Been Busy

Have you ever had those seasons that just seem to not slow down?

Well, Cyndi and I seem to be in that season. Between her work schedule, our traveling, friends coming to visit, church, and beginning a brand new student ministry as well as a brand new organization it's crazy!

However, God is blessing! It's times like these that remind me to STOP and quiet myself and know that HE is in control and that in the stillness and in the gentle whisper HE is there!
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Sex. God.

I just finished the book Sex God by Rob Bell.  Let me tell you something, Rob Bell is DEEP!

This book was a very good read and opened my eyes to many things on the subject.

Here are a few quotes that I absolutely loved:

• "How you treat the creation reflects how you feel about the Creator."
• "It's easy to take off your clothes and have sex.  People do it all the time.  But opening up your soul to someone, letting them into your spirit and thoughts and fears and future and hopes and dreams... that is being naked."
• "It takes phenomenal fortitude to love your enemy."

Seriously read it, get your thoughts rocked!

Monday Morning Madness

The last two weeks have been a bit busy in the Brown household.

Cyndi and I decided to go to Indiana for vacation and it has been a crazy few weeks.  But normal blogging continues.

Here are just a few random things happening in our life:

• Currently listening to Coldplay. Their album Viva La Vida is amazing!
• Going to look at some housing options today.
• My 14 year old Brother-in-law is spending two weeks with us (anyone want to hang out with him?).
• Filling out an application to start taking classes at Strayer University this week. Classes start in October, taking web design classes so that I can maybe start a side business that will help us support more missionaries.
• I can't believe how much cheaper it is to live in Indiana than in South Carolina!
• Reading a great book by Rob Bell right now.  Sex God.  Got a couple great quotes I will post later this week.
• The Olympics begin next week!  How many gold medals can we rack up this year?  I am really pulling for a couple of Jamaica runners...they are fast!

Okay, enough randomness for this morning!

A Few Words About Bryan

The local newspaper in Fort Wayne, IN had a really good obituary for Bryan today.  You can check it out here.

Read it and if you knew Bryan, leave comments on the guest book for his family!

A Man After God's Heart

I have a great friend named Bryan Smith!  Bryan and I have known each other for a really long time.  I think we first met when I was in 6th grade (he would have been in 4th) and I was really good friends with his sister. 

Bryan has Cystic Fibrosis.  CF is a hereditary disease that affects the mucus glands of the lungs, liver, pancreas, and intestines, causing progressive disability due to multisystem failure.  Bryan has had this all of his life and I fully believe that he never let this disease determine how he would live his life.

Yesterday, Bryan got to go home and be with Jesus.  Bryan had an awesome ministry!  I really think that he shared his faith throughout everything he did, especially while he was in the hospital, he could help but share the hope that he has!

It would be really selfish of me to wish that Bryan was still here to hang out, laugh, share stories, etc. But I'm not going to lie to you I wish he was!  However, I am really jealous of him being able to be in the presence of God!

I've been thinking of the best way to honor Bryan and what could I do to make a difference like he made, I haven't come up with anything yet, but I know something will hit me.  If you have any ideas on a way we can honor Bryan Smith and also help with CF leave your comments...or if you knew Bryan and want to leave your thoughts and feelings go ahead!

Bryan, you are definitely missed already but buddy you deserve to be free!  Party it up man in the presence of Jesus!