October 1st was a day of real worship for me. I woke to a beautiful morning, and thanked my Father in Heaven for its quiet splendor. At church, the worship in our RockiTown kid's church was amazing- kids singing out loud with all their voice & heart, spontaneously standing, raising hands, closing their eyes, etc. We could feel the presence & pleasure of God in that room, both hours. I enjoyed an afternoon with Lisa, talking and swinging on the porch, as our girls were off with friends. It was satisfying, intimate fellowship and conversation. At the evening service, a group called "Praise in Motion" led us in worship through ballet set to praise music. It was captivating. Young women dancing their worship of God was a beautiful sight, and our hearts were caught up the moment. Women are so exploited in our society, yet this was their beauty as God intended it to be seen. On the way home, I saw a colorful sunset, painted across the sky as with brushstrokes, and I worshipped as I rode.
Worship is so much more than standing and singing some songs out of a book, or listening to someone else sing, "Amazing Grace." Real worship is our response to the presence of God, and flows freely from us when we open ourselves to experience Him. That is often out in His creation for me- and yet today it was with His people, in two different settings. It was an extraordinary day.
Rob

Wednesday I took the day off to do something with my parents & brothers that we never have done before- we all went for a motorcycle ride! One of my brothers flew in from TX, the other came up from Locust Grove, and they both rented bikes, then we all went for a day of riding together. We rode through towns all around Lake Oconee where my parents live, and it was an incredible time. We also stopped in Rutledge for lunch together, just the "original Brooks 5", another thing we haven't done since we were all back in school.
Yet as our day came to a close, it all ended on a sour note. I had left for my home, and my dad, mom, and brothers rode the rentals back. Mark took one bike, Rick the other, and on the way there, my dad got to ride Rick's rental some. Not far down the road, in a tight corner, my dad lost control of the big bike, went into the dirt/pinestraw in the corner, and slid out, himself flying off the bike. He sustained 5 rib fractures, 3 pelvic fractures, and ended up at Atlanta Medical Center. Amazingly, upon x-ray, his bones had all reconnected, and everything was where it was supposed to be! By Thursday p.m., the docs sent him home, saying, "There's nothing we can do for you here that you can't do for yourself- Go home!" Today, he is sore & stiff, but getting around pretty good. I told him he's like an old wild turkey- wrinkly, stubborn, and tough. He even plans to get back on and ride again in a few weeks- in his OWN bike, thankfully!
I'm blessed with great families- both in the one I was born into, and the one I nurture now.
Rob

I just got back from a 4-day road trip with my dad. We rode our bikes up into N. Carolina to the Blue Ridge Parkway, and rode it, the Cherohala Skyway, the Foothills Parkway, and famed "Tail of the Dragon", US 129, among other roads in NC, TN & N. Ga. Four days of fun riding, breathtaking mountains & valleys, and great fellowship with my father, and our Father. Riding up there in the higher elevations of the Smoky Mountains is both awe-inspiring and dangerous. A fellow biker wiped out up on the Blue Ridge, right after this picture was made, and we were the first to come up on him and help. The sights we saw, the experiences we had, and fellowship we enjoyed made it among the most memorable times of my life. We both found a deeper friendship as father and son, and found a deeper worship and intimacy with our Heavenly Father, up there on those roads, among those mountains. The sad part is always when the journey ends, and you must come back to civilization (such as it is!). And yet I know, from the very heart of God, that a day will come when the adventure will never end, the discoveries will never cease, the fellowship will never be broken, and the beauty will be eternal & unblemished. For then, as Tolkien wrote, "The road goes ever on..."
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, what God has prepared for those who love Him..." 1 Corinthians 2:9
Rob
p.s. Check out some of our ride pics- http://spiritriders.net/v-web/gallery/

Yesterday I turned 43 years old (young). I had spent the morning riding my bike and meeting my parents for lunch, and when my girls got home from school, they said they each wanted to take me out for my birthday present. I went to the mall with Anlsey, then to a motorcycle shop with Kelsey. I had two great "daddy & daughter" times, in the same day! When Kels and I got back to the house, we walked in and "SURPRISE!!!" a bunch of the RockiTown leaders and families shocked me nearly to death with a birthday party! I nearly had a heart attack! Totally caught me by surprise. I'll post some pics as soon as some of them send me a few. Anyway, we ate, talked, laughed together on into the evening. What a great time it was. The older I get, the less I expect big things for birthdays (you want to forget them, if possible!), but the more I look forward to times with family and good friends. And these folks are among my very closest friends. I'm thankful for family and friends in the Lord- we'll always have each other in Him!
Rob

This past week Lisa & I spent our 19th wedding anniversary in Perdido Key, Florida. We had some much-needed alone time, and we got to do some fun things down there as well. We ate at several local favorite restaurants, took long walks down the beach, and visited the nearby Pensacola Naval Air Museum. That was a fascinating trip! We also found the Pensacola Lighthouse, the first one built on the Gulf Coast. It is 150 ft. high, and 175 steps to the top! The weather for our time was warm and mostly sunny, and we completely enjoyed being away from the busyness of our daily lives. I think the older I get, and the longer Lisa & I are together, the more I deeply love her, and the more I want to do things together with her. The girls are everything to us, but we know one day soon they will go on to make their own lives. When they do, we want to make sure we don't have to get reacquainted, that we can spend the rest of our lives enjoying the years together.

This past Sunday we did a special promotion for our 5th graders before they move up to middle school this week. We had a gameshow for all of them to be contestants in, they selected all the music, and we showed funny video highlights they wanted to see from the past several years. I challenged them to have courage, make wise choices, and follow Christ, based on the story of Paul's nephew in Acts 23. I gave them an equation for life, to sum up what we hoped for them-

Live what you learn + Do the right thing = God's blessings

Good code to live by- so few Christians today learn (much less live) God's Word, so few make wise choices based on His Word, and yet they all want God's blessings. We told the kids that God honors those who honor Him. That's a truth all of God's "children" need to heed.
Rob

This past weekend one of our well-known children's leaders lost his wife to cancer. She had only been diagnosed with it back the end of June, and now she was gone. The shock and sadness of a loss so sudden and unexpected was hard to comprehend. I was thinking about it today, because so far in my life, I've not lost anyone really close to me. It was sad when each of my grandparents died, but I was not extremely close to any of them, since they had lived far away most of my life. When I think about my own parents aging, and about getting older myself, I find myself thinking about Heaven and eternity more. Its hard for us to imagine it, since all we know is this life, this place. I can't imagine the pain it will be when my parents pass on, or if my wife, girls, brothers, or close friends were to die. But we live in this life for only a short while, then God promises us a place of no tears, no goodbyes, no ending. The older I get, the more I find comfort in that, though I can't completely comprehend it yet.
No more death, no more goodbyes, no more funerals- How I long for that day!
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes,..." Revelation 7:17
Rob

We got back today from an overnight caving trip with a group of our graduated 5th graders. We took them up to Sweetwater, TN to the Lost Sea Caverns. We arrived for supper and then the standard "tourist" tour- a view of the special formations, the walking tour, and the glass-bottom boat ride on the underground lake. Then we got "The Wild Tour"- with guides, we climbed, crawled, and squeezed our way through undeveloped parts of the caverns over about 2 hours. It was a blast! We got dirty, tired, and were definitely cured of any claustrophobia we may have had! We then camped out in the caverns, and left after breakfast this morning. The whole trip was a great time to spend with our 5th graders before they move up to middle school in a couple of weeks. We also spent some time talking about things they will face in their teen years, and how to keep anchored to Christ. I pray that the kids coming up and through our kid's ministry will "live what they learned", and always remember the times we have shared together.
Rob

I'm writing this from Kid's Camp, up in Anderson, SC. We finished our final night here, and its been an amazing week! We carried 378 kids & leaders here, and have enjoyed awesome, fun worship with Brent Weber, crazy daily comedy skits with our teen intern team, great water games with our Rec. staff, lots of swimming at the city water park, and good Bible studies on the "Armor of God". Tonight, we shared the Gospel of salvation with the camp, and had 27 kids want to trust Jesus Christ! Then we had a celebration talent show, and it was so much fun watching our kids cheer each other on. Truly, its been one of those times that, even as an adult you find yourself thinking, "I would love to just stay in this moment, feel this love & joy, enjoy this family-feel, forever." And we will, one day in Heaven. This has definitely been a little taste of what's to come. I'm drinking this up, looking forward to the day we'll never "put the cup down".
Rob

4th of July weekend was a great time for me and my family. My brother, Rick, came from Texas with his family, and my youngest brother, Mark, was there all weekend, as well. It had been several years since our whole family was together at one time- we had not even been able to get together on major holidays in at least 3 years, maybe longer! We all spent Sunday through Tuesday together- my family, Rick's family, Mark, and my Mom & Dad. It was refreshing to be all together again. As kids, my brothers and I fought constantly; now, we look forward to times we can be together. Its funny- I'm the oldest, but I'm often mistaken as the youngest! I'm the shortest, have the most hair, and the least gray. I certainly enjoy that, and rub it in with them when I can!
Its always good to get together with those who mean alot to you, yet always sad to say goodbye. I look forward to the day, in Heaven, when ALL those we have loved, those who have followed Christ, will celebrate together, and never say goodbye. What a reunion that will be....
Rob

I was reading in Psalms the other morning, and found myself in Psalm 42. It begins with the following- "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for Thee, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God?"
I got thinking about that, how David hungered and thirsted for fellowship with the living Lord. We often "thirst" for so many other things- recognition, material things, relationships, etc. Yet Jesus says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." I often chase after the wrong things, and thirst for things that won't really satisfy my soul. David had it right- those who thirst for God, who really devote their lives to knowing, loving, and living for Him, they will be deeply and eternally satisfied. That's where I want to find my thirst quenched, as well.
Rob

We just finished a week of Vacation Bible School, and it was a blast! We did a western theme called "Treasure Canyon", sharing with kids the real treasure of knowing Jesus Christ as one's Savior and Lord, and living for Heaven with Him, where the real treasure is. We had over 1700 attend every day, and saw 101 kids come to Jesus Christ. A lot of people made this incredible week happen, and I'm amazed at how our folks pour themselves heart and soul into this every year. It takes so much work to get ready for, and it is so much fun all week, its almost sad when it over! Oh well, Camp is up next, and that's always a big time, too!
Rob

This weekend I had a most amazing, memorable experience. I got to perform a wedding renewal ceremony of my good friends, Tommy & Tracy. They have been through much difficulty over the last few years, and I have been privileged to be there to help, encourage, and support them through it all. As Tracy wanted to surprise Tommy with this ceremony on their anniversary, I was overwhelmed with the tremendous honor to be asked to perform it. As they stood before each other, and their girls stood with them, I thought about everything that brought all of us to this point. I thought, "Of all the places I could be, and of all the things I could have done with my life- I wouldn't trade being here with them today for anything in the world." So often ministry is hard, thankless work, but when you really get involved with people and live life together, its very humbling and rewarding to be there in the important, memorable times in their lives. I love what I do- moments like that with Tommy & Tracy, and times like RockiTown, VBS, camps, etc., make the difficulties of ministry worth it all.
Rob

A couple of mornings ago I was reading Psalm 15. King David asks the question, "Lord, who may live in your tent, and who maydwell on your holy hill?" In other words, who can live in close fellowship with God, and who can live in Heaven with Him? He then lists qualities that are acceptable to God:
A walk of integrity & honor- v.2
acts of righteousness- v.2
truthful speech- v.2
doesn't bad mouth others- v.3
doesn't do harm to others- v.3
doesn't pick up and hold a grudge against a friend- v.3
despises perverts- v.4
respects & looks up to those who follow the Lord- v.4
keeps his word, even if it hurts- v.4
doesn't lend to others with interest- v.5
doesn't take bribes against others- v.5

This sounds like a good creed to live by. If more of us lived by these, we would make a greater difference in the world.
Rob

Last Sunday in RockiTown (our children's church), we talked about Heaven- how long is eternity, what will it be like, etc. I asked the kids to imagine two things- picture the most beautiful place they have ever seen in their young lives, and the most wonderful experience they have had in their life so far. Those are times we wish time would just stand still, and we could stay in them forever. Then I said that is a taste of Heaven- where "All good things will never come to an end!"
I picture Heaven as everything beautiful and breathtaking in this life, multiplied a thousand times over- all the beauty of spring & fall, sunrise & sunset, mountains & tropics, etc., all at once, forever. All those we have ever loved, and all those we have ever read or heard about, who knew Jesus Christ and loved the Father, all together for the ultimate family reunion, never to say goodbye again. And best of all- the visible, personal presence of God, always and forever.
With all the struggles and trials of this life, its a wonderful thing to look forward to, and to get a little taste of here, from time to time.
"Eye has not seen, nor ear has heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, what God has in store for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9
Rob

Friday night I had a very special honor conferred upon me. First Baptist Snellville was hosting a banquet for their graduating seniors, and each had been given the opportunity to invite those who had been an important spiritual influence in their lives. Each one that had grown up at the church had named me, their old children's pastor. When the invitation had come to me a week before, I was amazed and humbled. I have been gone from Snellville for almost 7 years, and they still remembered the impact I had made in their lives, and wanted me there for their special night. And what a special night it was! Some I recognized, others had to jog my memory a little, but all remembered me. One after the other came to me, recounting memories of their years in my children's ministry, sharing laughs and smiles together, and thanking me for leading them to love God and live for Him. Many came to know Christ while in the children's ministry, I baptized most of them, saw them begin to grow in their walks with Christ. Ansley my oldest daughter came with me, and many remembered her as a child there too. I saw parents, old Sunday School teachers, former staff members, even graduates from previous years who came back for the night as well. They publicly recognized me, I was in the slide show, and even got to pray over a group of them as the night ended.
To be remembered like that, and after so many years, was an indescribable experience for me. I was so honored to be there, and honored to have been used by our Father to help shape their lives for Him. I don't do what I do for any earthly recognition or reward, but that night blessed me beyond measure. I hope to continue to live my life and minister in Christ's name, and experience events like this for the rest of my years- and one day, hear my Father say, "Well done."
"I thank my God in my every rememberance of you,..." Philippians 1:3
Rob

Over the weekend I watched the movie, "Kingdom of Heaven", about the crusades of the 1100's and the battle for Jerusalem between the European Crusaders and the Muslim armies of Saladin. Although I don't entirely endorse the movie, I was fascinated by the "Knight's Oath" that Godfrey (played by Liam Neeson) gives to his son Balian (Orlando Bloom), before he dies. Here it is-
"Be without fear in the face of your enemies;
Be brave and upright, that God may love thee;
Speak the truth, always, even if it leads to your death;
Safeguard the helpless;
And do no wrong.
That is your oath."
Although we know that God loves us whether we are brave or not, this oath is amazing. It is a call to live with honor, to be a man (or woman) of true character, and to be selfless and compassionate. Not qualities often promoted in our world today. Yet that is how I want to conduct my life, how I want to be known and remembered. Not for any lasting glory or legacy for me, but to honor Christ, who was and is all these qualities. He is reason enough.
Rob

This past week our Hebron motorcycle group had the privilege of escorting the Moving Wall to Dacula. The Wall is a traveling half-scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC, making its way across the country. Hebron hosted it this weekend out on our property facing the post office. We were invited to ride with CMA in a motorcycle escort of the memorial from Lawrenceville to our town. We rode in formation behind its transport truck, carrying it all the way out 316 to Dacula, with full police escort out front and behind. It was a tremendous honor to participate in the motorcade, and an honor to help others remember our veterans and their fallen comrades from the war. We had a total of 18 bikes in the motorcade, joining 5 police motorcycles and 2 police cars. We have pictures posted at the Spirit Riders website- www.spiritriders.net . It was an event I'll always remember.

Rob

Sunday night our motorcycle group went to prison! We joined Terry Buice of Barnabas Prison Ministry at Gwinnett Prison to help conduct a worship service for the inmates. Terry works in several prisons full-time, counseling and assisting inmates in many ways. We go in with him on Sunday nights from time to time to help with worship services. After some spirited music and singing (hearing a room full of inmates singing hymns and songs to God is amazing), I got to preach, and I talked on Real Freedom in Christ: getting free from the sins that imprison and enslave us. After I finished, 5 men wanted to place their faith in Jesus Christ, several more wanted prayer for struggles in their lives, and 4 were getting ready to go home by the end of the month, so we prayed over them, for their paths to continue with God. In all, it was an amazing, Spirit-filled night. So often, like those inmates, people must hit rock-bottom from their own bad choices before they look to the God who loves them and can redeem their lives. I find that in many of those men, and too little out here in the "free world." We get imprisoned by so many things in our lives- the only real freedom comes from knowing and living with the One who created, knows, and loves us.
"If the Son has set you free, then you are truly free." -Jesus

I was on vacation last week during Spring Break, and had a unique opportunity to do something I never have before in my life- I went motorcycle riding with my dad. We have never owned bikes at the same time over the years, and now we do. So, we made family history! We rode around Lake Oconee across 2 days, and my mom even hopped on and rode some as well. For me, it was an amazing time- out on the open country roads, in beautiful weather, riding with my old biker dad. He first began riding in 1957, on a chopped/bobbed '54 Triumph. He's owned various Triumphs over the years, but has been off bikes for about 15 years. Rebuilding and riding that little Yamaha, and getting out on the road with me, was a memorable time. We had a great couple of days, and my mom took tons of pictures while riding on the back of my bike. You can see them at www.spiritriders.net on the "Photo Gallery" page.
What I came away with? Savor every moment with those you love, and even make memories with them when you can- you'll carry those memories the rest of your life, long after the events and people are gone.
Rob