Chopper Brown

Primal: A quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity

2009-12-22T14:35:00.000-08:00

I recently have been reading a new Book that just came out in stores today - By Mark Batterson called "Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity." It is a good book that has a great message. I look forward to reading other books by Batterson.

I found that this book carries with it a host of ideas that are practical and true to the nature of Christianity - getting to our Primal beginnings and living the way that we were called to live.

One of the many lessons that I have gleaned from this book is - to not lose my awareness - awareness of the Holy Spirit - awareness of People and - the awareness of God's activity all around me. If I am not aware of these things... - I don't even want to think about that!!!

If you are interesting purchasing the book click here.

Brown House Scream

2009-04-11T08:14:00.000-07:00

Over the Easter Weekend, cousins from North Dakota and Minnesota came to visit - it is amazing what boys will do - on their OWN!!!!!

Sorry I could not figure out how to turn it - so get ready for some neck exercises!!!

Burning Questions

2009-03-18T08:34:00.000-07:00

Spooner Wesleyan Youth has been going through a series called, "Burning Questions."
We have talked about a lot of various topics that the teens have submitted to me anonymously. Tough questions such as R-rated movies - Swearing - Prayer - Cultures and Languages.

Tonight we are talking about Divorce - something that a majority of people have been effected by some way or another - either we know someone who has been divorced or our parents have been divorced or we have been divorced.

I think that Divorce has been somewhat epidemic in our world - but the truth of bible has not changed and Matthew 19 really hits it hard.

Tonight I will try my best to be sensitive but truthful and allow the Word of God to be the target for how teenagers really look at marriage.

Lack of blogging - but still reading

2009-03-11T08:02:00.000-07:00

I read some great posts today from Perry Noble and Craig Groeschel - Checking them out and allow God to speak to you.

Craig talks about failure - Failure is something that we all have to deal with and something that we all hate - I can't stand failure but I have to recognize that I am going to fail - but I get to choose if that is going to stop me or if I will continue on... on the surface I want to quit and never risk anything - never take the chance to do what God has commanded me to do - but that is on the surface - Deep down - I want to carry on - I want to strive to do what God wants me to do, even if I fail - it is okay.

Perry spends time talking about church planting and some of the myths that come along with it. I am not a church planter but there are some myths that are universal.

Enjoy

Is it Random???

2009-02-05T08:21:00.000-08:00

Here are some things that I am thinking about - some totally random and some relevant (maybe).

I have the most amazing Family - A wonderful wife that loves me - and I love her - two great boys that keep me on my toes .
Last night at Youth - the High Schoolers watched and discussed some huge topics - Sex and Dating - wow - they are doing so well with it - Very pleased - excited about what God is going to do in their lives when it comes to that intimate part of their lives.
I am so excited about Burning Questions - our next "series" in Youth - anything can be asked. The teens are asking great questions - God please use this for your glory!!
The Minnesota Twins are still my Team but I wonder what they are going to do this year.
I am excited that I get to take my boys to a TWINS game this year - I am so excited.
Even though camps are not until summer - I am already excited about what can and what will happen to the teens that go to camp - Empty Me - is our Theme and I beleive that is what we all need to do.
Guatemala - heading there this summer - Mission Trip with 12 Teens from the Youth - what a chance to serve and to be changed for a life time.
I am excited about the new teens coming to youth.
Premarital counseling is so much fun.
Teens are great - they have so many questions and struggles - two teens are especially on my heart - both have stated that they are not "Christians." What I do know is that is not the end - God loves them and I do too, I just hope they don't go off the deepend. Deep down I know it is not about being a "Christian" but it is about being in relationship with Jesus that really matters.

I know kind of random but that is what is on my mind.

"The Getaway"

2009-01-28T07:50:00.001-08:00

Had a wonderful couple of days at a Wisconsin District of the Wesleyan Church - Pastor and Spouse Retreat - "The Getaway." Not only did we have a great time to connect with other pastors from our District but we were also challenged by our Speaker. Dr. Jim did a fantastic job. There are times when we all need to be reminded that it is through the power, grace, strength of God that any of us can do ministry - we cannot do it on our own - we think we can but in all reality we can't - plain and simple.

Get back to putting first things first - That is God and your relationship with Him.

Caleb

2009-01-14T07:47:00.000-08:00

Last week I posted something about my youngest Son Lucas and this week I thought I would post something about Caleb - My oldest Son.

This morning I had to get up a little earlier then normal - okay a little more then a little - but not a lot - what would that be - ANYWAY - Caleb woke up early and came in to bathroom where I was getting ready - the first thing he said was - "Moring Dad" - at the moment I thought nothing of it - but now that I am sitting here in my office - I am really impressed with what My Son did.

Here's the point - the first thing that he wanted to do this morning was to tell me good morning - The second thing he said was - "I just wanted to say Good Morning." How often do I just take the first thing that I say in the morning to My Father in Heaven and say "Good Morning." Pretty convicting for me this morning. I hope that I can take what my son has taught me and apply it to my everyday life. Hey loves me enough that he wants to greet me in the morning - as if I am the first thing he is thinking of!!!!

Thank you Caleb for loving me the way you do. Thank Lord God Almighty for showing me your love for me - through my son!

Lucas

2009-01-09T09:32:00.000-08:00

Last night I had one of those moments, a moment when God speaks to you through another person. This time it happened to be that God Spoke to me through my son Lucas.

I came home from a meeting and it was late so the boys were already in bed, while I was talking with Andrea, I heard Lucas stirring. Kind of whimpering and just on the verge of crying out loud. So I went in and did the Dad thing, held him. He took care of some business and then I put him back in bed.

I took one of the wonderful opportunities that a dad has to cuddle with his children. I laid him on my chest and it was wonderful feeling his tiny little body on mine as he got comfortable again and was ready to go back to sleep.

What I realized there as Lucas rolled to his bed and got situated is that my Heavenly father desires to be in that same situation with me - he wants to cuddle - he wants to comfort me as I get back to my sleep - he wants to hold me tight as I drift off in to rest - he wants to whisper in my ear, tell me he loves me and that all things are going to be alright - because he is there.

I love those moments - God, Thank you for loving me the way that you do and showing it to me through my children. I know that you are faithful.

GOOOOOD Morning!!!

2008-12-17T07:38:00.000-08:00

Wow what a morning I have had already - It has been hard to be anything other then excited about today. Even though there was a moment of frustration - Shoveling snow!!!! - it was a good time for me to clear my head a bit. In the grand scope of things does shoveling snow ruin a day - absolutely not but I put it off long enough - that is what I get.

So far this morning -I had a great meeting and breakfast with a teen this morning -God is moving in this teens life - and life is trying - but the choices that this teen is making are good and I really feel as if they are God honoring - Praise the Lord - That is awesome!!!!

Second - I started a new Book - "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan - Wow not even through the first chapter and it is already rocking my world.

And I read a great post by Perry Noble - To read it click here - maybe it will impact you like it did me!!!

Peace

A Minor Frustration

2008-12-09T12:53:00.000-08:00

I love to listen to music while I am working the constant silence is just too much. Normally, I listen to an online station - air1. Lately when I have been trying to connect - the music becomes choppy, and kind of messy - needless to say it is a bit frustrating.

I think I am going through withdrawls. So if any one out there can help me with this issue I would love the help. I have loaded the current players on my computer and everything loads right but - I am not getting good sound.

For those of you that don't know air1 is a positive alternative christian music station that streams their radio on the net, it is a great station.

10 Reasons Why...

2008-12-09T08:22:00.000-08:00

I read this post by Tony Morgan - Connected to it by PerryNoble.com and it really Rocked my thinking this morning.

So here is the link for TonyMorganlive.com. Take a look at it, maybe it will Rock your world.

Great Video

2008-11-14T09:17:00.000-08:00

A friend - Stevansheets.com posted this video a while back on his website and I have come to love the song and video so I am borrowing his idea and positing it here, hope you enjoy it.

Demographics

2008-11-13T14:42:00.000-08:00

I have been doing some studying of Demongraphics the last couple of days! - Not that I hate demographics but sometimes it is difficult to know what exactly they mean or imply. When it comes to General Characteristics - I found that was pretty interesting - breaking down the median age of a county or city or a even zip code is - fascinating - we can see how old or how young an area really is. The one that boggles my mind is dealing with education - How does that one get read?

Anyways - Click here for the website if you are interested in checking out your demographics.

Church Marketing?

2008-11-07T09:15:00.000-08:00

Saw a great post by StevanSheets.com that was not only hilarious but interesting at the same time. Coffee shops marketing like a Church - to watch the video click here .

Wondering...

2008-11-06T12:37:00.000-08:00

Lot's of things are on my mind today.
Some are random - some are weird but they are on my mind - so here goes.

- Why do I like coffee as much as I do?
- What will happen now - now that the US is in a financial crunch?
- Will people have the proper respect for President -Elect Obama?
- What was it that made Jesus so "Emotional - Angry" when he was flipping the money changers tables over and driving the people from the temple - I think I know but I don't often have that type of "rightous anger"?
- Why do my children make me laugh so much?
- Why do people have to deal with depression?
- Why do good friends have to live so far away?
- How will the Twins get better hitting for next year?
- Why do Baseball teams pay their players so much?
- How does some one dream dreams when the world is changing so quickly?

This is what is on my mind this afternoon!

Scheduling

2008-10-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

Tonight at Youth I will be sharing about Scheduling, interesting topic isn't it. Scheduling... Have you ever looked at your schedule and wondered where all the time goes??? I have and I have concluded that it is not a lot of fun. I realize that we (me included) waste a lot of time with many things that can be considered good and then with things that are just a waste of time. With 1440 minutes in the day we do not have a lot of time to waste.

Let's commit to be dilligent in our desire to love Jesus and to worship him with all that we can.

Summer is almost Over - Where did it Go?

2007-08-06T09:13:00.000-07:00

It seems that summer always comes and goes so quickly, why does it do that? Maybe because I live in the great white north or maybe it is because Fun is fun and for some odd reason it does not always last or maybe it is because it has been a go-go summer go here go there!! Not entirely sure but what I do know is that God has blessed this summer beyond anything that I can imagine.

Here are some things to ponder-
15 teens to Middle School Camp
13 teens to a local Mission Trip
12 teens to High School Camp
- God has been working - this is for sure.

Until Next time!!!

Summer is Here - Are you?

2007-05-29T09:07:00.000-07:00

It is amazing, Summer is here, at least in the form of busyness and the many activities that we all do. I saw the influx of people that came pouring into our little town this weekend and I was amazed.

Memorial Day weekend is a great weekend for sure but are we celebrating it the way it was orignally intended??

I am not sure but I know that I don't do a good job of it but there are many who do.

It makes me wonder if we celebrate other holidays the way they should be. Our country does a good and a bad job of this, think of the way Christmas and Easter have been commercialized.

Maybe we need to know the true purpose in order to celebrate properly? Just a thought!!!

Are you Ready For Christmas???

2006-12-13T08:46:00.000-08:00

This question is often asked during this time of the year. In fact I hear this question all the time!

It made me think, AM I ready for Christmas?

Am I ready to remember that Jesus Christ was born, came to earth as a child, to live, to eventually die and rise from the dead to bring reconciliation between humanity and God?

Am I ready for Christmas??

I am, more this year then any other year!

ALL Praises be to God, for he is worthy to Praised!!!!!

Pruning

2006-11-10T13:11:00.000-08:00

There are times in life where change is a bad thing and then there are times when change is a very good thing. I truly think it depends on the situation in life, whether change is good or bad.

One thing that I know is not often thought of is the idea of change as a pruning process. Typically we look at change as negative process with negative results. Although if we look at change as pruing a tree or a flower it is necessary for vitality for the plant to prosper and grow.

There are some down sides to the pruining process though, if you prune to much you might destroy the well being of the plant or tree and if you don't prune enough the plant is not really changed that much and the desired outcome is not achieved.

In order for a rose buch to be truly beautiful year after year, a person must prune it, keep it healthy by not letting the plant become unfruitful. Pruning is the key to helping the plant become fruitful. It takes time and sometimes the thorns cut you and poke you but the end result is a flower that is beautiful and picturesque.

Is this true for leadership, change is a pruning process that changes the plant for a period of time but the true change is for fruitfulness? I am becoming more convinced of this.

2006-11-01T09:34:00.000-08:00

Brown Family Sept. 10th

The Unexpected Blessing

2006-10-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had that unexpected blessing that totally throws you for a loop?

I had one of those this last weekend. I was a conference for Wesleyan Youth Pastors or Leaders. A normal conference righ? For the most part, freebies, fun, fellowship (no more words that describe the event that begins with "F") Just a great time.

The blessing came when one of the event speakers began, wow, God really began to work, I recognized a few things, one that many of "us" Wesleyans, like and appreciate the Holiness message and believe that it can have a huge impact on the world and the way that we serve.

The blessing came in the form of a sermon and a thought that I have yet to get out of my head, Holiness can come from Christ's Humanity.

Let me say that again Holiness can come from Christ's Humanity.

Often we look at Holiness as something that we do, a list that we check off and bam!!!! we are Holy.

Holiness comes from God, setting us apart but knowing the example of the perfect son, the Right Adam that lived a life of Holiness and through Christ's humanity we can see Holiness lived out.

Minor Prophets

2006-09-15T11:11:00.000-07:00

I have not spent a whole lot of time reading or studying the minor prophets een during my days at Seminary. This week I am preaching on Joel to Habakkuk and I find their lives very interesting and compelling. Here they are proclaiming a message to the people of God and many times the people did not listen. That is a daunting task, to speak and to have no one listen. Then I compared the message of the Minor Prophets and sometimes the message of a pastor. How are they similar and how are they different?

I think that sometimes the message is different but many times the message hearer responds the same way. Just some thoughts as I am writting and thinking.

What do you think are they similar or are they different - messanger and the message hearer.

Greetings to the Blogging World

2006-09-15T08:11:00.000-07:00

Hello There!
Welcome to the Blog of Chopper Brown.

In these Blogs you might experience some insights from Chopper, insights from Church Ministry in Northwest Wisconsin, and you will get information and updates from the Brown Family.

Anyways I have to preach this Sunday and I have much to do, so welcome and I am glad you are here.

Chopper