faith Archives - Page 2 of 3

Posted on January 23, 2016 by Brian Tucker — Leave a comment

1 Thing I learned from The Revenant

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I watched the Revenant recently.

Revenant – someone who returns after a long absence (believed to be dead).

Fitting title for the film, but there is so much beyond this single description in its 2hr 36min. run time.

It’s a brutal, harrowing tale of a man trying to survive. It’s a chain of events. His fortune seems to go from bad-to worse-to despair, and I was reminded of all kinds of biblical heroes who encountered just such odds in Old Testament events – especially Job.

I know. It’s not even remotely accurate to compare DiCaprio’s role in a film to a man of God, but this one stuck with me as I read today’ devotional about blessings.

Would you agree that for a follower of God one of the hardest principles is being blessed and not straying from God after the blessing has occurred?

Like being in the woods with a compass and suddenly throwing the compass away once we see something familiar. It’s a similar self-reliance in our spiritual walk.

While God says, “Look to me and be saved…” (Isaiah 45:22), our inclination is to turn tail and run for what we believe to be higher ground.

Much like DiCaprio’s character in Revenant, we travel through life’s seasons getting beat down on more than one occasion, and these scars can wound us beyond repair if we allow them to. But, opposite to the physical fight of man’s battle with nature, the spiritual requires us to simply stop tugging on our own.

To admit, God is more than capable of handling your, mine, and our issues, if we let him.

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Brian Tucker — Leave a comment

8 Things about WHEELMAN

(Interviewed on Twitter by Kandi J. Wyatt, author of The One Who Sees Me) 01.18.2016 –

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Question 1: Can you tell us a bit about yourself? How did you find @voxdeipub

Brian: Sure. I grew up in so. KY and met my wife in college. I wrote in graduate school and found @voxdeipub while scouring the web. 🙂

Kandi: What did you write about in graduate school?

Brian: I created a short story collection titled “Baptisms & Dogs” set in the fictional town of Seton, KY. It helped me start (writing).

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Kandi: It sounds interesting.

Martin Jones: Hey Brian, your friendly editor here – just popping in!

Question 2: What is your book about?

Brian: #Wheelman is about a teen seeking his father. He goes on a journey in search of hard answers.

Kandi: So is it a YA or middle grade book?

Heather Huffman: Hey everyone!

Kandi: Welcome! Glad to have you.

Brian: Young Adult

Heather Huffman: I’d say young YA.

Kandi: Awesome!

Martin Jones: Definitely YA, some serious themes tackled here!

Question 3: What led you to write Wheelman?

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Brian: A trip with friends to Mexico in 2011 prompted the book #wheelman. It was a great experience albeit dangerous.

Kandi: Can you share what themes besides #humantrafficking Wheelman tackles?

Martin Jones: I think the impact of a broken home and sin is prominent, together with a fair amount of violence!

Kandi: How was it dangerous?

Brian: Drug cartels and beheadings were reported at that time. It was a tough time to travel near Mexico City.

Kandi: That does make for some interesting travel.

Martin Jones: Another question (for Brian) – are any of the characters based on yourself or people you have met?

Brian: That’s a tough one, Martin… I’d say Teddy resembles my dad just slightly. But most were abstract creations.

Question 4: So you’ve done some traveling. Can you tell us about that?

Brian: I love the open road. It’s what generates new memories. Central Mexico is so beautiful. It needs to be written about!

Kandi: Guanajuato is my favorite place. Although I had fun in San Miguel de Allende

Brian: God’s country, right? So pristine and beautiful! I LOVE San Miguel.

Kandi: Right. I love the colors of the houses.

Brian: And the doors. I’ve never seen so many different types of doors.

Kandi: You’re right. The doors in central Mexico are amazing.

Adam Hopper: How did growing up in a small town like Monticello, Kentucky impact the locations in the book?

Brian: #Wheelman tackles travel to and from some unique places. My hometown molded me into what I am today. I love Ky!

Brian: Hi! @pastortabitha Thanks, Tabitha!

Martin Jones: Do you think #Wheelman has any kind of take-away message for the reader?

Brian: Great Q. #Wheelman does. The importance of valuing family is central! Today, tomorrow, everyday. While we can!

Question 5: Do you have any #travel safety tips for us?

Brian: I knew that one was coming! 🙂 Be cautious. I had great taxis in Mexico (and fun). But there’re always risks

Kandi: That there are. Your book gives you a platform to discuss #HumanTraffickingAwareness.

Brian: Yes. It plays a role in the family reunion elements of #wheelman and it was a difficult subject to study.

Kandi: I bet it was. I know I had difficulty sleeping just after writing a blog about trafficking

Question 6: How did you become aware of human trafficking?

Brian: Drug/human trafficking are prevalent not only in other parts of the world but US- all 50 states #IJM helped me for #Wheelman. It messes with us, as it should. Knowing the world has such intense events happening daily – wakes us up!

Kandi: It makes us realize there is more to life than our happy little corner.

Martin Jones: Without revealing spoilers – we might differ slightly on this but would you say the book has a happy ending?

Brian: You all brought the real Qs. 🙂 Haha. I would say quasi-happy. It depends on the reader’s idea of win vs. lose though.

Kandi: I think that is key to any ending of a book.

Martin Jones: Gotta say I love the title #Wheelman – says so much about the book in a word – both sides of the story #goodevil

Brian: Amen! #Wheelman is to the point. Our team really made it happen.

Martin Jones: Yeah, I wish I could take credit for the title #lol

Brian: You CAN!

Question 7: What kinds of testing of faith have you experienced either while writing or that prompted you to write?

Brian: Learning about trafficking and realizing that all sins are equal … caused me to write more definitely. Scars are lasting.

Kandi: Scars are lasting! Oof. That they are. We can end #humantrafficking

Question 8: If people want to help end #humantrafficking what do you suggest they do?

Brian: Playing an active role in their daily lives, online and in person. We have an opportunity to @endtraffick ing

Kandi: Where can we find you online?

Brian: Online- https://brianltucker.com, Instagram: bltuck2, amazon at: http://amazon.com/author/tuckerb, and even on Goodreads at: Brian L. Tucker

#Wheelman releases Feb 2 on #groundhogday and my father’s birthday! It’ll be on @amazon and other major websites

Kandi: Can’t wait for it. Thanks so much everyone for joining, and congratulations, @thebriantucker

Brian: Thanks again, Kandi J Wyatt! I appreciate your time. Have a great night!

Kandi: Thanks again for the time. I’m off to eat dinner with the family.

-End of Interview-

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Brian Tucker — Leave a comment

Burning Bright

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Here’s a question posed by our pastor, Mark Love, recently:
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Why do we work so much? What are we trying to achieve/ensure?

He led off with this and went on to describe the importance of trust. As I sat there, I asked myself what (or who) do I trust in …

technology (?) sometimes…maybe when it works
friends / family (Am I genuinely there for others? Sometimes I don’t feel like I am.)
God – When I want something? Or, it’s convenient?
government (?) – hardly, even though our currency says “we” trust in a higher being

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Proverbs 3:5 (ESV) says –
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

That’s a tough one. Maybe the hardest in the entire Bible, if we really look at it and think about the word “all” as it relates to our hearts. The tiniest specks of pride devoutly holding onto our hardened hearts as they collectively scream “We know better than anyone else!”

Mark said that instead of trusting God, we “kill ourselves trying to figure it out ourselves,” and he then asked, “Are we burning bright?”
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See, if we honestly asked ourselves this question in solitude we would admit we want this, but we burn out instead.

How will 2016 look for you? Me? Us?

Burnout is often fueled by fear, guilt, or greed.
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Fear that I must do more to keep what I have (American Dream). Guilt that I am not enough so I need to prove myself by doing more (status). Greed that I still don’t have enough and need MORE (consumerism).

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Question:
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Are we trading God’s divine plan for our own short-sighted goals?

Oswald Chambers wrote “we must “pitch our tents” where we will always have quiet times with Him, however noisy our times with the world may be. There are not three levels of spiritual life— worship, waiting, and work. Yet some of us seem to jump like spiritual frogs from worship to waiting, and from waiting to work. God’s idea is that the three should go together as one. They were always together in the life of our Lord and in perfect harmony. It is a discipline that must be developed; it will not happen overnight.”

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Brian Tucker — Leave a comment

Sing, Write, Whatever You Do In Life. Offer Your Best.

Had the good fortune of seeing John Mark McMillan play in Chattanooga last night at The Camp House. If you haven’t caught him on his Tongues of Fire tour, I highly recommend it.

I’ve heard this music scene described as a hipster, Jesus convention, but hey, Jesus loves hipsters, too. Right? And we ARE capable of looking away from the skinny jeans, if we try hard enough. (I think I’m just jealous I can’t fit into skinny jeans.)

Anyways…

I couldn’t help but marvel at a performer so on fire for eternal truths, genuine conversation with his audience.

It was great to see a “younger” audience (I’m dating myself, I know) tied into the deeper topics as well. One song which especially stood out to me, and I hadn’t heard before was titled: Future / Past, and the lyrics are below:

“Future / Past” by John Mark McMillan ::

You hold the reins on the sun and the moon
Like horses driven by kings
You cover the mountains, the valleys below
With the breadth of your mighty wings

All treasures of wisdom and things to be known
Are hidden inside your hand
And in this fortunate turn of events
You ask me to be your friend
You ask me to be your friend

And you,
You are my first
You are my last
You are my future and my past

The constellations are swimming inside
The breadth of your desire
Where could I run, where could I hide
from your heart’s jealous fire

All treasures of wisdom and things to be known
Are hidden inside your hand
And in this fortunate turn of events
You ask me to be your friend
You ask me to be your friend

And you,
You are my first
You are my last
You are my future and my past

You are the beginning and the end”

If this were a Sunday school lesson, I’d say ‘Amen,’ and we’d all head home. But, I wanted to bring up the relevance of JMM’s ability to connect with his audience AND deliver a message. The 2 go hand-in-hand. And…he did this in a way I hadn’t seen in a loooong time.

It was refreshing.

He said about halfway through his set that he didn’t know what he’d done before he was writing songs, but he felt like he’d wasted it.

To him, any time prior to songwriting and singing had been squandered.

And, I’m starting to see the need in my own life (writing as an example), to live on purpose. To care for those around me.

I pray the same is happening in your life. Whether it’s singing, songwriting, or whatever gift you have: use it.

It was refreshing to see someone similar in age having such an impact on the world around him. I wanted to post a video of the live environment I was trying to describe above. Hope it works for you:

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Brian Tucker — Leave a comment

Lake Cumberland – KY: Hometown Pride

Recently, Wayne County Judge Executive, Mike Anderson, mentioned a fact I hadn’t heard about the Lake Cumberland – region…ever.

Something that restored some hometown pride.

Being happy with where you’re from on this planet is important, right?

Lake Cumberland – KY.

Great people. Beautiful spot on God’s earth.

And not to say I didn’t believe Mike 100%, but I had to look up the recognition myself. (No offense, Mike.) Just wanted to see it.

And there it was: (#4) on USA Today’s 10 Best locations for Recreational Lakes on a list featuring Havasu, Tahoe, and Big Bear Lakes respectively.

Impressive!

My heart swelled a little bit in reading that. And as tourism returns to this great area of southeastern Kentucky, there will be opportunities for the business owner, the parent, and neighbor alike. My prayer is that God will continue to use the fine people of Somerset-Monticello-Russell Springs-Albany-and-London to create new opportunities, encourage development, and utilize resources for helping others.

Thanks for sharing Mike, et al.

Time to get ‘TOWNS‘ on these lists in 2016. Just like Danville has done, let’s get this region to a status where people want to retire here.

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Brian Tucker — Leave a comment

Integrity – Sleeping Soundly at Night.

Do you rest peacefully at night?

Not a Serta mattress conversation. (I’m not asking about counting sheep.)

I mean, do you feel at peace, when you lay your head down onto the pillow?

Is there a connectedness between you and the day you toiled through? Did hard work bring you a sense of solace?

There’s a lot to be said for the integrity of a hard day’s work. Farmers can say it – physically, Stock Market workers attest to it – mentally, and especially school teachers – spiritually.

The work yields a bit of satisfaction. Doesn’t it? On some level?

Knowing that you remained steadfast, even during the tantrums that a high schooler might’ve thrown.

Whether you adhere to the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule, or neither, this bit about integrity is a universal quality we all possess as human beings.

As William Penn wrote, “Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it.”

Wise man.

So, it doesn’t matter if you are one extreme or another on the Myers – Briggs Personality Test, you are still human and you value honesty, integrity, and mutual respect.

Leaving work 15 minutes before the departure time,
not logging a vacation day you took,
letting someone into the movies without a ticket, etc…these are all ways we can compromise our integrity, and for the believer, our witness.

For these reasons, and the love of the Creator, it’s essential that our actions speak louder, and our Yesses be Yes. And our Nos be No.

Maybe we remember 9/11/01, but may we also strive to live with the urgency of the unknown. None of us know our departure date from earth. For this reason alone, integrity should be key to daily decision-making.

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Brian Tucker — Leave a comment

Proud of Chattanooga

Just weeks after Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez opened fire on a recruiting center–and then, a U.S. Navy Reserve center–in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the town rallied around those families hurting in the aftermath.

On Saturday, August 15th, over 150 Departments of the Navy, plus Chattanooga city officials (& members) came together to host an event for thousands inside UTC’s McKenzie Arena.

Vice President Joe Biden, in attendance, said, “The day will come when this memory brings a smile to your lips, before it brings a tear to your eye,” to families of the fallen.

Lieutenant Commander Timothy White, who witnessed the tragic shootings, added, “They were warriors. They would want us to do our duty with more tenacity and undaunted courage.”

And, U.S. Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus encouraged, “Ordinary people, facing extraordinary circumstances. An ordinary Thursday became a day of extraordinary horror, but also extraordinary heroism.”

Chattanooga rallied. The prayers were heard, and hearts were uplifted. The tragedy still looms, as I see the memorial items along Amnicola Highway driving to work each day. But, the reminder of unity is here as well.

Even in tragedy, God moves.

Chattanooga, often proclaimed as the center of the “Bible belt,” has reacted properly–with love rather than hate. Sure, it alarmed many that Muhammad would resort to violence, because they only saw the good in him previously, as a Chattanoogan.

And the forgiveness is refreshing, because often our first reaction is to crucify.

Others I’ve met (outside of Chattanooga) have reacted as well to this city’s response. One gentleman asked me, “How’s Chattanooga doing since the shooting? I’ve been watching the news, and it seems like such a strong town. My prayers are with you.”

He saw the efforts of city officials and pastors on the news. The town didn’t riot. It regrouped. Prayed for its fallen. Even for the family of the shooter.

The five people who lost their lives on July 16, 2015 have left a model to follow for sure.

Just like James 2:20 cautions, their lives embodied the importance of faith with deeds.

Living it 24/7 ( and not fearing the unknown) is so so powerful a message.

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Brian Tucker — Leave a comment

Who Do I Belong To?

The song is called “To Sand We Return,” and it’s a favorite of mine. Let the words pour over your soul today. Listen to see what God says to you through it. I pray it reaches you as it does me.

To Sand We Return –

Cowering man, a legion of no ones call
Bet it all
Covenant kill, he points to the heavens
Bare with blank stares

Beckoning search in self for his answer
Reckoning, purge, the great fall, the cancer
Settlement comes in wages now he is
Shattered, broke, and all alone

We’ve lost all our control
Our faces fall to the ground
We’re powerless to your voice
Surrender to the sound

What’ll it take to prove our decision’s wrong
Will we fall?
Alone in ourselves there nothing but chaos
Fear end it here

‘Til we concede to drink from the endless
The desert we find ourselves in is hopeless
‘Til we submit and let go the control
We will always be alone

We’ve lost all our control
Our faces fall to the ground
We’re powerless to your voice
Surrender to the sound

We’ve lost all our control
Our faces fall to the ground
And no longer seeming
So shattered, broke and all alone

Who do I belong to?
Not earth, not world
Not evil, not mortals
Not wretches, not horrors

Who do I belong to?
Unchanging, unbreaking
Unfailing, creator
Immortal, eternal

We’ve lost all our control
Our faces fall to the ground
We’re powerless to your voice
Surrender to the sound

Who do I belong to?
Not earth, not world
(Surrender to the sound)
Not evil, not mortals
Not wretches, not horrors
(Surrender to the sound)

Posted on June 3, 2015 by Brian Tucker — Leave a comment

5 Phases of Writing.

5 PHASES OF WRITING (in summary):

Phase 1: The Excitement!

You shout, “This is the BEST thing since sliced bread! I LOVE YOU book! Go make it BIG.” (Click on picture for fun celebratory dance.)

Phase 2: Nervous Nelly.

Question you send to publisher, agent, editor: “Soooo did you love my book?” Followed by sweaty palms galore. (see, Chandler Bing)

Phase 3: Awkward Silence…

…Days, weeks, months.

You say to yourself, “Where is that darn reply?”

Phase 4: Rejection. Rejection. Rejection.

Publisher writes, “We’re sorry but this work just isn’t right for us at this time. We wish you the best with it elsewhere. Keep us in mind for future projects. Thanks.”

Phase 5: The Attempt To Stand Back Up.

Recover. Pick up the spilled milk. March on towards that next publisher, say, “Pick me!”

**All the while not walking with a limp.

May your encounters be sweet in the publishing world this week! Remember: they’re just words typed on a keyboard – somewhere. Nothing personal. Keep at it!

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Brian Tucker — Leave a comment

6 Questions to Ask When Making a Bucket List.

The Bucket. Kicking the Bucket. Passing on. Reaching heaven.

Where do you see your life going in the next few minutes, hours, weeks, years? Do you have a vision of some sort? Is God directing you to a path?

The Bucket List is something many have thought long and hard about since that cheeky 2000s movie starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. But, people thought about it long before that movie as well. They’ve thought about it for thousands of years. Believe it or not.

The 5 Big questions to consider when making this list of yours: Who? Where? What? When? Why?

Who do you hope to be during the course of your days on Earth?
Where do you see your actions, words, etc., taking you?
What are you doing to make this life the best it can be?
When do you see yourself standing up for the life God wants for you?
Why would you alter your current course at all?

These are tough, whether you’re building a Bucket List or not. But, what if we treated everything in our day-to-day lives with a Bucket List mentality? God supreme. Our breath a gift. Where would our map point us?

See, the who, where, what, when, and why give us a full range of questions to help keep our focus on the present. On the progress of each day. Then, if we throw in 1 more question (the How?), we will rarely miss our mark. Because, the How? is self-explanatory. How will we stay on course? – God. (If we answer the How? any other way, it leads us astray.)

So, to go back to the Big 5 (+1 How?) we now have the logic needed to build the best Bucket List ever!

How would you build yours now knowing the purpose behind a life-long Bucket List?

The Brian Tucker Bucket List—

Honor God (and never quit), Become a better husband, truly grateful, Fish for marlin in the Gulf Stream, Write a novel that changes someone’s life, Become a better listener, Go to a “good” concert each and every year, Tithe with a grateful heart, Ride a bull (and/or) run with the bulls, Have a conversation with Charles Portis, Harness my pride and take bold, God-approved stances on issues in our world that would exemplify Christ, Store up treasures in Heaven not Earth, Visit a new continent every 5 years, Be still at least 1 time every day, Play Contra on a drive-in movie theater, Move to Kentucky, have a son, and name him Ken Tucker (safe to say Leah won’t ever stand for that one, I’ve tried), and Travel through the Panama Canal from Atlantic to Pacific Ocean.

Think about yours. Share it as you build it. Write me back.

Here’s a great one I found online—