exiles, we are.

The world of today is temporary in comparison to the Jerusalem of our future. Just as God speaks through Jeremiah to the exiles in Babylon, He will return and graciously fulfill that promise…in due time.

Matthew 24: 14 tells us that the end will come when the Kingdom’s gospel is preached in all nations. Our goal, mission, purpose as a church is to make God’s name great among all the peoples of the world. While we are here on this Earth, in Babylon, our time has purpose and has been under God’s sovereign rule. While we pursue our mission as a church, through God’s grace and power, we are to look forward to our coming King and our future return to Jerusalem. His promise will stand.

“…I will gather you from all the nations and places I have banished you…and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” -Jeremiah 29:14 b

my rain boots are out back

With each rain comes a new since of light.

The air clears and the humidity fades… it’s refreshing.

Out in the back, they’re completely out of sight.

Here I am, caught inside – missing the blessing.

 

I’m glad I know now, my rain boots are out back.

:$

desert song

This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides 

This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness, or trial, or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame 

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here 

This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am conquerer and co-heir with Christ
so firm on HIs promise I'll stand 

All of my life in every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship 

This is my prayer in the harvest
Where favour and providence flow
I know I'm filled to emptied again
The seed I've recieved I will sow

really, Brandon?

very rarely do I ever find the Spirit encouraging me towards a regretful thought or a rash emotion. today, this week, this summer has consisted around one central thought. In the past I have made rash decisions and never experienced life altering consequences for those. no doubt, they’ve led me to where I am and the Lord has brought them for stones to step on…but, Lord, I want you, I want your glory, and I want that central thought of the past few months to invest into my heart and never be lodged elsewhere.

I pray His desires and His heart become my heart and my desires. Only then can I proclaim that I live saturated in truth.

a river runs through it

I desire to get away…I long to see new skies….but I’m here.

I’m ok with obeying the Lord, haha, I am. My heart yearns to see the river and some of my closest friends though, and in that, my heart is broken. I miss waking up early, eating a bowl of cereal, letting daniel walsh borrow milk for his, then grabbing my drybag and driving to work with 4+ ppl in my car. I miss the early morning devotion, the trip roll call, the walk to the boat shed, and even the rigging. I can feel the cold water around my ankles as I hold the boat in the eddy, attempting to explain the precautions to my customers…then jumping in and beginning a series of moments that will never be forgotten.

I thank the Lord for the blessings of memories and the grace of experience. I pray my heart stays open to His glory this summer and my mind stays on course for His abundance. 

-brew
surfs up

one love

If I live how people want me to live and live by expectations people set on me, I’m subject to living under the thumb of an easily swayed influence. I’m tired of being exhausted in the simple aspect of convincing myself that things are right/wrong, good/bad, but I want to live my life for the glory of the Lord and live with my passion for Him. I’ve hurt friends, girls, myself, and my greatest mentors in a stupid pursuit of what is false to me.

Let truth govern influence.

brew

Matthew 19:16-

We are but clinging to our flesh…we are the rich young rulers. our mandate is to love the Lord and reach the nations, but how can I possibly display a beautiful, humble, glorious Lord when He is undefined as such in my life. Only with Him can I become new, only through Him can I glorify the Lord.

Time to man up, Brandon.

William Carey

“expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.”
                                                          -William Carey

As I read the stories of these young movements in missions history, there’s a tremendous pressure on my shoulders to do something great for the Lord. I know the Lord isn’t glorified necessarily by our terms of  ’greatness’, but I have to remember that God is great, therefore I am a prime instrument of greatness for His Kingdom and Glory. I am willing.

“We keep talking about the second coming…half the world hasn’t heard of the first.” 
                                                         -Oswald J. Smith

Bored? Google these people’s stories:
            William Carey
            Samuel Mills
            Hudson Taylor
            C.T. Studd
            Cameron Townsend
            Lottie Moon
            John Wesley
            Count Zinzendorf
            Jim Elliot
            William Borden

                        

still brew.

grass

There’s grass on the fields somewhere in Montana

I’ve seen them in pictures and heard about them.

I’m not sure if I’d ever want to see them, but I’ve

always enjoyed thinking about them.

A wiser man once told me they don’t exist,

that it’s pointless to dream of them.

I guess that’s what I catch myself doing…just dreaming.

Looking at it now, I wasn’t made to stand on a field and look at grass.

That sounds ridiculous, tormenting, not dreamy…

 

                                                                                   …more of a nightmare.

behind stage.

there’s always a breath of fresh air in the sense of friendship. simple authenticity in conversation and the notable fact that nothing can change how the receiving end of a spoken word thanks and loves you, simply for being you. an open mind fuels open arms. 

 

thanks, to a friend.

-brew.