It is amazing how small the world really is at times, especially with social media. As an author, I connect with lots of other authors. One day, a fellow author wrote a post about sending books to Africa. So naturally I inquired if the books could be used... limited budget and all. So began my journey indirectly to Nairobi, Kenya, Africa.
A few days ago, I was invited to a Facebook event "Walk A Mile In Her Shoes" by a new friend, Moses O. Moses helps young ladies/girls who suffer from abuse. Moses introduced me to Lynn C. Tolson who wrote a wonderful blog about this event.
For those that don't know it, Emmaus champions the use of our human hands and feet to the Glory of God and Jesus. Each of us have talents and abilities. It is how we use them that makes all the difference. I may not be a best selling author by New York Times standards but I can write. So I am using my human hands to tell about men who are using their human feet to help women who have suffered from sexualized violence. To learn more please read Lynn C. Tolson's blog post by clicking here: http://beyondthetears.blogspot.com/2014/01/tolson-4-tears-cheers-walk-mile-in-kenya.html or the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/669668679732346/?source=1
I hope you open up your human hearts and become Hands and Feet for Christ either for this or other ventures that cross your path.
DeColores,
Lynn Hallbrooks
09 January 2014
29 December 2013
New Year
A new calendar year is almost upon us.
During the Advent season, the pastor of my church has been using John 3:16-17 as the basis of all the sermons which covered each Advent Sunday, Christmas Eve, and even today's sermon. To be honest, we missed a sermon because of the ice storm but he fit it in the next week.
I learned a few things from Pastor Gene:
For God so LOVED the world... (try inserting your name here)
Here's what I mean - For God so LOVED Lynn Hallbrooks...
God LOVES me!!
Here's how the NRSV version of John 3:16 -17 reads:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
"Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him."
Jesus was God's gift to the world. Jesus came down to us as a little baby raised as flesh and died for the world's sins. (Now insert your name here)
Jesus was born and died for Lynn Hallbrooks' sins.
I will tell you that I have sinned - try as I might, I'm still a sinner. I'm grateful that God gave his Son, Jesus as a present for all mankind. I'm glad that Jesus gave his life for me.
Christmas Eve, Pastor Gene took a small candle and used it as a symbolic catalyst from the Christ candle to spread light into the darkness that is the world. He lit a candle on each front pew... we spread the light among our fellow church goers. We sang Silent Night then he released us out into the cold dark night.
You know what I learned - that even if your light goes out - you can get it back with help of a fellow Christian. All you have to do is ask.
So if you feel that your light is flickering - maybe you need to ask someone to help you... or you can always go to God in prayer.
God Loves His Children - Did you know that we are Heirs to God through and with Jesus?
May each of your days' be filled with Hope - Peace - Joy - Love
Lynn
During the Advent season, the pastor of my church has been using John 3:16-17 as the basis of all the sermons which covered each Advent Sunday, Christmas Eve, and even today's sermon. To be honest, we missed a sermon because of the ice storm but he fit it in the next week.
I learned a few things from Pastor Gene:
For God so LOVED the world... (try inserting your name here)
Here's what I mean - For God so LOVED Lynn Hallbrooks...
God LOVES me!!
Here's how the NRSV version of John 3:16 -17 reads:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
"Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him."
Jesus was God's gift to the world. Jesus came down to us as a little baby raised as flesh and died for the world's sins. (Now insert your name here)
Jesus was born and died for Lynn Hallbrooks' sins.
I will tell you that I have sinned - try as I might, I'm still a sinner. I'm grateful that God gave his Son, Jesus as a present for all mankind. I'm glad that Jesus gave his life for me.
Christmas Eve, Pastor Gene took a small candle and used it as a symbolic catalyst from the Christ candle to spread light into the darkness that is the world. He lit a candle on each front pew... we spread the light among our fellow church goers. We sang Silent Night then he released us out into the cold dark night.
You know what I learned - that even if your light goes out - you can get it back with help of a fellow Christian. All you have to do is ask.
So if you feel that your light is flickering - maybe you need to ask someone to help you... or you can always go to God in prayer.
God Loves His Children - Did you know that we are Heirs to God through and with Jesus?
May each of your days' be filled with Hope - Peace - Joy - Love
Lynn
28 March 2013
I am Barabbas by Charles J. Johnson
I first met Mr. Charles J. Johnson on Goodreads. On I noticed his blog post and this poem. He was offering it up for anyone who would like to read it for Easter Services. I think it is very appropriate for the end of Holy Week.
06 March 2013
Books and Religion
 |
| Solomon's Men by Glenn Starkey |
03 November 2012
Viewpoints from the Pulpit: National Elections
A church friend and fellow member of the Emmaus Community shared this video of Dr. David Jeremiah with me. The video is about forty-five minutes long. I had to look at it in spits and spurts as I was also listening out for my Godson at the same time. So I have not heard every single word said. I did hear enough to know that Dr. Jeremiah was doing his level best to be fair in his assessment of both Presidential Candidates.
He based his assessment from a biblical standard of leadership...not spiritual leadership as from the pulpit. His standards made sense to me overall. The argument that most caught my attention was the stance of the leader of the United States towards Israel. Basically, anyone who is against Israel is against God.
I am not about to tell anyone how to vote, that is a personal decision. What I'm offering is a way to become more informed from a biblical perspective before the Presidential Election on 6 November 2012. Short notice, I realize. Still, I hope that the final words of Dr. Jeremiah regarding Political Stewardship help sway anyone who is inclined not to vote at all.
DeColores,
Lynn Hallbrooks
He based his assessment from a biblical standard of leadership...not spiritual leadership as from the pulpit. His standards made sense to me overall. The argument that most caught my attention was the stance of the leader of the United States towards Israel. Basically, anyone who is against Israel is against God.
I am not about to tell anyone how to vote, that is a personal decision. What I'm offering is a way to become more informed from a biblical perspective before the Presidential Election on 6 November 2012. Short notice, I realize. Still, I hope that the final words of Dr. Jeremiah regarding Political Stewardship help sway anyone who is inclined not to vote at all.
DeColores,
Lynn Hallbrooks
25 March 2012
Parable of the Prodigal Son
Today's Sunday School lesson was The Prodigal Son from Luke 15: 11-32 which was lead by the husband & wife team of Larry and Kay. We had great discussions on different aspects of this parable, so much so, that my mind was processing it in the background during Church and through lunch.
While I was doing the lunch dishes, my brain began putting some pieces of the puzzle together. I think I may have come up with an interesting parallel.
The Elder Son is the people who were following all the laws in hopes of getting into Yahweh's good graces. The Prodigal Son is the new converts. Naturally, we all can figure out that the father in the story is Our Heavenly Father. To me it shows, that we are all equally welcomed by God. Whether we are Repentant Sinners or Covenant Keepers.
On a side note, the ending, in some ways, could be a foreshadowing of what was to come for Jesus who died for our sins then rose again and was welcomed home by the Father. As to what the elder brother did after that, I will leave that part of the story up to your interpretation as did Jesus when speaking to his audience.
I hope that all of you are blessed in some way by my simplistic layman's interpretation of one of Jesus' well-known parables.
DeColores,
Lynn
While I was doing the lunch dishes, my brain began putting some pieces of the puzzle together. I think I may have come up with an interesting parallel.
The Elder Son is the people who were following all the laws in hopes of getting into Yahweh's good graces. The Prodigal Son is the new converts. Naturally, we all can figure out that the father in the story is Our Heavenly Father. To me it shows, that we are all equally welcomed by God. Whether we are Repentant Sinners or Covenant Keepers.
On a side note, the ending, in some ways, could be a foreshadowing of what was to come for Jesus who died for our sins then rose again and was welcomed home by the Father. As to what the elder brother did after that, I will leave that part of the story up to your interpretation as did Jesus when speaking to his audience.
I hope that all of you are blessed in some way by my simplistic layman's interpretation of one of Jesus' well-known parables.
DeColores,
Lynn
02 October 2011
The Other Side
Once, I was a Pilgrim. Green and uncertain of what was about to happen to me. Now, I've graduated and been on my fourth day adventures. Last night, I was on the other side of a momentous night in the life of every pilgrim. If you have not been a participant in this event, it is difficult to describe what it feels like.
I will, however, attempt to describe what it feels like on the other side. It is anxious anticipation. You know what you saw and felt as a pilgrim. You wonder if the newest pilgrims will see and feel the same as you.
As I type and edit this blog, I flash back to a month and half ago to my special event. I have to hold back tears of joy. I decided not to reveal any of the details as it may dampen the experience for those who have yet to go on a Walk to Emmaus. I will say this, life is not the same as the pilgrims continue through their journey into their fourth day.
The journey of the Walk to Emmaus is on-going. Each pilgrim grows in their walk with Jesus in his or her own way. If you have not been privileged to be a part of this experience and would like to be, I encourage you to seek out information from your local church community. If they do not have any information, then visit this link to learn more.
DeColores,
Lynn Hallbrooks
I will, however, attempt to describe what it feels like on the other side. It is anxious anticipation. You know what you saw and felt as a pilgrim. You wonder if the newest pilgrims will see and feel the same as you.
As I type and edit this blog, I flash back to a month and half ago to my special event. I have to hold back tears of joy. I decided not to reveal any of the details as it may dampen the experience for those who have yet to go on a Walk to Emmaus. I will say this, life is not the same as the pilgrims continue through their journey into their fourth day.
The journey of the Walk to Emmaus is on-going. Each pilgrim grows in their walk with Jesus in his or her own way. If you have not been privileged to be a part of this experience and would like to be, I encourage you to seek out information from your local church community. If they do not have any information, then visit this link to learn more.
DeColores,
Lynn Hallbrooks
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