Alright

“Some say, life is hard, like swimming upstream and going against the grain. But I say, life ain’t that hard; ‘Cause I’ve seen how the Joy outweighs the pain.  So you can sit and whine about the times that you’ve been having.  Oh but as for me I choose to be, as happy as I can be. Because I’m alright; Trouble may find me but it’s not going to keep me down.  ‘Cause I’ll hold on tight, to the Father who loves me, He likes having me around.  Yeah He loves me and He cares for me and so I’ll be Alright.”

For those of you that know me well know that I love music.  I love listening to powerful songs and striving to understand the meanings of those lyrics.  Of course God uses His Word to speak to me, and I am thankful that he also uses songs to speak to me and inspire me.  As I listened to the lyrics of this song “Alright” written by FFH, I was overwhelmed with peace and joy that this song speaks of; knowing that there is a Father who loves me and He LIKES having me around.  I put emphasis on the word “Like” because we all have someon in our lives that we Love, but don’t like! It’s awesome to know that the Father LIKES having us around. 

The bridge of the songs says “But I’m learning that this world keeps turning, with or without me.  So I’ll do my best and leave the rest to the one watching over me.” We all have and feel stress in our lives, however, I can tell you with great certainty that if we do our best to leave the rest to the one watching over us, we’re going to be “Alright.” 

There are some in our realm of influence that are facing personal trails and hardships. It seems like every day someone is asking for prayer for a trail that they are going through.  If you receive emails from a prayer ministry you’ll see that people are facing trails in their finances, work, kids, family, aging parents, health, loneliness, death, depression, divorce, and the list goes on and on.  It feels like God is pouring his wrath out on us, punishing us. Of course, that is not God’s character.  However, sometimes I have to ask myself, is worth the pain?  Does the joy really outweigh the pain? 

If we are not careful, when the trials of life begin to multiply in our lives, we might come to the same conclusion that the preacher came to in Ecclesiastes 1:2&3, when he said “Meaningless! Meaningless” Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”  We might just come to the place where we think that all of life, especially the rewards of living for the Lord, is just a waste of time. 

Allow me to remind you of something.  There are NO accidents with the Lord! 

I once heard of a cowboy who applied for a life insurance policy.  The agent asked, “Have you ever had any accidents?”  The cowboy thought about it for a second and said “Nope, but I did have a bronco kick in me and broke two of my ribs last summer and a couple of years ago, a rattlesnake bit me on the ankle.”  “Wouldn’t you call those accidents” the puzzled agent asked.  “Naw,” said the cowboy.  “They were mad and did it on purpose.”

Again, there are NO accidents with the Lord.  It is not meaningless. Our work, our ministry, our lives are for a purpose.  That is to bring people to a saving, loving and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

There are many verses in the Word that deals with trails.

1 Peter 4: 12-14 says: “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trials you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”

In James 1:2 it says “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

James 1:12 says “Blessed is the man who preservers under trail, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

Personally, my challenge is not to let my trials get to me.  My challenge is to “consider it pure joy.”  If I were being honest, there is nothing joyful about it! Who in their right mind will say “bring it on” or say “I want some more, I want some more, I want some more!”  I don’t know about you, but I’m always surprised when trials come my way.  I don’t like them. Actually, I hate them.  I feel like that I’ve been through enough already.  There was a time that I said “Really God, I feel that I’ve been through so much over the past three years of my life and it’s time for me to be in my “Blessing Phase.””  Then God asked me a question:  How do you know that you are not already in your blessing phase? Do you not think you can be blessed during a trial?

The human side of me would rather stay in my comfort zone; for everything to stay happy go lucky.  But as Christians, that is not possible.  As a matter of fact, reading the verses previously quoted, I would be worried if a trail didn’t come my way every so often.  I would be worried because I wouldn’t have the privilege of having His glory revealed to me.  I would not receive his Blessings.  My testimony would be worthless. 

Gary Watts is a devoted man, a devoted Deacon and of course a devoted Christian.  He has given to this church; he has given to his family and to his friends over the years.  He has been such an inspiration.  Of course, he’s such a character, always making people laugh.  He is in the construction industry and has had a tremendous drop in work and therefore, income.  Then, to make matters worse, his back went out on him.  For weeks he hasn’t been able to work at all which has put an enormous amount of financial pressure on he and his wife.  When I talk with Gary, I can see the concern in his eyes.  I can see his desire to get back to work.  He wants nothing more than to pick up a hammer and start working on something.  However, this is not God’s plan in this phase of his life. I’m sure that although Gary knows this, he still questions why; and although Gary may question why, he still has an enormous amount of faith.  He still LOVES our Lord and he knows that his service to God is not meaningless.  I have heard him more than once say “it’s ok, I know who holds the future.” Gary knows that God will reveal his Glory to him, in His time, and in His way.  Gary’s testimony will not be worthless.

So, I ask again.  Does the joy really outweigh the pain?

J. W. Bramhall says, "Sorrow can lead us into one of four lands:

·         the barren land in which we try to escape from it;

·         the broken land in which we sink under it;

·         the bitter land in which we resent it;

·         the better land in which we bear it and become a blessing to others." 

So, don’t waste your trail by wallowing in self-pity. Go to the better land in which we bear it and become a blessing to others.  Don’t be surprised that we are going through the things that we are going through.  Rejoice and pray and wait in great anticipation for God to reveal His Glory to you.  Remind yourselves that you are blessed to carry the name of Jesus because the Spirit of glory and God rest on you.  You should praise God and consider it pure joy because, don’t miss this; perseverance is coming!   I know that is because His word tells us and I believe it. 

I want to end by quoting yet another great praise chorus: “When I think about the Lord, how He saved me, how He raised me, how He filled me, with the Holy Ghost, how He healed me, to the uttermost. When I think about the Lord, How He picked me up and turned me around, how He placed my feet on solid ground. It makes me want to SHOUT, Hallelujah, Thank you Jesus, Lord, You’re worthy, of all the glory, and all the honor, and all the praise.”

Not only should it “make me want to shout Hallelujah” it also wants me to get myself out of the way and end my pity party.  Makes me want to crawl up in the lap of my Father and ALLOW Him to wrap his loving arms around me, and tell me that everything is going to be “Alright.”

In His Own Words

A couple of weeks back, Deb found this document that my Dad wrote several years ago.  This was his journey with Cancer.  I could do it no justice so I just scanned it in for your reading enjoyment.  Today marks the two year anniversary of his journey into Heaven.  I sure do miss him!! 

Ordinary people in ordinary situations doing extraordinary things

If you have not read the post “Any Old Bush Will Do, you will need to read it in order to understand this post.

I want to tell you about the village of Barbosi in Romania. I had the wonderful opportunity to visit this village in 2005. When my team was there in 2005, they met in a small, damp room under the church which was under construction. They were very poor. The people of this village took a week’s worth of the flower they use to bake with and made us a special pastry for us to eat while we were there. They were so happy that we came to visit them. Out of all of the villages in Romania that I have visited, I was most humbled by this little village. They taught me that I don’t need a beautiful building or a nice suit to wear to church or lots of food to entertain friends and family. All I needed was a passion for the Lord and a willingness to serve him daily. That’s it!

There was the one particular lady that made such an impact on me while I was in Barbosi. She was an elderly lady who could not stand straight because of many years of picking crops in the fields. However, she would walk five miles, one way, from the main road when the church was having services. She was so precious to us. When we left, she wanted to “honor” us by kissing us on the cheek and then one kiss on the forehead. She grimaced in pain trying to stand up to give us this honor. She would not allow us to lean down for us to receive her kiss. I simply cried as we pulled off from this village. The Lord truly showed Himself to me through this lady.

On this past trip in April, I was giddy when I found out that we would be going back to Barbosi. I so wanted to revisit this village to see the progress of the church. Although the believers would not be at the church today, I was still excited to see the physical building. As we traveled down the long, gravel, bumpy road with so many holes in it that all of my organs were not in the same place we arrived, I started to wonder what ever happened to the lady that made such an impact on me. That memory left me as we drove up to the church and I saw that it was completed. It was truly a very emotional time for me.

When we got out of the car, I was still in shock that the church was finished. When we tried to get in the sanctuary, the doors were locked. As we were walking around outside, Vasile said to us that they had asked one of the members of the church to move in downstairs (where they use to meet) and her job was to keep the facility clean and watch over the grounds.


We climbed a hill to get a view of the back of the church when we heard some ladies yelling. Vasile turned around and started to talk to one of them when he said, “Ah, Mamma Lena is coming down to let us in.” He said, “We need to hurry, because when she sees me, she won’t let me go! I have become her adopted son!” When she came into view, tears started to form in my eyes because it was the lady who had honored me five years ago. She now lived in the church that she so much loved! She no longer has to make that five mile walk to church.

When she reached the church, she hugged the pastor and he, in Romania, talked with her and told her who we were. She grabbed each of our hands and started to cry. She pressed our hands against her face and as her tears transferred to the back of our hands, we just stood there in silence as she said, in Romania, “God bless you for coming. I am so happy that you are here. Peace be with you.” She looked up and then looked at me and then remembered that I had been there before. She asked Pastor Vasile and he said yes, and then she then gave me that same honor she gave me in 2005; A kiss on each cheek and one on the forehead. I just stood there in amazement of the situation. She asked about David Jarvis, a bearded man who was with me in 2005, and I told her that we was doing well back in the USA. She asked me to send him her love and blessings.

She then took us upstairs to see the finished sanctuary. That is when I could no longer control my emotions. Seeing the very building that I prayed so hard for to be completed was completed. It was beautiful. It had hardwood floors, a podium, a baptistery, and dressing rooms for the baptistery. It was beautiful. To me, it was more beautiful than any mega church in the states. I was speechless.

When we came out, Pastor Vasile asked Mamma Lena, “who put up this fence in front of the church?” She sheepishly looked down and said that she had asked some of the men of the church help her with it. He then asked her, “Where did the money come from.” She again, sheepishly said, “I used my monthly pension ($150.00 USD) to purchase the materials.” He asked why and she said that” she was tired of the village animals leaving their waste on the church porch and front area and it makes the church more beautiful.” Oh wow. The magnitude of this is enormous. All she gets is $150.00 per month from the Romania government for her pension. That is for her food and essentials. She used ALL of it to build that fence. She said to Vasile… “I just ate a little less each day to make up for it.”

As we left, I could not stop thinking about what I had just saw and heard. I was once again reminded of how God uses ordinary people in ordinary situations to do extraordinary things. If you are saying to yourself that building a fence isn’t an extraordinary thing, you have to remember the village, the economy in Romania, and the person that God used. I will tell you this. Mamma Lena will have a mansion the size of Billy Graham’s when she gets to heaven because she had the faith to do what the Lord asked her to do. She believed that God wanted her to build that fence and that he would take care of her; Even if it meant eating a little less each day for a month.

You see, approaching the burning bush, standing on holy ground, removing sandals from our feet; paying for a fence with all that you have, are the longings of the human soul; longings that will draw us toward the land of milk and honey; Where God's mercy awaits to heal us, and bring us peace. Such experiences may not prevent what is going on in the world, but it serves as a deep reminder that we are infinitely loved through Christ and meant to be one, living with each other in harmony. If only we would share the fire that draws us near, the fire that engulfs us in its bright light. Or better yet, allow God to use US as his burning bush. How different this world would be.

I felt that I was called to Romania to make a difference in the lives of the people there. When Mamma Lena honored me with those kisses and asked the Lord to bless me for what I was doing, and then told the story of the fence, I then realized that I was the one that was being blessed and that I was the one that needed a visit. I realized that I was the one that needed the reminder that we are loved by Christ and to allow Him to engulf me with his glory. What a humbling yet glorious experience.

But it all begins with each one of us recognizing that we encounter God almost daily. Like Moses before the burning bush, and Mamma Lena building a fence, we encounter God in many ways. It may be the time we ate in candlelight with a person we loved, or our wedding day, the birth of a child, the whisper of big pines in the mountains, or the lapping of the ocean against our feet or seeing a completed church building in a poor village. Once we recognize encounters of the burning bush, being blessed by God's presence, we need to share them by telling our story. Then as we tell our story of God's presence in our lives, we become a blessing to others so that this day we will stand on holy ground.

Romania

As you know, I have had a passion for Romania since my first trip in April of 2005 with my former church, Plaza Baptist Church. I returned to the church in Targu Mures with a team from Plaza in September, 2006 to construct a retaining wall to help secure the grounds at the church. Since then, my family has transitioned away from Plaza Baptist Church to Kings Way Baptist Church in Concord, NC, but my passion for Romania has not changed.

I’m sure you have heard me share the need of this church. I am excited for the opportunity that Kings Way has to minister in Romania and to participate in the completion of this church. As you can see from the picture, it has a long way to go.

About a year ago, the Pastor from Romania was here in North Carolina and I was able to introduce our Missions Pastor, Bobby Price, to him. Pastor Vasile Paul shared the need of his church in Romania in a way that touched the heart of Bobby and we were invited by Pastor Vasile to come to Romania see the need. Well, that time has come.

The main purpose for this trip is to set the stage for more teams from Kings Way and other local churches to visit this area in the future, and to assist with the financial and infrastructural needs that they have. As we all know, when more of God’s people are involved, more for His kingdom can be accomplished.

Our trip is planned for the end April. We will fly out of Charlotte on April 23, 2010 and return to Charlotte on May 3, 2010. The cost of the trip is approximately $2200.00. We will be landing in Bucharest Romania and traveling to Targu Mures and spending time in the church and villages in which Pastor Vasile is the pastor for. We then will travel back to Bucharest for ministry there and then travel back home.

Something that I learned in a recent Bible study is that lots of times, we say, “If you can’t give, then pray” like prayer should be a second thought. I’m going to break that trend and ask that the first thing you do is pray for this trip. Pray that lives will be changed and touched through this trip, even if it is our own. Pray that our hearts and eyes will be opened to the need there and that we will be sensitive to what the Lord will have us do. The second thing I will ask you to do, if you can, is to send financial support.

Honestly, I don’t have $2200.00 sitting in my bank account. I’m sure that you don’t either! However, I am asking that if the Lord moves you to support this trip, please do so. Any amount will help toward the cost of the trip. Like in the years past, any amount of money that is collected above the cost of this trip will be donated to the local church in Romania.

You may make out your tax deductable donation to Project 127 and mail to 5210 Moonlight Trail, Concord, NC 28025. Please add to the memo line of the check “Romania Trip for Mike Broom.”

Thank you in advance for your prayers and donations. I will especially covet your prayers as I embark on this trip.

The Year of First

February 25, 2009 at 9:16 AM, my year of first started. Experiencing the “first” holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, etc, etc without my Dad was going to be tough. I remember March 25, 2009; exactly the first month after Dads death, hit me really hard. It was on the same day, the same weather, and the same emotions.

Then there was my first Birthday without him. I missed the phone call saying “Happy Birthday Son.” Then there was the first Fathers Day. Oh my. How I missed picking out a Father’s Day Card and how I missed seeing him that day. There was his first Birthday, the first Car Show, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and then Mom’s birthday.

But as today marks the one year anniversary of the passing of my Dad, it also marks the end of the year of first. I can tell you that I am glad that the year of first is over. It’s been a tough year. As I watched the ball drop on TV on December 31, 2009 I reflected on how awful 2009 has been. Tears came down my cheek as I thought about my year of first and how I was glad that 2009 was over.

Today, not only am I going to celebrate my Dad’s life, I’m going to celebrate that the year of first is over. I wish I can say that the sorrow will be over, but I can’t promise that it will. All I can do is rejoice that my Dad is in heaven and I no longer have to experience the year of first.

Spreading Joy

Marie Wikle at Spreading Joy Corporation, a nonprofit origination, is collecting toys and gifts for Lincoln and Mecklenburg County parents who can’t afford Christmas for their kids this year. Many people are out of work this Holiday Season and she’s trying to help as much as she can.

Spreading Joy was started because Marie wanted simply to help others. She thought it would be neat to do something small for the under-privileged in the communities that surround us. She started by giving simple gifts such as Frosty coupons from Wendy’s. Now, it has grown to such projects as School Supplies and back packs for kids starting school to the current Christmas Toy Drive. She told me an amazing story of a couple who lost their jobs and Spreading Joy was able to pay the Light, Gas and Water bills to have their services reconnected. This couples' refrigerator also went out and Spreading Joy was able to purchase a new one for this couple. She does this by giving people who want to help a venue to Spread Joy. I know that in the past, I have been the recipient of gifts when we weren’t able to make it through some difficult times. I’m sure you can remember such a time yourself.

Although Spreading Joy does take cash donations, they are asking for your participation this season by donating toys for the kids. I’ve attached a flier to give you some ideas of what kind of toys they are looking for. They do NOT have to be expensive to put a smile on the faces of the kids. As a matter of fact, any toy at any price, even for a dollar would be welcomed. That’s why Spreading Joy is different. They are not asking for Xbox’s, Play Stations, etc, etc. They are simply asking for any kind of gift that you can give. Big or small; your choice.

I am excited to see what God is going to do through Spreading Joy this year and am so happy that I've committed to help Marie collect as much toys as possilbe. Can you help?

Once again, Spreading Joy is a nonprofit organization that is recognized by the IRS, so your gifts are tax deductable. If you are interested in donating any amount of toys, please contact me at mbroom@carolina.rr.com or at (704) 654-8079. I have a collection box in my office; however, I will arrange to pick them up from you if that is easier for you.

Remember, it doesn’t have to be much; it can be a $5.00 toy, it doesn’t matter. Every gift counts.

Any Old Bush Will Do

I want to first say that I can’t take credit for the title or idea of this blog entry. I went to my old church a couple of Sundays ago for homecoming and my former Pastor, David Gales, preached a wonderful sermon on the history of my former church. He referenced Exodus 3, where God speaks to Moses through the burning bush:

1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up." 4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!" And Moses said, "Here I am." 5 "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." 6 Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. 7 The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that and into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt." 11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" 12 And God said, "I will be with you…

Keep in mind Moses’ past. He was literally put in a basket and sent down the river! He was raised in Pharos’s house and later in life, killed an Egyptian who was beating an Israelite slave. He buried the Egyptian and fled to Midian and became a Sheppard for his father-in-law for 40 years until one day he was walking along and found a bush burning that wasn’t being consumed by fire. Look what he said at the beginning of verse 4:

“…Moses! Moses!”

God’s first words to Moses were his name. This tells me that no matter what Moses had done, where he was at, a forgotten shepherd on the backside of the desert, God knew his name. This said volumes to me. No matter what I’ve done, where I’m at, or who I am; God knows MY name. He can call out to me and use me, no matter what. Isn’t it awesome that Elohim, God the creator, knows MY name!

Now, let’s not forget the significance of the bush. Even though the type of bush is not mentioned in the Bible, some believe that it was a Creosote bush, a dry, thorny bush that mainly lives in the dessert. Not a very pretty bush, I may add.

So, look at this picture. God didn’t need a beautiful bush to set ablaze to speak to a forgotten shepherd on the backside of the desert give him the message that he will “send you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” “Any old bush would do.” God, also, didn’t need a King to deliver his people from the Egyptians. “Any old Shepherd will do.”

Compare this analogy to the birth of Christ. God could have selected a Queen to give birth to his son, Jesus. She could have lived in a beautiful palace and had servants tend to Jesus’ every need. But he didn’t. He selected a humble Mary. He selected a humble stable. He selected animals surrounding Mary as she ushered in our Lord. You see, “any old stable would do.” “Any humbled servant will do.”

Isn’t it amazing that our Lord, the Creator, the Redeemer, our Father used a bush to speak to Moses? That He used a Stable for His Son to be born in? How awesome it is to know that He used a murderer to deliver his people from Egypt and a he used a humble lady to deliver his Child. If he can do that, what do you think he can do through you and me? All we have to do is allow him to use ‘Little Ole Me.”