Tez Brooks's Blog: TezBrooks.com, page 8
January 18, 2022
Speaking Engagement
January 17, 2022
Will I Always Struggle with My Sinful Nature?
I’ve been following Jesus since I was six years old (50 years). Yet it seems I’ve been asking myself the same question for decades, “How long will I have to fight against my former self?”
While it’s true God is transforming us day by day, we won’t truly be perfected until we shed this body and be with the Lord. Like teenagers caught in the frustrating position between shedding the parent-regulated limitations of childhood and the first tastes of adult freedom, Christians too, are stuck between the now and the not yet. Perhaps that’s why my favorite scripture is Philippians 3:12, “I don’t mean to say I am perfect. I haven’t learned all I should even yet, but I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be” (Living Bible).
A story from my past illustrates it well…
I was stupid. Barely out of my twenties and desperate to sell my car so I could get a newer one, I gave the potential buyer the keys for a test drive. A test drive from which he never returned.
Before he took the keys, he handed me five hundred dollars. That was supposed to make me feel safer about letting him drive away. It worked.
After an hour it was evident I’d been scammed. I filed a police report, but naturally, never heard anything from them. After several months, I wrote it off as a lesson learned.
Three years later, at work, I got a call from law enforcement stating they’d found my car. Confused, I looked out the window of my office and saw my current car safely in the parking lot. After several minutes arguing with the police that they’d called the wrong guy, it hit me.
“Wait, what kind of car are we talking about? Do you mean the white Ford?”
“Yes, Mr. Brooks. You filed a report a few years ago. We found your stolen car when we pulled over an erratic driver. Can you come to the station today and verify it’s yours? He says he bought it fair and square from you.”
I drove to the precinct and they showed me to the rear parking lot. I almost didn’t recognize the old automobile. It had obviously been through a few wrecks. One headlight was missing and the hood had been painted a flat black. Duct tape held the bumper in place. The seats were ripped and the back floorboard covered with beer cans and fast food wrappers. I chuckled.
Officer Willem handed me the license plate. “At first we thought it was a stolen license plate. But when he couldn’t produce a registration we investigated further.”
He escorted me back into the station. “You want to press charges?”
“Yep. He owes me two thousand dollars.”
The cop stopped me. “He says he has the money.”
“He’s got it with him?”
“Yep, more than enough.”
“I’ll press charges—but I want to talk to him now, if I can.”
“Absolutely.”
We continued inside as he took me to a back room where the man was handcuffed. Hair greasy, with a ripped, soiled t-shirt, he looked up at me sheepishly, smelling like marijuana and sadness.
I felt suddenly superior. “So, they caught ya! How’s that Ford running? Looks like you’ve had some good times in that thing. I like the back window made out of plastic bags, nice touch.”
“I’m sorry, mister. I saw an opportunity and I took it. It was wrong.”
“You’re just realizing this? After three years?” I looked down my nose.
Silence.
I held out my hand. “I hear you have my money.”
He handed me twenty, one-hundred-dollar bills. After taking the money I laid into him about the stupidity of crime and importance of being a decent citizen. He quietly nodded.
Then something changed inside me. Something about his demeanor touched me. His eyes showed remorse. Not aggravation for being caught—but sorrow.
The man looked out the window, “I made a stupid decision. I have a family now and I didn’t know how to make it right. I hoped it was so long ago no one cared.”
Officer Willem stood with his arms crossed over his large belly. “This isn’t a bicycle, it’s a car you stole. Mr. Brooks here, is pressing charges so—”
“No, I’m not.”
At that, the man sat up straight and his eyes brightened. “You’re not? Why? I mean, thank you.”
“I guess you caught me on a good day. I’m tired. I’m hungry. And I want my money so I can forget about this—about you.”
“Thank you” he repeated and sighed.
The cop looked at me, confused. “You sure?”
I nodded slowly, myself confused.
A young woman holding a newborn in a carrier walked in the door and up to the female officer at the front counter. “I’m here to pick up my husband.”
The thief stood up and turned to Officer Willem, “That’s her. She doesn’t know. I’m ashamed to tell her.”
“You should be.” The cop grabbed the man’s shoulder and shoved him back into the chair. “But hold your horses, Romeo. I got paperwork to do.”
On the way home, I thought about that old Ford. It certainly wasn’t worth much now. Its condition mirrored the man’s life—road weary and bearing the scars of wrong choices. Anger flooded me. When I gave him mercy, I saw gratefulness in his eyes, but I was not happy about my choice. I regretted leaving without punishing him more.
Am I weak? A pushover? Why didn’t I file charges? How’s he ever gonna learn?
It was as if I had a little demon on one shoulder and an angel on the other, taking turns whispering accusations and affirmations. Sadly, I wanted to flick the angel off my shoulder and turn my car around. But I managed to get home.
Still, I struggled for several hours with my choice. Finally, I heard only one influence; a gentle voice in my ear reminding how often God had given me mercy when I deserved the opposite. Ouch!
I had done the right thing for this situation and I needed to embrace that.
The Holy Spirit often works through me like this—giving mercy against my better judgment, showing compassion when it’s not usually part of my nature. I’m thankful when God takes over, because I can be a real jerk when he doesn’t. It’s evidence Jesus indeed lives in me, even when the old me wants to rise and do it my way.
God has promised He’d change us. Ezekiel 36:26 says, “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” (ESV).
Do you struggle like the rest of us to see lasting change in your life? Do you fail at times to represent what a Christian should act like? Be encouraged. Christ is changing us day by day, perfecting the masterpiece he promised when we first gave our lives over to him. March on, saint! He will finish the work he started (Phil. 1:6).
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YouVersion Reading Plans by Tez
You may already know Tez has several reading plans he’s written for YouVersion daily devotionals on the Bible App. In March he’ll be releasing “Hope for Police Officers” a 7-day plan for cops. More details will follow as the date approaches.
Other reading plans by Tez already available are:
~ Fearlessly Making Disciples (written for Jesus Film Project)
~ Heart of a Champion: An Athlete’s Identity in Christ (written for Jesus Film Project)
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Activity: Christmas Skip Counting Book
November 30, 2021
SPIRITUAL TRAINING: Being Intentional, Not Rigid at Christmas
How does your morning start on Christmas Day?
As a parent, do you have plans or do you let the day carry you as it may? I’ve found I need to strike a balance between spontaneity and intentional planning.
If you are a single parent, chances are you may have to share holidays with an ex-spouse. Blended families have even more adjustments. So being purposeful is important, especially if you only get Christmas with your kids half the day….or worse, every other year.
But strategy has its downsides and sometimes being less organized can be quite relaxing and fun.
I tend to lean more toward planned and intentional activities with my kids on and around Christmas. Rather than reading the Christmas story from scripture on the morning of, together we read verses from the birth of Christ in bite-sized portions throughout the month. This keeps our minds on Him continually.
Then on Christmas Day, I wake the kids to a favorite Christmas song and we dig into our stockings first. Afterward, we hand out presents and watch each person in turn, open their gifts.
But what about those parents who can’t have a perfectly planned morning? What about families who open gifts on Christmas Eve? Or those who have kids with special needs? Christmas isn’t the same for every family, nor does it have to be.
If you have limited time with the kids or you wake up to find Johnny has the flu, being flexible is the key. Don’t lose heart if your child isn’t patient enough to listen to the entire story of Mary and Joseph. If your ex shows up early and you’re not done opening gifts, learn to go with the flow.
Each kid is different and each year is different. There are things out of our control and we must learn to trust God when our plans have to be altered.
In the end, God is bigger than any plans I might have and I’ve learned to trust him. Nothing catches him by surprise. He is bigger than any plans that go awry.
Relax, trust God and have fun.
Yes, we must be intentional about honoring Christ during this holiday. But whether or not Christmas ends up being about Jesus or the presents this year, I have to remind myself, the kids will remember most the atmosphere in the house.
So when things don’t go as planned, I can either emit peace or turmoil during this season. A peaceful spirit eventually makes room for Christ–but rigid control never welcomes Jesus into the mix.
November 26, 2021
Helping Your Kids Enjoy the Holidays With Only One Parent
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November 19, 2021
How To Make An Advent Calendar Your Kids Love
I hate to see Advent Calendars in grocery stores that hold no meaning except to provide a countdown and a piece of candy for children. Often the calendar has no reference to Christ or anything remotely spiritual. It’s nothing more than a box of chocolate with cartoon characters on it.
Years ago I decided to buy an empty wooden Advent Calendar with little drawers that had numbers on them. Oh sure, when the kids were little some of them contained candy or tiny toys. But most were filled with scriptures to help them reflect and prepare for Christmas.
As they began to get older, I had to get creative in finding ways to keep their attention so they continued looking forward to opening the calendar drawers each day. They are teens now and they still love doing the Advent because I change what’s in the drawers each year. They never know what they will find. It could be a scripture passage from the birth of Christ, some money, a riddle, a challenge to perform an act of kindness–who knows?
My goal is to create a sense of wonder, waiting, and reflection on the coming of Christ to Earth. But I don’t get uptight if that doesn’t happen every day. Sometimes it’s just plain old-fashioned fun. And that’s ok. I don’t want to get so hung up on making every day a serious, reverent lesson that it loses its joy for the kids. 
Try to spark your own creative ideas. Here are some ways to change up your calendar and keep it interesting for older kids:
Include a deep question in one day like “Imagine you are an angel hearing God’s plan to send Jesus to Earth for mankind. How would you feel?” OR “What kind of emotions do you think Mary’s parents felt when they first realized Mary was pregnant?”Write the word EMMANUEL on a piece of paper and challenge your teen to see how many words they can make from those letters in three minutes.Throw in a small gadget here and there (keychain, bookmark, nail polish, a Chick-fil-A coupon). Make sure it fits in the space so they can’t see it until they open the container or door for that day.Use your printer to print out tiny photos from significant memories from the past year. Ask your teen to share what that means to them and how they saw Christ in that event.
Be creative and think outside the box. There are no hard-set rules. It’s not a time to strive to turn every day into an opportunity for rigid religious training. Nor is it a time to reflect on Santa and parties. It is an “Advent Calendar” after all. For us, a balanced time of spiritual reflection and fun is what works best. I found when I trust the Lord, he can turn any of those advent days into a God moment. Even a candy cane can spark a spiritual conversation. 
October 9, 2021
Have You Downloaded the YouVersion Devotionals App?
Check out one of several devotional reading plans written by Tez
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How To Deal With Anxiety
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Fear the Lord, you holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.” Psalm 34:7-9
“You have issues!” I laughed as I picked up my dog and comforted him.
“Is he okay?” The repairman asked.
“Yes, he’s stressed. Afraid you might hurt him, I guess.”
My terrier-beagle mix, Winston, is a sweet dog but often scared when introduced to unfamiliar people.
Normally calm and confident, Winston’s demeanor is overcome by cowardly yelps that pierce your eardrums when a stranger arrives. It is not a protective bark to defend his territory but rather a high-pitched cry of desperate fear that consumes him. To me, it’s both embarrassing and sad to see him so shaken and in need of reassurance. But as soon as I give him reassurance, he calms.
How often do I respond likewise amid anxiety? I may desire to respond in quiet faith that God has me in His hands, but I react in fear. I scream for help in my head and heart. What is it that causes me not to trust in my Master’s protection? Is it unbelief? A lack of confidence in His ability to protect?
When I read accounts in the Bible of how the Lord’s children were cared for, I’m reminded of His greatness. Stories about Noah, Joseph, David, Paul, and others proclaim God’s mighty power to save. Even incidents from my own life are testimonies of His ability to protect and deliver. Time and again, I’ve experienced the Lord’s covering. I’ve felt my Heavenly Father scoop me up and comfort me many times.
The longer I serve Him, the more I realize His great love for me. Panic is unnecessary the more I believe God is in control—nothing can harm me.
“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who
are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.” Psalm 17:8-9
How do you deal with stress? Share below.
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Praying for Your Prodigal
My 32-year-old son hasn’t allowed us into his life in almost seven years.
He has made it clear he doesn’t want any of us (me, his step-mom, his little sisters, his uncles/aunt or cousins) in his life. I won’t go into the bad choices he’s made nor the consequences he’s suffered. All I know is my heart is broken and I’m hurt. Both by how he’s living and how he’s treated us.
We were once so close. Now, for some reason he keeps us at arms length. So how do you pray for a child who you no longer know? When you have no idea where he is, what he’s up to, or if he’s even alive?
I just pray. I pray in generalities–for his health, his mental state, his relationships, and most of all I pray for his spiritual life. I ask God to steer him back to Christ. I pray dangerous prayers like, “Whatever it takes God, bring my son back to you.”
That’s the desperate prayer of a father who longs above all else to see his son walk upright. I long to see him in a deep relationship with his Creator. That’s how I raised him.
You might have a prodigal. A son or daughter who has drifted from or refused to take part in the godly inheritance meant for them. How do you pray when you’ve run out of words–run out of energy? Here’s a few points to jump-start your prayer for him or her:
Dear Heavenly Father,
God, transform me and my attitude. Take away any bitterness and grudges against my child so I can pray with a pure heart. Give me the strength to continue in this battle. When I’m tired and just plain sick of it, give me compassion and mercy. Not to be taken advantage of, but to mirror Christ’s love. Help me remember that speaking truth might be hard, but it doesn’t have to be harsh. Lord use my son or daughter’s friends. Use even his/her questionable friends to speak truth into their life. Bring godly people into their life. Surround them with loving community. Father if you must, let my child hit rock bottom. Cause them to see their desperate need for a Savior. Prevent people from enabling them or rescuing them too early. Allow my child to feel the reality of being at the end of the rope.Coming back to the Lord is a process, not an event. So don’t give up. Keep on praying. Keep believing. You never know what God will do. When you pray for a loved one who seems hardened against the Lord, or against you, pray that the eyes of their heart might be opened so that the light of God can come flooding in.
Do you have a prayer that has helped you cope as you await the return of your prodigal? Please share it with me. I need it this week.
