Brendan Shea's Blog, page 4

Reblogged:

By The Seed Basket – A Devotional by Beth Carley 

August 20, 2025

Who is Wise?

When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord.

Proverbs 19:3 (ESV)

How many times have you heard people who claim not to believe in God turn around and vilify Him when things go wrong? That doesn’t make any sense.

Let’s take that a step further. One day, though they will be condemned for eternity, they will finally confess that Jesus is Lord. But it will be too late.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus talks about a poor man and a rich man, each entering the moment of death, each with a different destination.

Photo by Tara Winstead on Pexels.com

While we are not certain, most Bible scholars believe it is possible that Jesus was relating a true event. The reason the scholars believe this is not simply a parable is because actual names were used, the event is not introduced as a parable as most of them were, and finally because it is not metaphorical.

But even all of that is not important. If it were, Jesus would have made it plain.

Let’s hear from Luke.

Jesus said, “There was a rich man who always dressed in the finest clothes. He lived in luxury every day. There was also a very poor man named Lazarus, whose body was covered with sores. Lazarus was often placed at the rich man’s gate. He wanted to eat only the small pieces of food that fell from the rich man’s table. And the dogs would come and lick his sores! Later, Lazarus died. The angels took Lazarus and placed him in the arms of Abraham.

Photo by Peggy Anke on Pexels.com

The rich man died, too, and was buried. But he was sent to where the dead are and had much pain. The rich man saw Abraham far away with Lazarus in his arms. He called, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me! Send Lazarus to me so that he can dip his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am suffering in this fire!’ But Abraham said, ‘My child, remember when you lived? You had all the good things in life, but all the bad things happened to Lazarus. Now Lazarus is comforted here, and you are suffering. Also, there is a big pit between you and us. No one can cross over to help you. And no one can leave there and come here.’ 

Photo by Raphael Brasileiro on Pexels.com

The rich man said, ‘Then please send Lazarus to my father’s house on earth!  I have five brothers. Lazarus could warn my brothers so that they will not come to this place of pain.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have the law of Moses and the writings of the prophets to read; let them learn from them!’ The rich man said, ‘No, father Abraham! If someone came to them from the dead, they would believe and change their hearts and lives.’  But Abraham said to him, ‘No! If your brothers won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, then they won’t listen to someone who comes back from death.’”

Luke 16:19-31 (ESV)

What have you done about your choice for salvation?

Share the Gospel in your world.

The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.

Proverbs 19:23

English Standard Version (ESV)

The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

Post courtesy of The Seed Basket – A Devotional by Beth Carley 

Christmas in July

I like Christmas in July

French toast at midnight 

Ice water in wintertime 

Beethoven on Soul Train 

New York cheesecake from New Jersey

African Violets in America

Hot chocolate at an ice rink

Italian pizza at a Chinese bar

A romantic comedy inside a thriller novel

No rhyme or reason

At any season

‘til Birnam Wood come to Dunsinane

But no murder in my name

I like Irene Cara but I don’t need fame

Just lox me up with a bagel and release me

I so glad that I am free

Poems copyright 2025 by Brendan Shea are available for purchase on Amazon:

Click here to purchase

Loaves & Fishes

I was reading the book of a fellow and talented writer, James Collins, The Overcomer, and he spoke about the parable of the Loaves & Fishes.

Before I proceeded beyond the verse, to the book’s expansion on the subject, I felt compelled to write this:

I went to help my mom with a heavy task last month, and I had to drive a LOT of miles to do so. When I returned from the trip, I’d used less fuel than I would have expected.

My odometer should have had about fifty more miles on it than it did. Now I could have reset the trip clock inadvertently, but I’d been on fire for the Lord, and I THINK He caused my car to perform supernaturally.

You may think this is absurd, or at least unlikely, but I have seen Him work in this way, and while I recently stumbled, and might not see such favor for a while (and I’m trying to repent and mend my ways), I feel He was giving me His approval at the time.

Just a thought, take it as you will.

[image error]Pexels.com" data-medium-file="https://positive77.com/wp-content/upl..." data-large-file="https://positive77.com/wp-content/upl..." width="1880" height="1249" src="https://positive77.com/wp-content/upl..." alt="" class="wp-image-3728" />Photo by Mike Bird on Pexels.com

Luke 9:10-17 New International VersionJesus Feeds the Five Thousand

10 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, 11 but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

12 Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.”

13 He replied, “You give them something to eat.”

They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” 14 (About five thousand men were there.)

But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

Song of the Week

Little Italy by Stephen Bishop

Can’t You Hear The Parade
Somebody’s Calling My Name
There On The Sidewalk
And All The People Turn Their Heads To See
Ah Mama, Am I Holding On To The Wings Of A Prayer
Waiting For Rosie, Tell Me Do Ya Think She Cares
Ah, Dancing In The Streets, In Little Italy
Ah, There All Dancing In The Streets, In Little Italy

I’m Am Old Woman
And Your Old Enough To Live your Own Life
But Stay Out Of The Barrels
The Boys Are Seeing You With The Clowns
Ah But Rosie, She Gotta Rainbow Round Her Shoulder
You Better Not Loose Her, Wild Flowers Make Her Heart Sing
Ah, There Dancing In The Streets, In Little Italy
Ah, There Are Dancing In The Streets, In Little Italy

Do Do Do Do Do Do Do
Bah Bah Bah Bah Bah Bah
Bah Bah Bah Bah Bah Bah
Ah, There All Dancing In The Streets, In Little Italy
Ah, There Are Dancing In The Streets, In Little Italy

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Stephen Bishop

Little Italy lyrics © Stephen Bishop Music

Sorry to go dark…

Hi Readers,
I’m sorry to go dark for a couple of weeks; I have been extra busy with my day job, and have not had a pressing urge to write. The latter is unusual, prompting me to wonder, at 25 books published (24 of them are found here), am I losing my need and want to write…?

With the proliferation of writing online, I am sure you’ll find something interesting to read, but will try to be back on here soon, with something that might be of interest to you.

Best, Brendan Shea, Positive Press

Last of the walk-ins?

This past week, I went camping in San Rafael at China Camp, our favorite tenting location. The vistas are amazing, it is largely peaceful and our fellow campers and accompanying kids were good to be with.

It was perhaps my final walk-in camping trip. We’ve done a few drive-in jaunts, mostly not our druthers, but I am the chief valet, so drive-in can be nice. I am getting close to the big six-oh, and need to guard my health.

The decision came after hauling in our stuff this week, when I realized our new cooler, this one with two wheels, was very hard to walk with. I got it out of the car okay when it was full, and set it down on the blacktop of the parking lot without incident.

Full, with ice, food and drink for three days, it was (thankfully) the first item I dragged the quarter-mile to our site. My wife came through like a champ, because some of their sites are up a steep hill with a heavily rutted track, and some others are also tricky to access.

When I picked up the longer handle (it as two handles for management and one big one for dragging), I started across the parking lot and realized it weighed about two-hundred and fifty pounds full.

I took several breaks on the stony path to our campsite, and my elbow literally felt like it might snap in two. As a twenty or thirty year-old, I probably wouldn’t have felt that way, but at fifty-seven, it might not have been completely out of the realm of possibility.

A big dude walked up quickly, easily pulling a large four-wheeled basket, and kindly and sincerely offered to swap loads for a bit. It was very gracious of him, but I figured I’d have to take it back, and wanted to know I could get it done; but it still might have been a good idea, male ego aside.

I switched hauling arms several times, and told my wife about my valid fears. She is not one to worry about things, but after she saw how taxed I was she immediately said there might be something to be said for drive-up camping after all, while normally she dislikes it.

Thank the Lord, I got a second wind after the second or third load I carted in, and by the end I felt a sense of accomplishment, and was able to go the distance.

That night we feasted on Angus burgers with steak seasoning and packaged kale and cabbage salads with seeds, cranberries and a delicious creamy dressing. She also put out scooped tortilla chips with salsa. She normally makes chili with hot dogs on the first night, but my CKD wouldn’t take all the potassium and sodium.

I was able to set up my cot successfully, and slept fairly well. I didn’t worry too much that a mountain lion might attack me on the way to the bathroom after dark, my legs and feet didn’t cramp up too badly, and I didn’t have to pee too many times in the night.

Wednesday dawned, and I got our dog out for a pee and a poop, got her breakfast and treat, and we sat in my camp chair with her on my lap, both of us glad of our jackets and me reading my recent mystery and one of Michael Connelly’s. I’m happy to say I enjoyed reading both; it isn’t always easy to read one’s own writing, and my books aren’t usually as well written as someone like Connelly’s.

My wife came out of the tent and fired up the camp stove, her domain, not mine. When the kettle boiled, she had her coffee and I had my tea, black, decaf, as I was pretty much born caffeinated.

After a while, the wife cooked up our typical first-day morning meal: breakfast sausages and fried eggs. With my CKD, I don’t normally eat egg yolks, but I made an exception for the trip. She also got me mango-pineapple juice as I can’t drink a lot of OJ with CKD either. She asked me about this specifically, and I really appreciate her for that.

CKD is chronic kidney disease. Not to plug another book, but I wrote about that subject in my book, Timestamp, if you are curious or concerned that you or a loved one might contract this dread condition. My health is fairly stable at this point, and I thank my Christ, who sustains me until it is time to go home for good.

While washing up the breakfast dishes, a fellow camper walked by me, and she asked how my meal was, and I said it was good. She replied, “Camping breakfast is always good.”, which I readily agreed with.

Back at our campsite, we were relieved by the burning off of the clouds and the rise of the sun, warming us up from the seemingly freezing morning. Later, I’d seek shade, but for the moment, the golden orb was welcome and wonderful.

As it neared lunchtime, we packed our small cooler and our camp chairs with umbrellas, and with backpacks on, we trudged back to the parking lot. We drove to the China Camp beach, which is mostly quiet, with tiny pebbles and some sand, and enjoyed a noisy morning with our lunchables and chips.

It was noisy because there is a kids camp that meets there during the summer, and this year was no different. They screamed gleefully, threw rocks proudly and plunged into the water, armed with life vests, boogie boards, paddle boards and inflatable kayak-type boats.

As I sat reading my other book, by Robert Dugoni, called The Jury Master, a wonderful suspense read (not a legal thriller), I kept one eye on the kids, as the ratio of counselors to kids did not seem favorable. Now I realize they probably didn’t need me to do that, but I felt if something went wrong I’d have been negligent.

Version 1.0.0

One kid threw rocks that almost hit others, and I asked him to not do that. I said I wasn’t his dad, but that I’d appreciate it. Later, his friend pegged one of the counselors, who was supervising from a boat, and the offender wrung his hands against his neck repeatedly, while being scolded. I felt God was convicting him, and hoped he’d learn a lesson. He was probably back throwing pebbles later, but maybe with a bit of caution.

I took some photos of the pier, former fishing village’s current museum, and beach. My phone was getting low on power, so I put it on power saver mode every time I finished taking any pics. Later, at the campsite, my wife paired my phone with a portable battery the size of my phone, and charged up my battery, which I really appreciated.

The rest of our time at the beach that day and the next was pretty quiet, as the children went home.

Here is a photo of the bathroom and showers at the beach. I note it as they were rebuilt and are much nicer than in years past:

In closing, here are some photos of the camping area and surrounds:

What a wonderful book!

Basil Sparks has crafted a book unlike any I have read, in his, FINDING MY LOST VOICE: By Acting Justly, Loving Kindness and Walking Humbly with God. And in a very good manner.

He covers nine areas: privilege; invalidation; canceling; false teaching; appropriate pride in his fallible homeland; being a peacemaker; poverty and vulnerability; humility, self-image and sexual temptation; and finally, growing old and remaining relevant.

Now I personally feel guilty at being white in a world that has caused atrocities against others, and specifically blacks, but the author is definitely not racist, and speaks out for racial equality, but feels that reverse racism is also unfortunate and wants it to come to an end. I think that might take a long time, maybe longer than we imagine.

The books hinges on God’s Word, but specifically on Micah 6:8, which calls us as Christians to righteousness, mercy and humility; these are things Christians as myself have been known to lack as well as perhaps known to live out, but while many things Sparks writes about may seem obvious, his collection of topics, as given, map out and create an atmosphere that can help to rewire us back to proper behavior and a more loving, just world.

This is the second book, but very different otherwise from the last such, that has, while not the Word of God, specifically, helped me to change and grow as a person. I can say that while some books transport us, and some leave us thrilled or comforted, Finding My Lost Voice’, can help the reader like a compass, truing him or her to a better standard, growing its audience closer to the maker, to make society a little more just, merciful and humble, like throwing starfishes back in the ocean, restoring one life at a time.

Please click here to purchase the book on Amazon

South African pastor and author, Reverend Basil Sparks:

A Beautiful Teaching Song

Shavuot feast of Pentecost song THE FEASTS OF YEHOVAH

(Lyrics in linked video above)

Exodus 19:5-621st Century King James Version

5 Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.

6 And ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.”

Bonus Song

Psalm 1– Sons of Korah

Blessed is the man
The man who does not walk
In the counsel of the wicked
Blessed is the man
Who doesn’t stand in the sinners way
Or sit in the seat of the mocker
Blessed is the man, oh-oh
Blessed is the man, oh-oh

Blessed is the man
That man for his delight
Is in the law of the Lord
Blessed is the man
That man who meditates
On the word both day and night

And he shall be like a tree
That’s planted by the streams
Which yields its fruit in the season
And whatever he does will prosper
All that he does succeeds
His leaf shall not wither

Not so the wicked, oh-oh
They will be like chaff, oh-oh
That the wind will blow, away, away
The wind will blow, away, away

Song of the Week

Les Misérables Cast • Les Misérables: Highlights From The Motion Picture Soundtrack • 2012

[Valjean:]
One day more
Another day, another destiny
This never ending road to Calvary
These men who seem to know my crime
Will surely come a second time
One day more

[Marius:]
I did not live until today
How can I live when we are parted?

[Valjean:]
One day more

[Marius & Cosette:]
Tomorrow you’ll be worlds away
And yet with you, my world has started

[Eponine:]
One more day all on my own

[Marius & Cosette:]
Will we ever meet again?

[Eponine:]
One more day with him not caring

[Marius & Cosette:]
I was born to be with you

[Eponine:]
What a life I might have known

[Marius & Cosette:]
And I swear I will be true!

[Eponine:]
But he never saw me there

[Enjolras:]
One more day before the storm
At the barricades of freedom
When our ranks begin to form
Will you take your place with me?

[Marius:]
Do I follow where she goes?
Shall I join my brothers there?
Do I stay or do I dare?

[All:]
The time is now
The day is here

[Valjean:]
One day more!

[Javert:]
One more day till revolution
We will nip it in the bud
We’ll be ready for these schoolboys
They will wet themselves with blood!

[Valjean:]
One day more!

[M. & Mme. Thenardier:]
Watch them run amuck
Catch’m as they fall
Never know your luck
When there’s a free for all
Here a little dip
There a little touch
Most of them are goners
So they won’t miss much!

[Students:]
One day to a new beginning
Raise the flag of freedom high!
Every man will be a king
Every man will be a king
There’s a new world for the winning
There’s a new world to be won
Do you hear the people sing?

[Marius:]
My place is here
I fight with you!

[Valjean:]
One day more!

[Marius & Cosette:]
I did not live until today
Tomorrow you’ll be worlds away
And yet with you my world has started

[Eponine:]
One more day all on my own

[Javert:]
I will join these people’s heroes
I will follow where they go
I will know their little secrets
I will know the things they know

[Valjean:]
One day more!

[M. & Mme. Thenardier:]
Watch ’em run amuck
Catch ’em as they fall
Never know your luck
When there’s a free-for-all

[Javert:]
One more day to revolution
We will nip it in the bud
We’ll be ready for these schoolboys
Tomorrow is the judgement day

[Valjean:]
Tomorrow we’ll be far away
Tomorrow is the judgement day

[All:]
Tomorrow we’ll discover
What our god in heaven has in store!
One more dawn
One more day
One day more!