Christ Is All That Matters
Devoted For Life
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Forgiveness: No More Words Of Death He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalms 103:7-12 NIV Why is it so hard to forgive ourselves? Why do I beat myself up? I marvel at God’s forgiveness. I struggle to grasp God’s love. I marvel and struggle because of my smallness. Nobody appreciates my shortcomings more than me. Too often I limit God because I define myself by my weakness rather than God’s strength. That is sad, and it doesn’t honor the author and sustainer of my life. Nothing is impossible with God. Phil, stop defining yourself by what you are not, and vision what is possible in a called man of God. Last night, friends asked me to talk about my life. I defined a part of my life by what I lost. I described my limitations, limitations that somehow constrain how and what God can do through my life. Underneath this talk is my past: disappointments, failings, shame. I have not forgiven myself. My forgiving Heavenly Father says, “Let’s do this” I say, “Lord, find a better man.” Stop yourself, Phillip. Stop defining yourself. Get over yourself. I am God’s man; I am sacred to Him. That’s all that matters. Phil, trust God who entrusts you with kingdom work. “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” The opening verse of that hymn says, “When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way!” The journey in grace is absolutely glorious. Will I walk in grace? Will I grant myself grace? Lord, stop me. I am tired of telling myself what I can’t do. I must trust without borders, no more talk of limitations, no more words of death. I am called by Your Name. Nothing is impossible with You. Here I am, Lord. All that I have, all that I am is Yours. Christ, not Phil, is all that matters.
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About the Book
Phillip Brown’s life changed forever on a May evening in 2005. He fell twenty-six feet from a roof gable, landing on his shoulders and head. He survived. Twelve staples closed the head wound, but the worst damage was invisible, tucked within the complex webs of his brain. A traumatic brain injury stole everything he thought was his, gifts he took for granted. He began journaling. In Christ Is All That Matters, Brown offers a compilation of essays written in the black of morning, his first waking hours with the God he loves. Chronicling his journey with Christ, he shares the goodness of God at work in his life and tells how God used tragedy to transform his walk with God. Brown puts his heart on paper—his fragility, failures, sorrows, joys, and his hopes and dreams, the conversations he has with God. Every essay engages a singular desire. Each encourages one and all to embrace the God who loves them, the God who keeps them, the God who knows them by name.
About the Author
Phillip Brown is a husband and father to four children. He worked as a master carpenter before experiencing a life-changing accident in May of 2005. Brown began journaling and created a blog for his writings, which became the basis for this book.