Saturday 31 January 2009

Young Brooke

I am currently reading a book called 'Crazy love ' by Francis Chan.
"Chan writes with infectious exuberance challenging Christians to take the Bible seriously.He describes at length the sorry state of 'lukewarm" Christians who strive for a life characterized by control, safely , and an absence of suffering.In stark contrast ,the book offers real life accounts of believers who have given time ,money,health, even their lives- in obedience to Christ 's call.Chan also recounts his own attempts to live 'crazy ' by significantly downsizing his home and giving away his resources to the poor.Earnest Christians will find valuable take-home lessons from Chan 's excellent book "-Publisher 's Weekly.
I was specially challenged by the story of Brooke Bronkowski.

"Brooke Bronkowski was a beautiful fourteen-year-old girl who was in love with Jesus. When she was in junior high she started a Bible study on her campus. She spent her babysitting money on Bibles so she could give them to her unsaved friends. Youth pastors who heard about this bought her boxes of Bibles to give away. Brooke wrote the following essay when she was twelve years old it will give you an idea what kind of a girl she was.

SINCE I HAVE MY LIFE BEFORE ME

By Brooke Bronkowski

I’ll live my life to the fullest. I’ll be happy. I’ll brighten up. I will be more joyful than I have ever been. I will be kind to others. I will loosen up. I will tell others about Christ. I will go on adventures and change the world. I will be bold and not change who I really am. I will have no troubles but instead help others with their troubles.
You see, I’ll be one of those people who live to be history makers at a young age. Oh, I’ll have moments, good and bad, but I’ll wipe away the bad and only remember the good. In fact that’s all I remember, just good moments, nothing in between, just living my life to the fullest. I’ll be one of those people who go somewhere with a mission, an awesome plan, a world-changing plan, and nothing will hold me back. I’ll set an example for others, I will pray for direction.
I have my life before me. I will give others the joy I have and God will give me more joy. I will do everything God tells me to do. I will follow the footsteps of God. I will do my best!!!

During her freshman year in high school, Brooke was in a car accident while driving to the movies. Her life on earth ended when she was just fourteen, but her impact didn’t. Nearly fifteen hundred people attended Brooke’s memorial service. People from her public high school read poems she had written about her love for God. Everyone spoke of her example and joy. I shared the gospel and invited those who wanted to know Jesus to come up and give their lives to Him. There must have been at least two hundred students on their knees at the front of the church praying for salvation. Ushers gave a Bible to each one of them. They were Bibles that Brooke had kept in her garage, hoping to give out to all of her unsaved friends. In one day, Brooke led more people to the Lord than most ever will. In her brief fourteen years on earth, Brooke was faithful to Christ. Her life was not wasted. The words from her essay seem prophetic: “You see, I’ll be one of those people who live to be history makers at a young age.” Sadly, many people die while living selfishly…. The truth is, some people waste their lives…. I think it’s easy to hear a story like Brooke’s and just move on, without acknowledging that it could just as easily be you or me or my wife or your brother whose life ends suddenly. You could be the next person in your family to die. I could be the next person at my church to die. We have to realize it. We have to believe it enough that it changes how we live. A friend of mine has a particularly wise perspective on this subject. He was asked if he weren’t spending too much of his time serving and giving too much away. His gentle but honest response was, “I wonder if you’ll say that after we’re dead.” (taken from Crazy Love)


Brooke has joined the great cloud of witnesses in heaven but her life still challenges me and you to live the kind of life which will impact eternity.

I recommend this book to all my reader 's. You can also visit CrazyLoveBook.com. Watch some of Chan 's videos where he talks about his book.

Cheryl on The Perch has read this book and is celebrating her blog anniversary in a very innovative way. You can also contribute to a worthy cause by visiting her blog and dropping a comment.

19 Fertilize my soul:

Dan Lowe said...

Amrita,

Hello, I'm new to your blog. Greg Milsaps from Mexico turned me on to it. Thanks for this recommendation. My wife and I don't typically read Christian books; don't get me wrong, we're believers; we just don't often find Christian books with much depth to them. We are going to check out Chan's book though. Thanks for this recommendation.

Peace to you.
Dan Lowe

Amrita said...

Dear Dan, I am delighted that you visited my blog. I will "zoom over" to Mexico and visit you.Namaste from India.

Sita said...

Amrita, this looks great...will go check out the bookstore for it...
I have read stories of teens like this...who go 'all out' for God in their lives and then sudden death and the hundreds who come to the service and see how one life had affected so mnay...brought them one step closer at least to God...
..hope you and Mom are doing OK...take care...
Love, Sita

Sheryl said...

Amrita, I am SO excited we are reading the same book together at the same time. I am loving this book - I believe it will be life changing for me. I know people throw that term around, but it fits in the case of this book.

It will be great to be able discuss the book with you. Hope you are doing well.

With love,
~Sheryl

Felisol said...

Dear Amrita,
You are sharing of your spiritual wealth and such making lukewarm like me grow and "boil."
Thanks.
Yours Felisol

Crown of Beauty said...

Thanks for sharing the story. What a way to live...and die.

Felisol said...

Hello again Amrita,
Tonight we saw a documentary called Ganges made by the BBC. So interesting.
Next half will be shown next Saturday.
I am amazed by the variation in nature, wild life and people along the upper Ganges.
So beautiful and mighty.
From Felisol

Michelle said...

Thank you for sharing about this book. It looks like a great read. I am always up for a good new book.

Pat said...

Brookes story made my heart quicken. To be so young and so in love with Christ is so wonderful, her short life was filled with much legacy that will continue to add souls to the kingdom.

Jeanette said...

Such an unusual girl. It would be wonderful if more of us could be like that. Thanks for sharing about this book, Amrita. I have not heard of it.

Michelle said...

Are you reading this book too? It is awesome. I highly recommend it!!! :)

Jan said...

Thanks for recommending this book. It's so hard for me to find books in English here and I often am looking for recommendations so that when I go across the border I can get something worth my time and money. I'll definitely check it out. Namaste.

Amico Dio said...

I just wanted to come by and say congratulations for being one of the Internet Cafe's Top 100 Christian Women's Blogs of 2008! You are truly a blessing. Thank you for the many ways that you serve!

Sita said...

Hey Amrita,
Just popping by to say Congrats...cuz I nominated u! Yay!

Saija said...

that Sita has been busy ... :o)

congrats on our award!

The Dementia Nurse said...

Thank you soooo much for sharing this, Amrita - Brooke's story gave me goosebumps! I can't wait to get this book. It reminds me of what Christ said to the church at Laodicea, "You are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth" (Revelation 3: 15, 16, NIV). That seems pretty clear to me!
P.S. - Congrats on the top 100 blog for 2008 award!!!!

Amrita said...

Crazy Love has convicted me in so many ways.I want to thank to my e-friend Catlin for sending it to me.

Sheryl ( I will create a link) has read it and is doing something special to contribute to a wonderful cause on her blog. You can take part too.

Oh yes Felisol, i think i have seen that documentary. Its really captivating.

I want to thank Amy Bayliss and the Internet Cafe for blessing and honoring me. I am truly humbled. I receive much more than i contribute.You my friends have enriched my life and spirit tremedously.

Thank you Sita for nominating me.

Now I must hurry up as the electricity will go off.

Amrita said...

Update _

I have created a link for Sheryl 's blog on this post. You can contribute to a mission just by commenting on her post.

MAAZ said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.