Are You in the CLEAN-UP CREW?

Kanye West (https://www.kanyewest.com/), says, “We came into a broken world and we are the clean-up crew.

We all go through some form of brokenness at some point in our lives and we will all respond differently.  Death is the obvious brokenness and we will all face it, ultimately our own, but prior to that, the death of those that we know.  Some struggle to recover from grief, but as Christians, as the clean-up crew, we can do whatever we can do to support.

I have many creative friends who tell me that it is because of their brokenness that they are creative.  They use creativity to channel their pain, their hurts, and their loss.  They do this, in the hope that their creations will bring comfort to themselves and others.  This is the reason why I create, to impact lives and bring about change.  To bring change is the role of the clean-up crew.

As an author, a poet, and a film producer, I want every book, every poem, and every film to bring change.  Often, we will never know about those that our work has touched and inspired, but we still create, because God made us that way. 

Over the last 7 years, I have become even more creative, creative in new ways, with new ideas and I have been led by God, but also inspired by others.  Who are you inspiring and who is inspiring you?

The more creative people that I meet, with a story of brokenness; the more I want to help them in some way.  I want to help them tell their story and to share it with the world.  I’ve lost count of the times that I’ve helped other authors with publishing or marketing knowledge.  I love to empower others and to share my knowledge, as I have blogged about before here.

My latest creative, supportive venture is a brand-new podcast that will launch soon.  It’s called ‘The Creative Christian Chat Show’ aka DOG in the POD.  If you are wondering why the DOG in the POD part, well, my surname means, ‘Son of Yellow Dog’.  You can learn more about my name in my blog, ‘What's in a Name?’

When I told a friend about my podcast, his comment was, “I thought film was your thing?”

“No”, I told him, “Message is my thing.”  Isn’t it strange how people see one aspect of our creativity but miss the bigger picture?  I know my role in the ‘clean-up’ crew and I am a Message Bringer. Do you know your role?

The first series of my podcast is currently in production and it is called, ‘Creative in Brokenness’.  I have been overwhelmed by the response from people that want to come on the show and I am humbled by their stories.  Please get in touch if you would like to join me on the show for a creative chat.

VISIT MY PODCAST HERE

Brendan is a creative Christian; a digital marketeer, podcaster, film producer, poet, and author of 8 books, including 'The book of PSALMS in Rhyme.'  He lives in Stroud Gloucestershire.  There are 'self-made men' and 'God-made men', Brendan is the latter.  An associate speaker with Christian Vision for Men.  A member of the Association of Christian Writers and Evangelical Alliance.

Click here to visit Brendan's website

Do You Want FAME?

I spent over 30 years of my life working in charity (and still do some).  I was a Youth Worker and one of the founders of a great youth charity in Stroud, Gloucestershire.  As a result of my work, many years ago, the charity’s Patron suggested that he should nominate me for an OBE.  As the Patron was a Lord, I knew that there would be a good chance of success, but I turned him down, saying, “I don’t need that.”

Looking back, I now say that, “I didn’t want that”, you see our minds can change, I now realise that fame can be useful.  Years later, someone else suggested that they nominate me for the same award and I thought to myself, “That would be nice.”  As far as I’m aware, he didn’t do as he said, and I was a little disappointed.  Now, when the new year honours are announced, I think to myself, “That could have been me.”

I used to believe that if we received our thanks on earth then we wouldn’t have any in heaven.  So, what made me change?  Why is it important to be known by many?  Well, as a writer, there is the obvious point, that more people might buy your books, but that shouldn’t be the main reason.

I recently watched a film on Netflix called, ‘Another Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood’ (starring Tom Hanks).  This is the story of a Presbyterian minister and children’s TV presenter, Fred Rogers.  Mr. Rogers (as the children know him) is interviewed by a journalist, Lloyd Vogel, and Lloyd asks, “What is it like to be famous?”

Fred responds with, “Fame is a four-letter word, like face, fast, same, and flat.  It’s not about being famous, it’s what you do with fame that makes a difference.”  The more widely we are known, the bigger the difference that we can make and we call that marketing.  Any author needs a bit of that.

Another point that Fred makes in the film is, he asks Lloyd a question, “What do you think is the most important thing in the world for me right now?”

Lloyd shrugged his shoulders and Fred answered, “Talking to you Lloyd.”  The point that Fred was making was, where ever you are, be there.  My friends, how often have you been somewhere, but your mind is elsewhere?  Writer friends, how often have you sat down to write, only for your thoughts to drift away to nowhere?

So, do I want to be famous?  I want my books and films and the message contained within to speak into people’s hearts.  I don’t care if they remember my name or not, but I do pray that my words will bring them hope, freedom, and change.  Then it will be another beautiful day in the neighbourhood.

Brendan is a Christian filmmaker, poet, and author of 8 books, including 'The book of PSALMS in Rhyme.'  He lives in Stroud Gloucestershire.  There are 'self-made men' and 'God-made men', Brendan is the latter.  An associate speaker with Christian Vision for Men.  A member of the Association of Christian Writers and Evangelical Alliance.

Click here to visit Brendan's website

Journey into the UNKNOWN?

Photo: Chris Buckwald - Unsplash.com

Amongst other things, I am an author and a film producer.  I use those skills to communicate a message, a story, or share some information.  You will not be at all surprised to hear then, that I love watching films and that one of my favourite scenes is from, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.  Towards the end of the film, Indiana (the hero) has to step off of a cliff edge into a ravine.  He has to take a huge step off faith and following his father’s instruction, that is what he does.  He steps, yet does not fall.  As he changes his perspective, the previously invisible bridge is now seen, stretching out across the perilous ravine.

As we all start a new year, for many, we may feel like Indiana Jones as we step out into the unknown.  The last two years of pandemic have brought so much uncertainty for so many and as humans, we need a balance between certainty and uncertainty.  We can all make plans for the year ahead, which helps to establish a level of certainty, but plans can change, brought about by the unexpected disruptions of life.  Nevertheless, we adapt, we press on towards the goal, we finish the race and just like Indiana Jones, we follow our Heavenly Father’s instructions.

I am usually a very good planner, though, this year I am struggling.  The reason for my struggle; I have surgery planned for 11th January to rebuild my shoulder.  I've been waiting since an accident in June 2020 and it's been postponed several times, all for various reasons.  It is likely that it will be postponed again. So, I journey into the unknown (feeling like the intrepid explorer) and I write what I can, when I can, however God leads me.  I still expect to publish 3 more books this year.  This is despite the unknown, despite the pitfalls and the barriers.  I set SMART targets and know that despite hindrance, I will achieve.  How do I know this?  Well, God always sends the encouragers to bring balance to the hindrance.  They come in the form of friends, family, and especially other writers. The family of the Association of Christian Writers (ACW) is the greatest encourager.  Though many members are the same as me, with their own struggles, they always find time to motivate, support, and push each other on. I was inspired to write this blog after reading a blog by Wendy H. Jones and now I will commit to putting my plans for the year into writing.

Whatever you are planning for this year, I pray that it brings you happiness, hope, and joy.

Brendan is a Christian poet and author of 8 books, including 'The book of PSALMS in Rhyme.'  He lives in Stroud Gloucestershire.  There are 'self-made men' and 'God-made men', Brendan is the latter.  An associate speaker with Christian Vision for Men.  A member of the Association of Christian Writers.

Click here to visit Brendan's website