Friday, June 19, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
It is a sad day when.....
A Mother and her 4 year old have to wander the streets of Atlanta at 12:3o am looking for food and shelter. When a women who has no place to go has to sleep in a child's stroller. When a man who has been on the streets for so long has his mental capacity reduced to that of a child. Jesus would have been right there with these same people, loving them, and pouring his life into them. Yet, we turn our heads away when we see them, take a step away when they walk towards us, refuse them when they ask us for money for something to eat. Two songs come to mind when I think of the plight of the homeless in our country. "Give It Up" by High Flight Society and "Disappear" by Anberlin. Both of them are songs written from the standpoint of someone who is hurting and in need of the love that Christ bestowed on us. Somehow, we think that someone else is going to take care of it. We walk by and ignore them.
After seeing that 4 year old child, and having children myself, I realize that I am not doing my part to show Christ's love to these people that need to be loved just like anyone else. So, here is what I propose. I want a group of us to get together, make sandwiches, snacks, get blankets, anything that might help the "disappearing people" and go to them. Not to the shelters, the soup kitchens, but directly to them where they are, on the streets of Atlanta. I suggest a group of people because you never know what to expect, but I also know that God will have us in his hand. Please, if you are interested, let me know. I'm going to try and organize something once I get back from Honduras, so be in prayer until then.
After seeing that 4 year old child, and having children myself, I realize that I am not doing my part to show Christ's love to these people that need to be loved just like anyone else. So, here is what I propose. I want a group of us to get together, make sandwiches, snacks, get blankets, anything that might help the "disappearing people" and go to them. Not to the shelters, the soup kitchens, but directly to them where they are, on the streets of Atlanta. I suggest a group of people because you never know what to expect, but I also know that God will have us in his hand. Please, if you are interested, let me know. I'm going to try and organize something once I get back from Honduras, so be in prayer until then.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
No Matter How You Look At It......
Flie "sharing" is stealing. As most of you know, I run a christian music news and reviews site, so I take a pretty hard stance on downloading when you haven't paid for it. But even before I started RockTheCross.net, I was against downloading.
Now, don't get me wrong, I downloaded my fair share of music in the heyday of Napster, and Audiogalaxy Satellite. In fact, I had several GB of downloaded music. But, one day, after a lot of thinking, it stopped. I decided it was morally and ethically wrong. Not only could I not do it as a person, but as a christian, I couldn't steal from the pockets of the artists that I loved and that were helping spread the gospel.
I'm sure you are wondering what brought all of this on..... well, I was having a conversation today with someone and he was asking what kind of music that I listen to. I told him a lot of Rock, etc. but that I really dislike country. He said "Well, thats all I've got. I get my music off Limewire.". I explained my reasons for not downloading any more and he said "Yeah, I only get on for like 20 minutes or so, and I only get a couple of songs.". His response led me to formulate this question as I was thinking about the exchange later in the day.
Now, don't get me wrong, I downloaded my fair share of music in the heyday of Napster, and Audiogalaxy Satellite. In fact, I had several GB of downloaded music. But, one day, after a lot of thinking, it stopped. I decided it was morally and ethically wrong. Not only could I not do it as a person, but as a christian, I couldn't steal from the pockets of the artists that I loved and that were helping spread the gospel.
I'm sure you are wondering what brought all of this on..... well, I was having a conversation today with someone and he was asking what kind of music that I listen to. I told him a lot of Rock, etc. but that I really dislike country. He said "Well, thats all I've got. I get my music off Limewire.". I explained my reasons for not downloading any more and he said "Yeah, I only get on for like 20 minutes or so, and I only get a couple of songs.". His response led me to formulate this question as I was thinking about the exchange later in the day.
Would you rather that your house be robbed just once or twice, or would you rather have it happen 300 times? Either way, you are getting robbed.
Please think before you download again... You could be taking food out of someone's child's mouth.....
Saturday, June 6, 2009
A Change May Be Coming....
Ashley and I maybe be making some fairly big changes coming soon. I don't want to say much, except for that if it happens, it will be a change for the entire family.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Please......
Pray for myself and my family right now. For several reasons....
1)That I am able to raise the support that I need for my trip to Honduras. And that my passport will come through in time.
2)That I will be able to find a job expeditiously that I can begin earning income at.
3)That God will continue to bless Ashley's photography business, now that she can walk again.
That's really all I have time to say right now.......
1)That I am able to raise the support that I need for my trip to Honduras. And that my passport will come through in time.
2)That I will be able to find a job expeditiously that I can begin earning income at.
3)That God will continue to bless Ashley's photography business, now that she can walk again.
That's really all I have time to say right now.......
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Late Night Tonight
Its been an extremely long day for me. And I dont think its quite over yet. I've just finished up an email campaign I was working on for a friend, that will hopefully lead to some more income for me. Now I've got to get just a few more things done before I finally lay my head down for the night/morning.
I'll be honest, its really hard being a dad, husband, writer/editor/etc of my own website, graphic and web designer, chauffeur, cook, etc. But then I remember that God equips me for the things that he has called me to.
I'll be honest, its really hard being a dad, husband, writer/editor/etc of my own website, graphic and web designer, chauffeur, cook, etc. But then I remember that God equips me for the things that he has called me to.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We will always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. (2 Corinthians 4:7-10)
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a Spirit of power. (2 Timothy 1:7)
I think that sometimes though, I take for granted what God has given to me through his Son. And I know that I am not the only one. Look at the staggering number of stagnant christians, those of us who proclaim Him with our lips, but that's all we do. There isn't fruit in our lives and we don't impact those who are around us. That isn't going to be me anymore. From now on, I am going to live my life out loud for Him who has saved me from certain doom. My question is, who will come with me on this journey.........
17 Days til Honduras... and I need your help
I've never had my own personal blog before. Usually it has something to do with my website, www.rockthecross.net, but never a personal blog to share my own non-musical thoughts. So I think a round of applause is in order.
The following text is from my support letter for my upcoming mission trip to Honduras. Please read it , and pray about giving. If you can't give financially, give through your prayers. If you need my address to send anything, please email me at the address below. Thanks!
The following text is from my support letter for my upcoming mission trip to Honduras. Please read it , and pray about giving. If you can't give financially, give through your prayers. If you need my address to send anything, please email me at the address below. Thanks!
The art of the personal letter is somewhat of a lost art. Lets be honest, most of the time when you get a letter, its a bill, or some advertisement for the latest Dish Network deal. This letter is not that....
In fact, its somewhat different. Over the past few years, God has really been working in my heart for short term missions, and this June I will have the opportunity to go on my first international mission trip. Leaving June 19th, and returning June 26th, myself and a team from my church at Eagles Landing First Baptist will travel to Tegucigalpa, Honduras to work with the local people there. I am nervous, yet excited for what God is going to do while we are there.
Now for the best part, the cost of is $1400. Asking for money isn't a strong suit of mine.... but any amount will help. If you can give a little, awesome. If you can give alot, thats awesome also. If you can't give financial support, I beg that you send your prayers, for the preparation, for the people of Honduras, and also for the members of the team. If you would like more information about the trip, please feel free to email me or call me, I'll include my information below. Don't forget that your financial donation is tax deductible.
Well, I'd give myself a solid B+ in letter writing this go around. Thank you in advance for your support!
Wes Brawner
678-524-6707
wes@rockthecross.net
In fact, its somewhat different. Over the past few years, God has really been working in my heart for short term missions, and this June I will have the opportunity to go on my first international mission trip. Leaving June 19th, and returning June 26th, myself and a team from my church at Eagles Landing First Baptist will travel to Tegucigalpa, Honduras to work with the local people there. I am nervous, yet excited for what God is going to do while we are there.
Now for the best part, the cost of is $1400. Asking for money isn't a strong suit of mine.... but any amount will help. If you can give a little, awesome. If you can give alot, thats awesome also. If you can't give financial support, I beg that you send your prayers, for the preparation, for the people of Honduras, and also for the members of the team. If you would like more information about the trip, please feel free to email me or call me, I'll include my information below. Don't forget that your financial donation is tax deductible.
Well, I'd give myself a solid B+ in letter writing this go around. Thank you in advance for your support!
Wes Brawner
678-524-6707
wes@rockthecross.net
