Are you comfortable?

Does GOD call us to be comfortable in life? I would argue that he calls us to be just the opposite. To be uncomfortable in this life is what we should feel. So often we look to be comfortable in our job, in our family, in our home, in our things. But what happens to us when we are comfortable? Are we focused on the things we should be focused on? Are we focused on serving GOD? I don't think so. If we are focused on being comfortable in our life, when things happen that unsettle our routine or lifestyle we quickly try to fix it or adjust it so that we can get back to the comfy spot in the recliner or on the couch.

But if we look at someone in the Bible that was comfortable we see that they were not where they were supposed to be. Look at David on top of his house lounging about when he turn and sees Bathsheba.

When we are comfy, we tend not to be focused on GOD.
GOD calls us to be uncomfortable. Who can we see in the Bible that GOD called out of their comfort to do HIS will:
~ Abraham - called to leave the comfort of his fathers house and become the father of a nation
~ Moses - called to leave his home and go back to Egypt to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land
~ Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and Daniel - refused the comfort of the palace to stay pure before GOD
~ Zacchaeus - called to give away the things he had taken during his tax collecting days
~ The Disciples - called to a new way of living

... and lest we forget.
~ Jesus - came from the comfort of Heaven to a world that he couldn't even find a place to rest his head.

So, does this mean we cann't have the "creature comforts" that we are used to? No, of course not. Many of the people who left their "comforts" still had comforts in their lives.
Because Shadrach, Meshach, Abendnego and Daniel refused the kings comforts, they found themselves as politcal leaders in a foreign land.

Let me direct you in another way to think. We should rest in the comfort of GOD. When we are focused on serving GOD, then we can know we are comfortable in HIS arms. Our comfort should come from knowing that we are serving GOD, not in what we have done or what we have. We can still have the creature comforts and enjoy the things that we have but when these things become our focus or become the driving force in our lives to be more comfortable, then we have become UNcomfortable in our relationship with GOD.

So, take comfort in GOD and not this worlds stuff.

Just another Day

Well, we got back from camping yesterday and I had a few emails about job opps. I sent in my resume to them and I am waiting to hear from them.
I am getting really frustrated with it... the whole process is getting me down. I have never gone this long with out a job. I have ALWAYS been able to walk out of one job and right into another one.
I know that GOD is in control, that HE will take care of us... its just that I am at a loss. I want to work. I want to do something that keeps me busy, even if I am not getting paid to work, at least let me do something that makes me feel that I have contributed to life today
... Anyhow, thats today in a nutshell... just another day.

Gas Prices... OUCH!

Today was a very black day for me... I went to get gas in my truck and I was watching the pennies fly by and the dollars grew higher and higer. Until it happened. My truck, for the first time ever, went over the 50 dollar mark!!! AAAAUUUUGGGHHHH!!!!!
It's never happend before. Oh sure, I have always paid over 50 in Micheles van, but not my little truck. Not only did it go over 50 but it ended up at being over 53 dollars.
What are we going to do? Its going to get so bad that we are going to all have to buy horses just to keep up financially.

... ok, i hope not because horses stink.

Wow, I cannot believe that I have not sent out an update in over a month. I guess to tell you the truth, not a lot has changed. Today was a great day. Today we did not “do” church, we “DID” church. Ecclesia Clear Lake, as well as some other churches in the area did not have services today. Instead we went out to be the church to people that don’t always see the church in action. I took Hannah and Noah with me to help out with others at a mobile home that needed some repairs to minor things around the house. It was an awesome experience to see my kids helping out with fixing things. This is how the church is supposed to be; helping those in need. So often churches get in the rut of making people come in to the office and fill out forms to request service; but instead we should going out and asking them what can I do for you. How else will the world see the love of the Father unless we go and show them His love?


So, what is going on with the Brown’s?
I am still looking for work. In some ways it feels like just last week when I left D.R. Horton. Other times it feels like it’s been forever. The main question I am getting from people is, “What are you looking for?” And I answer with, “Whatever God is going to give me”. I know, it sounds a little contrived, but I am very sincere in that answer. I am seeking out every avenue of job possibilities to see where God is leading. I am looking into every field I have ever worked in and many that I haven’t. One thing that I have been talking to God with lately is whether or not He wants to go back into the ministry. I have several leads that I am looking into (see below for more info on a couple of them).
As I am writing this to you tonight, I am listening to some classic Petra (80’s Christian Rock band) and the song “I Am Available” is playing. How ironic is that? The one thing I want to be, is available to whatever God is calling me to do.

Well a couple of weeks ago, Noah, my dad, my nephew and I went camping up in “Mission Tejas”. It was real treat for just us guys to go and hang out for a couple of days. We rode bikes and went hiking and saw the house that the Rice family (as in Rice University) lived in.
Then the whole family went to the YMCA camp ground north east of Huntsville for Mothers day. We went with my sister family and two other families. We all got to do a lot of stuff from horseback riding to climbing a 60 foot “rock climb”. Of course I made it to the top and waved down at all the little ants. Then on the way down, my spotter did not have a good holed on me and I free fell about 30 feet and banged my back up pretty good. Then we all did something I’ve never done before. I shot a rifle… ok… a .22 caliber rifle. It didn’t even have any kick to it. We each got 10 rounds to shoot at a target. Michele and I both hit the target all 10 times. Michele is a pretty good shot. I have to remember not to make her mad when she’s holding a gun (that’s a joke… come on laugh).
Michele and Johnna went up to Arkansas this week to see family. Michele’s’ youngest brother is graduating from high school this week so she wanted to be there. She is having a great time seeing people that she hasn’t seen since we moved back to Texas 6 years ago.

What’s next for the Browns?
We are about to go on another camping trip this Memorial Day weekend with one of our school co-ops. There should be a lot of people there. After that, I am done camping for a while.
On Monday, May 19, Michele and I will be tele-conferencing with a Family Life Ministries for a position on their team ministering to kids in a kids home. We would love to be on staff with Family Life but it would be a hard road to start. FLM is a great ministry but it is self promoted finances. We would have to get our own backing and support. They do help to get you started but it is up to you to secure your own support. I told our pastor Loren this evening at church that that was not where I was leading but as he said, “Be careful, that might be where God is leading” (thanks Loren… I will be hitting you up if that is where God leads us). Seriously, God is in complete control and if he wants us to “drum” up our own support, He obviously knows where we are going to get the money… He does own the bank.
The other possibility we have is with a children’s home called the Boys & Girls Country. This is another Christian organization that helps kids out by giving them a better place to live. To be honest, I am really stoked about this possibility. I just received the info packet a couple of days ago and it just looks so awesome. We have already spoken with the director and she is excited about us coming up there in two weeks for a 2 day interview. Sort of a meet and greet, let’s see if you like us and we like you kind of thing. If everyone likes everyone, Michele and I would go back up there the following week for a 2 week introduction. Then we would be starting soon after. So, it could move very quickly.

As the school year comes to a close for us this year, we have decided to continue the kids’ studies over the summer. I know, I know, that sounds terrible. But we need to get them caught up in math and the only way to do that is to have them working on math a couple days a week over the summer break.

How you can pray for the Browns
First of all, I want to thank you for all of your prayers. They have been truly felt over the past 8 weeks. I do not know how I, personally, could have made it so far without your prayers. God has blessed us through your prayers and through the blessing that He continues to pour out on our family.
~ Please continue praying that I find a job.
~ Pray that Michele and Johnna come home from Arkansas safely.
~ Pray for our family that God will make us a strong witness to those He puts in our path.
~ Pray for us financially as we need to get some necessities like clothes for the kids.

One last thing
I love being able to take time to share with each of you what is going on in the BROWN FAMILY LIFE. Each one of you is special to us. We want you to know that we pray for each of you on a regular basis. I wish we could spend more time with each and every one of you. I so look forward to the day when we can all sit down together as one big family.
May Gods love be with you as you go through this journey we call life.

My first very own blog... cool.

Well, here it is. My very own blog site.
I hope you like it. I want to put up current info about our family stuff. I will also be putting up other info like personal thoughts, devotions, etc.

Well, enjoy.
I hope you come by often and leave comments.