a result, we feel incompetent or inferior or incapable -- or maybe all three. We feel condemned.

I'd like to point out that "condemned" is exactly where the Enemy would like us to be. He wants us to hear those voices. He wants to fill us with enough noise that we begin to believe what we are hearing and render our lives ineffective. This Enemy has a clear job description: "accuse" and "deceive." He does his job very well.

We've heard the noise in our head and we've heard the noise from others. But, do you think we might find enough quiet space to hear from Him -- Father of Jesus instead of the Father of lies? Through the Apostle Paul, Jesus sent some words our way that we need to hear ... a recording that needs to become the dominant song on our playlist.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

Notice, the apostle doesn't say there is "some" condemnation or just a "little" condemnation. He says there is "no" condemnation.

How can that be?

Don't miss that Paul says this is a reality for those who are "in" Christ Jesus. That small preposition is powerful. You see, when one is "in" Christ, then God sees Christ when he looks at that person. Does he condemn Christ? Then neither does he condemn you.

That's his invitation to you this New Year, too. Yes, I know New Year's Day is over and most of us have already blown a resolution or two ... maybe even given up on them altogether. So now, right this minute, on this day, when old habits, patterns, and noises crowd in on us, we need to hear the Father's message, and not the Enemy's lies.

Christ wants to free us from the constant accusations from the Enemy, whether he uses the voices from the past or the voices from the present. He wants us to realize that we are in Christ and that Christ is in us. He wants us to play the song of freedom in our minds so we can live a life of freedom for Him in our world.

So read them again.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Mark them.

Memorize them.

Drown out the noise with the Father's truth!

Then, move ahead with them in this New Year ... even though the "new" may already have already begun to feel like something old ... because you know God's always new truth:

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Rick Brown is the preaching minister for ChristBridge Fellowship in Tomball, Texas. He loves his wife Karen and two sons Kris and Taylor, but most of all he loves God. ChristBridge Fellowship in Tomball and is the author of the forthcoming book The ME Addiction. Read more at onelife2love.wordpress.com

Website: One Life to Love

You Don't Have to Do a House Cleaning for this Christmas Guest

rabrown0@gmail.com (Rick Brown) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

One Christmas when we lived in Denver, we packed up our infant boys in the minivan after Sunday morning church and headed east on Interstate 70 to Arkansas via Kansas. About two hours into the trip, we hit a white out. In a few moments, we went from a clear road to white everywhere -- what a mess. It was hard to see the outline of the road. A few cars were stranded on the side. But we kept moving ... slowly.

We crawled into Burlington to stop and eat. We hoped things would clear up. When we got back in the car we slowly resumed our trek; but the further we went, the worse it got. We made it another thirty miles to Goodland, Kansas, and decided not to press our luck. Three hours of a twenty hour trip had taken us seven -- what a mess. But we were safe.

The first motel I pulled into was already booked. So was the next one. I felt a bit of a panic setting in. Then I remembered a story and shared a bit of insight: "Worst case scenario -- if there's no room in a motel -- we'll look for a barn with some hay." Karen shared a thought that is best not to repeat.

Sound familiar? You've heard the first century version. Joseph and Mary find their way into Bethlehem. Joseph goes from one inn to the next, knocking on the doors only to be turned away because there is no room.

Some embellish the story with snow fall and cold wind, even though Bethlehem is on the same parallel as Georgia and Arizona. Then the preacher tells you that the world did not receive Christ. It gave him a cold shoulder. It all sounds good until you really hear what Luke is telling us. He says:

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them (Luke 1:6-7 NIV).

Sounds a little different, doesn't it? Bethlehem was a small, one stoplight town and there is no evidence that there was ever any kind of traveler's inn there. Luke has a word for "inn" he could have used, but here he uses one that means "guest room."

Archaeological evidence tells us that homes in and around Bethlehem had caves at the back of their houses where they would keep their prized ox or beast of burden so that they would not get stolen. The guest room was at the front of the house and the animal shelter was at the back. Joseph and Mary apparently arrived too late to get the guest room. Animals are moved out, the blow-up mattress (or the first century equivalent) is moved in, and Jesus gets a manger as his first bed.

The birthing process was messy. Caves that housed animals were pretty messy, too. Kind of like our lives. And maybe that's the point Luke wanted to make all along. That Jesus is perfectly at home in our messy lives. We don't have to get everything cleaned up just right before he will come to us.

He did not come for the righteous, those who create an outward appearance that everything is put together just right. He came for the sinner, the messy, and the ragamuffins. Our rough edges do not bother Jesus. They bother us. We give up on ourselves and each other when God does not. Jesus traveled a large distance to be with you. Won't you find room for him in your life?

We finally found a place to stay at our third stop in Goodland. We nestled in, thankful for a simple bed and warm covers. And we awoke the next day to a bright sun and dry roads.

Ask Jesus to be born in your messy world. You'll wake up to Son-filled days, too.

Rick's new book, "ME Addiction: having it my way isn't so great after all," can be found at http://www.westbowpress.com or http://www.meaddictionstore.com

Website: One Life to Love

The One Born in Bethlehem Can be Born in You

rabrown0@gmail.com (Rick Brown) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them (Luke 2:1-7 NIV).

It started even earlier this year. It was bad enough that millions of people began storming the Bastille's of Best Buy, Banana Republic, Target and Toys R Us in the predawn hours of the Friday after Thanksgiving. Now you can clean out your favorite store right after you've cleaned your Thanksgiving plate.

Black Thursday is the new Black Friday. Last year 81 million people shopped on Black Friday. But the number of Black Thursday shoppers is rising. 22 million shopped on Turkey day in 2010, up from 18 million in 2009.

They weren't shopping, but Joseph and Mary understood the craziness. Augustus had declared a census so that he could tax the people. Historians tell us that during his reign, Roman men and women did not want to get married so they got promiscuous. Marital rates went down and so did birth rates. So Augustus legislated a turnaround. He made promiscuity a crime. He gave advantages to fathers of three children. And bachelors would no longer have the right to inherit nor could they secure good seats at the games.

Maybe he wanted to gauge his success, but for whatever reason, he ordered several censuses during his reign. These were the basis for taxation. And it was because of his decision, some fifteen hundred miles away, that Joseph and Mary started their trek to Bethlehem.

Eighty miles on the back of a lumbering donkey and Joseph and Mary arrived in his ancestral town. Others would have arrived, too. Bethlehem was busy! The Christmas season had begun and they did not even know it.

And, just like last minute shoppers, Joseph apparently showed up at the last minute. Maybe he had work to do in Nazareth and had to build another table set before he could leave. And maybe this census came at a really bad time for him. Too much going on and too many rumors had already been circulating about who the father of Mary's child was.

Work and stress and finding extra money for taxes for the Romans may have made him put off getting to Bethlehem until he finally rolls in with his betrothed on their "used but paid for donkey" and she has to have the baby in a manger because there is no room for them in the inn.

Bethlehem is buzzing with business, populated with extra people, and Joseph and Mary are wondering what they are going to do. They are tired and stressed and need a break and the only one they get is when her water does and the baby begins his arrival. Life is busy.

Kind of like you might be feeling today. You've got appointments to meet and bills to pay and even your day off wasn't because of all the things you had to do. May I offer you a suggestion? Follow Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem.

You see, they were ready for the arrival of Jesus in their busy lives because they had taken time to hear God. Sure, the angel spoke to each of them. But as Jewish people, they had practiced pausing in the morning, at midday, and in the evening to offer prayers to God. Then they would stop one day a week. No work. No busyness. Just rest, relaxation and renewal. Because they did, Jesus came to their lives.

And when you do the same, the One that was born in Bethlehem will be born in you.

Rick's new book, "ME Addiction: having it my way isn't so great after all," can be found at http://www.westbowpress.com or http://www.meaddictionstore.com

Website: One Life to Love

Thankful for the Mercies

rabrown0@gmail.com (Rick Brown) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0600

My wife's Thanksgiving preparations are complete:

"Green beans. Check."

"Sweet potatoes. Check."

"Pumpkin pie. Check."

"Turkey. Rick's here, check."

You've probably made your list, cooked your meal, and are preparing for some time off, sitting at the table with friends and family, and getting ready to give thanks for your many blessings. Can I suggest one thing to put on your Thanksgiving list? Mercies!

Actually, the Apostle Paul makes that suggestion (Romans 12:1), but I wanted to make sure you didn't miss it in the midst of the table-setting and food-eating and family and football. Make sure you include a serving of mercies.

Specifically, the "mercy of God." Paul tells us to live our lives "in view of" the mercies God has given us. In case your schedule's been hectic, I've prepared a list for you and will serve it up now:

While we were still sinners Christ died for us.

God loved us even though we could not keep his law.

God's grace is a free gift.

There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.

Nothing can separate us from God's love. Nothing.

The list could go on. But these are just a few morsels of what Paul cooks up in his letter to the Roman church. He wants us to remember these in thankfulness. He wants us to feast on the goodness of God so that we are nourished in a way that transforms us.

And speaking of feasts we can learn a lesson from the turkey. The intent of us living in view of God's mercies is that we offer ourselves as living sacrifices. A number of turkeys can soon testify to sacrificing themselves for our holiday. But that is a one-time sacrifice. True thankfulness turns us into living sacrifices -- people who, because they have been greatly loved by God, in turn live lives of love and service for him.

In other words we live a transformed, Christ-like life.

I transformed some chicken once. We were having a group over and I wanted to use our new outdoor grill. Some friends had shown me how to marinate the chicken overnight in teriyaki sauce, bake it in the oven till almost done, and then put it on the grill for a few minutes to give it the grill taste.

So I marinated the chicken overnight in Soy Sauce, cooked it in the oven, and put it on the grill for a few minutes. I took the first bite to test it and it was so salty I almost spit it out. As soon as I said, "I don't know what happened, I marinated it in Soy Sauce just like they said!" it dawned on me. They said "Teriyaki sauce."

You get two lessons from this: first, don't marinate chicken in Soy Sauce. Second, the idea of saturating your chicken or steak or whatever you are marinating is what Paul is saying here to do to be transformed: saturate your mind in the things of God until it is renewed.

We remember the life he lived. We remember the love he has shown to us. We baste our thoughts in his good news until our minds have marinated into something new. That "something new" leads to a new life and a new purpose.

Take some time to be thankful this week. Remember God's mercies on your life. And live in view of that.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is true worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2 TNIV).

Website: One Life to Love

Leaving the Classroom and Living the Life

rabrown0@gmail.com (Rick Brown) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

[Jesus said,] "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them" (John 13:17 NIV).

The professional student. I remember seeing him around campus in college. I'll call him James. James was an old guy. Probably around thirty-two at the time. At first I thought he must be a little slow in his learning process.

But then I discovered he already had a degree. Actually, he had several. And he was working on another one when I showed up to campus. You'd see him walking slowly along with his backpack full of books. I'm not sure he had any friends. There weren't too many old guys like him on campus. So he pretty much hung to himself, went to class, and then went home.

Now, the point of this story is not that we should have befriended him. Maybe we should have. But the point is we thought it was very curious that James would keep going to school. We liked school, but the goal of the university for the ones I hung out with was to find someone to marry ... I mean ... get a degree and then get a job and get to work.

You see, we think someone who gets an education but does not apply it to some constructive work is unusual. But every week churches fill up with professional students. Students of Jesus who study his words and even memorize episodes of his life but walk out and never put into practice what they have been "learning."

The big "elephant in the room" in our churches is discipleship. Unlike the professional student, disciples know the word of God and it shapes how they love and serve people.

For instance, Jesus spent much of his time sharing meals with people. In his day this was a form of inclusion. And the religious people of the day had certain people they would eat with and there was a list of those who were black-balled. Jesus had a way of breaking the rules.

When we love people like Jesus loves people, then folks are going to ask questions. And notice what Jesus says to answer their question about him associating with those they considered undesirable:

On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Matthew 9:12-13 NIV).

God desires mercy, not sacrifice (Matthew 9:13). We can offer a sacrifice all day every day and not have a heart that is shaped like his. His target is sinners. The fact is, we are all sinners. What Jesus means is that if you don't see yourself as a sinner in need of a savior, then you won't need him. And you won't want to have him in your house for dinner. He's likely to bring you on a mission to serve the "least of these," not just those who can return the favor.

Have you -- like most folks who consider themselves Christians -- been stuck in school, long on information and short on transformation? Maybe it's time to put the books down, find the nearest exit, and let your learning lead your life.

Website: One Life to Love

Finding Help When Devastation Hits

rabrown0@gmail.com (Rick Brown) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

[Jesus said,] "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets" (Matthew 7:12 NLT).

Phil Campbell was devastated. On April 27 of 2011, a massive EF-5 tornado swept through the town, killing 27 residents and leaving even more injured. Phil Campbell is not a person, mind you. Phil Campbell is the name of the town that was devastated, the only one in Alabama that has a first and last name.

But there are many people with the name Phil Campbell. In 1995 the first convention was held in this small town of 1,150 residents for people bearing the same name as the town. This year's celebration was to be a big birthday bash as Phil Campbell—the town—turned 100. It didn't take long before new plans were made.

Phil Campbells from all over decided to converge on the city to help. They cleaned up debris, donated money, helped start a Habitat for Humanity house, and simply became a part of the community for the weekend. They wanted to show they cared.

With all the Phil Campbells descending on Phil Campbell you might think it would cause some confusion. But the Phils handled their common names with ease. They simply called each other by their hometowns or states.

Quite a scene wouldn't you say? People from divergent locations coming together under a common name to form community in a time of need.

My hunch is you have had a time or two in your life when you were devastated and could have used some "Phil Campbell encouragement." You would have welcomed people from different life stations who gather under one name to help each other carry life's loads.

Such a place exists. It is called the church. And although imperfect, most churches are at their best when someone is hurting and struggling. No church can waive a magic wand and make all problems disappear. No church has the resources to pay all your bills or the power to bring back a loved one.

But every church can walk with you in the toughest times and laugh with you in the best of times. The name these people gather under isn't Phil or Mary or John or Kim. But it is common to them all. They converge under the name of Christ and somehow become his hands and feet in the world. Your world.

You may not have experienced an EF-5 tornado, but you have experienced trials that have felt like it, haven't you? And if you haven't, you most likely will. Don't wait until devastation hits before finding your Phil Campbell community.

Website: One Life to Love

Committed or Comfortable?

rabrown0@gmail.com (Rick Brown) — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0600

The picture has had a long journey.* It began in 1918 when a bearded, saintly old man selling foot scrapers walked into Eric Enstrom's photography studio in Bovey, Minnesota.

Enstrom was preparing a portfolio of pictures to take to a convention of the Minnesota Photographer's Association. When he saw Charles Wilden he knew there was something special about his face. It was kind and absent of harsh lines.

He asked Wilden to stay for a meal. Enstrom prepared a table, placing on it a family Bible, some spectacles, a bowl of gruel, a loaf of bread and a knife. Then he asked Wilden to pose in prayer.

The picture was made during a difficult time. The war had left many with hardship and yet Enstrom wanted to remind people they had much to be thankful for and remind them of prayer.

This picture, entitled "Grace," hangs in hundreds of homes and churches and restaurants across America. And it hung in Laura's house, too.

It came to her house when her father moved into the guest apartment so that his daughter could help take care of him in his failing health. When he died, the picture remained in the house as a reminder to be thankful and to pray.

The early church didn't need a reminder to pray. They had to. Stephen got stoned. James lost his head. And now Peter was thrown in prison (Acts 12:1-17). King Herod had "stretched out" his hands to do evil to the church (Acts 12:1).

What can the church do? They are up against a King. One of their leaders is guarded by sixteen soldiers. They have no clout. No connections. Save one. So "the church prayed very earnestly for him" (Acts 12:5 NLT).

The word translated "earnestly" can mean to "stretch out" (http://bit.ly/HLh38CI5) The church offers up "stretched out" prayers. They respond differently than the powers that be. They didn't reach with arms outstretched with swords or in brute strength. Wired into their hard drive was this program: Pray first.

The church then was committed. The church today is comfortable. We think it is a big commitment to pray, to read the Scriptures, and to attend church. But the early church? They gathered with gusto. They prayed with passion. And an angel showed up and helped their leader escape.

We think these stories are strange. But maybe we are strange. Maybe what we read about Peter and the early church is normal for most of our history as Jesus' people. As a preacher once said, "Our experience is so subnormal that if normal ever showed up we'd think it was abnormal."

It struck me that we think it's a big deal to get up on a Sunday morning and give God an hour and a half of our time. Imagine reading our story in the Bible and seeing the following in print:

They stoned Stephen for his faith.

King Herod killed James by the sword.

He had Peter seized and thrown into prison to await execution.

Rick got up and met with others to pray on Sunday morning.

I doubt very seriously that you'd be very impressed with that, would you? Because within the pages of the Bible it is just normal for the faith community to gather and be about the things of God. The very first community of believers was described this way:

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42 TNIV).

They prayed first. And they understood to pray last also. These were not "one-shot" prayers. No, they "stretched" them out -- fervently, earnestly the translations say. They were persistent in their cries to God. And because they forsook comfort for commitment, God did great things through them. God was with them.

I believe he was there with Laura** even in the horrible tragedy that took place at her house. The house burned in a great fire. Somehow none of the neighboring houses were harmed. The remains looked like something from a war zone.

And yet in the rubble, one thing was found intact as if untouched by the fire or smoke. It was a picture of an old man sitting at a simple table with his head bowed in prayer.

As if to remind us that God is with us whether we can see him at times or not. As if to remind all of us to pray. Pray first. Pray last.

* For more on this picture's history and how to get a copy, check out the "Grace" website (http://bit.ly/HLhxNNAJ)

** This tragic story is true, but Laura is not her real name.

Website: One Life to Love