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Sounds of Lent

mike_brewer — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 05:20:52 +0000

Sounds of Lent
Lent has been very different for me this year. We attended Ash Wednesday evening services. Early the next morning I was in surgery having a total knee replacement. I wanted to be at the following services but could not. But all was well when I remembered a Lenten service from last year.
In that Lenten service pastor, as part of his sermon, had everyone to stop and listen – complete quiet. He was making a point that Lent is a time to be reminded to stop, shut out all of the noise around us, and listen for God’s voice in the quiet. And pastor’s point was made for him.
As we sat there being silent – listening to the quiet- I heard a strange sound, only for a second at first. Then it was for two or three seconds. Then it went on longer. What is that sound? Where is it coming from? Then I realized the sound was coming from John. John was a handsome young man betrayed by his body. John had a plethora of problems that had left him in a special wheel chair, the kind that goes from the top of the head to the bottom of the feet. Special straps, pads, holders were there to hold John securely so that his uncontrollable body movements could not hurt him.
The pastor asked for quiet. But John was singing by his humming. Perhaps the only time any of the rest of us ever heard John. Then I recognized the music. The music took me back a couple of hundred years to the song writer. As I remember he was on a sailing schooner with his family coming to America. Disease had hit the passengers of the ship. The song writer’s wife and children had all died and were buried at sea. As the ship continued he penned words that have been sung around the globe, in many, many languages, words of hope that have carried millions through trials and hardships of life. They are words of God’s love and comfort in the most terrible of situations. They are words of hope for seemingly hopeless people – and you and me – in our most trying times.
As I sat in church that evening I wondered if God had called the song writer over to hear John singing his words. On the ship, as the song writer penned his words, I wonder if he had any idea that so many years later John would be singing those words for himself and for us.
John made pastor’s point. Truly if we listen God will speak to us. We have to shut off the clutter and listen of the different voices that God uses. John was one of those voices. I may miss some Lenten services but I will never miss their point as I remember the sermon that John spoke so clearly. John is with his Lord now, and everyone there can hear his song!
John’s parents sang a different song for us to see. As John would become anxious it only seemed to take a hand from either of them or his sister on John’s hand to bring calm. And now? They know the peace that a loved one is home with their Lord. As they go on they miss John.
You are one whose life is listened to. You will probably never know how many have heard of God’s love through you – but they do.
Come; listen with me to the “voices of God” around us. Listen to the Sounds of Lent!
Mike
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VALENTINE REUNION

mike_brewer — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 22:55:55 +0000

Some of you are aware that I had a Total Knee Replacement on Valentine’s Day. I had been planning on posting the following blog from an event that I observed last year. It did not work out to post it on Valentine’s Day this year but I am posting it now a few weeks late. The content is not tied to one year or another.
“Recently the Regis & Kelly show had a series of romantic couples with heart wrenching stories. One was the returning soldier tearfully reunited with the person of their life. You get the idea.
The Friday couple had very interesting story. About 50 years ago they were sweet hearts, and then he went into the military service for WW II. He did not declare his intentions before he left but thought she understood what had not been spoken. She had not understood the unspoken. A while later he received news that she was engaged. As the years passed he also got married and had a family. Skip to the present. They were back together… both of their spouses had died. He started looking for her online and tracked her down to a city near his. He phoned, they got together. They married on Valentine’s Day and now have been married over one year.
In the description of events it was mentioned that he had carried her (new wife/old sweetheart) photo in his wallet all of these years. And everyone said “awww, how touching”.
But some of us said:”Hey, wait a minute!” We need to ask some questions. If you were one of his children and heard this what would your response be? Do you mean dad was in love with someone else all of those years he was married to mom? Where is the fidelity in that?
I wonder if mom knew he had a “first” love all those years of their marriage- and still carried her photo? If I had seen the photo when I was a child what would dad have answered when I said “Who is this dad?”
Personal Challenge Question. Where is the fidelity in carrying the photo of an old love year in and year out when married to your current husband/wife?
Dare I ask my husband/wife to see their wallet/purse?
I wonder if the new wife (old sweetheart) has asked if he has any other photos of old sweethearts in his wallet today?
But, of course, the wallet is one thing, how about the heart? Old photos there? For the computer literate is it a time to defrag? That is run a program that goes through the memory area and cleans out all of the old stray pieces of information and puts current information in the primary position in the memory area and deletes the rest. Old data is old data. We have all changed over the years. Memories are just that, memories – of a time and person from a different time. What was was. What is is. They are now different.
How do you defrag to strengthen a relationship? First it must be conscious. There must be open communication. All of the fragments must be addressed – extraneous removed – the main thing kept the main thing. Time and intentional effort – regular defragging are essential to building up of the relationship. Intentional effort. Dating time. Retreat. Renewal of Vows. You get the idea. And, of course, Mrs. Dube’s honey moon salad served regularly throughout. – Lettuce alone, no dressing.”
Mike
Please check out my website:
mkbrewer.com
Comments?

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VALENTINE REUNION – SOME THOUGHTS

mike_brewer — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 16:13:23 +0000

VALENTINE REUNION
Some of you are aware that I had a Total Knee Replacement on Valentine’s Day. I had been planning on posting the following blog from an event that I observed last year. It did not work out to post it on Valentine’s Day this year but I am posting it now a few weeks late. The content is not tied to one year or another.
Recently the Regis & Kelly show had a series of romantic couples with heart wrenching stories. One was the returning soldier tearfully reunited with the person of their life. You get the idea.
The Friday couple had very interesting story. About 50 years ago they were sweet hearts, and then he went into the military service for WW II. He did not declare his intentions before he left but thought she understood what had not been spoken. She had not understood the unspoken. A while later he received news that she was engaged. As the years passed he also got married and had a family. Skip to the present. They were back together… both of their spouses had died. He started looking for her online and tracked her down to a city near his. He phoned, they got together. They married on Valentine’s Day and now have been married over one year.
In the description of events it was mentioned that he had carried her (new wife/old sweetheart) photo in his wallet all of these years. And everyone said “awww, how touching”.
But some of us said:”Hey, wait a minute!” We need to ask some questions. If you were one of his children and heard this what would your response be? Do you mean dad was in love with someone else all of those years he was married to mom? Where is the fidelity in that? I wonder if mom knew he had a “first” love all those years of their marriage- and still carried her photo? If I had seen the photo when I was a child what would dad have answered when I said “Who is this dad?”
Personal Challenge Question. Where is the fidelity in carrying the photo of an old love year in and year out when married to your loving husband/wife?
Dare I ask my husbandwife to see their wallet/purse? I wonder if the new wife (old sweetheart) has asked if he has any photos of other old sweethearts in his wallet today?
But, of course, the wallet is one thing, how about the heart? Old photos there? For the computer literate is it a time to defrag? That is run a program that goes through the memory area and cleans out all of the old stray pieces of information and puts current information in the primary position in the memory area and deletes the rest. Old data is old data. We have all changed over the years. Memories are just that, memories – of a time and person from a different time. What was was. What is is. They are now different.
How do you defrag to strengthen a relationship? First it must be conscious. There must be open communication. All of the fragments must be addressed – extraneous removed – the main thing kept the main thing. Time and intentional effort – regular defragging are essential to building up of the relationship. Intentional effort. Dating time. Retreat. Renewal of Vows. You get the idea. And, of course, Mrs. Dube’s honey moon salad served regularly throughout. – Lettuce alone, no dressing.
MKB
Please check out my website:
mkbrewer.com

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COST OF DOING NOTHING CALCULATOR

mike_brewer — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 21:54:54 +0000

Friends,
I encountered something recently that I had not seen before. Certainly we knew it had to exist. THE COST OF DOING NOTHING CALCULATOR.
We may have to translate some of the author’s terminology for our specific life situation but the principles are the same.
When I stop and reflect on how the very concept of placing a value (however measured) on what doing nothing costs I am blown away. The authors that I was reading from are reflecting on specific business costs dealing with leadership. The concept, I believe, challenges each of us to look there but far, far beyond. The list of missed opportunities is as endless as are our total life situations. I have spoken several times on the concept that we cannot live in the worlds of: couda, woulda or shouda. Perhaps brief, but not depression creating, glimpses of the past can be of benefit to guide us in the future. Certainly some of you will translate this conversation into something significant. Please post your comments so that others may share your thoughts.
Blessings,
Mike
Quote:: There is no safety in the past – it is gone. There is only the adventure of the present and future.

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A photolanthropist / I seek that others would consider themselves photolanthropists also.

mike_brewer — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 01:18:20 +0000

Welcome to the blog of Michael K. Brewer – Photographic Fine Art – Photolanthropist. Some may say: I understand the Photographic Fine Art part but what is the Photolanthropist term all about. Of course it is a combining of the words photography and philanthropist. How did I get involved? My personal history began when I had just turned 18. I had joined the US Navy at 17, finished boot camp and specialty training. Then I was off to Japan. On our base I found out about a group that was organizing an effort to help in an orphanage for Korean children. I volunteered and after collecting lots of used clothing, toys, food and whatever we were off to the orphanage.

When we arrived I looked around to see how I could help. I saw one little girl who looked to be about 6 standing off to the side. I grabbed a used tricycle and took it over to where she was standing. I held the trike out to her offering if she wanted it. She used the universal language of a nod that yes she wanted it. I placed it on the ground in front of her. She placed her hands on the handle bars from the front. Her hands turned white as she clutched the handle bars tightly. I indicated that she should go around and get on the trike. She would not. I carefully picked her up under her arms and placed her on the seat. Again she grabbed the handle bars until her hands turned white. I indicated that she should place her feet on the pedals. She would not. Carefully I picked up her feet that were in the shoes that are closed in the front and open in the back. I placed her feet on the pedals. She did not move. I indicated that she should push on the pedals. She did not. Again, carefully I placed my hands on her feet and gently pushed down. She screamed. One of the nurses came over immediately. I shared that I had done nothing to hurt her. She said: “I know Mike, let’s see what is going on.” After I went through telling her exactly what had happened she gently pulled the little shoes off. The toe areas of both of her feet were ulcerous sores. The nurse said to me: “OK, Mike, time for you to get to work – start shooting.” I photographed her feet, legs and torso under the supervision of the nurse. I continued to photograph various children along with the orphanage itself. Fortunately (?) Akimi’s situation seemed to be the worst.

When we returned to base I made 8×10 photographs that were then shared with the local Prefecture government officials with the question: “Why”. Two of the children were then brought to the area hospital for treatment. (I was privileged to photograph this also.) The government made improvements to the orphanage and improved the feeding and other care for the children.

When most of the events had passed I made the personal observation that if I, a kid barely 18 with a camera, still trying to figure which end is up in the puzzle of life, could change lives so profoundly, anyone in this world can and has the opportunity to make a difference.

And the story still goes on. I keep shooting.

I invite you to enjoy the Photographic Fine Art as well as information on how you can be involved in helping others. What is your story?

Mike

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