Daily BREW

01/31/2022

It is here at the Daily BREW and I am super excited to share this with you. A lot of you probably know Ben Rector's music but I heard one of his songs "More Like Love" a lot differently today.

The second reading from Sunday was 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. This is the "Love is" reading that we are all familiar with from weddings. The thing is, Paul wrote this letter with love being the underlying theme. Love is a more excellent way to be the church and show one's faith.

I ask that you pause for ten minutes. Read the Bible passage and then click https://youtu.be/js5JIF4WzQo or copy the link into a browser and listen to this song. It becomes even more beautiful than the first time you heard it. Have a blessed day!!

01/28/2022

Three weeks ago I was at a Sr. high retreat. We did an exercise involving our friend circles. The circles from the middle out are the circle of intimacy, influence and caring. Where do your friends fall in the circles? Proverbs 13:20 says “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm.” I encourage you to do this exercise for yourself to see who truly influences you and your choices. Have a blessed day!!

01/27/2022

I've never taken myself too seriously. I'm usually the first to crack a joke at my own expense. This has led me to downplay my own abilities shunning the unique gifts that God bestowed upon me.

Now I usually try to tell myself I am just being humble but if I'm honest with myself taking ownership of those gifts can be scary. It means I need to do something with them. It's easy to be overwhelmed by the idea that I'm not living up to the potential God placed in me. I'm sure I'm not alone in this sentiment

Believe it or not the world needs our gifts (yes I'm including myself in this). No one can teach quite like you. No one can think quite like you. No one moves through life quite like you. Someone's life is fundamentally better because of the unique gifts you offer.

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." - Romans 12:6-8

A gift is only a gift if it is shared.

01/26/2022

I messed up. I was gone. I left and did not turn back around.

Now I had a pretty good reason, but it's been a long time since I've talked to you guys and I think we, or more accurately I, need to reconnect. To be honest with you all, I was scared. I was afraid to pick this back up because sometimes I just do not even know why I do this. Or why you would even want to read this.

But then I remember, we are all on this spiritual, or not spiritual, life journey together. Like any adventure there are going to be twists and turns, there are going to be miles of nothing but straight ahead and there are also going to be rest stops. And trust me, everyone loves a good lookin' rest stop. Maybe a stop that has a Starbucks or a Caribou Coffee inside? Maybe filled with the smell of Auntie Anne's and Cinnabon.

A break is needed. It always is! Even God, The Creator rested. Remember that seventh day? "By the seventh day God had finished the work, and so God rested. God blessed the seventh day and made it special because on that day they rested from their work." - Genesis 2:2-3

I will try my best moving forward. This team that brings this content alive are all on adventures too. May this page be like a journal where we all can be honest about what that journey looks like together.

Love you precious Brew Babies
Peace

12/02/2021

I was with a group of church leaders recently as we entered into a time of prayer. We took a few moments to ask for whom shall we pray. Along with the individuals for whom we offered care and prayers for healing were a few recent cultural 'events' that also commanded our attention.

One example was the school shooting in Michigan. With it came the prayer for less gun violence. This led to the mention of violent shootings in our larger cities. We tend to get caught up in the perpetual state of fear we are fed by our media.

It led me to consider how I pray and for what I pray. Praying for less gun violence or fewer killings is a fine prayer. But at the root of so much of the evil we experience in our culture is 'hate.' So this morning my prayer focuses on replacing hate with love, and fear with faith!

It doesn't make me more naive, I know that prayer without advocacy, and action on behalf of the Gospel does not eradicate evil. But prayer is critical to our life together with God and one another. It is a part of the relationship that should never be overlooked or underestimated.

16 Always be joyful 17 and never stop praying. 18 Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do." 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18, CEV

12/01/2021

"Everything you ask for in prayer will be yours, if you only have faith." Mark 11:24, CEV

We are all aware of the power of prayer and when we truly commit to consistent prayer practices, it can be powerful. But the truth be told, we often need to do a lot more than pray when it comes to our own mental health and that of others whom we encounter in our daily lives.

The Healing Gems Foundation at www.healinggems.net is committed to raising awareness of the impact of trauma and how the arts and wellness can supplement healing. They are committed to bring experts in the area of healing trauma and/or from trauma experiences as well as offer scholarships to those impacted by trauma and seek to supplement their healing in ways that insurances cannot fund such as through the healing benefits of the arts and wellness... these funds go in to local community agencies and clubs that offer such programming for identified recipients.

To learn more, check out their website link attached. Sometimes the suggestion we offer a friend or family member is just the nudge they may need to pursue care that is critical to their overall well-being. May God strengthen you in prayer this day, and provide you the courage when needed to pursue additional care for you and others.

Healing Gems, a non-profit project of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC), is bringing awareness to the healing nature of the creative arts, holistic wellness practices and psyco-educational programs to trauma survivors, their families and the community. Your journey to healing begins.

11/26/2021

"So I never stop being grateful for you, as I mention you in my prayers." Ephesians 1: 16

Paul's prayer for the people of Ephesus resonates with me today as I think about my many beloved friends and family in my life. As we approach Advent and the Christmas season, I am recalling the powerful final scene of 'It's a Wonderful Life," where George is reminded of the quote by Clarence the Angel, written in his book. Clarence writes, "remember, no man is a failure who has friends."

Today as you recall those friends in your life for who you are most grateful, place a call, send a text, tweet, say a prayer, and let them know you are thinking about them and how much they mean to you. Happy 'Friends Friday' from the DailyBREW team!

11/25/2021

Happy Thanksgiving from the crew here at the Daily Brew! Scripture reminds us to "Give thanks to the Lord because he is good because his faithful love endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34

Some people have traditions of sitting around the dinner table sharing what they are most thankful for today. So imagine you are sitting with us at a digital table. What are you giving thanks for today? Please feel free to share in the comments.

11/24/2021

"God’s kingdom isn’t just a lot of words. It is power."
1 Corinthians 4:20

How will you discharge gratitude this week?

11/23/2021

"Be thankful and praise the Lord as you enter his temple. The Lord is good! His love and faithfulness will last forever."
Psalm 100: 4-5, CEV

Thankfulness, gratitude, appreciation...this is a week many of us turn our attention to these basic daily practices. However, we are reminded in Psalms that God's love and faithfulness endure forever. In our desire to be Christ-like in the way we live and interact with others, can we strive for a heart of gratefulness? In essence, a constant state of gratitude that compels us to act in ways that show and express gratitude that goes beyond a mere thank-you, to a state of deep appreciation for the others in our lives.

11/11/2021

Funny how the littlest of things can derail a day. Woke up to find you were out of milk for your cereal. Forgot your wallet at home so you can't pick up said milk after work. Get home to find that you have a nail in your tire. Realize you'll have to reschedule your next few days to get it repaired. It feels like things keep sn*******ng on top of one another and nothing will ever go your way.

When you really sit down and think about it everything I just listed while a minor inconvenience, isn't the end of the world. It may feel like it in the moment. Now I'm not saying you can't let these small mishaps frustrate you. That's completely normal. Don't let them control you. Don't let a few mistakes ruin an entire day. You'll find that you miss out on so much when you can't get your mind off of what has already gone wrong. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy of only being able to see what is wrong with the world around you. Making it almost impossible to see the good.

The next time you find yourself sweating the small stuff. Take a deep breath. Acknowledge what is frustrating you and most importantly move on. We've got bigger fish to fry.

"Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen." - 1 Peter 5:8-11

11/05/2021

Jesus didn't encourage His followers to do good or care for others so that they might received good in return, it was done purely out of compassion, grace and, to fulfill God's will. Jesus invites us into the process of creating the Kingdom of God, here on Earth.

And yet, it is true that as we give generously of ourselves, emotionally, spiritually, and in all ways, we generally receive so much good in return. On this Friends Friday, who might benefit from a call, text, message, visit, or prayer from you? Take action. Share some good. We could all use a little more it today!

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38