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Thus says the Lord:
“Keep justice, and do righteousness,
for soon my salvation will come,
and my deliverance be revealed.-Isaiah 56:1
I was reminded yesterday why working at TRIPIL is so important. Many people may not understand why we are willing to do what it takes to enable people with disabilities to live independent. Why we are so vocal in the press, why we hit the streets to raise community awareness of the issues effecting people with disabilities, or holding elected officials accountable. We do it not to seek pity,but because it’s the right thing to do. Doing the right thing is not always easy, but we can’t run from it if we want to become the people God is calling us to be. I can’t give details but me and seven of my colleagues who have disabilities were reminded of the discrimination that still is in America against people with disability. We were treated like we were less than human, with the only eye contact and conversation being made with a person in our group who didn’t have an apparent disability. I can’t put into words the feelings a person feels when others speak about or around you like your not there. We confronted this and was met with more disrespect but we had to. We couldn’t let this happen to someone else. As a Christian I believe Jesus is going to make the world right one day but until he does, his people are to keep justice and do righteousness. We are to give a glimpse of the kingdom to come where justice and righteousness will reign. In a world were evil seems is running free at times, people have to step up no matter the cost and confront it. Love is action!And love was played out by us confronting negative views of people with disabilities yesterday. I’m often torn between two calls in my life. Preaching the Gospel and being a civil rights advocate for people with disabilities. But I’m learning that God has called me to do both. Its not a case of either/or,for its all a work of God. I’m blessed to work at TRIPIL, and even though its not a “christian” organization they are doing the work of God. Every time wrongs are confronted with love and not repaid with evil the work of the Father is being done. God has used my time at TRIPIL to shape me in many ways but the greatest thing I learned is even if nobody stands beside me, I can’t be silent about the world’s system of hate,oppression,greed,and etc. God’s loves compels me to speak truth. Rather its the Gospel, or the rights of people with disabilities I can’t be silent. I won’t be silent. TRIPIL won’t stop fighting for justice, and I’m thankful to be a part of this fight. My fellow Christians may not understand to disability struggle, but I must press on for me not to would be disobeying the Lord.God bless
This song by Flame blessed my life today. My mom suffers from mental illness and I often battle depression. But like Flame raps, we know the God of the Bi-Polar. Life is filled with real hurt and we can be comforted by a real God who loves us no matter what we go through. In my deepest moments of depression I often feel like I’m a failure but it’s the love of Christ that puts me back on level paths. I battle thoughts of suicide a lot since I was a kid but it’s only by his grace that I keep on going. This song reminded me I’m loved by God no matter what. Even if you don’t like rap, stop and let these words hit your heart. If your battling mental illness know that God is with you. I’m a preacher and a former youth leader. My life has been marked by disability, sexual abuse, addiction,and depression, but I can also proclaim that it’s been touched by the grace of God. I still have dark days but my life is also filled with joy because of Jesus. Don’t worry about trying to be perfect, just focus on the One who is perfect. God bless.
Isaiah’s Vision of the Lord
6:1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”
4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”-Isaiah 6:1-7
Isaiah’s eyes were filled with the Glory that Jesus had before he entered earth in the incarnation. Jesus is Lord and Isaiah was seening the salvation that has come to us all. Oh how I want a glimpse of His Glory. If we could just realize how great Jesus is, our lives would be changed forever. Young and old a like would only be left with one response of joyful noise. Lecrae, Flame, and John Reilly hits a home run with this song. Watch, enjoy, and pray that your eyes would be open to the glory of Christ.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. [1] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling [2] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.- 2 Corthians 5:17-20
I preached on this text on 1/25/09 at the City Mission. My sermon was titled “Living New” and I pointed out the reason most people don’t live the life that God has promised them is because they live off their feelings and not the Word of God. Our feelings can deceive us. We say things like “I don’t feel new”, “I don’t feel forgiven”, or even “I don’t feel God” But imagine what kind of people we would be if we took our Father at his word. If he says your forgiven, then your forgiven. If he says the old has gone and the new has come then believe it, for when we do we’ll be a people who can’t be shaken. No matter what this life throws at us God will see us through. To go deeper with Jesus we must stop looking at the past because it only blurs our vision for the future he has for us. We can learn from our past but we can’t let it control us. We were born for freedom to live a life of purpose and hope. God has forgiven you, why not forgive yourself? Run to God and get the life he has for you in Jesus Christ.
I recently read on a disability rights blog about why they don’t cover religious issues. The blog said because their a secular group and because their a disability rights group. People of faith need to step up and get involved in the disability rights movement. I don’t need to be disrespectful but secular groups can’t be the only voice heard about the issues effecting the disability community. God cares about these issues, and so should his people. Throughout the years Christians have screwed up big in how they have treated people with disabilities but does not disqualify a Christian perspective on disability rights. I’m a Christian with cerebral palsy. I been arrested as a member with ADAPT fighting for our rights, and I just say this to show that their are Christians who can speak about these issues. In fact, I think members of the movement now might not know that Wade Blank one of the founders of ADAPT was a man of God. Its my understanding that he didn’t beat his faith over people’s head but it’s was his faith that drove him to be an advocate. Here is what Justin Dart said of Wade in 1993:
Wade had a magic sword. It was love. Unlike many with religious
labels, he understood and lived the central commandment of his
God, “that ye love one another as I have loved you.” He
understood that love is not just smiling at nice people, but
passionate, lifelong action to preserve and enlarge the joy, the
dignity, the quality of every human life. He understood that
love does not smother with criticism, care and control; it
encourages, emancipates and empowers. He understood that love
for all means justice for all.
Wade’s leadership of love made ADAPT the family for those who had
no family, the family with justice, with hope, with transcending
fulfillment. Wade’s love warmed and empowered us all. It
breached the defenses and won the respect of Congress persons,
business persons, police persons, jailers, judges and mayors.
Again and again, it lifted my heart and my mind from self-
centered desperation of Washington politics to the dream.
I never got to know Wade, but the things I have read about him proves one thing to me. God’s love for people calls us to action. And sometimes love calls for direct action. Every person with a disability has worth to God because they bare his image. If they believe or don’t believe, they still have the right to a life filled with freedom, respect, and dignity. Christians with or without disabilities need to step up and get involved.
The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.-Proverbs 29:25
Why do we let people stop us from living our dreams? Have you ever had God put something in your heart, a deep calling, or desire to live a life of importance but cave in to the opinions of others? People pleasing will lead you to only one thing, a snare. you’ll be trapped in a life that others have forced on you, not the life God intended for you.
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.-Jeremiah 29:11
God has a life planned for you that is filled with purpose. Filled with hope. But you must be willing to trust God with your life. When this Proverb says you’ll be safe does not mean that a life for God won’t be dangerous. But in the storms of life the safest place to be is in the center of God’s will for your life. A person who lives to please God and not man will be a unstoppable force filled with hope,love,faith, and purpose. But a person who is a people pleaser is merely a conformist who’s wasting their lives. Chase your dreams that God have gave you. Run hard after Him and don’t look back to the past,rather with eyes on him hope for the future he has for you. You get one shot at this life, Don’t have any regrets.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may remain for a night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning. – Psalm 30:5
When I woke today, this verse was on my mind. I had a bad day at work yesterday and was just down. I’m thankful for Robin’s love. She always helps me to keep things in perspective. I had a hard time falling to sleep and was just stressed out. I haven’t been a fun person to be around the last few weeks. I been fighting depression and can’t seem to focus on what matters most in life. But God keeps meeting me in scripture and telling me how much he loves me, even though I feel like i’m not worth loving. I just finished reading Luke last night and all the way to his death Jesus is loving and forgiving people. He never gives up on people. At the last supper he tells Peter that he’ll deny Jesus three times, but says that he has prayed for Peter’s faith would not fail, and that when he turned back he be able to strengthen the other disciples-Luke 22:31. Verses 54-62 speaks of Peter denial of Jesus. The same Peter who was the one who boldly proclaim that Jesus was the Christ. Yeah, that same Peter. Around the fire he denlies knowing Jesus three times but it’s the discription of the third time that just scends a chills up my spine.
60Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62And he went outside and wept bitterly.-Luke 22:60-62
If everytime I had to look Jesus in the eyes after I sinned and denlied him would be unbearable to imagine. I sin and don’t think twice about it, but Peter had to look the Lord in the eyes. Does God give up on Peter?
Mark 16 records these awesome words after Christ’s resurrection:
6“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ “-Mark 16:6-7
Do you see the impact of the statement go tell the disciples and Peter…? Why didn’t the angel just say disciples, why name Peter by name? God’s grace is so much bigger than us. Let’s look at another passage: John 21:15-19 says:
15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”
”Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
Jesus affirms Peter’s love for Him by asking him three times “Do you love me?” He did that for Peter. You know that his heart was crushed because of denying Jesus, but he was met with the grace of the living Christ. And I believe that by telling the women to go tell the disciples and Peter is so powerful. Peter’s heart was most likey filled with awe and maybe thought “who me?after what I did?” I can imagine the joy as he went to meet Jesus. Jesus never gave up on him and he never gives up on you or I. Peter went on being a leader growing the church and writing two books of the Bible. Check out ACTS, and see what Jesus can do with and through flawed people.
Prayer-” Lord Jesus, Thankyou for not giving up on me. I often turn my back on you, but you are always there to recieve me back. Please use me to bring you glory. May I love you and hate my sin. When I sin, may I not run from you but confess it to you and find healing. I praise you for Peter’s life because in Peter I can see a flawed man like myself who Loves God, but who God loved more, and never stopped loving him. Thank you Jesus. Amen”
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.- Luke 12:32
As I continue to read the Bible I realize two things, I’m really messed up as a person, and God loves me anyway. I been reading and praying through the Gospel of Luke the Last few weeks and this verse has brought joy to my heart. It says that the Father has been pleased to give us the kingdom. I meditated on this verse for awhile the first time I read it, and all week continued to go back to it. Don’t miss the impact of this statement by Jesus. Even though we mess up and sin against God, it still pleased him to give us the Kingdom of God and all it’s blessings. It pleased him to send Jesus to earth to rescue us from our sins by dying for them. It pleased him to make us new creations through Christ to serve God and not self. It pleased him that even though he knows that on this side of heaven we will keep failing him at the end he’ll welcome us home. We don’t get the kingdom because how “good” we are, but because how Great God is. Have a great week.
My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you-I, whom you have reedeemed-Psalm 71:23
I’m thankful for a new year. As I looked back on 2008 it was filled with hurts but also filled with blessings from God. I don’t know what 2009 will hold for Robin and I but I know God does. That’s enough for me. I’m not a good singer, but I love singing to God and about God. I’m humbled by the life he lets me live. It’s all for him. It’s amazing that with all the mistakes I make,I get to worship God. Jesus is bigger than me, He’s bigger then my sin, and only because of him I can shout for joy. I often battle depression but by the grace of God it does not win. Through my trials I find Christ, and through Christ I find strength to walk another day with God. Through pain and tears I will sing praises to God. God is Great!
He’s not perfect. He’s a man just like anybody else, but Pastor Rick Bruckner is truly a man after God’s own heart. I wanted to take this time to give honor to a man who has taught me what being a man of God is all about. Not only as my pastor but as my father in law.
I first Met Robin’s dad in April of 2004. My Uncle Tommy and I were shopping for my new bible at his book store. We had a short conversation, but nothing more than that. God still amazes me on how he brings people together. Later on he became the Pastor of Friendship Community Church. Robin and I have dated on and off before this but at this point were not together. In 2005 he gave me my first shot at ministry as the youth leader of the church, but this post is about him so lets get to it. Rick has taught me a lot about forgiveness and trusting God. As the Pastor at Friendship he takes so much heat from people, but he never fires back when people takes shots at him. He continues being the man God has called him to be,even when his future son-in-law is the one doing the shooting. He showed me grace time after time. I’m learning from him that it’s better to listen than speak all the time. I’m still working on this and don’t know if I’ll ever master it but because of him I’m trying. The way he loves his wife is how I try to love Robin. He is teaching me the meaning of waiting on God, because of even though he’s been in ministry for a while, it took him 17 years for God to give him a church to Pastor. Yet I have never heard him complain about it. He just praises God. When people are evil to him, I want to seek justice, he just loves. As the youth leader I felt alone in the church at times but he always had my back. When people would ask what’s wrong with Mike talking about my cp, he answer “Nothing, He’s our youth leader.”
He has believed in me when I have not. He has given me chances to Preach, but what means the most to me is he trusted me with Robin. I pray I’m half the husband that he is. His heart and character is what I honor the most. I said it a few times earlier but must repeat this. The way he keeps loving people no matter who they are is a living example to me from God. His life is for the glory of Jesus Christ, and that’s all he cares about. I have a long way to go but I thank God for putting men like Rick in my life to show me the way. I enjoy learning Scripture from him the most, even though I tease him and say”oh yeah, dad your in my top 5 of preachers I like learning from. I pray God will protect his heart and he’ll continue being the man I love and respect. I know he would not want me to write about him, but that’s because he’s humble. I just wanted to give thanks this Christmas season to a man after God’s own heart.
