Jay Foreman

Only God Can !!!

2009-02-22T21:13:00.004-05:00

* * *

Southbrook Church Monroe
Grand Opening was "Only God"

See and read all about it by clicking here.

And there is more here.

* * *

Monroe Campus Grand Opening

2009-02-20T09:18:00.001-05:00

A message to "Brookies" and "Lookies"

2009-02-08T22:50:00.004-05:00

I know that some of you wonder, “What is it that happens at Southbrook, and what can you compare it to in life.”

I’ll answer this with excitement, envisioning a small child looking at a huge, very old carousel with the big horses, zebras and various animals going up and down, while rows of seats are not moving at all. Onlookers only watching. Yet the carousel keeps turning to the music. It’s original design and colors have not changed since it was designed and created long, long ago. The onlookers continue to stare at it, talk about it, try to figure the patterns, the reasoning behind the design, yet it doesn’t change or even stop except to let people on or off (their choice) All along the music continues... The carousel only changes when people scratch their own thoughts into the back of the seats or on the painted surfaces of the animals.

Isn’t it funny how only those who choose to get on the ride have an opportunity to reach for the golden ring. (The free gift of eternity).

Friends, Guests, Members, God has brought you into a very special house of His called Southbrook, where a man of God like Pastor Rob has been anointed with His divine vision and an uncanny ability to hear The Holy Spirit, and it speaks thru him.

Who me? Volunteer? Part 1

2009-01-11T15:21:00.002-05:00

* * *

Churches, Schools, Scouting, Youth sporting leagues, Libraries, Hospitals, Animal shelters, Special Olympics, Adult sporting leagues, Nursing homes, Volunteer Fire Departments, Hospice care, Habitat for Humanity, Samaritans Purse, PBS stations, Hurricane relief, flood relief...The list of places you can volunteer goes on and on, both locally and as far away as your heart will take you.

What is a volunteer any way? Isn’t it just someone who shows up once in a while when “that” feeling hits ya, and helps out doing things you “like” to do? Justified with “at least” I did…… so and so didn’t even show up or call… Hey Jay, kiss my _ _ _ _. Who the H E double hockey sticks do you think you are coming off like that??? Whoa big boy/gal. I was talking about me. Yes me. Years and years ago. Been there, done that, OK?

Take a look at the US Military. It’s a volunteer army. Signing up is an option. Re-upping is an option. What if only ½ of the front line didn’t show up for battle? What if most of the front line didn’t show up for battle when needed? Slaughter and collapse of a great nation, either abroad or at home.

Let’s look a bit closer to home at hurricane Katrina, 9-11, the never ending Tornado Alley, and the yearly homeless chased out of their nooks and crannies by Old Man Winter, families where both parents have recently lost their jobs. Most, yes most of the help and rescue comes from volunteers.

What is it that these volunteers have in common? My guess is they feel a burden and a need to sooth it. The Apostle Paul said to the people of Galatia, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” Then he very pointedly stated “If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.” Again, my guess is that true volunteers feel the burden of others and get out there and help those in need with a lift even of it ain’t convenient.

So what is this “Law of Christ” that we are to obey? And where do we find it written? Good question. It is God’s own Words to us. In the book of Matthew, the Pharisees who were kind of like our Supreme Court Justice’s back then, were experts in religious law. One of them, more than likely a Senior Pharisee tested Jesus with this question, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" Jesussaid to him, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” Mat 22: 35-40 NIV.

I think the Pharisees were just handed a Royal smack down, the big slam, like egotistical wrestlers struttin’ round the outer edges of the rink, full of self glory, self righteousness, and self importance. Egging the audience on to cheer for them. And that’s when Jesus comes up behind him, tapped on his shoulder, smiled and then spoke… “Bam” down goes the Pharisee into nothingness.

But…I thought the egotistical wrestler won the match with his strength and honed skills? (just like the know –it-all Pharisee’s thought…). As we’ll see next, the announcer grabs the microphone and says with deep loud spoken Words taken directly from Galatians 6:7-10 “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. ( Hey, it gets better so don’t miss this part…) So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.”

Wow, God says “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.” This is awesome. Why? Because if God says so in His Word, then He’ll make sure we have the strength do so. It’s not about us having the strength but asking and relying on His strength to continue to help others and volunteer.

This is a good point to stop for now, so…take out your Bible’s, click on your Bibles, however you choose and read the passages above yourself. Then take a few minutes to quietly ask your heavenly Father to help you with the strength and an open heart for volunteering at your local church or where ever He leads you too.

In His love for all He has done for us,

Jay

The Crowds

2009-01-08T12:15:00.003-05:00

Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead...

2008-12-08T23:08:00.007-05:00

This morning at 6:15am..... yep, 6:15am...

Our men's group got together as we do EVERY Monday morning. Pastor Paul lead us through a really awesome passage with gut wrenching application.

Here, read this from Philippians 2 in The Message,

"If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand." (Emphasis mine.)

Wow!!! Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead... Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand...

Who do YOU know that truly reflects the light of Jesus like that... all the time? Not just when others are looking. Does someone come to mind right away? Or do you have to think about it a while?

I immediately thought of Frank Delisle as I usually do when ever I think of the reflection of Christ. I was blessed by God to have Frank as a true mentor and light at my feet for 6 years. He led me to The Lord because I saw a bright path in front of him in all he did. His life truly is joyFULL.

Tag … you’re “it” ???

2008-09-29T13:18:00.007-04:00

This has been an awesome series on “it”.

And… if you’ve been able to grab the gist of Rob’s point, then you should be on your way towards “it”. Now if by slim chance you still need a bit of help figuring “it” out I might be of some help… maybe.

First let’s take a look at what “it” is not;

Forget it

The heck with it

Darn it

Where is it

How much is it

Dag nab it

Sorry, we’re out of it

Who took it

We sold it

Tag… you’re it ...

Ok, ok, enough, we got it

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rob told us exactly what “it” is this past weekend.

“The anointing of God in your life”

He also gave us some vital truth’s about “it”.

“it” can be lost

and

“it” can be found

“it” can be fragile

and

“it” can be strong

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The key?

You MUST ask from your heart for “it”

Got “it” ???

Your vote for "Pour" in now needed more than ever!!

2008-09-27T10:50:00.004-04:00

......click the image to enlarge.......

Your vote for "Pour" in now needed more than ever!!

Hey gang, Jay here one more time. Please feel free to pass this on to the world.

"Pour" is now in THE FINALS. Pleas help Southbrook reach out in worship for His glory!

This time it's a race, not totals !!

Starting Monday, Sept. 29th @ 10am, you can vote AS MANY TIMES AS YOU CAN (per 91.9FM)

here is the link

http://www.newlife919.com/rocks-2008-finals-7.htm

The first band to reach 20,000 votes wins. Not total votes but 1st to reach 20,000. So set up as many internet browsers as you can and you can put as many pre set tabs set to the site as you'd like, as many identities as you can and take the opportunity to kick some b_ _ _ as fast as possible.

Starting Monday, Sept. 29th @ 10am

Thanks for your support, here is more detail for those who need it.

1)The following link will be updated for voting by 10am Monday (September 29th) : http://www.newlife919.com/rocks-2008-finals-7.htm
2) The link will have your band information, a clip of your song, and a place to vote online (for 2 finalists).
3) There are no time restraints on how many times each person can vote.
4)The band that receives the MOST votes from the time the link is updated until the voting poll reaches 20,000 votes, will WIN! (The winning band will be notified by 10am, the following day).
5)The winning band will have their song aired the following Monday (October 6th) at 5:30pm on New Life 91.9’s Afternoon Drive with Eric!
6) The winning band will also be the opening act for the upcoming Big Daddy Weave/Rush of Fools concert.

An Exersize in Grace

2008-07-30T13:50:00.007-04:00

Today I am in downtown Pittsburgh, PA. The heart of french fries (they eat them on their salads here...)– hot wing – pretzels – sub shops – doughnuts – bagels – coffee … you name it. It’s downtown USA… oh so tempting. There are soooo many tall high rise – steel (of course, remember that they named their football team all about that steel stuff) buildings. Each building is loaded with people, tons of people working all day long and needing french fries – hot wing – pretzels – sub shops – doughnuts – bagels - coffee… you name it.

Did I join them this morning? You betcha. Bruegger’s bagels is in the middle of the town square, great coffee and bagels and good spot to sit and read my book, The Equipping Church by Sue Mallory. It’s about serving together to transform lives. Awesome read.

Afterwards, I hit the exercise room at the Hilton where I’m staying. It has a bunch of treadmills. So today I ran for 30+ minutes with my good friend Perry Noble of NewSpring Church. All I could do is just listen and hear God talking to me thru Perry. It was awesome. I couldn’t get a word in edgewise, my heart rate was up around 155 beats per minute according to the monitor and Perry was talking 200, 250, 300 wpm so I just shut up and listened. He was talking about losing your salvation. Can you? Well… he kept talked about it for 54 minutes.

Did you realize that as a believer, sin is knowing Jesus and denying Him? Huh? Did you know that? Huh? I did… but I guess I never really looked at it that way. Peter denied Jesus, even though he followed Him, loved Him, believed in Him, prayed to Him… he denied Him. Jesus knew beforehand that he would. Read it again, Jesus knew beforehand that he would deny Him and yet He still loved Peter and forgave him and NEVER took away his salvation.

Wow. That’s Grace.

Perry asked me if I ever did the same thing, you know… deny Jesus like Peter did. And I’m like dude, no way, deny Jesus, you gotta be a fool to do that AND have a death wish on yourself. Really? He said. Don’t people deny Him every day when they look at others in a lust full way, or when they have a couple of drinks, or gossip about others or not help people in need? After all Jesus said we need to be like Him and I don’t remember reading where He did any of these things. My heart rate was now hitting the 175 mark… I was being smacked in the face with a hand held mirror. “Denier denier you’re a denier, nah nah nah nah nah.”

Grace baby, grace. God’s grace. God’s love. He knows every thing about you,even that you will deny Him BEFORE you will do it. The Apostle Paul (and he was a huge mess) says in Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Did you get that? No condemnation as a believer. And No condemnation means no loss of salvation.

Wow. That’s Grace.

Oh yea, you too can exercise with Perry, or Rob, or Andy Stanley, or John Piper,or Jud Wilhite or Bill Hybels or any one you wish… just like I do… on my MP3 player. They are all available for free download via podcasts with iTunes. This way they can become you’re good friends too.

Wow. That’s Grace.

Man-Up : An Epic size story

2008-07-21T08:15:00.004-04:00

It's 6:15 AM. Yes in the early morning. God has rotated His earth, and we fall out of bed to a half lit sky. Morning rays just awakening, dew on the cool early grass.

Coffee is brewing, the Krispy Kreme folks were up all night. God does not sleep. He stands guardian watch over us as we rest. (thank you).

This morning, the men of Southbrook poured into the video cafe' to catch a glimpse of His glory.

We were treated to a video by John Eldridge (Wild at Heart). The video is called Epic, same title as his new book, "A retelling of the gospel in four acts, John Eldredge invites us to revisit the drama of life, viewing God not only as the author but also as the lead actor, exploring His motives and His heart. Eldredge examines the power of story, the universal longing for a "plot" that makes sense deep inside us, our desire for a meaningful role to play, our love of books and movies, and how all of this points us to the gospel itself."

Awesome stuff. Great table talk, great men. Thanks to Alan Abbott for leading this!

Southbrook-Monroe Update

2008-07-19T15:55:00.004-04:00

Hi Gang,

Jay here with a Saturday photo update on the Southbrook-Monroe construction.

We have awesome volunteers!!!

Come join them!!! Yes you!!!

But... But.... "But I don't know what I would be able to do, I'd just be in the way."

It doesn't matter if you have any construction experience...
or not!!

You CAN help.

And it's NEEDED!!

Attend Southbrook-Monroe this weekend

2008-07-16T12:30:00.004-04:00

Hi everyone;

Pastor Rob would like to invite all of you and your families to attend church this weekend at the Southbrook-Monroe campus, 10am service.

Pastor Rob will be the live speaker this weekend there.

I would love to see well over 300 folks and their children there. Yes we can fit all of you. There is plenty of children's classes and care available so you can sit and listen to God's Word.

Here are the directions from Southbrook-Central (Click here)

It's very close to our Southbrook-Monroe campus. It's in the finishing stages so you might want to stop by there after and peek into the windows.

Thanks and we look forward to seeing you and your families there.

Relations –vs- Relationships

2008-07-09T15:02:00.005-04:00

Last Monday morning at 6:15am our regular “Man-Up” men’s group met as they do every week. What started out as a challenge from Pastor Rob to get together once a month has grown into a once a week gathering of men to build our relationships in Christ and with each other. We started as a table of 8, each one of us has kept inviting others and this Monday we were 18. Can you believe that? 18 men getting up earlier than normal on a work day to meet for coffee and Christ. It’s awesome.

Now I’m not going to say who our group leader is because it would go to his head. His initials are ... Pastor Paul…

This week he was talking about 1John. In chapter 4, The Apostle John is teaching about God’s love for us. “4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been fathered by God and knows God. 4:8 The person who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Then in 4:11 “Dear friends, if God so loved us, then we also ought to love one another.”

What is God’s love? I’m not talking 1Corintians 13… “Love is…” I’m talking about Forgiveness, Grace, Favor, Kindness, Compassion, Accepted, Generous, Helpful, Obedient, and most of all Unconditional.

This is the love from God.

Are we (you and me) loving one another in the same way. Think about it. Or is there, are the people in your life that you are UnForgiving, UnGraceful, Un-Favored, UnKind, UnCompassionate, UnAccepting , UnGenerous, UnHelpful, Non-Obedient to and worst of all loving Conditionaly???

If so, 1John 4 continues with this, 4:20 ” If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.”

Ouch. That hurt.

Bob Lenz, Youth Pastor, Speaker, Author say in his new book “Grace - For Those Who Think They Don't Measure Up” “People are hurting, and they need hope. They need someone to tell them they are loved, accepted, and forgiven, no matter what they’ve done, no matter what kind of family they come from.”

I have a lot of relations in my life. Folks I’ve met here and there. Some I barely know and some I know really well. Probably thousands upon thousands over my first 55 years so far. What’s the difference between them? Most of them are a relation that has occurred. I’ve met them, said hey, shook hands, we’ve chatted maybe even sat next to each other in church. But really, for some reason have never taken the time to build a relationship with them, really gotten to know them, who they are, their kids, their likes, dislikes, their passions, their dreams, listened to their prayers. Maybe because I applied one of the UNwords to them? Have you ever done that with someone? We are withholding our love from them.

I’ll leave you with the end of 1John 4, “4:21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”

UnConditionally.

Creation 2008 Pictures

2008-07-01T22:52:00.004-04:00

Click on the picture to make them bigger

Off to Creationfest 2008

2008-06-23T19:32:00.001-04:00

We're off to Mount Union , PA

Watch the video and we'll back July 1st.

Southbrook Church - Monroe Opens!!!

2008-06-23T06:16:00.007-04:00

. . .

Totally Amazing!!

Sunday June 22, 2008, 10am

Mark that date in your history books.

Southbrook's Monroe campus opened... IN Monroe.

It was a beautiful sight to see. A warm, sunny day, clear skies. A great day for God, a great day for Southbrook, a great day for the people of Monroe. Jesus of Nazareth appeared in Monroe, North Carolina of all places.

A slew of volunteers showed up at Benton Heights Elementary School (here's a map) early in the morning setting up. Computers were humming, most printers printing... video and sound coming alive and green shirted First Impressions folks everywhere.

It was an awesome day.

Pastors Paul and Andy were in their game!!

Come join us next week.

Here's some pictures.

Home Groups News Letter Is Here

2008-06-16T15:51:00.003-04:00

We've just launched "Living In The Brook"

A periodic newsletter for Small Groups at Southbrook Church.

Read it often, we'll update randomly, bi-weekly or so as needed.

The web address is http://southbrookhomegroups.blogspot.com/

Enjoy, and oh yea... read Rob's blog daily!!

Join Theologica

2008-06-09T12:45:00.003-04:00

Ok... So you like to read about theology. Sure you do, your reading this aren't you? Shoulda had a V8...

Besides Pastor Rob's blog (I read it every day and you should too by the way,) there are some really awesome blogs out there with a Sola Scriptura view of Authority: The belief that Scripture is the final and only infallible authority for the Christian in all matters of faith and practice.

A new blog which is more like an inter active website (Facebook type application) for theology is called "Theologica". It's put together thru Reclaiming The Mind Ministries who bring us The Theology Program, Theology Unplugged etc. (A bunch of theological rocket scientists who know more about The Father, Son and Holy Spirit on their little fingers than I'll ever be able to comprehend in a lifetime.) I hope that came across as a compliment???

Anyway, you are invited to check out Theologica by clicking this link.

You can even Sign Up for Theologica by clicking this link.

We hope you will.

“Your 2¢ isn’t worth a hill of beans.”

2008-05-31T17:32:00.008-04:00

Have you ever been told that? How did it make you feel? Good? Probably not…Have you ever said that to someone? How do you think it make them feel? Good?

Even if it is said in fun, it’s sarcasm. I used to be pretty good at it. How about this one, “If your brains were dynamite, you wouldn’t have enough to blow your nose.” Dude, that was a good one. Or how about “Duh, everybody knows thaaaat.” Or “Can we continue now?”

Here’s a picture of the king of sarcasm, The Diceman. “Who invited chew inta my life anywaysa?”

You grew to just love him didn’t you… right. He just keeps at it, and keeps at it until you feel 2” tall. Now I got to admit, when he first came on the scene, I rolled over laughing. Sometimes I about peed my pants I was laughing so hard. Then I recognized the jabs, they started to sound too familiar, too close to home. I could hear ugliness, mean spiritedness, the sarcasm jabs started to hurt.

When our intention is to make someone look bad or feel bad while making ourselves look or feel better, God’s Word says it’s wrong. Philippians 2:3 (MSG) says ”If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”

You carry with you a loaded weapon…your mouth, it has the ability to do major damage, even minor damage is harmful. Ever watch a boxing match, a jab here, a jab there, more jabs here, more jabs there, on and on. Sometimes it seems like a this sparring match is going nowhere when out of thin air one more jab and one of them goes down. What happened? “Hey this fight is fixed!” someone yells out because they didn’t see the fatal blow. “Looser!” is shouted out from someone else. Oh, there was a knock out all right, the jab jab jab, jab jab jab took its toll and no one saw it coming. As humans we can only take so much.

Nobody is immune from this, myself included. We all occasionally make comments in a mild, sarcastic or facetious manner, without intending to hurt others. Sometimes, these comments can lighten a tense moment or even cause others around us to laugh. Let’s look at what Jesus’s brother James has to say about this…James 3:2 ” Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect…” then in v5-6 He continues with “In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.”

Everyone handles the little verbal jabs differently. Please don’t think that because they don’t affect you they aren’t effecting someone else. So often the “rolling eyes” or slight side shake of the head or turn of your mouth in disapproval are jabs to the soul.

By the way... this goes right along with what Pastor Rob is talking about right now at Southbrook. Read some of it here.

True wisdom comes from God. Trusting that The Father loves us so much that He sent his only begotten Son to die a horrible death on the cross for us, so that we never have to sacrifice anyone else ever again. When we use our tongues or body language as jabs, that is what we may be doing, sacrificing someone. That then becomes their cross to bare.

James 3:13-18 finishes with, “If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”

Psalm 5:9 describes those whose “throat is an open sepulcher,” and Jesus Christ said, in Luke 6:45, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

Ultimately, we must all follow Christ’s admonition in Luke 6:31: “And as you would that men should do to you, do you also to them likewise.” In other words, we must always be considerate of others, treating them the way we would want to be treated. This includes the way we speak to them. You will be known as much by your words as by your actions, so choose your words wisely.

Laughter is a blessing, jabs eventually cause pain. You are a witness to others of God's love in your life. Put your gloves down and give the people around you that you love, the people that look up to you, see Jesus, not Diceman Jr.

"God is my copilot..." NOT

2008-05-15T15:41:00.004-04:00

For many years I just loved the bumper sticker "God is my copilot." I first saw it on VW busses, then cool looking "Hippie vans", then '68 Dodge Dart's. I actually had one in the 70's... Slant 6 engine with push button gears on the dash, 225,000 miles and not a drip of oil....ever anywhere. I can hear Archie and Edith singing "Those were the days!" We the people were in charge, remember the song "It's your thing do what you want to do?" Oh yea. God was MY copilot. I called Him into action when I needed to.."Help me Mr. Wizzard!!!"

Then, grace came upon me (actually it was a proverbial brick upside the head). I learned that "I" wasn't in charge, quite a humbling experience to say the least.

Today in Rob's blog, (read it here)... we're reminded that Jesus said in Matthew 16:24 "“Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am."

Any time I see that bumper sticker now I cringe and pray that they too catch on one day, before it's too late.

Rob's Kitchen

2008-05-09T22:35:00.002-04:00

Hey gang...

Here is a great post from Pastor Rob.

Guest blogger Janet Periat

2008-05-04T21:47:00.002-04:00

We’ve just “Finished” our “One month To Live Series” here at Southbrook. Six weeks of gathering, watching, reading, sharing, tears, reflecting, growing.

Ten new Home Groups were formed, over 200 more people joined into life groups. Lives have been changed and will continue to change.

Back in February I lost my best friend Dany to leukemia. His “Six Months To Live” lasted 7 years. Dany grasped what was important to him and locked on to it with a wild passion…LOVE.

You can catch up here if you missed my post then…

Here is a fantastic writer, and dear friend of Dany’s who wrote from her heart, that for me put’s a real cap on this “One Month To Live” series. Thank you Janet for sharing this with us all.

Janet Periat lives and writes in Northern California. She has completed ten novels, and writes a monthly humor column for CoastViews magazine called “What Would Janet Do?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’m emotionally wasted. My eyes are stinging and dry from crying. My heart is heavy. But I feel a sense of joy and gratitude I haven’t felt in a long time.

My friend Dany died last Wednesday at fifty-four years old. He lost a seven-year battle with leukemia. They gave him six months, he lasted six and a half years beyond that. Today, at his service, I saw why.

There was more love in that tiny old building that I’ve seen anywhere, ever. The people who spoke, what they said, the service wasn’t somber, it was a celebration of someone very special. While we all cried throughout, it was clear we were celebrating Dany. What he gave to his family and the world around him. His father spoke, his mother spoke, his best friend led the ceremony; another good friend played a song he’d written for him. His wife spoke. His son, Bronson, spoke.

It was after his son spoke that I saw the true heart of Dany Walker. He raised his son to be a man. And today, I saw a boy I’ve known since he was five steps into the shoes of an adult. Today, Bronson became a man at twenty.

Quiet, self-confident, Bronson spoke of how recently his father told him that he was ready to face life without him. That he’d brought him up and he’d made sure he’d be okay. He told his son he was ready to stand on his own. That his job was done.

Dany was diagnosed with leukemia seven years ago. He fought with every fiber of his being to stay for six and a half more years. He wasn’t done. Bronson was still a boy, his wife Peggy, needed him. Dany had more to do. So he endured more pain, more procedures and more time in the hospital than is nearly humanly possible. And he did it all for his son and for his Peggy, the love of his life.

Dany and Peggy shared an extraordinary bond. It is rare to witness a love such as these two shared. Rare. They gazed at each other as if they shared a secret; a joyous, passionate secret. They gave off love like a blast furnace gives off heat. Not only do I grieve the loss of this wonderful man, I grieve for the loss of that connection. A connection so rare and so powerful, most people don’t get the privilege to experience it. But Dany and Peggy were blessed.

They ended their time together much in the same way they started it. Holding each other, loving each other. It was just the two of them, alone in their bedroom. He was weak, his sturdy frame reduced to a mere eighty-five pounds. Peggy held him. He said, “I feel a string, it’s pulling on me, pulling on me.” She said, “No reason to stay honey, you go on.” A minute or so later, he died, right there in her arms. Peggy was so grateful to be there. So grateful to hold him to the end. So grateful she’d been able to have seven more years with him. So grateful for every moment she got to spend with him.

Funerals are for the living. They are a place to mourn, a place to celebrate, a place to reflect on our own lives. The service today slapped me in the face. I’ve been brooding lately; dealing with some childhood issues in therapy; my husband has been out of work for some time, our savings are dwindling; we’re scared. But what I saw today reminded me that all my fears are meaningless. What I realized today is that none of the things I’ve been worried about mean anything. What I realized today is that I have what Peggy and Dany shared. My connection to my husband is amazing. He truly is a dream. He’s strong and capable and funny and witty and charming and he loves me like no one else ever has. No one looks at me the way he does. No one but him.

And today, I got to go home with my husband to our home. Peggy went home to an empty bed; a closet full of Dany’s clothes; drawers still full of his things. A home full of memories, a home they built together. While the son is down the hall tonight, the other rooms are filled with relatives from out of town, shortly, everyone will return to their lives, leaving Peggy to pick up the pieces of hers. She’ll return home after work and Dany will not be there. On her birthday, he won’t be there to cook her a fantastic meal, tell her how much he loves her. She will live out her life without Dany by her side. While I believe eventually she’ll find companionship, the new man will not be Dany.

But I still have my Frank. Frank will be there when I wake up and when I go to bed at night. He’ll be eating all my chocolate, making faces at me on the other side of the glass when I’m cleaning the windows. He’ll be there to hold me when I get a rejection letter from a publisher. He will be there.

And I am so very grateful. So incredibly grateful. All my problems lessened today. Today I realized that I have no problems.

It’s a perspective I don’t want to lose. I don’t want to go back to taking things for granted. I want to realize how special today is. I want to feel grateful when I take my daily walk with Frank by my side. I want to feel grateful even when he pisses me off and I feel like clobbering him over the head with something. I want to realize how special and wonderful every day is with him. How lucky I am.

And I want to thank Dany Walker for waking me up to the Real Truth: there is only one real thing in our world. It is our connection to others. Period. All the rest is bulls**t.

My love and prayers go out to Dany’s widow and his son, step-daughter and son-in-law; his parents and family and friends; to everyone who was blessed enough to have the man touch their lives. And I want to thank Dany for being such a great friend to me; such a great father to my friend Bronson; such a great husband to my friend Peggy and such a great person in general.

If only all of us could have such a legacy.

http://www.janetperiat.com/index.php

Staff "Fun Day"

2008-04-29T22:47:00.007-04:00

Today all of the staff here at Southbrook went as a group to tour The Billy Graham Library (click here) It is out by the Charlotte airport. AMAZING

But here is the most incredible part of the tour for me. Have you ever felt that you were trying real hard to do God's will... but didn't know if you even planted a seed in someone that was working?

Well just read "The progression of a strong witness for Christ" below and see for yourself how it's all in God's timing and not your's.

Seven Things God Hates

2008-04-28T09:23:00.003-04:00

Here are six things God hates,

and... one more that He loathes with a passion:

*eyes that are arrogant,
*a tongue that lies,
*hands that murder the innocent,
*a heart that hatches evil plots,
*feet that race down a wicked track,
*a mouth that lies under oath,

*a troublemaker in the family.

How do I know?... He told me so. Also Pastor Rob spoke about it.

Read it in Proverbs 6:16-19

God Is... A teaching on The Trinity

2008-04-19T11:47:00.006-04:00

Once in a while I get a question about The Trinity. How do you describe The Trinity? What or who is The Trinity, What or who is The Holy Spirit?

Now... these are the exact same question I asked not too far back. It seems that the answers that come back are directly relational and (sadly enough) varied according to the depth of the understanding of the answer giver.

I've just completed a semester on Trinitarianism (click here to see more), a study on The Trinity and my eyes and my heart for God have been opened in a way that really has planted a great foundational understanding and clarity of The Trinity.

Click here to watch a great video, that takes a whole semester and boils it down to only 1 hour. Pastor Mark Driscoll is in the Seattle area.

So make some popcorn, get a soda, and learn away. It's part of Mark 12:30 and Loving Completely

Loving Completely

2008-04-14T21:08:00.002-04:00

As we all gather this week in our home groups, we are talking about “Loving Completely.”

Early this morning (Monday at 6:15am) our “Man up” men’s group gathered for breakfast at Trails End in Matthews. It was awesome, bacon, eggs any way you wanted them cooked, grits, pancakes, toast, coffee, OJ. We were like 10 little kids in “Man heaven.”

Pastor Paul asked us what we thought Mark 12:30 meant about loving completely as men. We’ve all heard the verse before, Jesus was in the Temple in Jerusalem and as it says in v:29 of The Message, “One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively exchanges of question and answer and seeing how sharp Jesus was in his answers, he put in his question: "Which is most important of all the commandments?" Jesus answers with v:30 NIV “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."

I think that as men, leaders of the family, we are called to love completely by loving God with all our mind. That is we need to make sure that our mind is thinking about God’s Word at all times. We are challenged all day every day to make decisions about our families, our health, our finances, our jobs, etc, etc, etc. Which means we have to think, decide the correct responses for the many situations we face constantly. I can be satisfied with what would Jay do, (the bracelets would not sell) or I can ask, “What would Jesus do. How has God already given us direction?”

Loving completely means we need to love God with all our minds and know His Word. What is your guide? You? Your friends? Your boss? Your favorite TV talk show host?

Or perhaps is it your Father in heaven?

For more insight and valuable lessons read this.

Ready, Set, Klunk

2008-04-07T19:48:00.004-04:00

These past 2 days have hit me hard, right upside the head.

Impact!

The One Month To Live series is just awesome. And week #2 this past Sunday was a Smack-Down event for me. Pastor Rob’s message “Live Passionately” (available for FREE here as soon as it gets uploaded by our techno-genius’s… who have been doing an awesome job by the way…) was one of those Slammin’ bounce ya off the floor messages for me. Get this…. In Mark 12:30 (Msg) it says, “so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.” Rob said that your heart and soul - as it says in other translations - Equals your passion. Wow. That’s like gave me total soupped up energy to go in the ring and get ready to rumble.

But wait … my opponent is also all revved up and had 5 XS Energy drinks. Luke 5:18-20 gives you a preview of what they are up to…”because of the crowd, they went up on the roof…” Did ya catch it? The crowd… THAT’S my (your's too) opponent. A crowded life keeps me and you from getting closer to God, from getting closer to Christ. That’s a huge opponent.

Klunk!

When Rob said that, I realized that I have been sooooo busy going and going and going; Monday meetings, Tuesday fly all day, Tuesday night Theology class at 10pm, Wednesday flying all day, studying all Wednesday night, Thursday flying all day, Thursday night Theology class again at 10pm, Friday meetings, OMTL class prep, Saturday writing papers to finish my Trinitarianism semester, Sunday at church from early am till 6pm… get the picture? A crowded life.

My life was soooo busy, even though I was “doing” Godly work… I wasn’t spending hardly any time in His Word.

Slam! Bam! Doink! Ouch!

Sure I was reading plenty of Bible verses in my studies for class (doesn’t that qualify?) But I was feeling empty, crowded, jammed.

Rob said we need to “create God’s space.” Be more like Jesus and get up early in the morning, find a solitary place and read His Word and pray. You can read about it here in Mark 1:35-38.

Man, I needed that pounding. What a great weekend. Thanks Rob. Thank you Jesus for giving Rob that message to give to us, and for loving me soooo much that YOU gave it all up for me on the cross.

One Month To Live – Turbo GroupLink

2008-03-25T17:41:00.006-04:00

Okay… You’ve heard Pastor Rob talk about the One Month To Live series that we are starting this weekend… (read about it here)

You’ve felt the buzzzzzz that’s been going around…

You’ve purchased a One Month To Live Interactive Guide – booklet…

You’ve talked about getting together with others for the series… (this is most important by the way)

But…

You haven’t gotten in a One Month To Live group yet…

Here’s you’re chance, for the first week only to take care of that little, really huge part of the series.

I’ll call it (unofficially) you’re one and only opportunity to come to a “no group - group.” Now… don’t go and tell anyone that I called it that. Let’s just say it’s our little secret, okay? A “no group - group.”

This coming Saturday, March 29^th at 5pm, down in the Video Café, then again on Sunday March 30^th at 4pm up in the main sanctuary, we are hosting a One Month To Live Turbo GroupLink. We’ll be doing the 1^st part of the series called ‘Living The Dash.’ What do you want the “dash” on your gravestone to represent? You know… Birth - Death.

So… bring your One Month To Live Interactive Guide – booklet… or your can still purchase one when you arrive… Bring your spouse, bring your neighbors.

P.S. At the end of the session, you'll have the opportunity to join a group or... from one of your own.

For more information or to let us know that you're planning to attend, contact Geoffrey Janes at gjanes@southbrookchurch.com

Now.... go read Pastor Rob's awesome message called "Well said" here....

Southbrooks Volunteer Home Run!

2008-03-23T18:46:00.005-04:00

At Southbrook Church.... We have the BEST volunteers....period.

They give of themselves relentlessly, with passion, and joy.

Thanks a million!!!

Look for yourself, and see why it's the best place in the Charlotte area to come and know Christ.

Hmmmmmmmmm...

2008-03-23T17:31:00.003-04:00

The Tent IS Risen !! Prepare

2008-03-21T12:04:00.004-04:00

Prepare your hearts for this Sunday's Easter services

at Southbrook Church. Read about it here!

9am & 11am

Interested in church planting???

2008-03-10T20:01:00.002-04:00

Pastor Rob Singleton, Founding Pastor of Southbrook Church, of Weddington, North Carolina... has started a new blog site for those who are seeking good, updated, effective methods for planting new churches ore even revitalizing the church you already have to what you want it to be.

It's called "Planting By The Brook." This blog will feature posts from the entire Southbrook team as each of us shares from our experience (the good, the bad, and the ugly) the things the Lord has taught us. Our hope and prayer is that it will be useful to those trying to get their church going and growing!

Here is the web site to help His kingdom grow. http://plantingbythebrook.com/

Enjoy.

Our Saturday Plans

2008-03-01T15:47:00.004-05:00

Here is an update on Southbrook's - Monroe - Habitat for Humanity House. It's at the trim and painting stage....

And... Don't forget the Monday morning "Man-Up" get together.

Newcomers Lunch

2008-02-24T22:05:00.008-05:00

Today at Southbrook we had a newcomers Lunch. An "Intro" to who we are and what we do.

You could call it a "mini mini" version of 101. But 101 class is called "Wading In The Brook."

I think the name for the Newcomers Lunch is more like "Dipping your toe in the brook." Jeff Thoms came up with that, not me... and while I'm at it, Thank you to Jeff, his wife Jennifer, and their entire Home Group for putting this all together. Awesome job.

I would also like to thank all the volunteers who put their time and energy getting the room together before and after. We have the BEST most awesome group of volunteers here at Southbrook.

Welcome to all who came.

Our next big 101 class is April 6th.

Why I'm NOT an atheist

2008-02-20T09:26:00.002-05:00

This is a comment I left on Rob's blog yesterday, for those of you who don't read it, here's what I wrote. with a few add-ons.

I choose who to follow. what to follow, what to believe and what not to believe. I was raised a Jew, become atheist, wanderer for 45 years. It was empty. I grew up in the middle of the summer of love in San Francisco. Trust me, every one at the megaphone or microphone was making sense. I fell for their scientific-dope-smokin’-LSD trippin’ , BS excuses for “Do what you want” “It ain’t no bodies business but your own” “If it moves… hump it” "the center of the universe is your private parts." spiritual expression “Love-in’s”.

It was the beginning of a massive, world wide “High” speed train wreck. We’re still seeing the aimless bodies wandering, searching for love in all the wrong places.

Mom's, Dad's, Teach your children well. We don't just let your little ones just wander their way to school and find their class room, so why let them learn about sex and love by channel surfing and R rated movies?

Here’s what I have come to find out about what makes God, God;

God has certain attributes, certain things that make God, God. A quality or characteristic of His very nature.

One of them is His simplicity. Having or composed of only one thing, element or part. Another word is “Simple”

All of creation has 3 elements;
Time
Space
Matter
Whenever you have space and matter, you have time. (Don’t fall asleep just yet)

The Greek language uses the words “Ex nihilo” or “Out of nothing.”

Ex nihilo or creation, means God created time as well. If God is beyond (before) time, anything that is outside of time is “Simple”. Therefore God is simple.

Space requires time – time requires space – matter requires both. They all require each other. Einstein found that you cannot have matter with out space or time. I wonder who or what gave him the ability to figure that out???)
Therefore, get this… If God is beyond time, then He is beyond space & matter as well.

“Something” or “Someone” is before time, matter or space.

That is what makes God, God. (thank you M.P. & R.D.)

“I’ve lost all faith in being an Atheist”

Wow…my fingers are sore

Today we said fairwell to Dany

2008-02-17T22:43:00.004-05:00

It was a beautiful cloudy, breezy day on the hillside in Pescadero, CA. On the ride down the coast from Half Moon Bay, along Pacific Coast Highway, the gray waves were crashing on the shore line, seagulls drafting the wave tops. Local fishermen lined the beaches.

I thought I'd post my memorial service for those who could not make it.. I was honored and proud to be asked to facilitate.

Good afternoon.

First of all, I would like to welcome you and thank each and every one of you who have come out here today to celebrate Dany’s life. Most of all I want to thank you for being here to support Dany’s family. They will need you, and YOU will need each other more in the next few weeks and months than right now.

It’s an honor to stand in front of you and say a few parting words about my best friend in life. There are those of you who have known Dany since he was brought into this world, his father George, mother Margot, grandmother Mary, his sister and brother Andra and Shawn. Some of you have known him for a decade or 3, his wife Peggy, their son Bronson who is Dar’s and my godson, step daughter Rachel &her husband Chris and their children Ashley and Lauren. Then there are those who have known him since He and Peggy moved here to Pescadero and were drawn into their lives.

One month ago-everything was normal. At least as normal as Dany’s last 7 years have been since being diagnosed with Leukemia.

Today-things are anything but normal.

We’ve all experienced and will continue to experience a wide range of emotions: anger, sadness, grief, confusion, worry, joy …

We’ve lost a wonderful son, a loving husband, an amazing father, a loving brother, and a great friend.

Let’s Pray together…

Almighty Father, We come before you today knowing that you created us for a purpose beyond our understanding. We cannot discern this purpose by our own powers, but you created us to dwell with you in love for all eternity. I ask that you lift the hearts of all who are here and those that couldn’t make it here today but are here in spirit. Guide us by the light of your truth, and lead us to the eternal life you have prepared for us all thru Christ Jesus Amen.

Service

I mentioned earlier at the funeral service that Dany and I go way back to the 8^th grade, 1967, Ben Franklin Jr. High., which is not even as long as he has known Larry and Norman, who still remain at his side today. When I count on my hand the close friends I have, Dany always is the first finger. If I wasn’t sleeping over at Dany’s house at his moms, we were at his dad’s house in the city, staying up late watching Johnny Carson while Dany ate heavily salted popcorn, one-kernel-at-a-time, with a dill pickle and a glass of milk. He salted the popcorn to keep me from eating his. I don’t like salt.

We both had motorcycles, of course Dany had a funny looking Vespa, just like they rode around on in Italy and Greece. We would ride them to Ghirardelli Square with our guitars on our back, play music on the steps hoping to hear pocket change land in a hat… We’re still waiting.

When Jean Dixon would predict a major San Francisco earthquake, you know the one where California slides into the ocean and every one in Las Vegas now has ocean front property… we would get on our motorcycles, fill our backpacks with Molinari Salami, cheddar cheese and a fresh loaf of sourdough and go across the Golden Gate Bridge, hang a left , head atop Kirby Cove and wait. We figured either we had an awesome view of a huge disaster or a breath taking view thru the arches of the bridge of the city. Meanwhile, Dany was busy making new friends atop the hill.

In the early 70’s we both headed off to college, Dany went across to Oakland at College of Arts And Crafts and studied photography , film., and girls…

Og Mandino wrote in his book “Greatest Salesman in The World” I will live this day as if were my last… I will waste not a moment mourning yesterday’s misfortunes, yesterday’s defeats, yesterdays aches of the heart, for why should I throw good after bad?” This is how Dany chose to live his life.

He dreamt, visualized, created. Before anyone knew what video was or how to use it, he created M.V.P. Outfitting a self contained van full of video editing equipment and taking it all over the bay area. Today these vans are standard at every TV station in the world.

He produced product and training videos for companies like Chiron and Advanced Micro Devices before they were even at $2 a share. And he directed training videos for youth with MLB teams.

His dreams of building homes on horse property have come to life, even the Pescadero Creek can’t stop Dany.

Bronson who is now in college at Cal Poly, San Louis Obispo, played water polo in high school up in Half Moon Bay, Dany would not miss a game, not even with his air filter mask on.

Mostly Dany has always been a true friend to many, and awe are all witness to his faithfulness and love for his best friend and love of his life Peggy. She’s an angel sent from heaven. Dany has been blessed to be surrounded by all of Peggy’s brothers and sisters, daughter and son in law who have been a huge support for both Dany and Peggy. They are amazing.

Most of all, Dany was about family and tradition. And his BBQ ribs are one of them, the sauce is a secret handed down from Grandpa Walker, to George, to Dany, it’s a secret! (Talk about the night he passed it to Bronson just before he died.)

Today is our chance to say thank you Dany for the way you brightened our lives, even though God granted you but half a life. We will always feel cheated that you were taken from us so young and yet we must learn to be grateful in all you have given us while you were here.

Go in peace Dano. We love you bro.

Dany’s Memorial

2008-02-15T13:00:00.003-05:00

Here is the information for Dany’s Memorial

We hope to see all of you there who are able to come to the memorial and celebrate Dany’s life with us.

Sunday, February 17^th

1:30pm

Native Sons Hall
112 Stage Road
Pescadero, CA 94060

(corner of Pescadero Rd. & Stage Rd. Click here...)

There will be a private funeral service earlier before the Memorial.

In Memory of Dany Bronson Walker

2008-02-14T00:25:00.006-05:00

October 31, 1954 - February 13, 2008

It is with great sadness and tears that I write this post. Today, around noon San Francisco time we lost a great husband, a great father, a great son, a great friend to his long battle with Leukemia. My best friend of over 40 wonderful years (read here). Dany will be missed dearly by everyone he came in contact with.

I have never known somebody who was so well liked by so many people. Every restaurant he went to they got to know him by name. The hardware store, bank, deli, even the local city hall administrators knew him by name. I have been to hospitals at Stanford University & University of Minnesota with him and when he walked in the front door, many people would stop and say “Hey Dany, good to see you today, how ya feeling?” I’d always ask them about Dany, and they all told me, “We love this guy!”

Hey Dano, I love you and will always be there for Peggy and Bronson. I promise.

Memorial Services are probably on Sunday in Pescadero, CA. (20 minutes south of Half Moon Bay. I will update with address and time.

All Is Well

By Henry Scott Holland (1847-1918)
Canon of St Paul's Cathedral

Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used
Put no difference in your tone,
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was,
Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,
Just around the corner.
All is well.

Psalm 23

2008-02-10T22:26:00.000-05:00

I'm reading through many versions of Psalm 23 tonight. Looking at what it says and teaches us about how much God loves us and how we are to trust in Him fully.

Do yourself a favor and read it, then read the article linked below. It's awesome.

A psalm of David. Old Testament by the way...

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Read An exposition of Psalm 23 by Greg Herrick Th.M., Ph.D. (Bio)

Also... check out an awesome post by Michelle Singleton

ATTENTION men of “Operation, Man Up!”

2008-02-04T18:51:00.000-05:00

Hi Men of Southbrook;

If you were at a table of Men who formed a group at this mornings gathering, at Southbrooks “Operation, Man Up!”...

Please email me at jforeman@southbrookchurch.com and let me know who's in your group. Even if you're not the leader of the group.

Or - if you did not get into a group... email me at jforeman@southbrookchurch.com and I'll help you get in one.

We need this info ASAP.

Thanks, Jay

and now, back to Rob...(click here)

An “Embarrassing Date” with fate.

2008-02-04T09:48:00.000-05:00

1986 ... I was a 33 years old, single airline pilot, stud muffin. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it...now get over it.)

I was living with 6 other pilots in a "crash pad" apartment in Greensboro, NC. My good buddy Bob lived upstairs from us. Bob was a supervisor at a construction site for a large home builder. We would go out every weekend and "Hit" the town. Other wise known as "hittin" on all the single women at dance joints.

Well, Bob started dating the FedEx delivery gal who delivered stuff to his construction site.

One day she told me that her best friend was coming down from Richmond, VA to spend the weekend and wanted to know if I would go out on a double date. I said "Show me a picture first and I'll let you know." Is that a self proclaimed stud muffin answer or what?

I cant believe I said yes. Me on a blind date??? Argh!

We all went out dancing. I had just moved up from Miami and usually wore jeans, t-shirt, flip flops... Bob clued me in and wrangled me into Kahkkis, long sleeve shirt with a bulky sweater, penny loafers. I was sweating up a storm on the dance floor. Darlene said "Why don't you take your sweater off?" I refused. Didn't want to ruin the stud muffin outfit, it was a complete package ya know.

Dar went back to Virginia and told everyone I was "way too preppy" for her...but I had a nice Mercedes and loved to spend $$$. (always put your best assets up forward of your faults...)

6 months later were engaged, and a year after that sweaty night...we were married, over 21 years later she's still my guiding light.

That blind date turned out to be a free gift from God. He sent an angle to change my life forever. An answer to my prayers.

Hence... my “Embarrassing Date” with fate.

Please pray for Dany

2008-02-01T17:15:00.000-05:00

Dany Walker is my bestissss friend.

He has been since 1969 .... San Francisco. It was the hay days of the summer of love, peace movement, Haight Ashbury. We were 14 & 15 kids and right smack in the middle of it. Our parents were trying to "Be" a part of the movement. Dany was busy filming as much of it as possible. His father was also busy as a prominent defense attorney defending the Hells Angles in a murder trial for the Rolling Stones concert at Altamont. ( See "Gimme Shelter").

Dany and I both had motor scooters...a Vespa and a Honda. We would ride up to Golden Gate Park or Ghirardelli Square next to Fisherman's Wharf and play our guitars on the steps, hoping the tourists would pitch a few nickles in the hat....NOT.

Dar and I are God-Parents to Bronson, Dany and Peggy's 19 year old son who goes to Cal Poly School of Engineering.

We've remained close friends since we met. He has been a true blessing to me. When you can count your best friends on one hand... he is the first finger.

Dany and Larry and Norman, and several others over the years (late 60's) had a band, Overnight Flight. Dany is the little kid with the red hat and little kid voice on lead.....please check it out here.....

Today, we're bringing Dany home from Stanford University hospital. He just wants to be at home on his farm by the beach, walk in his tomato garden, pet his horse Kelly, rub his cats, eat homemade pasta sauce, look at his beautiful wife Peggy, his wonderful son Bronson and pass in peace.

I love you Dany. Jesus loves you Dany. We all love you Dany. Thank you for lighting up our lives, making us laugh, and teaching us compassion.

Oh yea... don't forget the admonition!... Heyyyyy (inside joke)

Why communion?

2008-01-30T12:54:00.000-05:00

The Lord's Supper, Holy Communion, The Eucharist. Different names for the same sacrament (an outward sign, instituted by Christ, that conveys an inward, spiritual grace through Christ.)

The sacrament of communion was spoken about by Jesus during the last supper with His diciples in Mark 14:22-25, Matthew 26:26-29, and Luke 22:13-20. He makes it very clear that we are to “Do this in remembrance of me.” This is not spoken as a suggestion or if you feel like it type thing. He said “Do this…” As a child, can you remember your father telling you to take out the garbage? He said “Take out the garbage” … i.e.; DO this. Not “If” you feel like it.

Bottom line; Being Led by the Holy Spirit

(Jesus said) “I am the vine, you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; but apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5

At Southbrook we believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God’s power within us. So we seek to practice a daily dependence on God’s Spirit...(Pastor
Rob talks about it here...) to enable us to do what is right. (Phil. 2:3; Eph. 5:18)

6:40pm tonight, and the last Wednesday of each month. Be there because you Want to be there, more importantly….be there because Jesus said “DO this.”

In His love for all we have been forgiven for

Jay

“Honey….I’m home….”

2008-01-25T19:55:00.000-05:00

I'll have to admit…. Work sure does get in the way. I’ve been flying WAY toooooo much.

I’d much rather be helping others Full Time! But….I guess God is not ready for that so… I’ll pray for patience and guidance for His strength and wisdom.

Last time I wrote (just before I left you all in the no blogging darkness…) I was talking about how Home Groups are a way for each one of us to put “Life deposits” into each other. Sharing and caring FOR each other.

Take a look at what Jesus said in John 17:20-21 …. Here…I’ll just save you the time, “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”

There is your open invitation. He has openly invited YOU to have an ongoing, deep, meaningful relationship with others, just like He had/has with His Father. Here is a list of what Jesus wants YOU to experience with others…

· Encourage each other

· Support each other

· Love each other

· Defer to each other

· Glorify each other

This is one of the most important instructions Jesus left for us. Do all this so that others will see a difference in you and the people you surround yourself with “so that the world will believe you sent me.” Then they will want what you have. This is one of man’s most common natures. He wants what others have if… they see that it will improve their life too. Am I right? Have I hit a warm spot?

Home Groups should be incubators of faith. Faith in God, faith in His Son, faith in His followers. “Living Life Together” in faith and love.

Sooooo... If you haven’t joined a Home Group…NOW is the time to go for it. At Southbrook Church, we have many groups to choose from. Click here and check out your options. Or…. Email me at jforeman@southbrookchurch.com and I’ll help you find a group.

In the meantime, Read Rob’s blog.

and... now you can read Michelle's blog .

Blessings

Are Home Groups for me? (you) Part 2

2008-01-13T19:42:00.000-05:00

Welcome back. I hope you had a great weekend.

In Part 2, we’ll take a look at what Jesus says about God’s plan for us while we are on this ball of mud called earth.

In John 17:11, Jesus says to God His Father, “Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.” ...WOW,,, Jesus just prayed to God the Father for you and I. Bill Donahue, who wrote “Building a Church of Small Groups” says “The significance of this statement (prayer) cannot be over stated. Jesus is praying that His disciples – the men who for three years had disappointed Him, misunderstood Him and ultimately abandon Him (in other words, humans like you and me) would experience something amazing. WOW. Upside down MOM…scratch that, it doesn’t work here…

Ok, did you catch that? …”Be one as We are.” He's saying have the same experience and quality of relationship with each other as He had with God. Dude, that’s a huge WOW!

All throughout the Bible, Jesus and God via the Trinity;

· Encouraged each other

· Supported each other

· Loved each other

· Deferred to each other

· Glorified each other.

That’s what we (you) do in a Home Group…. Via the Trinity, Father-Son-Holy Spirit. True fellowship. Sharing and Living Life together. As Bill Easum says in “Go Big With Small Groups,” Not to mention you are building the largest pastoral care machine in existence.” The Greek word for fellowship is “koinonia” , which means, “putting good deposits in one another.” Like a “healthy” bank account, adding deposits, increase.

“Living Life Together” and watching Lives Change.

* * * * * * *

Next…....when we return…An Open Invitation…from Jesus

Question…

What are you doing next Sunday January 20^th between 3pm and 8pm that you can’t cancel or put off till another time? Seriously!

Southbrook’s Connecting classes are Sunday January 20^th. 3-8pm. 101, 201, 301, 401. Pastor Rob spoke about it at each service this weekend... and it didn't sound to me like he was asking if you'd like to come, he was telling you as your Pastor what you NEED to do next weekend....Please come and attend your next class. Learn, grow, become. “Love your God with all your mind.” So that your heart will be steady when challenged.

Peace out.

Are Home Groups for me? (you)

2008-01-12T09:09:00.000-05:00

Great question eh? I’ll bet you have probably asked yourself that in the last few years. Or as a couple… “Are Home Groups for us? Am I right? I know I am. That’s why there have been sooooo many books written in the last 10 years about it.

Does even the notion of being in a Home Group stir up a feeling of some sort down inside you?

Look at this…

Here’s the church

Here’s the steeple

Open it up and look at all the people.

Here in lies the problem. Tooooo many people. I don’t care if there are 50 people inside or 5000. It’s toooo many people for YOU to connect to and have a caring relationship with. In Andy Stnley and Bill Willit’s book, “Creating Community” they mention that we were created to be relational beings with varying relationship needs based on our wiring and temperaments; but the truth is none of us was meant to live ALONE.

Go ahead and pull out your Rolodex, your Palm, your Crackberry, your Q, your Outlook contact list, and while your at it get out your Christmas card list, birthday card list and your neighborhood directory, Girl Scout leader list, soccer organization list, church directory, and finally your list of all your lists. Go ahead……….. Ok, now go thru and count the 100’s and 1000’s of people you live life around and I’d gather to say you live life deeply with very few of them. Bill Willits says “It’s no wonder so many of us feel alone and isolated, experiencing what an observer has called “crowded loneliness.”

That is not what God originally intended for us. Genesis 2:18 God says “It’s not good for man to live alone.” I believe that’s on the outside and the inside.

Look back up ↑ at the 3^rd picture of all the people standing, by themselves IN the church.

Now take a look at this next picture.

See the difference? They are connected!

Caring for each other. Jesus talked about sheep a lot. They were the best example 2000 years ago of “Living Life Together.” Think about this,.. Sheep are never attacked in herds – they are attacked when isolated from the flock.

We’ll take a look at what Jesus says about God’s plan for us while we are on this ball of mud... next... when we return.

On a quick note…. Southbrook’s Connecting classes are Sunday January 20^th. 3-8pm. 101, 201, 301, 401. Please come and attend your next class. Learn, grow, become. “Love your God with all your mind.” So that your heart will be steady when challenged.

2008 – Who will you become?

2007-12-31T17:49:00.000-05:00

About A.D. 64, Apostle Paul wrote a letter to his dear friend and missionary Titus. After Paul’s first Roman imprisonment, he and Titus worked briefly in Crete, after which Paul commissioned Titus to remain there as his representative and complete some needed work. Paul wrote Titus to give him personal authorization and guidance in meeting opposition, instructions about faith and conduct and warnings about false teachers.

Here we are, 1900+ years later.

What’s changed?

Who are you?

What or who will you become in 2008?

I think you’ll find the letter to Titus very interesting. Look just after 2Timothy and before Hebrews. It’s only 2 and ½ pages long. 1207 words. 3 chapters. Had I turned a college paper in of this size, I would have undoubtedly gotten a big fat “F” with “Where’s the rest?” written on it! Probably proves once again that I’m NOT Apostle material. Go figure…

To me, Chapter 3 really puts the rubber to the road. (Sandals have tire treads on them you know…) It’s called “Doing What Is Good” Here are a few ways to become “Good” in 2008, not according to me but according to God’s Word.

** “They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.”

** “Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time..” In other words….don’t sweat the small stuff. (my input...)

** “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”

Chapter 2 also has a most important message for us as we begin yet another year…

** “And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.”

Happy New Year. Become excellent at “Doing What Is Good” in 2008

Paul finished his letter with “May God’s grace be with you all.”

1 more thing....... read Rob's blog daily.

...and goodnight !

2007-12-25T10:18:00.000-05:00

Done,

fried,

exhausted,

over joyed,

my smile is stuck in greeting mode !

175 new believers this week!!! (click here)

To all the First Impressions Team volunteers at Southbrook...

"Ya'll rock"

IT WAS WORTH IT!!

AGAIN.

Merry CHRISTmas

Getting closer

2007-12-21T23:10:00.000-05:00

We're running out of time....

READ ABOUT IT HERE....

The S factor concludes for eternity.

2007-12-15T11:55:00.000-05:00

We last saw Santa flat out on his kiester. Out of luck, out of wisdom, and in great need of grace.

Boy does that sound like Society as a whole.

Every one this time of year is hitting the stores Shopping for Stuff. Looking to find the best present which gives “The biggest bank for the buck.” Trying to do the most good because the “Payoff” is hopefully gonna last till next year.

Is there real everlasting Salvation with this Santa?

Do we give to give? Do we give to get? Proverbs 11:24-25 says “by watering others, he waters himself.” If we’re not careful with how we view this Salvation thing, we could end up raising our hands in agreement with Satin, read more about this nasty opportunity here at my really good friend Pastor Rob’s blog.

Salvation. Where does it come from.

First of all, let me be perfectly clear, It does NOT come from doing good works alone.

Notice I did not say good works. I said good works alone. Give give give, help help help till the cows come home. Amen. But that will NOT bring you eternal Salvation. PERIOD

John 3:3 say “In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.^”

Even Santa understands this. Read Romans 14:11

“It is written 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me, every tongue will confess to God.'”

Salvation only comes from asking Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior. By Simply telling Him that you have Slipped in err, and want Him to Save you from eternal hell.

So here’s the bad news…It’s YOUR choice…

Here’s the GOOD news…It’s YOUR choice. Not to choose is to choose bad news.

Santa

Satin

Salvation.

THIS is the REAL S factor.

If you want to know more, or have questions, comment back.

Merry CHRISTmas.

The "S" factor, Part III

2007-12-11T16:34:00.000-05:00

This Santa guy seems to have a corner on the market that not only keeps him busy as a beaver the busy whole month of December. He's a really cool cat this Santa...

Not only have I seen him "On the street" as we saw a few days ago, but a good friend of mine (who'll we'll keep anonymous) saw him at a kereoke bar belting out songs about a red nosed "dear" friend of his.

I'm thinking that it's really John Belushi in a Santa disguise...

There should be a bounty on these guys for impersonating the real Santa. Especially ones who don't even shell out the $37.82 rental fee for the red suit and fake beard. Here's a perfect example.

It got so bad for this one that he hid in a hole.

But not for long! Amen!
Sadistic.

Many of them should be held accountable for their aweful behavior in public. Every year we hear some really sad story about a little old lady getting her purse snatched by you know who...yep... Santa.

As a matter of fact here's the round up of just this weeks Snatching Sniveling Sorry Stank Santa's.

Is the REAL Santa in this lineup?

It all seems sooooo meaningless to me. Commercials, gimmee gimmee, take take take, give give give, to who? For what? Because why?

I think this Santa says it all.

Believe it or not... there is a beautiful ending to this madness.

There really IS an true S factor, come on back now, ya hear!

Merry CHRISTmas.

The "S" factor continues

2007-12-09T19:54:00.000-05:00

What is it about Santa that keeps us coming back?

Is he real?

Does he really exist?

Is there more than just hope?

Can we remain child like all our lives?

I watched Miracle on 34th Street many times, and the ending is VERY convincing. It removes all doubt, doesn't it?

My question then becomes... "How does Santa get down the chimney?" I hear that Santa loves to eat, often. As a matter of fact, he eats till he's stuffed. just look at what all those cookies that kids leave out for him do to his insides...

Now, what if the chimneys around town are just tooooo small for the big guy?

Santa ends up like this.

I guess our "little" Santa will just be a little late this year. Oh well... put the coffee pot on please.

Hopefully Santa won't get too down on his situation. Life comes at ya kinda fast sometimes and causes some to get down on life. It could lead to drastic mood alterations and end up like this towards season's end...

Then what?

Is this the REAL Santa ?

We'll just have to wait till we return with more of...

The S factor.

Merry CHRISTmas.

The "Real" deal about CHRISTmas

2007-12-07T20:53:00.000-05:00

Ok.....

So you've been reading Rob's blog about the X factor have you.

Well, I've been doing some of my own research and have found another remarkably sad situation that has become pretty intolerable.

I'll just call it the S Factor.

As a nice Jewish boy growing up in a 60's world, I thought Xmas or Christmas was all about Santa... AND trying to jealously take some of our glorious 8 days of presents known as Hanukkah. I mean hey, everywhere I went, Santa Santa Santa was plastered all over, store windows, TV commercials (he didn't have a sleigh...he rode an electric razor down the hill) magazine covers, plastic blow ups for your front lawn..... yep, it's all about Santa.

Is Santa real? Is he the REAL deal about CHRISTmas? I've gotten a little smarter since the 60's (Holy Spirit gets all over you if you're not careful.)

So, Let's see if you can figure out who is the real Santa. Go ahead and give it a try. T'is the season you know.

Is it 3 Wood Santa ?

Is it Tim the Toolman Santa ? (SC for short)
P.S. Isn't Toolman a Jewish name?

maybe it's Santa Pepe' ?

OR....Maybe it's Santa's helper named Relf ?

There's more to choose from... stay tuned to the S factor.

"The Elf" has struck

2007-12-04T17:13:00.000-05:00

Here is a Family Christmas message

from our "Elfs" to yours.

click here

The Merry Christmas season has now officially began.

My Read On Life

2007-11-29T23:55:00.000-05:00

A past mentor of mine, who has helped over 2000 people come to know The Lord over the past 30 years said to me, "Your life direction will will lean towards the 5 people you spend the most time with and the books you read."

Think about it... who do you hang with and look up to and what books are you reading.

My current read is "Creating Community" by Andy Stanley and Bill Willits. It's about Creating a small group culture with in a church.

Here is my favorite quote so far...In John 17:20-21 Jesus says

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."

Andy says, that it's as if Jesus is saying that unbelievers are just waiting to believe, but the question is, Will they see us relating in this magnetic, irresistible way?

This is what the community of small groups create. Are you hanging with one?

Blessings, Jay

Thank/LESS

2007-11-24T21:37:00.000-05:00

Imagine (if you can...) being able to live UNafraid... Wow.... the possibilities, the options.

What would you do if you weren't afraid? How different would you live your life?

The Apostle Paul teaches in 2Timothy 1:7 that "For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and a sound mind."

SO... what does that mean for us? Southbrook's own own Lysa TerKeurst, of Proverbs 31 Ministries spoke to us this weekend. It was awesome and power/FULL.

My favorite quote was, "God is sovereign, even when His answers are NO." That blew- me- away!

Thank you Lysa!! For increasing our lives thru God's power and love.

Upcomming Home Groups Project

2007-11-21T15:51:00.000-05:00

Hello Home Group Leaders!

Happy Thanksgiving to all your families and extended families. I hope your dinner table is “Thank/FULL” of good food and love.

We are driving up to Richmond, VA Thursday, to be with family. Before we leave, we have prepared a turkey for the homeless men in the Charlotte area. We are so “Thank/FULL” that God has given us the ability to help others in need.

As Pastor Rob mentioned in this past weekend’s “Thank/FULL” service, by the time the Thanksgiving dinner is over and done, and we have given “Thanks” for all God has given us, the table is taken down… the Christmas lights and decorations go up. Hopefully, our spirits go up as well in the excitement of the Christmas season.

Sadly, not everyone’s spirits go up. For some, it’s a time of frustration, bitterness, and loneliness.

As Southbrook’s new Director of Home Groups, I am very pleased to announce that this Christmas season, Southbrook Church has partnered with Angel Tree, and Prison Fellowship. Since 1982, Angel Tree along with Prison Fellowship, have partnered with churches and volunteers around the country to minister to the children of prisoners and their families. Celebrating 25 years of building confidence, healing wounds, and changing lives through the love of Christ.

This is a great opportunity for ALL home groups to continue the “Thank/FULL” giving in our communities. It will also be a great opportunity for the many Southbrook members who are not yet in a home group to become involved in helping less fortunate families this Christmas, and see how home groups should be and could be a part of their Christian life too, “Living Life Together.”

We have all the material and information needed to make this Angle Tree program a success. All we need from you is 1 hour of your time to learn about this wonderful program and touch lives. Your Southbrook Pastors are excited and committed to the success of this program.

Our plan is to have each home group sponsor a family, find out their needs, gather the gifts, take them to the families before Christmas and most importantly, share the greatest gift of all, “The Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

I want to get together with ALL of you, either as a group of leaders or individually so we can get this rockin’. Yes I know we’re all very busy with the Christmas season rapidly approaching, PLEASE think about the children and parents during a season of frustration, bitterness, and loneliness, and their need for Jesus in their lives.

In His “Thank/FULL” love and service;

Jay

Thank/FULL Quotes

2007-11-18T19:29:00.000-05:00

Wow!! What an amazing service this weekend at Southbrook!

I can't wait to hear how many bags of food we collected and sent off to feed the hungry and hurting in the Charlotte area.

Here are a few quotes from Rob this weekend.

*** Hebrew's... "With out faith it's impossible to please God."

*** "Many see their need to pray...but don't see the need for praise."

*** "God's power is not released until you step out in faith."