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Life isn't fair.  If you thought it was I've got some ocean front property in Kansas I would like to sell you. Because sin was introduced into this world, bad things have been happening from earthquakes to car wrecks. Often we find ourselves embroiled in one of these events and wonder why God why?  Couldn't you protect me from this?  Couldn't you stop this before it happened? John 9: 1 - 3 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. Often times we think that bad things happen to us because we have sinned.  No doubt living a life of sin will bring death and destruction to your doorstep.  But what I want to address here is different. A man was born blind.  Because of his blindness, he is doomed to a life of begging.  Jews taught that either

This is Randy Brummitt.  He and his wife Susie pastor in Lutz, Florida.  He was involved in a serious car accident today (Wednesday). Isaiah 53:5   But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. It isn't my normal practice to write a blog like this, but Randy is an encourager.   1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. I've blogged for a few years now, and any blogger will tell you there are times that you just want to give up.   Everyone once in a while Randy would write me an email thanking me for my blog, and it's content.  What he doesn't know is that every time I was about to hang it up and call it quits.  Randy has been a great source of inspiration for me, and I know that he is a great leader in his church.  PRAY:  Dear Jesus, heal Randy and don't allow any part of

I know it's Tuesday. I know I forgot to blog yesterday. I know I drove to Orlando Sunday night, did a photo shoot with Anneka on Monday morning, hurried back to Stuart in the afternoon, passed out and went to sleep. In my exhaustion, I started to have a pity party.  Why am I so tired?  Why do I have to do this?  Why do I have to work so hard?  I know, whiny. But amid my wallowing, I had a thought.  I have a great family, a great wife, and daughter.  I love being a Pastor, I get to live in Florida which means I don't shovel snow.  (Ok that last one might be mean.) But I have a great life.  It isn't perfect, sometimes it is painful.  But it is good! 2 Corinthians 4:8–10   We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. Life will hit you hard.  Life

When Moses saw a burning bush, God was up to something. When Ezekiel had a vision, God was up to something. When Paul was stopped on the road to Damascus, God was up to something. In fact, all through the Bible, you see that God was always up to something. God isn't like a 3-year-old who all of a sudden gets very, very quiet and you say, "What is that kid up to?"  (That is actually kind of scary.) Isaiah 43:19  Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?  I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Now I used this verse a few days ago, but it jumped out at me again today.  Hmmm.  I think God is up to something.  What is a new thing?  Well to God, it isn't new.  He's God, after all, He knows everything.  But it is new to you.  A new chapter in your life.  A new relationship that will encourage you.  A new truth that will set you free.  A fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit to renew you.  The ideas ar

Exodus 14:1 - 2 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea. So the Jews are leaving Egypt.  They have been set free from slavery, God has answered their prayers.  God instructs Moses exactly where He wants them to go and camp, " between Migdol and the sea." 5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6 So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him, 7 and took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. It is interesting to note that when you have been set free from sin - sin will chase you.  If there is a truth that I have come to know it is this.  "The Devil will always overplay

Even the title is frustrating, isn't it? I would venture that something frustrated you today.  I could have been traffic, a co-worker or even a project.  But frustration is inevitable.  What do you do? Here are a few people who were frustrated you could learn from. Abraham - he had to be patient. Jonah - he had to be obedient. Peter - he had to be repentant. Daniel - he had to pray. Moses - he had to listen. John 16:33  I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” The world you and I live in is designed to frustrate you.  If you don't understand it or know what to do with it, it can destroy you.  So here are a few tips.  Frustration can be God's way of testing your faith.  Will you remain faithful to His plan even when everything is going wrong.  Frustration is the worlds way of distracting you from God's will.  Will you stay focused on God at al

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. But here is the real question.  Should you?  I've heard many people quote this scripture when facing difficult times.  Believe me, I've quoted it on more than one occasion.   But one day a lady called me to say, "I can do it, Pastor.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  "Really!" I said.  What are you facing?  "Well, pastor, I had to buy the less luxurious car than the one I wanted.  But I know that God will help me deal with it anyway."   I shook my head, and yes it really happened.  What do you need God's strength for?  You need it to face temptations every day.  To pray for people who are less than loveable.  To share the Gospel with someone who may or may not reject you.  To bring your attitude into submission of God's will.   God will strengthen you to do His will.  Seek His will, and He will make sure you're successful.

1 Tim 6: 11 - 12 ..... Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. You and I are in the fight of our lives.  It isn't for our retirement or our future.  It's for our soul.   The Bible is clear that we will experience a struggle in our lives.  Part of us what's to do what God wants and part of us doesn't.  We may overemphasize our struggle and project it on God, believing that His struggle with Satan is similar to ours.  I can guarantee you, it isn't.   God won - Satan lost.  End of story.  So why are we still struggling?  Because Satan doesn't believe anything, I am writing here.  He thinks that he can, in some way, conquer heaven for himself and overthrow God.  He can't.  God is God - Satan is not.  Believe it! Satan is doing all he can to

If you ask most people, "Do you like to change?" They would respond mostly positive but with reservations.  Understandable so, there are certain this about our lives that we would like to keep the same. But time marches on.  Time will cause a change to happen whether we like it or not.  Our health changes.  Our skill sets change.  Our priorities change. Life happens.  Tragedy strikes and things like divorce and bankruptcy happen.  We try to stop it, but in some cases, all we end up doing is delaying the inevitable.  The next thing we know, we are starting over. Isaiah 43:19   Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?  I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. There is no doubt that God will lead you to change your life.  Currently, it is winter.  The high today in Boston Mass. was a whopping 29 degrees.  Trees look death, snow in on the ground there isn't any green grass in sight.   But spring will soon a

What's your why?  Every motivational leadership guru will tell you.  If you don't have a, "why" you'll never know your how.  In other words.  If you don't understand why you're doing what you are doing, then how do you know if you're doing the right thing?  Confused?  Let me clarify. Clarity is a BIG key to success.  Your "why" helps you to see what you are supposed to be doing and when you've accomplished it. Yogi Berra, Hall of Fame player and  New York Yankees manager, was the champion of muddled conversation. For example, he said, "We lost because we made too many wrong mistakes." "A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore." "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical." "You got to be careful if you don't know where you're going because you might not get there." Fortunately for us, we have Isaiah 30:21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, wal

I've shared a few stories about Betty.  But believe me, I haven't always been the easiest person to live with.  I know, shocker - right?  We've had some fights that were epic.  We've been in some situations that were downright awful.  We didn't know how we were going to recover.  But in the end, a family was what meant so much to us. Now after Betty and I moved to Florida, that meant her family was around 1,500 miles away, and mine was about 3,000 miles away.  We didn't have anyone to run to in a moments notice.  But with time, our church became family to us.  Over the years we have built relationships that have pulled us through some tough times.  There have been a few that wounded us too. But that happens with family, doesn't it? Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near

A single person sat down in my office yesterday (Valentines Day) and said.  "Today is National Don't Go On Facebook Day."  I looked at them with a bit of confusion, and then it hit me.  All the Valentines Day posts.  I get it. Love is a beautiful thing.  It can cause a lot of pain too.  We love each other, but when we betray that love - it hurts.  Stupid decisions can cause a lot of heartaches. When we got married, I learned that you shouldn't assume anything.  Because I had seen my future wife in the kitchen and because some delicious food came out of that kitchen, I thought she could cook.  It wasn't until after we were married that I discovered that her dad was the one doing all the cooking.  The cooking gene skipped her. I knew this after she confused pork sausage stuffing with hamburger and tried to cook me a burger.  That was different. Or when she put BBQ sauce on the spaghetti because she forgot to get some pasta sauce.  (She really didn't thin

At the age of 16, I was a freshman in Bible College.  On the day of our orientation, we were assigned a number and told to get in line according to our number.  I was one of the last on the list, and because of that, I knew that I was going to get a horrible class schedule.  (I did.)   As we lined up on the front steps of the library, there were students, parents, and friends all there to assist.  It was a hot August day in the Ozarks, and the northerners were not handling the heat well.  Tempers, even for a group of Christians, was beginning to get short.   A mother and daughter were standing in front of me.  Their conversation was getting louder and louder.  The mother was trying to build her daughters' freshman schedule. However, she had no idea what she was doing.  About 50 other people and I couldn't help but overhear the growing argument.   Finally, the mother said, "What don't you take Greek?"  I snapped.  I said something like, "Are you n

Yesterday I asked you what you were thinking about. Today I want you to think about faith. Philippians 4:8  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. We live in a world that goes to extremes to be positive and good.  Considering all the evil and bad that there is out there, I don't blame them.  But just thinking good thoughts will never get you what you are looking for.  Because eventually you just run out of good.   You need a deeper well.  As a kid growing up in Arkansas, we went through droughts like every other part of the country.  But one summer I remember it was terrible.  Wells, which was the primary source of water of most of my family, were drying up.  Not good.  But my grandmother, who lived at the bottom of a deep valley, had a 200+ ft. Well. More in-depth than mo

Emotions are a beautiful thing.  Emotions are a terrible thing.  I feel good, no bad, no good, no bad. Ahhhh! It is no wonder that so many prescription drugs are prescribed to people just so they can, "Get a grip"? Now I have nothing against medical intervention.  Believe me, I can understand the need for it.  But all drugs do is shut emotions off.  You feel better, but then again, you don't feel. 1 Peter 5:7  casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Now someone is probably shouting at me.  "Easier said than done!"  Maybe, but you've got to do it.  What's your other choice? If your emotions are getting the best of you, here are a few things you probably need to do. Place your faith in Christ.  I'm not saying that you don't believe in Him, but chances are you've not released this problem(s) to Him. Cast.  Peter was a fisherman.  Casting nets was something that he understood.  Throw your worries at Christ as h

Proverbs 23:7  for he is like one who is inwardly calculating. [thinking] “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. So I am sitting in a restaurant doing some work.  Then the manager and an employee sit down at the table next to me.  The employee tells the manager how she has accepted a job at another restaurant and that she is giving her 2 weeks notice.  She goes on to say that this is a great opportunity that actually helps her advance her career.  The manager then says sharply.  "So you're quitting."  I'm thinking, "Really? I got it."  After a couple of pleasantries, the manager tells her very dispassionately, "good luck" gets up and walks off.   Now I know nothing about this employees performance or the manager's particular mood at that moment, but it is evident to me what the manager was thinking.  It wasn't good, and it showed.   What are you thinking?   When it's all about you, all you t

So the question was posed to a group of people today, "Do people really believe that there is a hell?"  My answer was quick, "They believe in Satan, so I would think that they believe in hell." But now as I think about it, I would like to revise my answer.  Yes, people believe in a real hell, they just don't care about it. Revelation 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Well, the Bible is fairly clear about it.  There is a hell.   Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Revelation 20:15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. The Bible is fairly clear about who is going there.   You might say, "Well, I know Jesus.  I

Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." You've got enough to work on today, don't worry about tomorrow.  Worry and anxiety are killers.  No really!  The old phrase, "You can worry yourself to death." is true!   So what can you do about tomorrow?   #1 - Go to church.  How about hanging out with some people who believe like you do and have a better outlook on life than CNN or MSNBC?  #2 - Worship.  Worship on the way to church.  Worship when you get to church.  Worship after church.   #3 - Pray.  Got something to tell God?  Tell Him!!  He's always listening to you, really!  #4 - Grow.  Something will happen tomorrow that will challenge you.  Don't be afraid of it.  Run towards it, don't excuse yourself out of it.  If the the Holy Spirit is up to something, get on board!  #5 - Share.  Someone needs you to encourage them

Been to Miami.  Going to Davie.  Prepped to teach at a school of ministry.  Ready to work with a group of leaders that will take FFWC to the next level.  Ready to minister Sunday.  Taught an Advance Life Group about the Holy Spirit in the Word of God. If you're like me, you like it when the to-do list is done.  Well, I got a lot of it done but not all.  Why? Because life has been more about the experience than the administration. Luke 10:38-42  38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,42 but one thing is necessary Mary has chosen the good portion,

I remember the Back To The Future movies when they came out.  Marty McFly changing his destiny and family tree for better and for worse.   Even as a kid I got a clear message from the plot.  If you mess with time, time will mess with you.  This morning, one of the podcasts I listen to talked about how we should slow down to be more productive.  If you take the time to think it through before you begin, studies show you will be more successful.   I had to chuckle at myself as I am tackling one of the most hectic weeks in recent memory.  (And I thought Christmas was bad.)   Jer. 2:25 Do not run until your feet are bare and your throat is dry.  But you said, ‘It’s no use!  I love foreign gods, and I must go after them.’ (NIV)  In essence, Jeremiah is saying, "Slow down!"  But you say, "I can't!"  Has time become an idol in your life?  Do you worship at the feet of a schedule and pray to God for more time?  Do you chase time, try to catch time,

"Jim Howard, lead pastor of the Valencia campus of the more than 6,000 member Real Life Church in California fatally shot himself in the head at home Wednesday after a protracted battle with mental illness."  You can read the article here . Every time I hear this my heart breaks.  Please pray for the church and pray for his family.  Loss, no matter how it happens, is still painful.   So many times we try to answer the question, "What happened?"  Understandably so, our hearts search for an answer, a cure, an explanation.  The truth is, we may never know.   Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. Here are a few truths you need to understand.   Pastors are human.  Some think that the Pastor can do more than he or she was created for.  Discover what your pastor's limitations are and then refuse to allow them to have to go there.   Cut your Pastor some slack.  Pastors make mistakes.  Sometimes b

Someone once told me that if you let people affect how you think and live it's like renting space in your brain to them. I quipped back, "Hmm, I should send them a bill.  Rent is past due." He chirped right back at me.  "They will move out." We both laughed. Some people influence our lives.  Many of these people have done so with the right heart and produced positive life-changing results. But there are those whose presence in your life isn't positive or productive.  In fact, they can be downright painful.  The very thought of them causes you pain. Now let me say something here just so we are clear.  If you are in a situation where your life is in danger, where you are physically and/or sexually abused.  GET OUT NOW!  The Bible doesn't say that you have to be someone's punching bag for their bad temper, or worse. But if you are in a situation where someone or someones are bullying, being manipulative, emotionally draining or constantl

No, don't look at your GPS.  That isn't what I am asking.   No, I'm speaking extensionally either.   What kind of environment are you in? Often times we will find ourselves in an environment that is toxic and harmful.  When you find yourself in that position what do you do?  Understand it?  Jeremiah 17:9  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Toxic people have a sick heart.  You pray for them, but you cannot understand them.  But Jeremiah goes on to say that their heart is also deceitful.   This means you cannot believe what they say.  When they devalue who you are and what you can do - don't believe it.  When they call you stupid and a host of others names - don't believe it.  When they constantly remind you that you're never good enough - don't believe it.   Choose to believe what Jesus says about you.   Choose to believe the people who love you with a positive reinforcing love.

This morning I ministered from Jer. 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Most people use this very to excuse the idea that God will bless their plans.  But it is really the other way around.  We are blessed when we follow Him.  Then in our morning Life Group, we took a few moments to discuss if we worship a Jesus we have created in our minds or do we worship the Jesus revealed to us from the Word of God?  They might not be the same thing.   We are such creatures of convenience and comfort.  If we are not careful, we will worship at the feet of these comforts and expect Jesus to bless us with them.   But following His will isn't about our comfort.  I spoke to a pastor recently who knows that he is serving in God's will, but it isn't going very well.  I talked to someone who is following God's will, but as a result, are being persecuted for their faith.  I know thi

Here is a glimpse into my sermon tomorrow.   Do you know where the endzone is at?   Tomorrow, two NFL teams will play for the title of World Champion.  I suspect this might be a very good game.  Now I am pretty sure that no one on the sidelines will say, "What are we here?"  "What are we supposed to be doing again?"  I have a feeling someone would be fired, on the spot.   I am surprised, how many followers of Jesus don't know where the end zone is?  If you don't know what it is your suppose to be doing, how will you know if you are successful?  This goes beyond, "doing something."  This speaks to results.   If you are a teacher, is someone's life being transformed by the Word of God?  If you are a giver, is the work of the Kingdom being accomplished around you?  If you pray, do you live your life with wisdom?  Can you identify when you are in the endzone of your faith?  If not, then sit down and ask God to show you

The Superbowl is upon us.  Patriots vs. the Rams.  This Sunday we will eat around 8 million pounds of guacamole.  We will eat 2,400 calories just during the game.  We will eat 1.3 billion chicken wings. Domino’s, reports that it will sell nearly 2 million pizzas from their company alone.  Then we will drink 325.5 million gallons of beer. Did you know that more people call into work sick on the Monday after the Superbowl than any other day of the year?  Hmmmm When you talk about great moments in the Bible you can talk about Moses and the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. Joshua and the battle of Jericho. The calling of Abraham. The birth of Jesus. But do you want to know what I think is the greatest moment in history? John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." The moment you asked Jesus into your heart.  The greatest miracle is when someone asks Jesus to forgive them of their sins.  N