:::. joshbrickey.com .:::

Missing daddy....

Patty and Isaiah are coming back into town today. We've only been apart for a couple of days, but he missed me and sent me this pic.

What a rush!

Yesterday, I had one of the biggest rushes that I have had in a long time. For the first time in my life, I went to a public auction. It was nuts! It was a bigger rush than eBay. I almost bought a little table just to buy something. Unfortunately, buyer number 685 left empty handed.

WOO HOO!!!!!

I just received an updated page for my 2007 South Carolina Baptist Convention Annual. I can now sleep soundly at night since I have the updated information about the amount of giving and number of members of churches in the Charleston and Chester Associations. How could I have missed this error in my 364 page book of fun!? :-)

My Greatest Ministry

Being a student pastor at a church, people assume that the greatest "calling" in my life is being a minister at a church. However, I can say with 100% confidence that my highest calling isn't my ministry. What is it? Hands down...my highest calling is my relationship with my wife and son.

In Ephesians 5, I am commanded to love my wife "as Christ loved the Church" (Eph 5:25). What does that mean? I am to lay down my life for her. I should live a life of sacrifice towards her, being willing to give up anything that hinders our relationship.

Marriage is an unbelievably important aspect of the gospel. God created it, not simply as a symbol, but to literally show us his love for us. If you do not love your wife and family and support them above ALL else, you are giving others a skewed picture of God's love towards us. If she isn't first, you are going directly against the Gospel that you claim to believe in and teach.

I know, I know...God should be our first love. That's right. But God has taught us in Scripture that our family comes first. It comes before my church ministry.

If my ministry ever gets in the way of my relationship with my wife and son, I will quit immediately. My relationship with them is a picture of God's love for us. I can't lead if that's not in order.

Men...love your wives more than anything. You may need to give up the Xbox, sports, or maybe even a ministry so that she can have the attention and love that she needs from you. Others will take notice, and they will see the clearest picture of the Gospel that they will probably ever see. That's what ministry is all about.

It's a Fat World After All...

Looks like some changes are going to be made to the "It's a small world" ride at Disneyland.  Looks like people are getting too fat for the boats to hold the weight.  It reminds me...I need to lose weight.  Check out the article here.

Running Stop Signs...

As I was leaving my apartment complex this morning, I realized that I ran TWO stop signs on my way out!  Technically, I performed a driving move that a lot of us call "the rolling stop."  You know what I'm talking about.  We come up to a stop sign, see that no one is coming or watching, and then we proceed to slowly roll on through. 

It really isn't different in our everyday lives.  Think about it:

1) How many times do we let sin slowly creep into our lives?  We walk a fine line between right and wrong, and we slowly but surely begin crossing the line.  Before we know it, we don't even notice the sign to stop. 

2) For the most part, we tend to do things we shouldn't do when no one else is around.  When you really break it down, the things we do when no one is looking gives us a better glimpse of our true character.  We need to clean up our lives when no one is looking.

3) How many of us has way too much going on in our lives?  We need to STOP doing so much and focus our attention on what matters the most.  What are some signs you need to stop some things in your life? You have no spare time to rest.  You have no time with your family.  You work overtime every week.  Stop doing so much. 

What stop signs are you running?

Isaiah....

You gotta admit...he's adorable. Here he is at 6 1/2 months.

Hilarious Pics....

You really need to check out these Olan Mills pictures...they're priceless!
Funny Olan Mills Pictures

Wow...

This billboard is incredible.

Even more incredible is the story and video that goes with it. Major props to Kinetic Church for setting an incredible example to all of us. Check it all out at the Kinetic Church website.

FINALLY!!!!

My Mac has been in repair and finally it's back! So begins another attempt at consistent blogging! Now if only I didn't have to reenter all of the serial numbers and reinstall Leopard. :-/