Blessings and shalom!
- Brennan
Friday, November 25, 2011
Detour Ahead
Gonna keep this blog title, but all future news about our nonprofit can be found at one of two places:
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
this blog is being absorbed, pretty much
Since my life is a jambalaya of things, I am moving this blog about our nonprofit and meshing it with my other existing blog: http://www.adventuresinrolemodeling.com/.
There, I will continue to write about my kiddos, married life, homeless ministry/outreach, movies I work on, Legos I play with...anything and everything that makes me me.
See you at http://www.adventuresinrolemodeling.com/ soon!
There, I will continue to write about my kiddos, married life, homeless ministry/outreach, movies I work on, Legos I play with...anything and everything that makes me me.
See you at http://www.adventuresinrolemodeling.com/ soon!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
"I send them demons screamin'!"
70 Bibles. Approx. 70 seconds. That's about how fast they went today was we handed out bucks & Bibles to the "VIPs" - what they call the homeless - at Temple of Prayer Christian Fellowship church in downtown Dallas. I'd love to thank Bishop Porter Perry for allowing us to come by and help spread the love, message and Word of Jesus.
We were also super lucky to have a great friend of ours, Brittany - who's also a Director for our nonprofit - and three of her YoungLife crewleaders join us for the ride. They are super awesome at engaging the people and personally ministering to each. Kudos to whoever their mentors are. All of their personal stories about this mission will be on this blog soon. Look for those. I'm serious. Look.
Meantime, I met a man named Jimmy Whitehead, proud father of "the greatest kept secret in college basketball," #24 Jimmy Whitehead, Jr. He plays ball for the Minnesota State Mavericks, who this year made it to the semi-finals in the Division II NCAA tournament before losing out. But no matter, Jimmy Jr's a red shirt freshman, which means he's got time to lead this team to a championship before he eyeballs the pros. And where does Jimmy Sr say he wants him to play? "I'm already here in Texas. He's got his orders. Dallas Mavericks." Nice.
Jimmy Sr served in the Navy during Vietnam, which he says, cut his basketball career short. However, when asked if he can still beat his son in one-on-one he says, "I taught him, but I didn't teach him everything."
See? This is awesome. These are the people who you meet when you step outside your own bubble and venture out into God's world. I was blessed to have met and known Jimmy Whitehead, Sr. We googled on my cell phone and looked up his son's stats and a photo, which looks exactly like his dad. No DNA test needed on this one.
I'm going to make Temple of Prayer a normal stop on our rounds. I'm not sure how often, but I feel it is one of the places God is calling A Couple Bucks & a Bible to keep on the rolodex.
Oh, Jimmy Sr is a street minister as well. He told me, "I send them demons screamin'!"
With enough faith, we all can.
We were also super lucky to have a great friend of ours, Brittany - who's also a Director for our nonprofit - and three of her YoungLife crewleaders join us for the ride. They are super awesome at engaging the people and personally ministering to each. Kudos to whoever their mentors are. All of their personal stories about this mission will be on this blog soon. Look for those. I'm serious. Look.
Meantime, I met a man named Jimmy Whitehead, proud father of "the greatest kept secret in college basketball," #24 Jimmy Whitehead, Jr. He plays ball for the Minnesota State Mavericks, who this year made it to the semi-finals in the Division II NCAA tournament before losing out. But no matter, Jimmy Jr's a red shirt freshman, which means he's got time to lead this team to a championship before he eyeballs the pros. And where does Jimmy Sr say he wants him to play? "I'm already here in Texas. He's got his orders. Dallas Mavericks." Nice.
Jimmy Sr served in the Navy during Vietnam, which he says, cut his basketball career short. However, when asked if he can still beat his son in one-on-one he says, "I taught him, but I didn't teach him everything."
See? This is awesome. These are the people who you meet when you step outside your own bubble and venture out into God's world. I was blessed to have met and known Jimmy Whitehead, Sr. We googled on my cell phone and looked up his son's stats and a photo, which looks exactly like his dad. No DNA test needed on this one.
I'm going to make Temple of Prayer a normal stop on our rounds. I'm not sure how often, but I feel it is one of the places God is calling A Couple Bucks & a Bible to keep on the rolodex.
Oh, Jimmy Sr is a street minister as well. He told me, "I send them demons screamin'!"
With enough faith, we all can.
 |
| Jimmy Sr & I... sideways |
Monday, March 21, 2011
pendantPRAISES
We've added a page called "Gear" to our website that is selling our fundraising jewelry line pendantPRAISES. We also hooked up a spiffy new logo for the line and we are super excited.
Check it out @ http://acouplebucksandabible.org/store.htm and buy something nice for yourself or a loved one.
God Bless.
- Brennan
Check it out @ http://acouplebucksandabible.org/store.htm and buy something nice for yourself or a loved one.
God Bless.
- Brennan
Monday, March 14, 2011
we got a YouTube account!
Round 2 of the paperwork is away! Woo-hoo! Meantime, we are finalizing t-shirt designs and setting up random social media accounts like YouTube!
www.youtube.com/bucksandabible
Check it out! There are no videos yet, but we got a Flip cam so ya never know!
www.youtube.com/bucksandabible
Check it out! There are no videos yet, but we got a Flip cam so ya never know!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
getting out the word about the Word
So we are still doing paperwork. Yep, them's the breaks of nonprofit'ing. However, we are in the midst of building up Team B&B with t-shirts and new biz cards and a few changes to the website - which includes a shorter, more memorable domain name http://www.bucksandabible.com/.
We are like that thoroughbred at the gates. Waiting to get our 501(c)(3) status. Once that gate flies open, we are gonna tear up the dirt with what we want to do all around the track.
Keep praying, keep serving/giving. Keep doing the WWJD? plan as best you can.
Go Team B&B!
God Bless!
We are like that thoroughbred at the gates. Waiting to get our 501(c)(3) status. Once that gate flies open, we are gonna tear up the dirt with what we want to do all around the track.
Keep praying, keep serving/giving. Keep doing the WWJD? plan as best you can.
Go Team B&B!
God Bless!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
paperwork, baits & switches
Round two of the 501(c)(3) paperwork has come in. So that means we are one step closer to our goal. Well, first we need to fill it all out, but then...we will take the streets by storm!
Meantime, we still hand out the Bibles and talk with the homeless, but on a smaller scale. Our grand mission is to reach as many people as there are that need to hear the Word and be moved by It. And the $2? One of our Twitter friends recently suggested that as "bait and switch in action." Ha! Probably so.
It's true that we don't necessarily care what the homeless do with the dollar bills, that's not our focus. If it acts as a hook, as our slogan suggests, then BINGO! Nailed it. Another person has the Book. Another person has the opportunity to read the Truth. Another person has the ability to return to God's flock. Another person has the ability to use Jesus as the way out of their predicament. Another person has the ability to then go out amongst the world and fish for others, as they are now fishermen themselves.
In all liklihood, the money goes to food. We've met countless men and women on our journey thus far who are only looking for a way out and good meal as they go.
I used to think that all the money handed out to the homeless people on the corner went to drugs, beer, etc. I used to think a lot of things. That's before I stopped watching and guessing, and starting doing and knowing.
Our organization can only help as long we are supported by a concerned community. Donations until we are a 501(c)(3) are out of the kindness of hearts and are needed and appreciated, yet not fiscally rewarded. Tax deductions come later...
God Bless!
-Brennan
Meantime, we still hand out the Bibles and talk with the homeless, but on a smaller scale. Our grand mission is to reach as many people as there are that need to hear the Word and be moved by It. And the $2? One of our Twitter friends recently suggested that as "bait and switch in action." Ha! Probably so.
It's true that we don't necessarily care what the homeless do with the dollar bills, that's not our focus. If it acts as a hook, as our slogan suggests, then BINGO! Nailed it. Another person has the Book. Another person has the opportunity to read the Truth. Another person has the ability to return to God's flock. Another person has the ability to use Jesus as the way out of their predicament. Another person has the ability to then go out amongst the world and fish for others, as they are now fishermen themselves.
In all liklihood, the money goes to food. We've met countless men and women on our journey thus far who are only looking for a way out and good meal as they go.
I used to think that all the money handed out to the homeless people on the corner went to drugs, beer, etc. I used to think a lot of things. That's before I stopped watching and guessing, and starting doing and knowing.
Our organization can only help as long we are supported by a concerned community. Donations until we are a 501(c)(3) are out of the kindness of hearts and are needed and appreciated, yet not fiscally rewarded. Tax deductions come later...
God Bless!
-Brennan
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
A Life Renewed
April owned the stage when she spoke about our mission tonight at Dallas Life Foundation!!! She was a little nervous at first, but God put on her heart what to say moments before she was called up and BOOYAH! Owned it!
We were invited to the Dallas Life Foundation by our friend and musician Sean Haynes who rocked the mic with his band. That room was filled with the Spirit, let me tell you! And so is Sean. That dude exudes the good Word and has the Holy Spirit shooting out of him like laser beams. He graciously allowed April on stage twice, as well as originally acknowledging us at the beginning of the night, which sparked that Bible fever in the room! We passed out half of our stock before the end of the night!
Word was spreading...and that Word was good!
A little miracle moment:
After the music was over, and the Bibles were handed out, a man named David, who was in a wheelchair, came up to me asking for one. I apologized that I had just run out, but told him we'd be back. He looked at me and said...
"But I won't."
"Well, why not?" I asked.
"I'm gonna be getting an apartment."
Well, after hearing that, I was glad he'd be gone. And just about that time, I remembered we always keep a few Bibles in the glove compartment for random acts of giving. I told David that I'd go grab one, and to hang tight.
I walked over to April and a man - can't remember his name, maybe "Raphael?" - came up and told me to remember Psalm 139: 23, 24. He told me that I will meet a man who doesn't want to talk about Jesus, who will be lost, and adamant about keeping up his walls...although he will, in his heart, want to tear that wall down. (Not his exact words, but I'm in the ballpark.) And when I meet this man, I will need to read him the verses. And then he handed me $25. He told me that the man who was read those verses, will use that money and his life will be changed forever.
I sent April a text of the Bible verses so I'd remember, thinking this may be days, weeks down the road. I ran out to my car, grabbed a couple Bibles, and walked back inside. I spotted David and walked over to him and motioned at the Bible in my pocket. He told me not to worry about it. He didn't want me to get caught handing him one, because we had several people want one after I ran out. He didn't want to be a bother. I told him that I promised him one, so he's getting one.
We moved closer to the door and I pulled out the Bible. Curious about those Psalm verses, I said...
"Here's your Bible, but first let me read these verses this guy just told me about."
He was cool and I flipped to the verses and read them aloud...
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
I looked at David when I was done and he had tears in his eyes. He told me...
"Man, you have no idea how much that just hit me. You have no idea."
He was moved. I mean MOVED by these words. I couldn't help but feel that this was the man Raphael had told me I would meet. And while he didn't seem outwardly walled up or anti-Jesus talk, his tears said something else about what was going on inside.
I told David about Raphael. And that he told me that this verse was gonna hit home with someone. And that someone was going to be given the $25 to help change their lives for the better. That someone was David.
A complete miracle all in one evening. And I say miracle because I don't believe in coincidences. There are over 31,000 verses in the Bible. I was given two, back-to-back. The only two that David - who doesn't know Raphael from Adam - needed to hear. Now he's back on the path with Jesus because of it.
After I told him the story, I suggested he go over and pray with April, as several others had already done. He did, and they stood in a moment of prayer for a good while. The three of them - April, David and Jesus - had a good talk...
We were invited to the Dallas Life Foundation by our friend and musician Sean Haynes who rocked the mic with his band. That room was filled with the Spirit, let me tell you! And so is Sean. That dude exudes the good Word and has the Holy Spirit shooting out of him like laser beams. He graciously allowed April on stage twice, as well as originally acknowledging us at the beginning of the night, which sparked that Bible fever in the room! We passed out half of our stock before the end of the night!
Word was spreading...and that Word was good!
A little miracle moment:
After the music was over, and the Bibles were handed out, a man named David, who was in a wheelchair, came up to me asking for one. I apologized that I had just run out, but told him we'd be back. He looked at me and said...
"But I won't."
"Well, why not?" I asked.
"I'm gonna be getting an apartment."
Well, after hearing that, I was glad he'd be gone. And just about that time, I remembered we always keep a few Bibles in the glove compartment for random acts of giving. I told David that I'd go grab one, and to hang tight.
I walked over to April and a man - can't remember his name, maybe "Raphael?" - came up and told me to remember Psalm 139: 23, 24. He told me that I will meet a man who doesn't want to talk about Jesus, who will be lost, and adamant about keeping up his walls...although he will, in his heart, want to tear that wall down. (Not his exact words, but I'm in the ballpark.) And when I meet this man, I will need to read him the verses. And then he handed me $25. He told me that the man who was read those verses, will use that money and his life will be changed forever.
I sent April a text of the Bible verses so I'd remember, thinking this may be days, weeks down the road. I ran out to my car, grabbed a couple Bibles, and walked back inside. I spotted David and walked over to him and motioned at the Bible in my pocket. He told me not to worry about it. He didn't want me to get caught handing him one, because we had several people want one after I ran out. He didn't want to be a bother. I told him that I promised him one, so he's getting one.
We moved closer to the door and I pulled out the Bible. Curious about those Psalm verses, I said...
"Here's your Bible, but first let me read these verses this guy just told me about."
He was cool and I flipped to the verses and read them aloud...
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
I looked at David when I was done and he had tears in his eyes. He told me...
"Man, you have no idea how much that just hit me. You have no idea."
He was moved. I mean MOVED by these words. I couldn't help but feel that this was the man Raphael had told me I would meet. And while he didn't seem outwardly walled up or anti-Jesus talk, his tears said something else about what was going on inside.
I told David about Raphael. And that he told me that this verse was gonna hit home with someone. And that someone was going to be given the $25 to help change their lives for the better. That someone was David.
A complete miracle all in one evening. And I say miracle because I don't believe in coincidences. There are over 31,000 verses in the Bible. I was given two, back-to-back. The only two that David - who doesn't know Raphael from Adam - needed to hear. Now he's back on the path with Jesus because of it.
After I told him the story, I suggested he go over and pray with April, as several others had already done. He did, and they stood in a moment of prayer for a good while. The three of them - April, David and Jesus - had a good talk...
Monday, January 31, 2011
Word on the...hearts!
We are gearing up to blast the countryside with our message and try to partner with just about every homeless outreach group who wants to partner with us.
If you read this and know of any programs who aren't signed up with us, please let them know who we are and what we're about.
And that's spreading the Word on the street, and on the hearts!
If you read this and know of any programs who aren't signed up with us, please let them know who we are and what we're about.
And that's spreading the Word on the street, and on the hearts!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
The Face of Homelessness
We attended "The Face of Homelessness" last night at Collin College. It was being held my several different outreach programs in the Collin County area, aimed at educating the public-at-large that, yes, there are homeless people outside of Downtown Dallas.
I knew about 5% of this. The other 95% has moved us to extend our reach, and we hope to partner with a bunch of organizations in Collin County as to spread the Word to our friends there as well.
If we could get a couple bucks and a Bible into every homeless hand, that would be amazing. However, the problem of homelessness is likely never-ending. This means, our job is never-ending as well.
Here's a Facebook page that correlates to last night's event: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=304581769180
God Bless and have a splendid day!
I knew about 5% of this. The other 95% has moved us to extend our reach, and we hope to partner with a bunch of organizations in Collin County as to spread the Word to our friends there as well.
If we could get a couple bucks and a Bible into every homeless hand, that would be amazing. However, the problem of homelessness is likely never-ending. This means, our job is never-ending as well.
Here's a Facebook page that correlates to last night's event: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=304581769180
God Bless and have a splendid day!
Monday, January 24, 2011
we've got a dot org!
Check out http://www.acouplebucksandabible.org/ for all of our goings-on and for ways to help us serve the homeless!
This blog will still serve to keep everyone apprised of the day-to-day happenings and what-nots, while the actual stand alone website will make us look more official-like. Now, all we need are some business cards...
This blog will still serve to keep everyone apprised of the day-to-day happenings and what-nots, while the actual stand alone website will make us look more official-like. Now, all we need are some business cards...
Friday, January 21, 2011
patience is still a virtue, right?
So far so good on getting the 501c3 status. Had a few paperwork issues last week, but all is hopefully well now! I heard these things take a while.
Can't wait to get the official word...
Can't wait to get the official word...
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
have you WWJD'd today?
It's impossible to live as Jesus Christ did. Not. A. Chance. However, it is possible to try our darndest to emulate what He did via a day-to-day type of thing. So that's why...
...we ask if you've WWJD'd today? Literal translation: "Have you 'What Would Jesus Do'-ed." What we actually mean: "Have you acted in a Jesus-like way towards others...and towards yourself?"
Have you gone out of your way - your bubble - to serve others? Just a question, not a pointed finger. Think about it...
May God bless you, and have a merriment-filled day!
...we ask if you've WWJD'd today? Literal translation: "Have you 'What Would Jesus Do'-ed." What we actually mean: "Have you acted in a Jesus-like way towards others...and towards yourself?"
Have you gone out of your way - your bubble - to serve others? Just a question, not a pointed finger. Think about it...
May God bless you, and have a merriment-filled day!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Jack in the Box guy recap
Remember that guy's bike we wrote about at Jack in the Box? Well, we went back up there to eat this morning and he was there. This time, we went in to eat.
I walked over and talked to the guy, asking him if he liked the Bible we gave him.
"I've got a bunch of versions of it."
"Yea, well, this is the good one."
I slipped him a buck - we didn't have our gear on us. He had also mentioned that...
"I already used it!"
I was hoping he meant the Bible, but he was referring to the two bucks. Either way, he is now without excuse. And who knows? Maybe he's not trying to give any.
Just an update. That's all.
I walked over and talked to the guy, asking him if he liked the Bible we gave him.
"I've got a bunch of versions of it."
"Yea, well, this is the good one."
I slipped him a buck - we didn't have our gear on us. He had also mentioned that...
"I already used it!"
I was hoping he meant the Bible, but he was referring to the two bucks. Either way, he is now without excuse. And who knows? Maybe he's not trying to give any.
Just an update. That's all.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
we're a non-profit corp!
Okay gang. So we are officially a non-profit corporation as recognized by the government! Got our board of directors lined up. Our bylaws drafted. The works.
Phase 1: Become a legit non-profit corp...COMPLETE!
Now we await Phase 2: 501c3 status...
Phase 1: Become a legit non-profit corp...COMPLETE!
Now we await Phase 2: 501c3 status...
Garland Wal-Mart off I-30
Standing with my mom and April going over wedding invitations lists and other what-nots, an older man approached us, showing us a stack of flyers that he was handing out.
"See this stack," he said using his hands, then extending them out to illustrate, "Used to be much bigger."
He was handing out the flyers in exchange for $25 from some company far enough away that he and his co-workers had to get in a "little ol' red truck" and drive there. And the truck was low on gas.
Now I fancy myself as someone who can read people. And their intentions. It's a God-given gift of mine. No lie. And I read this man's sincerity when he asked if we had any money to help buy gas. It just so happened...
...I had a backpack full of our gear that we used earlier scouting the streets of downtown Dallas. I reached in the car and pulled out a couple bucks and a Bible and handed it to him.
"Thanks man, I got it now.'
I pointed at the Bible and said, "You got it ALL now."
"I sure did, and I'm gonna go to your ministry. I promise."
I guess he misunderstood that when I told him we have an outreach ministry, that we didn't also have an actual building in which we reach from. Nevertheless, he loved that Bible.
My mom also handed him $5 and he walked away, very thankful for the help. Off to get his hard-earned $25 with his pals.
As he went I yelled, "God bless!"
"See this stack," he said using his hands, then extending them out to illustrate, "Used to be much bigger."
He was handing out the flyers in exchange for $25 from some company far enough away that he and his co-workers had to get in a "little ol' red truck" and drive there. And the truck was low on gas.
Now I fancy myself as someone who can read people. And their intentions. It's a God-given gift of mine. No lie. And I read this man's sincerity when he asked if we had any money to help buy gas. It just so happened...
...I had a backpack full of our gear that we used earlier scouting the streets of downtown Dallas. I reached in the car and pulled out a couple bucks and a Bible and handed it to him.
"Thanks man, I got it now.'
I pointed at the Bible and said, "You got it ALL now."
"I sure did, and I'm gonna go to your ministry. I promise."
I guess he misunderstood that when I told him we have an outreach ministry, that we didn't also have an actual building in which we reach from. Nevertheless, he loved that Bible.
My mom also handed him $5 and he walked away, very thankful for the help. Off to get his hard-earned $25 with his pals.
As he went I yelled, "God bless!"
Monday, January 3, 2011
hello there
We hope you all had a fabulous NYE outing, and hope God shines down upon you blessings like none other for 2011! We are still in the process of 501c3'ng...which apparently takes some minutes, so...
In the meantime, April and I plan on hitting the streets at regular intervals to continue to get the Word out and spread the love that Jesus wants spread. Like we heard at church yesterday, it's all about the heart.
How's your heart doing? Is it bursting with love and a yearning to give? With compassion and with the beat of a Christian servant? If it is, that is wonderful. If it isn't, that's okay, too. You can't force it, but it will happen when it needs to happen if you allow it to.
As long as your heart is open to Jesus, His blessings will enter.
Sorry for than little mini-sermon, there. Well, I'm not sorry actually, but I'm not sure where that came from. We really just wanted to keep people updated on the cause. This was just a bonus. A cherry on top of a delicious tres leches cake. Mmm...tres leches...
God Bless!
In the meantime, April and I plan on hitting the streets at regular intervals to continue to get the Word out and spread the love that Jesus wants spread. Like we heard at church yesterday, it's all about the heart.
How's your heart doing? Is it bursting with love and a yearning to give? With compassion and with the beat of a Christian servant? If it is, that is wonderful. If it isn't, that's okay, too. You can't force it, but it will happen when it needs to happen if you allow it to.
As long as your heart is open to Jesus, His blessings will enter.
Sorry for than little mini-sermon, there. Well, I'm not sorry actually, but I'm not sure where that came from. We really just wanted to keep people updated on the cause. This was just a bonus. A cherry on top of a delicious tres leches cake. Mmm...tres leches...
God Bless!
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