Tez Brooks's Blog: TezBrooks.com, page 27
April 11, 2015
Convicted
Passage: Genesis 42-45Key Verse: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
CONVICTED
I sat in the restaurant staring blankly at the two men across from me. An ex-convict and his victim, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder, enjoying a meal together.
On the left was Tony*, a middle-aged man just recently out of jail. On the right, in his 70s and becoming feeble, was my father, Ernest. They had been reunited by my dad’s unwarranted forgiveness.
A few summers earlier my dad received a call from his bank advising him that an unpaid loan was resulting in the foreclosure of his property.
Dad thought the bank employee was crazy because he had never taken out a loan nor used his property as collateral. He listened in disbelief as the caller explained in great detail, all the paperwork Dad had supposedly filed.
“What are you talking about?” he stuttered.
Someone had stolen my father’s identity, forging his name for months.
Later, the bank’s investigation traced the evidence back to Dad’s own stepson, Tony. The betrayal devastated Dad. When Tony confessed and turned himself in, the bank pressed charges for fraud. Tony went to jail.
At the time, I was working as a law enforcement officer. I was pretty happy to hear justice was being served. Excuse my honesty—this guy hurt my father and I wanted nothing more than to see him rot behind bars as someone’s girlfriend.
Meanwhile something quite different was happening in my father’s attitude. The Holy Spirit softened dad’s heart toward his stepson, in order to initiate a supernatural reconciliation.
When Tony served his time and was finally released several months later, Dad embraced him back into the family. Tony was struck with gratitude and repented of his betrayal.
Dad reminds me of Joseph when he was reunited with his brothers in Egypt. My father modeled mercy in an unbelievable way—offering to help Tony until he could get on his feet again.
On the day I met them at the restaurant almost a year later, Tony had been renting a basement bedroom from Dad in the very house he tried to steal.
As we finished our meal I marveled at how relaxed they were. They joked and made each other laugh several times during our lunch. I knew if my dad could forgive this man, so could I.
I needed to remember the eternal value in making right choices after being wronged. We can choose the festering, cancerous attitude of an unforgiving heart. Or we can choose to pardon others, which is a powerful weapon against the enemy of our souls.
While it was not without conditions, the fact that Dad considered and followed through on the reconciliation—ultimately living with his stepson—showed an incredible example of God’s unending grace that I still can’t wrap my head around.
From the experience of my career, I found it difficult at first, to trust Tony’s motives I’ve seen too many convicts who never change. My skepticism didn't matter. It wasn’t about my opinion or anyone else’s. It was about what God did in the hearts of two people who should, by the world’s standards, be enemies.
I could learn a lot about exoneration from my late father. He was a man who loved the Lord and refused to let betrayal dictate his actions. Like Joseph in the Old Testament, he was a man who learned the art of forgiveness.
Not long ago, Tony and I stood silently side-by-side as we buried Dad. No words were exchanged, just a smile. The legacy Ernest left for us sons was too deep to talk about.
As dads we may never have to practice forgiveness to the extreme measure my father did. But we experience small offenses from our children each day. They aggravate us, test us and even blatantly disobey. Practicing forgiveness as parents glorifies God and sets us up to be a testimony of his grace.
God used Dad’s Christ-like approach to change my own heart. I pray that same attitude in me will influence my own kids. *names changed
PRAYER: Lord, help me be a tool of reconciliation and redemption to my family. Help me overlook small offenses and become loving enough to forgive the big ones too.
ACTION: If there’s someone in your life who’s committed a major sin against you, what will you do this week to begin the process of forgiveness?
CONVICTED
I sat in the restaurant staring blankly at the two men across from me. An ex-convict and his victim, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder, enjoying a meal together. On the left was Tony*, a middle-aged man just recently out of jail. On the right, in his 70s and becoming feeble, was my father, Ernest. They had been reunited by my dad’s unwarranted forgiveness.
A few summers earlier my dad received a call from his bank advising him that an unpaid loan was resulting in the foreclosure of his property.
Dad thought the bank employee was crazy because he had never taken out a loan nor used his property as collateral. He listened in disbelief as the caller explained in great detail, all the paperwork Dad had supposedly filed.
“What are you talking about?” he stuttered.
Someone had stolen my father’s identity, forging his name for months.
Later, the bank’s investigation traced the evidence back to Dad’s own stepson, Tony. The betrayal devastated Dad. When Tony confessed and turned himself in, the bank pressed charges for fraud. Tony went to jail.
At the time, I was working as a law enforcement officer. I was pretty happy to hear justice was being served. Excuse my honesty—this guy hurt my father and I wanted nothing more than to see him rot behind bars as someone’s girlfriend.
Meanwhile something quite different was happening in my father’s attitude. The Holy Spirit softened dad’s heart toward his stepson, in order to initiate a supernatural reconciliation.
When Tony served his time and was finally released several months later, Dad embraced him back into the family. Tony was struck with gratitude and repented of his betrayal.
Dad reminds me of Joseph when he was reunited with his brothers in Egypt. My father modeled mercy in an unbelievable way—offering to help Tony until he could get on his feet again.
On the day I met them at the restaurant almost a year later, Tony had been renting a basement bedroom from Dad in the very house he tried to steal.
As we finished our meal I marveled at how relaxed they were. They joked and made each other laugh several times during our lunch. I knew if my dad could forgive this man, so could I.
I needed to remember the eternal value in making right choices after being wronged. We can choose the festering, cancerous attitude of an unforgiving heart. Or we can choose to pardon others, which is a powerful weapon against the enemy of our souls.
While it was not without conditions, the fact that Dad considered and followed through on the reconciliation—ultimately living with his stepson—showed an incredible example of God’s unending grace that I still can’t wrap my head around.
From the experience of my career, I found it difficult at first, to trust Tony’s motives I’ve seen too many convicts who never change. My skepticism didn't matter. It wasn’t about my opinion or anyone else’s. It was about what God did in the hearts of two people who should, by the world’s standards, be enemies.
I could learn a lot about exoneration from my late father. He was a man who loved the Lord and refused to let betrayal dictate his actions. Like Joseph in the Old Testament, he was a man who learned the art of forgiveness.
Not long ago, Tony and I stood silently side-by-side as we buried Dad. No words were exchanged, just a smile. The legacy Ernest left for us sons was too deep to talk about.
As dads we may never have to practice forgiveness to the extreme measure my father did. But we experience small offenses from our children each day. They aggravate us, test us and even blatantly disobey. Practicing forgiveness as parents glorifies God and sets us up to be a testimony of his grace.
God used Dad’s Christ-like approach to change my own heart. I pray that same attitude in me will influence my own kids. *names changed
PRAYER: Lord, help me be a tool of reconciliation and redemption to my family. Help me overlook small offenses and become loving enough to forgive the big ones too.
ACTION: If there’s someone in your life who’s committed a major sin against you, what will you do this week to begin the process of forgiveness?
April 3, 2015
Your Mission After Divorce
click to article from More to Life Magazine
April 1, 2015
And the winner is.....
Thanks to everyone who entered to win my Day with Dad giveaway! I'm pleased to announce the winner is Mark Watson. Congratulations Mark! Litfuse Publicity will be in touch with you via email to help you claim your $150 prize.
March 21, 2015
Kids and Chores
Do your kids have chores? Why or why not?
March 8, 2015
Book Launch and in-store book signing
THE SINGLE DAD DETOUR BOOK LAUNCH
SATURDAY, MARCH 21st10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Family Christian Bookstoreat Waterford Lakes Towncenter of East Orlando745 N. Alafaya TrailOrlando, FL 32828
Meet Author Tez Brooks and have a piece of cake to celebrate the release of
SATURDAY, MARCH 21st10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Family Christian Bookstoreat Waterford Lakes Towncenter of East Orlando745 N. Alafaya TrailOrlando, FL 32828
Meet Author Tez Brooks and have a piece of cake to celebrate the release of
March 1, 2015
February 22, 2015
Monthly Devotional: SAY WHAT?
Study Passage: Luke 10:38-42
Key Verse:“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’” Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
Say What?It was bedtime for my children. I needed them to come lie quietly in bed. Rather than winding down, they were hyper, running around the house with only half their pajamas on.
An earlier game of hide and seek had escalated into a full-blown giggle-fest. I raised my voice. That’s a nice way of saying I lost it and screamed at my little cherubs. But nothing changed. They had worked their way into frenzy, and now I was suddenly invisible and mute.
When my little ones are immersed in recreation, I’ve learned I must whisper in order to be acknowledged. Raising my voice doesn’t help—they just don’t hear it.
Whispering causes them to close their own mouths and zero in on what my lips are saying. Only then can they hear Daddy’s encouragement, advice or correction.
At times I too get sucked into the distraction of activity. Often these are noble things like cutting the lawn, driving the kids to soccer practice, exercise routines, or a men’s prayer breakfast.
All are honorable efforts, bringing glory to God—but many are triggered by stimuli outside the Holy Spirit’s leading. These can drown out the Lord’s instruction.
My activities are in themselves, commendable, until I notice the Lord has been gently trying to get my attention.
Jesus often whispers for me to come and sit at His feet like Mary. He never screams, so to be honest, I can’t always pick up on his prompts.
When I disconnect from texting, Netflix, Spotify, even ministry—I perceive God’s voice much clearer. What about you? What distracts you from hearing God clearly? I'd love hear your response.
Key Verse:“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’” Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
Say What?It was bedtime for my children. I needed them to come lie quietly in bed. Rather than winding down, they were hyper, running around the house with only half their pajamas on.
An earlier game of hide and seek had escalated into a full-blown giggle-fest. I raised my voice. That’s a nice way of saying I lost it and screamed at my little cherubs. But nothing changed. They had worked their way into frenzy, and now I was suddenly invisible and mute.
When my little ones are immersed in recreation, I’ve learned I must whisper in order to be acknowledged. Raising my voice doesn’t help—they just don’t hear it.
Whispering causes them to close their own mouths and zero in on what my lips are saying. Only then can they hear Daddy’s encouragement, advice or correction.
At times I too get sucked into the distraction of activity. Often these are noble things like cutting the lawn, driving the kids to soccer practice, exercise routines, or a men’s prayer breakfast.
All are honorable efforts, bringing glory to God—but many are triggered by stimuli outside the Holy Spirit’s leading. These can drown out the Lord’s instruction.
My activities are in themselves, commendable, until I notice the Lord has been gently trying to get my attention.
Jesus often whispers for me to come and sit at His feet like Mary. He never screams, so to be honest, I can’t always pick up on his prompts.
When I disconnect from texting, Netflix, Spotify, even ministry—I perceive God’s voice much clearer. What about you? What distracts you from hearing God clearly? I'd love hear your response.
February 19, 2015
February 15, 2015
Valentine activity with your kid
Saw this on Facebook and had to try. It works!!Just boil and peel a normal egg. Then place it in a piece of folded cardboard, put a pencil on top and tape it all securely together. Chill for 20 minutes and tadaaa! You have a fun heart-shaped egg for your kids to enjoy.
February 13, 2015
Valentine's Day and Your Daughter
My wife is the bomb!
I love reminding her she is the most important person in the world to me. Valentine's Day is one of the times I can show her all day long. But why is it my mind also drifts toward my three girls on V Day?
My eldest daughter is grown and lives three states away from me. I have two more daughters still at home. Yet each Valentine's Day my heart is drawn to show them affection as well.
I think it's because of an unbreakable connection a girl and a daddy share. Even abusive dads who have done horrible things to their kids have this connection (however damaged) that girls can never sever as hard as they try.
That's why we dads (especially if divorce touched our family) must carefully steward that rope that is forever connected to our daughter's heart.
I often fail to do this well. Just being male brings misunderstandings between us. I bark orders that to me, are just observations or requests. Like a coach that spurs on his team. I dont expect anyone to take it personal.
"Let's go! Comb your hair, get your shoes on, you're gonna be late. Watch the clock. Why are you staring out the window? Get going!"
I'm just asking questions and making observations. I'm not angry nor do I have anything against them.
What my girls often hear is a prison sergeant hissing out angry oppressive accusations.
(Heavy sigh). Girls are so sensitive.
So tomorrow is Valentine's Day and somehow I want to show them how loved they are. I want to let them know how crazy I am about them. They are all intelligent, clever, and beautiful young ladies that have to ability to transform the world. I'm proud to be connected to them.
What better time to show this than V Day. Of course I never want to place my girls in a position of replacing the romantic relationship I can only find with a wife. Putting them in that role is unhealthy and a little weird. Yet I see a lot of single parents do this. That is dysfunctional and unfair to the child. But that's a topic for another day.
What I'm talking about is buying a cute stuffed bear or some candy hearts for your little girl. Or if she's older, a nice card. Until she's finally married off, she must know that YOU are her knight in shining armor. Your extravagant affection might just keep her from too soon looking elsewhere for love.
For the record, it's my belief that after your daughter is married, her husband should be the one filling those needs. It's time for Dad to step back and let Mr. Right do his job.
So what ways do you model how precious your daughter is? Comment below and share how you have trained your daughter what to expect from a man--how they should be honored and loved.
I love reminding her she is the most important person in the world to me. Valentine's Day is one of the times I can show her all day long. But why is it my mind also drifts toward my three girls on V Day?
My eldest daughter is grown and lives three states away from me. I have two more daughters still at home. Yet each Valentine's Day my heart is drawn to show them affection as well.I think it's because of an unbreakable connection a girl and a daddy share. Even abusive dads who have done horrible things to their kids have this connection (however damaged) that girls can never sever as hard as they try.
That's why we dads (especially if divorce touched our family) must carefully steward that rope that is forever connected to our daughter's heart.
I often fail to do this well. Just being male brings misunderstandings between us. I bark orders that to me, are just observations or requests. Like a coach that spurs on his team. I dont expect anyone to take it personal.
"Let's go! Comb your hair, get your shoes on, you're gonna be late. Watch the clock. Why are you staring out the window? Get going!"
I'm just asking questions and making observations. I'm not angry nor do I have anything against them.
What my girls often hear is a prison sergeant hissing out angry oppressive accusations.
(Heavy sigh). Girls are so sensitive.
So tomorrow is Valentine's Day and somehow I want to show them how loved they are. I want to let them know how crazy I am about them. They are all intelligent, clever, and beautiful young ladies that have to ability to transform the world. I'm proud to be connected to them.
What better time to show this than V Day. Of course I never want to place my girls in a position of replacing the romantic relationship I can only find with a wife. Putting them in that role is unhealthy and a little weird. Yet I see a lot of single parents do this. That is dysfunctional and unfair to the child. But that's a topic for another day.
What I'm talking about is buying a cute stuffed bear or some candy hearts for your little girl. Or if she's older, a nice card. Until she's finally married off, she must know that YOU are her knight in shining armor. Your extravagant affection might just keep her from too soon looking elsewhere for love.For the record, it's my belief that after your daughter is married, her husband should be the one filling those needs. It's time for Dad to step back and let Mr. Right do his job.
So what ways do you model how precious your daughter is? Comment below and share how you have trained your daughter what to expect from a man--how they should be honored and loved.
