Welcome Back avid readers, sorry for the delay... in case you weren't sure the 'S' in Bradley S Robertson stands for side-tracked... Hopefully I'll be making more time for more frequent posts. I don't know that you all need to read these, but I sure need to write them.... here goes nothing....
Happiness. Is. Fleeting.
But does it have to be that way? To quote a television show, which I normally don't do, "Happiness is a mood, not a destination". We can't arrive at happiness, it's not something we can achieve, it's something we choose. Now I know from experience that a lot of people are going to disagree with me on this whole idea. But hear me out first. I'm not saying that it's insanely easy to be happy, not at all. You can't always wake up in the morning and say "I'm going to be happy all day today, no questions asked!".... WRONG! At the same time though, you don't wake up and say "I don't feel like driving to happiness today, it's not on the map, it's a bit out of the way, I think maybe I'll go there tomorrow." Most of my readers are probably wondering... Where is he going with this? Well, keep reading and you'll find out.
Happiness. Is. Optional.
But it's not always an option right away. I know that some days I wake up, and I pray and pray for happiness, for hope, for the energy to get out of bed and get through the day. Some days that's not what God wants for me, I don't mean He wants me to be unhappy. However, I've said this so many times in this blog I'm afraid to write it again... at the risk of someone destroying my macbook (check youtube), I will say it again... James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds. For the testing of your faith develops perseverance, perseverance must finish it's work so you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." It's what it is. Some days you wake up and feel nothing, or everything, or right in the middle. There is a reason. In my opinion, sometimes it's God's way of saying... "HEY YOU! Lean on me, let me be the light to your path (Psalm 119:105)" We should listen, it's a difficult concept to grasp but we should.
Your.Father.Is.Always.Right.
At 21 years old there is one thing I have learned. My earthly Father isn't always right, but if I tell him he is, my life is much better :). I mean, let's be honest, a lot of the time he knows what he's talking about and admitting that then is great, he loves it. BUT when I admit he's right (even though I know he's not) it makes him feel even better, he feels like he's triumphed. It's a man thing. What's the Lesson from this? If our earthly Father is often right... think about how often our Heavenly Father is right... ALL THE TIME! The problem is we don't always see it, in fact a lot of times we don't see it. Which leads me to the Title of this post...
Psalm 119:18 - "Open my eyes to see, the wonderful truths in your instructions".
Seriously. I know that it's hard to believe that we aren't right, that we can't see things that are right before us. But most of the time we are blind to what God is trying to teach us. and I learned that the hard way recently.
I.Realized.A.Downfall.
A couple of weekends ago I realized a HUGE downfall of my own. I decided to volunteer at Jesus Prom at Southland. Jesus Prom is a prom for mentally/physically disabled people, put on at the church, that gives everyone a chance to experience something that a lot of them didn't get to experience when they were 18, or won't get to experience at 18 in the usual social setting that is a prom. This way they get too and they are surrounded by friends, family, and people that are just there to love them. I signed up because I wanted to be one of those people. I wasn't quite suited to be one of those people, and not that I didn't love them, it was just... hard. It was harder than I ever thought it would be, it was a whole new experience, riddled with challenges, but because of God, I got through it.
I'm. Unsure.
I don't know where I'm going, I don't always understand where I've been, but I know that God will lead me anywhere I am supposed to go, He's my father and He will never leave me. I love you all, and I hope I can love you all the way God loves us, unconditionally and completely without judgment.
11.17.2010
3.29.2010
Bouncing Back
It's been long over a month since I posted last... this is long over-due, but so are a lot of things in my life as of lately. In my dry spell from my writing, I unfortunately must say that I've had some dry spells in my prayer, praise, worship, and faith Life. Now, I'm normally not the type of person to write about my own personal issues, but this time is different. I have a love for Christ that is not wavering, however there are times when I don't feel like praising. I realize that sounds terrible, but there are those times when I feel like my heart isn't in it, so why bother? The other day I sat down to read my Bible, and decided I was tired, and didn't feel like it. Many of you, those of you that read this, are probably curious why I'm calling myself out on this? It's because I don't want to give a facade of being the most devote, upstanding Christian that exists. I fall every single day, I fail on a regular basis, and I come up short in meeting the expectations of my brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as Christ himself. What I realize though, is that there is grace in knowing that He is merciful and He expects us to fall. In Isaiah (not sure where, around Chapters 42-52 I think) It talks about how false praise is something that disgusts God. He doesn't want us to do things because we think it "adds to our tally". It's supposed to be something we do out of love for Him.
I. Am. His. Son.
I am a child of God. I am no longer going to pretend to be a perfect Christian, I am someone that falls, but thankfully I will never fall from the grace of God. Even when you aren't practicing the way you are called to, He still loves you. I fully believe that God knows our hearts, He knows when we yearn for Him, and He knows, long before we do, that we will experience periods of doubt, of confusion, distrust, and misunderstanding. Yet, He never leaves. He is ever-present, He is beside us every step of the way. I know the "footprints" thing has become slightly cliche due to the over-the-top worldy spin that has been put on it. I think many look at it as a decoration, just like the Cross, but the "footprints in the sand" is truth. Just as the Cross is. I have a challenge to you, sit down, for 20 minutes, turn on some praise and worship music, clothes your eyes and pray. Pray to be broken, or healed, lifted or grounded, steadied or wavered, strengthened or weakened. Whatever it is you need, ask Him for it. And then wait, wait for His answer, but be cautioned, you may not recieve it while sitting on the floor, or driving to work. There are many things that 3 years ago at 18, I prayed with earnest for, and I still haven't recieved an answer, or at least a recognizeable one. I still pray for things I haven't received answers on, and on certain days I become discouraged, but then I remember a verse shared with me by a new friend: Isaiah 25:1
"O Lord, You are my God
I will exalt and praise your name
For in perfect faithfulness
You have done marvelous things
things planned long ago"
God will provide everything I need, as He will for you. Everything that has happened, and will happen, was planned long before we came to be. Me, writing this, is something that God knew would happen, He placed the exact conversations, thoughts, emotions, and passion for you, in my heart today, in order for me to write this. I know this may be unconventional, but if you are reading this, what's written below is my prayer for you. I won't promise to pray this everyday, because I know I would fail you, but I will try my hardest:
Father, God
I ask that you break my friend
Tear them to pieces, so that you may reassemble them in a way that is glorifying to you
Make them feel whole, give them the strength to move forward
to feel your presence, to call your name
Lord, give me the determination, and the heart
to provide everything I can for each of these people
To pray, listen, love, and guide
to the best of my ability, and allow them to hold me accountable
You know our hearts, Father
You know our thoughts, our souls, our plans
and He has plans in store for us
Allow us to be faithful, and trusting in your plans
and know that you will provide everything we need with time.
We love you so much, Father
thank you for your Grace, and your mercy.
In your name, Amen.
If you're reading this, know that I love you!
Grace and Peace
I. Am. His. Son.
I am a child of God. I am no longer going to pretend to be a perfect Christian, I am someone that falls, but thankfully I will never fall from the grace of God. Even when you aren't practicing the way you are called to, He still loves you. I fully believe that God knows our hearts, He knows when we yearn for Him, and He knows, long before we do, that we will experience periods of doubt, of confusion, distrust, and misunderstanding. Yet, He never leaves. He is ever-present, He is beside us every step of the way. I know the "footprints" thing has become slightly cliche due to the over-the-top worldy spin that has been put on it. I think many look at it as a decoration, just like the Cross, but the "footprints in the sand" is truth. Just as the Cross is. I have a challenge to you, sit down, for 20 minutes, turn on some praise and worship music, clothes your eyes and pray. Pray to be broken, or healed, lifted or grounded, steadied or wavered, strengthened or weakened. Whatever it is you need, ask Him for it. And then wait, wait for His answer, but be cautioned, you may not recieve it while sitting on the floor, or driving to work. There are many things that 3 years ago at 18, I prayed with earnest for, and I still haven't recieved an answer, or at least a recognizeable one. I still pray for things I haven't received answers on, and on certain days I become discouraged, but then I remember a verse shared with me by a new friend: Isaiah 25:1
"O Lord, You are my God
I will exalt and praise your name
For in perfect faithfulness
You have done marvelous things
things planned long ago"
God will provide everything I need, as He will for you. Everything that has happened, and will happen, was planned long before we came to be. Me, writing this, is something that God knew would happen, He placed the exact conversations, thoughts, emotions, and passion for you, in my heart today, in order for me to write this. I know this may be unconventional, but if you are reading this, what's written below is my prayer for you. I won't promise to pray this everyday, because I know I would fail you, but I will try my hardest:
Father, God
I ask that you break my friend
Tear them to pieces, so that you may reassemble them in a way that is glorifying to you
Make them feel whole, give them the strength to move forward
to feel your presence, to call your name
Lord, give me the determination, and the heart
to provide everything I can for each of these people
To pray, listen, love, and guide
to the best of my ability, and allow them to hold me accountable
You know our hearts, Father
You know our thoughts, our souls, our plans
and He has plans in store for us
Allow us to be faithful, and trusting in your plans
and know that you will provide everything we need with time.
We love you so much, Father
thank you for your Grace, and your mercy.
In your name, Amen.
If you're reading this, know that I love you!
Grace and Peace
2.17.2010
Questions and Answers: Made me question myself
I.Am.Thinking.
I'm thinking a lot about faith, Christ, my own relationship with Him, your relationship with Him, the World's relationship with Him. I allowed myself to be the "go-to guy" this evening. I told my middle school kids, to ask questions, any questions they had about God, Jesus, Faith, Christianity, or the bible. I told them I couldn't promise to have all the answers, nor was I certain I would even understand the questions, but I would do my best, and I would find them answers. At first I didn't expect much, I really didn't. I didn't expect a response at all to be honest. So I waited, I told the three that were present that they must each ask one question. Yeah, I'm a bit of a question jerk ha. In all seriousness though, I realize how important it is to ask questions. I realize how important it is for us to ask our peers, our elders, our mentor, our parents, and our loved ones about the things we don't understand. So I sat, and I waited, and I waited, and I waited....
Then. It. Happened.
Then it happened, one kid raised his hand and started off with a pretty general question, one we've all asked before "Why do such bad things happen if God loves everyone?" I cited my favorite verses for such a situation, James 1:2-4 and Psalm 66:10-12, I explained that we go through struggles so that one day we may enter the gates of Heaven, free of sin and complete, not lacking anything. Pretty easy question, I've asked and been asked 1000 times before. I sat there yearning for harder questions, challenging questions, things that I could spend lengths of time explaining, even things I didn't know the answer too. Slowly but surely God started to work, especially through this one kid. They started asking question about God banishing Lucifer from Heaven, why there are different religions, why some people go to hell, why they killed Jesus on the cross. I was enthralled with their questions, I was moved by their curiosity, and I was torn down by realizing my own curiosity had faltered in the last few months.
I. Began. To. Ask.
I began to ask my own questions:
1. Why are you calling me to Youth Ministry?
2. Why am I going to Jamaica?
3. What are your plans for my future.
4. Why do You forgive so easily?
5. Who am I?
6. Who are You?
and so many more questions flooded my heart. It was overwhelming, I just sat there for a moment ,and I've been sitting here ever since trying to find the nerve to write this. Trying to figure out the meaning of it all. And then it hit me, a few weeks ago I came across a verse at 3 am. I text it to my girlfriend and a close friend, no idea why, just felt called. Wasn't able to figure out the meaning in my own life either. Until.Now. Ecclesiastes 3:11 "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end" It answers a lot of the questions I have. I'm not going to fathom what God has done, that's the beauty of it, I don't have too. I just have to recognize that everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, from my house fire, to break ups, to weddings, to finding that one person that understands you, to losing grandparents, to finding Grace... it's all beautiful in it's time, because it's something that God has given me, it's an obstacle or a blessing, intended for me, and intended to help me grow.
I.Challenge.You.
Sit down this week, call your wife, best friend, mom, dad, sister, dog, whatever into the room or on the phone, and talk to them about Christ. Ask them questions, answer their questions, and if the answer is unknown, research it together. Find the answers, because the answers will help us to better understand Salvation. We have to unite as brothers and sisters in Christ. We have to ask and answer each others questions. Find that person that fills your heart with joy, find that person that you've been praying for, and let them know you are there to answer their questions. Provide an outlet. Be a light to others. Love Christ, Love Christians, Love Character.
Grace and Peace
I'm thinking a lot about faith, Christ, my own relationship with Him, your relationship with Him, the World's relationship with Him. I allowed myself to be the "go-to guy" this evening. I told my middle school kids, to ask questions, any questions they had about God, Jesus, Faith, Christianity, or the bible. I told them I couldn't promise to have all the answers, nor was I certain I would even understand the questions, but I would do my best, and I would find them answers. At first I didn't expect much, I really didn't. I didn't expect a response at all to be honest. So I waited, I told the three that were present that they must each ask one question. Yeah, I'm a bit of a question jerk ha. In all seriousness though, I realize how important it is to ask questions. I realize how important it is for us to ask our peers, our elders, our mentor, our parents, and our loved ones about the things we don't understand. So I sat, and I waited, and I waited, and I waited....
Then. It. Happened.
Then it happened, one kid raised his hand and started off with a pretty general question, one we've all asked before "Why do such bad things happen if God loves everyone?" I cited my favorite verses for such a situation, James 1:2-4 and Psalm 66:10-12, I explained that we go through struggles so that one day we may enter the gates of Heaven, free of sin and complete, not lacking anything. Pretty easy question, I've asked and been asked 1000 times before. I sat there yearning for harder questions, challenging questions, things that I could spend lengths of time explaining, even things I didn't know the answer too. Slowly but surely God started to work, especially through this one kid. They started asking question about God banishing Lucifer from Heaven, why there are different religions, why some people go to hell, why they killed Jesus on the cross. I was enthralled with their questions, I was moved by their curiosity, and I was torn down by realizing my own curiosity had faltered in the last few months.
I. Began. To. Ask.
I began to ask my own questions:
1. Why are you calling me to Youth Ministry?
2. Why am I going to Jamaica?
3. What are your plans for my future.
4. Why do You forgive so easily?
5. Who am I?
6. Who are You?
and so many more questions flooded my heart. It was overwhelming, I just sat there for a moment ,and I've been sitting here ever since trying to find the nerve to write this. Trying to figure out the meaning of it all. And then it hit me, a few weeks ago I came across a verse at 3 am. I text it to my girlfriend and a close friend, no idea why, just felt called. Wasn't able to figure out the meaning in my own life either. Until.Now. Ecclesiastes 3:11 "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end" It answers a lot of the questions I have. I'm not going to fathom what God has done, that's the beauty of it, I don't have too. I just have to recognize that everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, from my house fire, to break ups, to weddings, to finding that one person that understands you, to losing grandparents, to finding Grace... it's all beautiful in it's time, because it's something that God has given me, it's an obstacle or a blessing, intended for me, and intended to help me grow.
I.Challenge.You.
Sit down this week, call your wife, best friend, mom, dad, sister, dog, whatever into the room or on the phone, and talk to them about Christ. Ask them questions, answer their questions, and if the answer is unknown, research it together. Find the answers, because the answers will help us to better understand Salvation. We have to unite as brothers and sisters in Christ. We have to ask and answer each others questions. Find that person that fills your heart with joy, find that person that you've been praying for, and let them know you are there to answer their questions. Provide an outlet. Be a light to others. Love Christ, Love Christians, Love Character.
Grace and Peace
2.03.2010
Revolution is Upon Us
I. am. Searching.
I'm searching for a new way to move about in Christ's love. I read a post by a fellow blogger today talking about how he had felt complacent, but had seen Christ move. It's an interesting concept really, just when we are sitting around and waiting, God speaks to us and makes us realize that we need to stop waiting and start acting. As soon as we do, He.Moves. This bothered me for a moment, because I have been doing just that, I've been sitting and waiting to see what Christ has in store for me. I took Proverbs 19:21 "You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail" completely incorrectly for the last month or so. I thought that it meant that making plans was unnecessary, and sitting idly by and waiting for God's purpose to prevail was part of the job. WRONG! I realize that while I MUST know that God's plan for me will prevail in time, I still have to make a plan, I still have to have goals and dreams, and strive to live out the word in my daily life. It's something that I struggle with. I had been doing well with everything, and then slowly but surely, I started to revert to my old ways. I started to swear more often, I started considering going out and partying on occasion, I was distancing myself slowly, subconsciously, from Christ. It wasn't because of anyone or anything that was going on in my life, I think it's because God started doing some AMAZING things in my life, and so I got into that mindset that I had redeemed some of the things I had done in the past... WRONG!, Redemption doesn't come that easily, well it does, but it's not something that we can DO in order to receive God's grace, it's making a lifestyle change permanently. It was little things that I began to notice in the last couple of weeks. I stopped reading as often, I wasn't praying as much, I was allowing myself to get angry or frustrated more often, about things that really don't matter, I wasn't being Me. This morning I skipped a class, it wasn't necessarily on purpose, it was one of those, hit the snooze button, and get up in a couple minutes turn to a couple hours type deal. But I believe with all my heart that there was a purpose for that, there was a reason I woke up late, and missed my first class of the day. It's so God could give me this understanding:
I. don't. deserve. His. Grace.
We don't deserve it, we can't earn it, that's why it's called Grace. The word grace has so much meaning in my life, especially as of lately. It's amazing what God can do for us. God can put us into a situation, or put someone in our lives, and at first it looks like we are going to help them with their walk in Christ, and before you know it, we are stumbling and they are helping us to our feet. I've experienced it first hand. I think too often we get lost in the moment, we get angry, we get frustrated, we get jealous, we get worried and we lose sight of what it is God is doing for us. We lost sight of the fact that His will will be done. It's interesting sometimes, that people can teach you things about yourself, without saying a word. They can say or do the smallest thing, things that you appreciate or make you feel good about yourself, that also make you realize that you can be a better person, a better man, a better Christian. I realize now that when people compliment me, or tell me how they feel, not only does it boost me up, and give me some confidence, but it makes me take a step back and ask myself "How can I be better now, and tomorrow, and the next day". I'm always looking to improve the way I live my life for Christ, and something as simple as one person's perception of me, or expectations of me, can allow me to work harder at the pursuit of being an imitator of Christ. Thank you to those people, that person that points out my faults or the things that I've expressed I don't like about myself, but they point it out in a loving manner, or without words at all. I'm excited to see God's purpose prevail in my life, but I'm also excited to continually seek that purpose.
Prevail.Protect.Provide.
Those are the three things God will do for us, the 3 P's of Grace. Today starts a new movement, in my heart, today... today is a new day for me. I will no longer conform to the society that I am forcibly a part of, I will move, I will carry God's word, I will allow Christ to prevail. I was remembering back to an earlier blog post I wrote, about Passion and Purpose, and this quote came to mine: "We must infiltrate the culture, to influence the culture." Let's stop standing idly by, let's push complacency away from our lives, and started working towards a movement, the movement God has called us to be a part of. Let's pray for the knowledge, the wisdom, and the patience to know when we are supposed to be still, but also realize not to be still for too long. Let's start a revolution. Christ's love is ours to share, not to hide and horde for ourselves. A movement is upon us.
Grace and Peace.
I'm searching for a new way to move about in Christ's love. I read a post by a fellow blogger today talking about how he had felt complacent, but had seen Christ move. It's an interesting concept really, just when we are sitting around and waiting, God speaks to us and makes us realize that we need to stop waiting and start acting. As soon as we do, He.Moves. This bothered me for a moment, because I have been doing just that, I've been sitting and waiting to see what Christ has in store for me. I took Proverbs 19:21 "You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail" completely incorrectly for the last month or so. I thought that it meant that making plans was unnecessary, and sitting idly by and waiting for God's purpose to prevail was part of the job. WRONG! I realize that while I MUST know that God's plan for me will prevail in time, I still have to make a plan, I still have to have goals and dreams, and strive to live out the word in my daily life. It's something that I struggle with. I had been doing well with everything, and then slowly but surely, I started to revert to my old ways. I started to swear more often, I started considering going out and partying on occasion, I was distancing myself slowly, subconsciously, from Christ. It wasn't because of anyone or anything that was going on in my life, I think it's because God started doing some AMAZING things in my life, and so I got into that mindset that I had redeemed some of the things I had done in the past... WRONG!, Redemption doesn't come that easily, well it does, but it's not something that we can DO in order to receive God's grace, it's making a lifestyle change permanently. It was little things that I began to notice in the last couple of weeks. I stopped reading as often, I wasn't praying as much, I was allowing myself to get angry or frustrated more often, about things that really don't matter, I wasn't being Me. This morning I skipped a class, it wasn't necessarily on purpose, it was one of those, hit the snooze button, and get up in a couple minutes turn to a couple hours type deal. But I believe with all my heart that there was a purpose for that, there was a reason I woke up late, and missed my first class of the day. It's so God could give me this understanding:
I. don't. deserve. His. Grace.
We don't deserve it, we can't earn it, that's why it's called Grace. The word grace has so much meaning in my life, especially as of lately. It's amazing what God can do for us. God can put us into a situation, or put someone in our lives, and at first it looks like we are going to help them with their walk in Christ, and before you know it, we are stumbling and they are helping us to our feet. I've experienced it first hand. I think too often we get lost in the moment, we get angry, we get frustrated, we get jealous, we get worried and we lose sight of what it is God is doing for us. We lost sight of the fact that His will will be done. It's interesting sometimes, that people can teach you things about yourself, without saying a word. They can say or do the smallest thing, things that you appreciate or make you feel good about yourself, that also make you realize that you can be a better person, a better man, a better Christian. I realize now that when people compliment me, or tell me how they feel, not only does it boost me up, and give me some confidence, but it makes me take a step back and ask myself "How can I be better now, and tomorrow, and the next day". I'm always looking to improve the way I live my life for Christ, and something as simple as one person's perception of me, or expectations of me, can allow me to work harder at the pursuit of being an imitator of Christ. Thank you to those people, that person that points out my faults or the things that I've expressed I don't like about myself, but they point it out in a loving manner, or without words at all. I'm excited to see God's purpose prevail in my life, but I'm also excited to continually seek that purpose.
Prevail.Protect.Provide.
Those are the three things God will do for us, the 3 P's of Grace. Today starts a new movement, in my heart, today... today is a new day for me. I will no longer conform to the society that I am forcibly a part of, I will move, I will carry God's word, I will allow Christ to prevail. I was remembering back to an earlier blog post I wrote, about Passion and Purpose, and this quote came to mine: "We must infiltrate the culture, to influence the culture." Let's stop standing idly by, let's push complacency away from our lives, and started working towards a movement, the movement God has called us to be a part of. Let's pray for the knowledge, the wisdom, and the patience to know when we are supposed to be still, but also realize not to be still for too long. Let's start a revolution. Christ's love is ours to share, not to hide and horde for ourselves. A movement is upon us.
Grace and Peace.
1.01.2010
A New Year, A New Beginning
Happy New Year bloggers! What an amazing year 2009 was, and what a great way to end it. Spending time with family, and a special someone. 2009 brought many changes to the life of Musicalmindset. I changed my life plans, found new faith, and rekindled old friendships. I realize sitting here that I also hurt a lot of people during the past year. One of which in particular has forgiven me, and returned to my life. I realized that there is a difference between what your passion and purpose are. I realized that I needed to reinvent myself, and I realized that I was looking in all the wrong places. 2009 also brought a lot of hard memories, it's been 10 years since I lost my grandfather, 3 years since my grandmother, and 4 years since my house and now at this very time... 5 years since my friend Chris Barker passed away... sitting here I realize how much I miss Chris, and I can remember recieving that phone call at 2:42 am, I felt like I was lost, and I can't imagine how my friends, his sons felt. I'm looking forward to the New Year, the possibility of a ministry position, finding something true, and someone worth everything I have to offer is very comforting, but I know that as the year goes on, losing all of those things in the past, still won't get easier. I hope that everyone had a blessed New Year's, be safe, and remember that while another year is past, the new year olds all kinds of new beginnings, while the pain stays, there will be someone that will help ease it.
Grace and Peace... Missing those that I've lost
Grace and Peace... Missing those that I've lost
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