Truth vs. Lies
Choices, Choices, Choices. I spend most of my days educating and empowering students to make good choices. I say it at least once a day and often wear it: “Choices are the puzzle pieces of life so choose well. Ultimately our choices are between truth and lies. Often it seem like the choice between truth and lies is a choice of direction and that is true but it is also a battle. Truth and Lies are in opposition to each other with the mission of destroying the other.
This weekend I am preaching a message on truth vs. lies and at the end of the month speaking at a youth retreat on the same subject. As I am studying I see clearer than ever that this topic is all throughout the Bible. This is a battle that started in the garden of Eden and continues to this day. The question for us is not just what side we are on but which we will believe and live by. We can sometimes be on the side of truth but still believe and live lies. I can relate with the prayer request in Proverbs 30:7-8 “Two things I ask of you, Lord do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.”
“Keep falsehood and lies far from me…” What a request! Think about it. How often do we watch, listen, entertain and all around consume falsehoods and lies?
What are some areas you clearly see the battle of truth vs. lies in our world today?
Pacheco Made Me Smile
Ever go some where you feel welcomed? What about going somewhere and you feel right at home? While those are great feelings I feel even better when I visit Pacheco School. The teachers, staff and students go out of their way to make me feel more than welcomed and right at home. It’s not just that they make me feel loved but the students are listening and applying the lessons to life.
“Mr. Brown, You Sir are the BEST speaker I have ever listened to. Thanks for coming to Pacheco yesterday. I will live life and choose well!” -Facebook Post
“Thank you for letting me know I can make a change and go for my dreams.” -Facebook Post
“Best inspirational speaker ever, run for President! Thanks Mr. Brown you’re a great guy and help a lot of people and give great valid points in life.” -Facebook Post
My hope is that these students find hope in the truth that they have the power to drive their lives where they want to go. As Dr Seuss said, “You have brains in your head you have feet in your shoes you can steer yourself in any direction you choose.”
“Hey Mr Brown I want to thank you for helping me through a lot. Some of the things you say really get to me because my parents and other people around me don’t make the best decisions. When you said don’t let your past control your future that meant a lot to me because my past is really bad.”-Ever B.
Thanks Pacheco! And never forget, Choices are the puzzle pieces of life so…Choose Well!
A Great Day At Prairie
It was a great day at Prairie. The day started with lunch followed by recess. When I visit Prairie Elementary school I understand that I am the new toy on campus. We usually play basketball but today it was tether ball. And if you know me you know I don’t let kids win just because they are kids. So as of today I am the reigning Prairie Elementary School Tether ball champion. I must admit I’ve never seen a group of Kindergartens and First graders enjoy loosing so much.
I think what they really enjoyed was hanging out with Mr Brown. I really enjoy them too.
The day continued with two consecutive assemblies were we talked about choices.
I choose to care about others, my world and myself.
I choose to do my best and to never give up.
I choose to get a win.
I hope they remember to apply those principles in their lives each day.
The day ended with a nice loud firecracker for doing such a good job listening durning the assembly. If you don’t know what a firecracker is you have to ask one of the students. (By the way it’s not the explosive kind)
It was a great day!
High School Retreat
Clockwork
Redding First’s High School youth group, Clockwork, has invited Mr Brown of Proclaim Ministries to speak at their Winter Retreat Jan 13-16, 2012. This year’s theme is iMove. While there is an app just about for everything to make life easier there is no app for the Christain life. That is something we have to live out each day of our lives. The great news is that we are not left alone. We have the power of the Holy Spirit living in us. We have the Word of God written to us. We have the body of Christ along side of us. So let’s Go.
Please pray for this retreat as Mr Brown provides practical encouragement to live out the Christian life and connect faith and life.
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A Quick Look Back
Happy New Year!
As we look forward lets take a quick look back
It’s not to late to wish you a Happy New Year is it? As we all look forward to some great things in 2012 let’s take a moment to look back at 2011.
2011 was not an easy year. It seems the whole world is in quicksand and going down fast. The economy is tanking, debt is out of control, divorce is on the rise and morality is missing in action.
As I work with students across the country they are feeling the pain. there is a real sense of helplessness and hopelessness.
This past year God opened some amazing doors of opportunity to provide some help and hope through our outreach into the public schools and many churches. We were able to speak to 31,000 students in 360 events. That may seem like a lot but to me it’s just exciting.
I hope you enjoy this quick look back through pictures. 2011 Year In Review