The Master Builder

"Who is the master builder?" I've sat with what I might say about being under construction for a few weeks now. The popular saying "God is not through with me yet" has toyed with my mind on and off for the duration of this time. "God is not through with me...I have to get my anger under control. God is not through with me....I need to stop cursing. God is not through with me...I have to stop drinking. God is not through with me....I have to find a way to leave this married man alone." Everyone one of these statements sounds like a good plan. I need to stop being angry. I need to stop cursing. I need to stop drinking. I need to leave this married man alone. But I have to challenge these statements with a question. Who's the master builder is it me or is it God? Who is the master builder? The bible says in Psalm 127, Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.... Hmmm... Except the Lord build the house... Does that mean that I am not the one who needs to do this? Am I not the one to control my temper, my mouth, my thirst, my lust? Except the Lord build a house...... So these habits I've developed of apologizing when I'm not sorry, thinking the curse word instead of verbalizing it, drinking wine coolers instead of vodka, sleeping with my boyfriend instead of my married man....you mean to tell me changing my habits doesn't end this? I thought that if I said "God forgive me I'm working on it", I would be ok. I thought if I said "Lord you know that this sounds good, tastes good, feels good, Is good", that I wouldn't have to worry. I acknowledged God didn't I? I gave Him His props. So what I didn't allow Him to change my heart and word my mouth. So what I didn't allow Him to quench my thirst. So what I didn't allow Him to be my lover. I acknowledged Him. Doesn't the bible say in all thy ways acknowledge Him? I know that I heard that somewhere. What is the problem exactly? I knew these things were wrong so I fixed them. I took control. I got it together. I'm living a better life. People tell me so all the time. Where's my bible? Here it is.... Let me see, where's that verse? It has to be here somewhere.... Got it. Proverbs 3:6.... Oh no, that's not what I've been doing. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. So God is the master builder? Wow! I missed that. I hope you ate well today. C. Brooks for Sunday Morning Breakfast 11/30/2012

"Part Time Lover" Part 1

The bible says in Matthew 15 that its not what goes into a man's mouth, but that which comes out that defiles him. This is an interesting scripture to me because it is often only read in terms of food. While it is true that food was a reference point, so were words. We defile ourselves by the empty words that we spit at God. We say: Lord I love you. Lord I place no one above you. I say yes to your will Lord. Yes. There's nobody greater than you. I will lay down my life for the word. My life is not my own to you I belong.   All of these are words that we've uttered in prayers and in song. All of these are words that feel good and sound good. They are also nothing more than the pillow talk of an uncommitted lover. All of these are beautiful words that have defiled us. Too often when we say them what we truly mean is: Lord I love you because of what you do for me. Lord I place no one above you unless my man calls and he needs me...you know he don't like it if I keep him waiting. I say yes to your will Lord now let me tell you how I need my life to go so you and I can be on the same page. There's nobody greater than you Lord so I know you gone bless me with the house, husband, and kids that I want. I will lay down my life for the word, but I can't go up on my job talking bout the bible and all that Jesus stuff. Boss man don't play like that. And my all time personal favorite.  My life is not my own to you I belong....oh Jesus, yes baby its all yours. Mmm you got to be the one I aint never had it like this.   What type of foolishness is this? What have we become when our words, what could be our love letters to God are turned into trifling missives that destroy us because they lack sincerity and a fundamental reverence for God? We are defiled because of what comes out of us. We are defiled because of what comes out of us? Shouldn't that fact direct us to spend more time allowing God to pour into us so that what comes out of us sounds truly like a melody to His ear? To sing melodies and stop defiling ourselves with half truths we must feast daily on the word allowing it to be breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We must sit with it and allow it to digest properly before exercising our lips. In doing this we will avoid the pain that comes from working out too soon after eating or in this case we will avoid defiling ourselves by spitting up our words all over a spotless God. I hope you ate well.   C.Brooks for Sunday Morning Breakfast 11/15/12

Bobble Heads

"Bobble Heads" The voices in the crowd don't always have to be heard. Some of these voiceless mouths speak without saying a word. They silently sit waiting for a moment to strike. Decorating their faces in ways to be liked. One face, two face, this face, that Multiple masks all coordinated for the act Presentation is everything. It's vital you see. Performances so great they fooled you, but not me. I watched them. I waited. I wanted to know How long you'd take to realize it was all for show.