Tez Brooks's Blog: TezBrooks.com, page 10

Glitch

“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” John 15:19 (NIV)

I sometimes struggle with acceptance. Especially as a Christian who stands up for my rights. The world can be pretty rough on you if they discover you don’t share their values. There’s little tolerance for followers of Jesus.

Long ago, on the island state of Tasmania lived a nightmarish predator that farmers couldn’t tolerate. Not to be confused with the Tasmanian devil, this outcast was called the Tasmanian tiger. But since the last captive one died in a zoo in 1936, they are thought to be extinct.

Maybe.

It was quite an anomaly. Resembling a large wolf with tiger stripes, these carnivorous marsupials would sometimes stand upright and hop around on two legs.

Their jaws opening to an unearthly 120-degree angle they were sometimes called a glitch or freak of nature, a mess.

Frightening to encounter in the outback, these elusive monsters might still be around according to eyewitnesses who claim to have spotted them.

I too, feel like an anomaly. The world, with its distorted thinking, is offended by me. When those who do not follow Jesus learn of my unconventional behavior and beliefs, they look at me in horror. Like I’m a malformed beast attempting to devour them.

The world would rather I am extinct. Christianity only reminds them of their desperate need for a Savior and it infuriates them. The more different we are, the greater their discomfort. Our presence disrupts and creates animosity between us and the devil’s territory.

We may be strange to non-believers but we’re beautiful creatures of God, made in his image. And you know what? We’re not extinct. It’s been 2,000 years and we’re still here. They can’t get rid of us!

I must learn to stand upright, open my mouth wide, and speak truth. Proclaiming his loving-kindness and mercy to those who oppose us. We are beautiful messes glorifying our Savior.

In what ways have you boldly lived holy and uncompromising? How have you creatively shared your faith?

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Guest Post by Dena Yohe: Easter Can Be Hard

 

Each holiday can be hard for parents of prodigals in its own unique way. Our minds wander over the past. Memories from when our children were young and innocent flood our thoughts. 

You can still see your adorable little girl in her Easter outfit with brand new shoes and ruffled socks. Her impish grin could melt your heart.
Your precious little boy was so cute at four; his sweetness could make you smile any day. 

What fun you had surprising your little ones with Easter baskets full of treats. You treasure all those good times: Easter egg hunts, church events, etc. Whatever your family traditions may have been, you remember them.
Now you remember with sadness. 

Most of us were blessed with some good years—how could we forget? But that was a long time ago…today our treasured memories are bitter reminders of what we’ve lost. They bring us increased pain because things with our children aren’t happy anymore.

Some of us wonder if our child will ever like us again or want to spend time with us, or worse yet, we wonder if they’ll survive. We’d be content just to hear from them to know they’re alright. 

In my experience, holidays are bittersweet because of how the sweetness of the past mingles alongside the bitterness of the present.

Hopelessness and weariness are heavy burdens to bear.

Dear friends, this Easter season, please hold on to hope. You don’t know what tomorrow will bring. You can’t see what God is doing at this very moment. His work is hidden from your eyes. Your challenge is to keep trusting in the dark, while you wait.  

Trust the God of compassion who comforts those who look to Him through Jesus, the perfect Lamb who died for all. He will lift up your head, make His face shine upon you and give you His peace.

Be encouraged with the knowledge that Jesus suffered alone on the cross so you don’t have to suffer alone. You suffer together.

The chorus of an old Easter hymn (At the Cross) summarizes my hope for you and your child this holiday season:

“At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,

 And the burden of my heart rolled away,

 It was there by faith I received my sight,

 And now I am happy all the day.”
 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, we pray that this Easter our prodigal loved ones will finally see the light of the gospel in the cross of Christ so the burden of their hearts will roll away. We would be so happy. In the glory of the cross, may they find their own personal faith that indeed you are the Son of God! 
Bless them with spiritual eyesight to personally, powerfully, and undeniably know the joy of the Resurrection, now and forever!!! This is the hope of our hearts! Fix our eyes on the cross where our true joy comes from. In the name of our Savior Jesus. Amen.
 

Go to our website for more information.
Our hope is in the Lord,
Dena Yohe
BIO: Tom and Dena Yohe know the struggles associated with troubled children. They suffered watching their daughter go through depression, substance abuse, and self-injury. The Yohes use the difficult path of their family’s healing and recovery, to offer hope for other parents of wayward children.

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Those Flashing Lights

 

 I was nineteen—old enough to know better. My yellow Maverick was a clunker and needed more attention than I was willing to give. In a hurry to get to work, I cranked the engine, threw the car into reverse, checked my mirrors, and backed out into the street. I turned on my favorite Hall and Oates tunes and raced through town. Over the music, I never heard the steady ding ding ding and the red light flashing on the control panel. However, once I got on the highway, I noticed the smoke pouring out from under the hood. By then it was too late. The engine block had cracked. I learned a valuable lesson that day—glance at my dashboard from time to time. Now jump with me 10 years ahead.
 My friend Rick made a similar mistake in his personal life. He overlooked the warning signals of an impending disaster.He whined, “It takes 80 percent of my paycheck for child support. I have to move in with my sister. It’s not right, man. It’s oppressive. I’m already a month behind and my ex is complaining that she can’t afford school supplies for Heather.” Society might call Rick a deadbeat dad, but they didn’t know all the facts. He had been a decent Christian father for years. He brought his daughter up in church, attended her recitals, clothed and fed her well. But when his marriage ended, he found himself paying a mortgage for a house he no longer lived in and paying court-ordered child support far above the standard of living he had provided for his daughter prior to the divorce. Over the following months, I saw him become bitter and resentful toward his ex-wife as well as the courts. When he turned to his church for moral support, he was met with indifference. After a while he stopped going to church. He began drinking more and visiting his daughter less and less. Rick eventually lost his job, was arrested for a DUI, and lost all visitation rights with his daughter. Within five years, he had become exactly what society had labeled him: a deadbeat dad. His trouble wasn’t the lack of income. It wasn’t the fault of Rick’s ex-wife or his church. It wasn’t even his drinking. The root issue was that Rick refused to stop and look at some warning signs. He never checked his dashboard to see that his forgiveness gauge was in the red. Had Rick noticed these issues early on, he might have been able to avoid a disaster. As I went through my own divorce, I often forgot to add the oil of gladness to the squeaks that annoyed me. I forgot, at times, to filter my tongue or take time for something as simple as refueling. Sometimes the engine light was flashing like crazy, but I was too busy staring into my rearview mirror, fixating on past events I could not change. What is your initial response or cycle of thought when things spin out of control? How do you usually react to these “breakdowns” in your life?

 

 

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Beyond the Fence

 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. —1 THESSALONIANS 4:17–18 (NIV) 
THE SIGN READ: Stay Three Feet from Fence. My family and I were west of Denver when we stopped at a rest area. A tall chain-link fence ran along the back of the property. The same warning sign was repeated every twenty feet. What’s the big deal? Then I noticed. Beyond the fence, a herd of wild bison rested in the grass—a sanctuary for these animals. I crept closer, snapping photos on my phone. But every shot was ruined with that stupid fence in the foreground. To get a decent photo, I’d have to ignore the warning sign and touch the fence. I looked around. There was no security guard. A baby bison inched its way closer to the fence. Come on, little one, walk over here. If I could reach my finger through and just touch its fur, I’d be satisfied. But a park ranger walked by, and I didn’t want to get fined. So I controlled myself. How often I have the same urge to touch heaven—to experience something so real yet so unreachable. Like my desire to touch that wild animal through the enclosure, I find myself eager to experience eternity. But there’s this stupid fence called mortal life, a shell that separates me from my true home. I long to be released from this rest area called Earth, to see God face-to-face and experience wonders much more magnificent than this wild bison herd. Talking about eternity stirs up the desire to be there. One day, we will all climb over that fence, and it’s going to be glorious.

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How Can I Trust God Better?

“ I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands. ”   Psalm 119:176 (NIV).  

Do you ever find yourself slightly alienated from God wondering how you can trust God better? Our daughter’s pet helped me understand how easy it was to go astray.

“Stop it!” my young daughter scolded. Her parakeet, Frosty, had just bitten her.

“Have you held him this week?” I asked.

“I keep forgetting.”

Jade learned the hard way, that when you ignore a bird, it loses meekness. It can’t help but turn wild. Daily handling keeps the bird docile and domesticated—a pleasure for the owner.

My daughter spent a good portion of the day re-training Frosty. She loved that bird enough to overlook the temporary pain of his rejection to keep him close.

 
The budgie eventually adjusted his attitude. He went from biting and squawking, to rubbing his head against Jade’s cheek, whispering chirps of contentment.

My heart too, is prone to wander from my Master. Ephesians 2:1-11 lists benefits received from my relationship with Christ. Like animals, you and I once lived by our instincts—rejecting God to follow natural passions. But in his great love, God brought us near to himself.

Paul’s letter reminds us we had nothing to do with this. It’s a gift.

Sadly, when things don’t go our way we can feel resentful of the Lord’s care. Like Frosty, we might lash out, squawk, and complain. Thankfully, God is slow to anger and keeps reaching for us. He is not impatient, like we are.

We all have this instinct to be free—to fly away when the Master tries to hold us. If only we could learn staying close to the Lord creates trust. It’s that relationship—spending time with Him—that helps us submit to our Father.

When our old nature springs into action, it’s vital to remember how desperately we need God’s daily training. Today, during the busyness of life, may we find ourselves sitting calmly in the Master’s hand.

 Prayer: Dear Lord, by instinct, I’m naturally prone to go feral. Please tame my heart, Master. Clip my wings if you must—anything to help me see you as my Protector and Provider. Amen.

What causes you most to wander? What are some ways you’re able to correct that? Help us by sharing in the comments below.
 

Is It Ok For Christians To Cuss?

“Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children.” Ephesians 5:1 (NKJV)

A couple years ago, I got so mad at my teenager that I cussed. Should Christians cuss?

No. But I did, sadly.

If you know anything about me, I don’t normally swear and would never allow it in my home. I was raised that this is not something an honorable Christian would do. We are a godly family and we try to be imitators of Christ. But on this day, I failed miserably and had to apologize for losing my temper.

I was so sad that I’d not only disappointed my child, but my Lord. I wished I could take it back. Everything within me wants to be a person who uplifts and encourages. A man who speaks grace and love to my family.

But something was in my heart that got revealed and I’m glad it did. I needed that sin to be exposed so I could identify it and run to God for help. Thankfully my family is forgiving and always ready to show grace when I fall.

Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”  Yet I see believers get online and type words that are not glorifying to God, nor do they represent an example of Christ to the world. So I get confused, especially when they have time to delete it before pressing “send.” 

I pondered, why we can’t be like the lyrebird. In the days when we lived in Australia, I learned about this creature.

The lyrebird gets its name because of the lovely tail of the male bird. When the tail is raised, it looks like an ancient harp called a lyre.

The song of the lyrebird is stunning too. To attract a female, the male sings a unique song of his own chirps and other birdcalls he’s heard. To up his game, he can even mimic sounds that humans bring into the forest—like cars, chainsaws, camera shutters and even children laughing. The more sounds he can add to his repertoire the better his chances at attracting a mate.

The amazing voice of the lyrebird reminds me of how I’m to act as a follower of Jesus. The best way to steer the world to God is to copy Christ. Pointing people to him is one of the things he commanded us to do as his children (Matthew 28:19).

The word Christian means one who follows or acts like Christ, but how often I fail to respond like Jesus would. Whether I accidentally smash my finger with a hammer or yell at my kids for making a mess, it’s never an expletive, but more often than not I choose to let things fly out of my mouth that do not reflect God’s kindness or patience.

Mimicking our God is what attracts people to the gospel. I want to imitate the character of Jesus so my life will be a sweet song to those in the forest of hurt and hopelessness.

What do you think? Why do we see so many younger believers (especially on social media) using the “F” word and other expletives like it’s okay? Is it? I’d love to hear your feedback.  

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Your Future Impact

I come from a very godly heritage on my mother’s side. I have ancestors and living relatives who are missionaries, pastors, and laypeople deeply grounded in the Word who followed hard after God. I’m thankful for that.

Now pause for a minute and picture your own family tree. I’ll bet you thought mostly “up”, didn’t you? You considered your father and mother, your grandparents, and so on.

But consider how many children you have? How many will they have? We normally think of a family tree as the thing we are at the bottom of, instead of the thing we sit atop. 

Consider God’s promise to Abraham. His descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky or the sand on the seashore. My father gave me the following verse from Genesis 12 when I first left home for college:

“Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Like Abe, this is not just about you or even your descendants who you might see face to face. God is up to something bigger that will affect a whole lot of people down the road…long after you’re dead.

God wants us to be aware of the dozens or hundreds or thousands of people “downstream” from us who will need to know about our godly heritage. So what are we doing about this, now? 

Do we parents realize that our actions might affect not just our kids…but this entire planet for 100 years or more? Even if we are forgotten, What will our efforts yield? Godly shade, spiritual protection, nourishment? 

We can either see this assignment as a burden or a privilege…an opportunity. Let us rejoice that the Lord can make us a strong link in a generational chain that serves and honors him. Make your heritage a positive thing in the spiritual formation of generations to come  

(adapted from the YouVersion devotional “Being a Battle Ready Father” Manhood Journey)

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Contentment

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

As a young boy, I owned a pet hermit crab named Crusty. His cage contained several spare shells that I painted (blue, red, purple) so that as he grew, he could move into larger homes at his leisure. I wanted Crusty to choose one particularly large shell, so I decorated it to make the armor more appealing to him. 

After applying glow-in-the-dark paint on the outside, I bedazzled the shell with jewels and glitter, even gluing a small race car to the top. What crab wouldn’t want to live in this masterpiece? 

Crusty lived for quite a while, growing and trading shells to fit. But he never chose the one I wanted him to have. Although beautiful, it was just too big for him. 

As an adult I wasn’t quite as wise as Crusty. Before learning better, I embraced the mindset that a bigger home was better. Each time I moved, I upgraded, but still hankered for other houses that were larger, prettier, or sporting better enhancements. 

Rather than being grateful, how easy it is for us to want just a little more than what we already have. I want to be like Crusty, satisfied to have only what is necessary. To pursue contentment in all things, that is my heart’s desire. 

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New Anthology Featuring Tez Brooks

I’m excited to announce my third anthology with Guideposts “All God’s Creatures: Daily Devotions for Animal Lovers 2021” is now available.

Order your copy today https://www.shopguideposts.org/all-god-s-creatures-2021.html

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FaithTalk LIVE Interview with Tez

August 26th 2020–Rick and Dan, with guest Tez Brooks talking about his Book of the Decade award.

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