<![CDATA["Singing a new song unto the Lord..."

<![CDATA["Singing a new song unto the Lord..." - Stan\'s LIFE blog]]>Tue, 05 May 2026 22:33:04 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[A Roof Lift Video]]>Fri, 27 Jan 2017 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.stanbrubaker.com/stans-life-blog/a-roof-lift-videoThis is the latest video I've done for Wolfe House & Building Movers, where I do Graphic Design. Yes, we do more than just lifting houses above flood lines, or moving humongous buildings.

To see my other music and Wolfe videos, go to YouTube and check out my "stanbrubaker" channel.

]]><![CDATA[Happy 'Radical' New Year!]]>Sun, 01 Jan 2017 12:12:49 GMThttps://www.stanbrubaker.com/stans-life-blog/happy-radical-new-year

Happy New Year! ...and I pray you will become a More Radical Christian in this good year 2017. But WAIT— Before you click me under the bus, please let me explain.

Radical means 'Rooted'— it comes from the 'Late Latin' radicalis "of or having roots," from the Latin radix (genitive radicis) "root (see radish). The meaning "going to the origin, essential" is from 1650s. [dictionary.com]

Now, if you're just taking up space on the earth, if you live only to collect pleasures and win 'Like's, the meaning of almost anything (for you) may as well be meaningless.

But if you want your life to count big— if you want your Earthly Investments to pay back Huge Eternal Dividends— well then you simply must become a radical
Christian. As in, 'like Jesus originally taught.' Rooted in Him. Living out what is Essential.

"Must?" you say... Yes, for Jesus was no modern American, with our typically HUGE disconnect from the eternal realities. Get to know Him by reading HIS words, heeding HIS warnings, pleading HIS cause. Commit yourself to HIM alone as your 'bottom line.'

Never let the Roots of your Beliefs be warped by what another 'mere man' thinks (for he too will be arraigned before God for judgment) or by the temporary creed or subjugating selfishness of a 'mere denomination'. Ask God what HE wants from you. Go to The Source, and 'Read The Bible— it sheds light on the commentaries!'

Life is so much bigger than any man, however impressive, or any exciting or comfortable movement. Read some of the good old writers. Follow some of those sold-out Christ-followers from centuries past— martyrs, missionaries, thinkers, and DOers, who gave themselves to God to the utmost. With your hand in God's, GO!

No, it won't be 'fad'ish, but please become more 'rad'ish— rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ. And if 2017 ends up being your last year on earth, you'll be so glad you did.

]]><![CDATA[Then Sings Your Soul!]]>Sat, 31 Dec 2016 11:00:00 GMThttps://www.stanbrubaker.com/stans-life-blog/then-sings-your-soul

Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea." (Exod.15:1)

And just WHY did they sing?
Because God had proven His Presence, His promises, and His provision— and they had been Delivered!

Many times in the Psalms and other Scriptures we see songs of praise bursting forth after such a deliverance. Other times we see the deliverance coming partly as a result of the singing!

Music has a very special place in the hearts of man, as indicated by the fact that we spent over $15,000,000,000 for it, just in 2016.

And it has a large place in the heart of God. When the morning stars sang together during the glorious days of Creation, God was listening— enjoying that outpouring from billions of powerhouses of Light each song He had composed for them.

Just two nights ago, I was privileged to hear a master organist playing skillfully on an organ containing over 10,000 pipes. Thrilling? Absolutely.

But I submit to you that our Father is even more delighted when we sound forth from the "living musical organs" that we are.

When we're struggling, or when we're rejoicing. When we're fighting to believe, or wait, or trust... or to just overcome. Forced out from our innermost heart, even if in the dullness of despair, may we sing out to our Maker the undying Yes of our obedience.

"Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises." (Psalm 47: 6).

May He fill You with song. May He receive from your heart that special Gift which only YOU can give to Him.

]]><![CDATA[God Will Erase All Remembrance of the Wicked from the Earth ('27 Reasons' #375)]]>Mon, 03 Oct 2016 02:12:17 GMThttps://www.stanbrubaker.com/stans-life-blog/god-will-erase-all-remembrance-of-the-wicked-from-the-earth-27-reasons-375

Crime, violence, murder, deceit— not a day goes by when my life is not AFFECTED by some of the horrible results of sin.

I read about it in the paper... I see it online... we hear it from friends, and family, and co-workers. But do we REALLY stop to consider what our lives will be like when we cannot remember a single bit of it, or even know it ever existed? I honestly have to strain my imagination to just begin to imagine a whole day... a whole week... a whole month... without a single discouraging bit of news.

Whew! What an amazing promise!— but is it 'too good to be true'? No, because God said it! In Psalm 34:16 we read "The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth."

No matter how dark the crime, or how vile the person, may we keep our faith intact in the surety of God's promise: That time is coming soon when God will "create a new heaven and a new earth, and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." (Isa. 65:17).

]]><![CDATA[I Can Rejoice in the Simplest Things! ('27 Reasons' #89)]]>Sat, 28 May 2016 18:18:39 GMThttps://www.stanbrubaker.com/stans-life-blog/may-28th-2016

What is YOUR special way of getting out of an emotional slump, or a time of extreme "burnout" or fatigue? Do you take a nap? ...a hike? ...go out and spend some money? ...pray, sing, or fast? ...go visit someone? ...read a book?

I thank God that He has given us a powerful little hint [or, is it a major command?] that will help us in just about any imaginable situation!

God tells me "in everything rejoice," which means that no matter how hard, or how lonely, or how frustrating, or how impossible the situation that I am in may seem, there are plenty of things to rejoice in— even there, even here, right now!

No, we don't rejoice in things that are evil. We don't rejoice at the failures we too often see in the men and institutions around us. We can't help but lament the never-ending dramas of tragedy and folly being played out around us, in our human experience.

But God is good! His promises perform. A thousand blessings attend my way always! And in the simplest little things of life I may rejoice: the smile of a child, a blueberry on my plate, a bird singing, sun shining or rain falling, the memory of a friend, the ability to read and write and remember and walk and talk and breathe.

Yes, I want to be known as a person of good cheer, a bearer of rejoicing, a sower of hope and promise— one of those ridiculously realistic optimists rooted in the out-flowing realities of the Life of God.

Ah, we shall be as rich as kings,
Who find our Joy in simple things!
We spend our merry, golden pence—
The coins of glad obedience.

]]><![CDATA[Poem: "I Have a Bank That Never Fails"]]>Wed, 20 Apr 2016 20:42:44 GMThttps://www.stanbrubaker.com/stans-life-blog/poem-i-have-a-bank-that-never-fails

If I had a safe stuffed with clear titles to every building in the Wall Street district (shown above), would that make me any richer than I really already am? Could it make me more secure?

One time, while His disciples were marveling at some beautiful buildings, Jesus was envisioning those same edifices as already burned and razed, in the destruction of Jerusalem coming just a few decades later.

"Lord, help me to see things as You see them— for that is their true state of existence!
And as we read the amazing and the 'too-good-to-be-true' promises in the verses of this simple poem, help us remember that they are not exaggerated.

"No, for the true sons and daughters of God they are intrinsically and eternally true!"

I Have a Bank That Never Fails

I have a bank that never fails, From which my spirit draws,
Where Jesus has deposited His grace for every cause.

I cannot empty my account When walking in His will;
His blood will pay the full amount, And leave sufficient still.

In faith I may approach the place, Where funds are guaranteed,
To gladly draw upon His grace According to my need.

Tho' ev'ry earthly bank will fail, And all their wealth be dust,
The bank of Heaven will prevail— Will satisfy my trust.

For Christ Himself has well secured A rich sufficiency,
And authorizes is His Word A wealth of grace for me.

©2003 by Stanley K. Brubaker

]]><![CDATA[I Can Dream about My Eternal Future! ('27 Reasons' #37)]]>Sun, 10 Apr 2016 19:06:01 GMThttps://www.stanbrubaker.com/stans-life-blog/i-can-dream-about-my-eternal-future-27-reasons-37

One thing I really enjoy seeing in a small child is a big imagination.
Where do they come up with those things!

As a father-of-nine— who is now also a 'grand' but not yet a 'great'— I encourage you younger parents to let your children's imaginations soar— within limits. No, you won't encourage them to jump off the peak of your house roof, holding only an umbrella, or to teach their brand new baby sister how to do summersaults on the couch.

But help make their 'make-believe' worlds large and luminous, and help them believe that their creations are worthy. Use a good Bible story book (we wore out a Hurlbut's) to share exciting Bible tales down on a child's level. Those true stories of courage and character will bring BIG dividends in later years.

The famous Christian apologist C. S. Lewis credited George MacDonald, the Scottish preacher/writer, for "baptising" his imagination. A good, sanctified imagination, wrapped in devoted intelligence that is established upon a healthy 'fear of the Lord' will help each one of us to go farther into the deeper/higher things of God.

Excite them about life! Exalt the joys of practical uncovery (dis-cover-y). Encourage their 'what if's. Educate them purposefully, for Eternity.

May we have no greater Joy than to see our children walking in Truth, no greater Desire for them than that they spend Eternity in the huge, unfolding Adventures of God.

And shall we dream about those adventures now?

Yes, in the same way that I enjoy seeing a child with a healthy imagination, so is my Heavenly Father encouraging me to use my imagination to His glory and honor, "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

]]><![CDATA[5 Ways to Discover What I Really Look Like]]>Mon, 04 Apr 2016 02:31:20 GMThttps://www.stanbrubaker.com/stans-life-blog/5-ways-to-discover-what-i-really-look-like

When I arrived at my office, there it was— a portrait of myself, drawn from memory by a co-worker's daughter.

Without wanting to sound conceited, of course, I hope you will notice what nice red eyes I have... and she even gave me hair! And such practical ears, framing my perfectly-marvelous smile! I probably didn't even need to tell Annie that her sketch looks just like me!

Have you ever wondered what you really look like? Here are five ways to find out.

If you're serious about it, and brave, ask a child.
Do some serious reflecting ['let a man examine himself...' I Cor.11:28, and 'examine yourselves..." II Cor.13:5]. What is there in me that I would not admire in someone else?
Encourage a mature friend to suggest what would make you more Christlike.
Look into the Mirror of God's Word, taking time to carefully study your reflection.
Ask God Himself to show you what you truly are. Invite Him to point out anything in the picture that grieves Him... anything that hurts or hinder others... anything that mars you from reflecting the beauty of God's own holiness.

Our Father paid a terrible price, that we should be "conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom.8:29). It is my privilege to desire the facts, to turn away from delusion and apathy, and to walk in the ultimate win-win of Christ in me, the hope of Glory!

]]><![CDATA[I Can Get Out of Debt ! (27 Reasons #444)]]>Tue, 29 Mar 2016 11:41:37 GMThttps://www.stanbrubaker.com/stans-life-blog/i-can-get-out-of-debt-27-reasons-444

YES! As a child of God, I can get out of debt, even wiping out those really important ones that have nothing to do with money.

It is G.O.O.D. to Get Out Of Debt.

Even if you still have some credit card debt, some student loans, or a mortgage that you are s-l-o-w-l-y, month-by-month, paying down, you can do business with God right now, and have your sins completely forgiven!

"And forgive us our debts," Jesus teaches us to pray, "As we forgive our debtors."

God longs to solve our BIGGEST problem by absolving us of our SINS. He longs to teach us to step lightly, to rejoice in a Redeem-er who used divine blood to pay off our every debt. He wants us to fully forgive those who (we think) might still 'owe us' something, whether it's their respect, their agreement, their forgiveness, their understanding, or some tangible, disputed goods.

If you haven't already, please Get Out Of Debt TODAY. (And if you can pay off any money-robbing loans, that would be G.O.O.D. too.)

BLE$$ING$ on your $oul, your $pirit, and, yes, even your finance$.

]]><![CDATA[I Can Build for Eternity ! (Reason #462)]]>Sat, 26 Mar 2016 11:29:24 GMThttps://www.stanbrubaker.com/stans-life-blog/i-can-build-for-eternity-reason-462

Many years ago I owned a small cabinet shop. I loved the work, but after some years I found myself dissatisfied about one particular thing. Just as soon as we would get the kitchen or furniture or whatever TOTALLY COMPLETED, with the finishing touches on everything, we would load up our tools, sweep up, drive away, and probably never see it again! ...

I soon buried myself in Christian publishing. Every month, for 16 years, we published a children's magazine called Nature Friend Magazine and today I can still pick up one of those magazines and see the fruits of our labors from when we worked with talented writers, artists, and photographers. In fact, since some friends of ours are still publishing it, a shiny new issue comes to our mailbox every month, and it's so much more beautiful than it ever was when we were doing the work!

But, here's where I'm heading: My time, like yours, is slipping away. Every 24 hours, a particular day of our life disappears, and we see it no more. So, the questions come: What are we living for? What are we building, why, and with what materials?

In I Corinthians 3 we read "If any man builds upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble, every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire. And the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide... he shall receive a reward."

There it is! This earth and everything in it will be tested by fire. All 'my' cabinets and children's magazines will disappear. But the things we have done for our Lord will give us a sure reward!

With courage, then, let us Build! With zeal, with faith, with humility, with pure motives and strong hearts, may we BUILD. With the very best of materials— Heaven-wrought— may we BUILD! Patiently, faithfully, longingly, lovingly, with a song on our lips, let us keep on Building!

And when all our works have been tested by fiery Judgments, may we see them still standing: as solid as stone, as shining as gold. May we present them to God once more, and hear His "Well done, my good and faithful servant!"

As a son of God, it is my ever-so-precious privilege to be a Do-er, a Worker, a Builder... until I see Him face to face!

]]><![CDATA[Poem: "Heart Cry"]]>Sat, 18 Jul 2015 23:00:39 GMThttps://www.stanbrubaker.com/stans-life-blog/poem-heart-cry

HEART CRY

I want to do what a man can,
And You to do what a man cannot,
And do toGether what only a man with God can do;
For I am on your earth, and love my God,
And You are in your Heav'n, and love your man,
But I cannot and You will not do ought alone

I want to be what a man can–
I've been too long what You are not–
And be toGether what only a man in God can be;
For You, here on this earth Be came a man,
And I, tho' far from Heav'n, for Ever Am,
And He Who willed us wills us One to Ever Be.

I want to die as a man can–
For You arose as a man could not–
And live toGether as only the dead aLive can live;
For You, in Heaven died– for earth arose
And I, on earth, would die– for Heav'n arise
And share with all below what Heav'n alone can give.

© Stanley K. Brubaker 2011 (written 4-29-2011)

The cry of Jesus' heart– just before He was crucified– was that He and His people would be One, even as He and the Father were One. Now, wow! that is unity unlike anything on our planet!

As I think about being at the "marriage supper of the Lamb" and being joined into eternal marriage with Jesus as part of His Bride, I think it would be irreverent not to be pondering just how much we can be like Him... joined to Him... alive in Him... and One with Him... even now.

Feedback:
But what are your thoughts? Does a poem like this seem too mystical, too deep, too out-of-touch from our everyday life? Or does it encourage you to think about what Jesus really wants from His relationship with us?

]]><![CDATA[I Can Reflect Praise to My Maker (Reason #201)]]>Sun, 12 Jul 2015 00:57:31 GMThttps://www.stanbrubaker.com/stans-life-blog/i-can-reflect-praise-to-my-maker-reason-2011

What should I do, when someone sincerely praises me? Should I disagree, pretending that what I did has no merit? Should I change the subject, letting things cower toward an awkward silence?

Many decades ago, before I had really faced these questions, I built a large set of oak kitchen cabinets for a county fairgrounds teaching facility. After the job was completed, one of the committee ladies who had ordered them complimented me on the workmanship.

I paused, grasping for a suitable 'humble' answer, and finally replied something along the lines of "Well, God made the lumber– I just rearranged it."

Without missing a beat, she enthusiastically responded, "Well, He certainly gave you some lovely pieces!"

I've never forgotten her tactful, gracious encouragement, and I hope I've learned something from it.

Even though Jesus was the living Word by Whom God had spoken all men into existence, and could say, "I and my Father are One" yet His daily bread was to humbly draw men to, and point men to the Father.

Do we have any good gifts that did not come down from above? Then we should be able to simply pass any praise we receive on to the Giver— the One Who made it possible.

What are some of your experiences— good or bad? What have you learned about reflecting praise back to the Giver?

]]><![CDATA[The LORD of Hosts is With Me (Reason #317)]]>Thu, 09 Jul 2015 01:00:45 GMThttps://www.stanbrubaker.com/stans-life-blog/the-lord-of-hosts-is-with-me-reason-317

God's Word declares that He

spoke into existence each of the Billions of stars
has a special Name for each one
heard them Singing together during the Creation moments.

And yet, He sees every sparrow that falls, and can guide me through everything I face.

"Lord, help me to remember that truly You are with me, and that, even in Your great big universe, I am precious to You, and I am 'humbly invincible' within Your will."

]]><![CDATA[I Can LOOK FORWARD to the Endless Years of Eternity! (Reason#120)]]>Tue, 07 Jul 2015 01:03:07 GMThttps://www.stanbrubaker.com/stans-life-blog/i-can-look-forward-to-the-endless-years-of-eternity-reason120

Are you making a "post-bucket list" of all the things you would like to do AFTER you die? I have a few things on mine:

1. I'm hoping to speak to ALL my Bible heroes— King David, the apostle John, Noah, and so many more. Fact: "If you have a limited number of persons in an eternal situation, logic says that you will have plenty of time to talk to each one of them, and to every combination of them, an INFINITE number of times! WHEW! Wrap that!

2. I would like to learn to play ALL the best musical instruments of Earth, and invent an endless number of new ones, since that would express a bit more of God's majesty. I would like to play them better than any instrument has ever been played here [there's nothing like a few thousand years of practice with each one] because God is worthy of that too. Oh, and I'd like to sing out using my new, perfect-for-me, voice that will arrive with my new and glorious body, and join in the songs of, say, a couple million people in a swelling choir...

3. I would like to learn all sorts of sanctified artistry and craftsmanship... maybe write a few million songs, and listen to all yours a few thousand times...

Do you think maybe I'm getting carried away a bit, and my imagination may be a bit 'OFF'?

Probably so... and all my speculations will likely prove to be as only the thoughts of a little child. For I suspect that God has something much more satisfying in mind! [See I Cor. 2:9].
__________________________
[Reason #120] Go to http://www.stanbrubaker.com/27-reasons-im-glad.html for your FREE DOWNLOAD of my ebook "27 Reasons I'm GLAD I'm a Christian."

]]><![CDATA[God's Word Speaks TRUTH to Every Situation! (Reason #79)]]>Fri, 03 Jul 2015 00:04:05 GMThttps://www.stanbrubaker.com/stans-life-blog/gods-word-speaks-truth-to-every-situation-reason-79

God is Light, and whenever He speaks, He speaks the WORDs of LIGHT. As a Christ-follower, I walk in His Word and His Light, and I shine as a Light in this world (Phip. 2:15).

This world may lie in darkness, and its 'heroes' and 'leaders' may let me down, but God's LIGHT still shines! And HE will never let me down!

[Reason #79] Go to http://www.stanbrubaker.com/27-reasons-im-glad.html for your FREE DOWNLOAD of my ebook "27 Reasons I'm GLAD I'm a Christian."

]]><![CDATA[Introduction to my "27 Reasons" Posts]]>Thu, 02 Jul 2015 01:06:08 GMThttps://www.stanbrubaker.com/stans-life-blog/introduction-to-my-27-reasons-posts

A Free E-Book for Your Encouragement!

In June of 2013 my wife Janice and I moved from Michigan, to Berks County, Pennsylvania.

As we spent our first month here in our small, temporary (we thought), home, I began meditating on some of the reasons I have to be really glad for God’s provision, His protection, and His “exceding great and precious promises.”

For many years we have nurtured a daily habit of reading through the Scriptures, using various versions of the One-Year Bibles. I decided that every time I came across an especially-meaningful promise, or a really- encouraging thought, I would just jot it down.

Then I got to wondering if other folks might be encouraged if I would share my “gladnesses” with them. I could add fitting photos to the first “27 Reasons” in my list, and help brighten up other people's days too.

Today—two years and more than 300 Reasons later— this first little collection goes forth.

Don’t rush through it too quickly. Each “gladness” holds a promise or principle that will help change our lives for the better!

How I wish I had understood more of these soul-freeing truths when I was first a child of God!

—Stan Brubaker, July 2015

[ From the book's Introduction— Click on this page to Download your Free Copy ]

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