Are you a good person? Be honest with yourself! The other day as I was driving home, this passage from Paul’s letter to the Romans popped into my mind: “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate …And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway”. (R omans 7:15, 18-19 NLT). Ouch – that hurts! Really, nothing good lives in me? – Well, I have to admit – NO, nothing good lives in me – especially driving home from work, after a long day. I have mean thoughts about the people I share the road with (and I call myself a Christian – ha); but I do have those thoughts. Paul said it is “our sinful nature” and how true those words are. I really want to be good (and do good), but I just can’t.
Do I have to depend on my own ‘goodness’ to spend Eternity in heaven? Not if I put my trust and faith in Christ and believe that He died for my past sins and the sins I will still commit in the future. WOW – that is cool (I really can’t stand the thought of spending Eternity in hell, but than again AZ in the summer is not too much different – just kidding).
God promises in John 3:16 (NLT): “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (now you know what those signs at sports events mean).
So – don’t try to be ‘good’, because you just can’t; but you can be nice to others.
Long Time
I know – it has been a long time since my last post, but there was just no time for my blog. Time just flies. My sweetheart and I just returned from our vacation in San Carlos and it was everything we hoped for. Just sitting on the beach (getting burned – ha), kicking back and relax. We had a great time again and the beer tasted so good after a day on the beach. The sunsets were incredible – just check out the picture. Ah, just too bad that a week goes by quick. I will have a hard time going back to work on Monday. I guess, we just have to find a way to retire early – ha, that is a great joke (well maybe I should start playing the lottery – probably get hit by lightning first before I win that).
Proverbs 31 – Superwoman
Well, if you are afraid of the Proverbs 31 woman, read this book by Nancy Kennedy. This book is just awesome and helped me to see myself in a different light. Yes, God is asking us to be the perfect woman (wife/mother/daughter) in Proverbs 31, but Nancy puts a different light on this Bible passage. We can never be perfect in God’s eyes, only if we put on Christ, we are perfect. What a comfort to know that we don’t have to be the Proverbs 31 woman, but still can be perfect in our every day life. Ah – what a relief. Thank you Lord for being the perfect sacrifice for all the women who love You.
Tribute to my Dad
Well, today would have been by Dad’s (Peter Brueck) 67th birthday. Unfortunately he only lived to be 52. He was a great and godly man. Although he stumbled sometimes, he had a great foundation – the Word of God. My sister Dagmar and I were blessed to be raised by such a man. He taught us family values and morals, all based on God’s Word. This past Friday I had to think about him a lot and actually broke down (after 14 years); I never realized how much I miss him. Fortunately I am married to a wonderful, caring husband who told me to “just cry – it will make you feel better”. Yes, it did – and I know that I will see my Dad someday again. Thanks Dad for all you have done for me and my family – Happy Birthday – bis bald im Himmel.