http://www.thecoblog.com/The aim of thecoblog is to provide spiritually uplifting and convicting messages that help readers strengthen their walk with Christ. This "log of devotionals", written by Collin Brooks, provides insight that will allow you to reenergize your commitment to God and His word. It is Collin's hope that the words God has given him are used in a way that will help others to be Continuously Overwhelmed with Blessings (CoB).ennoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:54:22 PDTBlogger http://www.blogger.com12712533.075138-97.052904http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gifThis is an XML content feed. It is intended to be viewed in a newsreader or syndicated to another site, subject to copyright and fair use.http://www.thecoblog.com/2009/05/dont-hurt-body.html2 Timothy 4:21 Peter 3:15noreply@blogger.com (Collin)Fri, 29 May 2009 13:27:30 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-1725982407740683204As Christ-followers, we are all one body. When any part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers. Knowing this, why do we bicker about silly things? Isn't it obvious that such jabber portrays an attitude of divisiveness?Yes, there are hills that we need to die on (the pillars of faith), but when we argue about things that are "gray", more times than not, the world interprets our bickering as 1http://www.thecoblog.com/2008/08/from-sponges-to-mirrors.htmlHebrews 10ApplyMirrorKnowledgeLightnoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Sat, 30 Aug 2008 18:20:03 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-6876009602417711892Gathering together at church with fellow believers to worship the Lord is an amazing thing. To be able to feel the comfort of God in a group setting produces an atmosphere of hope, belonging and support that are essential to every Christ-follower's walk. Going to church and meeting together with fellow believers is indeed what we are called to do (Hebrews 10:25), but, what happens when the only 0http://www.thecoblog.com/2008/06/when-i-was-younger-and-in-school-i-was.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Sat, 28 Jun 2008 13:20:42 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-3208774281865352327When I was younger and in school, I was amazed at how slowly the school year would go and how fast the summer would pass. Even though I perceived time differently in each instance, time remained constant and I could not recover the time that had ticked by. Although at the end of each summer I had wished that I could recover the time that had flown by, looking back I am glad I was given the 0http://www.thecoblog.com/2008/02/transformed-by-open-heart.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Sun, 10 Feb 2008 13:25:00 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-9122996704555280383I recently sat down at a local coffee shop to read my Bible but instead ended up in conversation with two married folks about Christianity. The conversation began lightly with the admiration and awe that we felt in regard to Christ because of God’s answer to a prayer that we had all been praying about. We then moved on to multiple topics about religion, God’s place in the world, the belief that 2http://www.thecoblog.com/2007/09/from-point-to-b.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:09:58 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-6533826701583535206What I am about to reveal is going to blow your mind. In fact, not only should you take notes, you should probably sit down as well. Are you ready? Here goes: It is much easier to get from point A to point B when you are able to see where you are going. Ok, so you’re probably not as enlightened as you thought you were going to be but what if we applied this obvious fact to our spiritual lives?In 1http://www.thecoblog.com/2007/08/in-courage-experience-enhances.htmlRomans 5In CourageencourageproblemsExperiencetrialenduranceencouragementnoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Thu, 13 Sep 2007 17:56:41 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-3398507594169872574Imagine a kid named Billy. Billy, being a young kid, doesn't understand that humans and electricity don't mix and therefore isn't aware that, when he sticks something metal into an electrical socket, he will experience a jolt he'll never forget. Like most kids, all it will take is one shock for Billy to lose all curiosity about the effects of electricity on the human body. In fact, Billy, having 0http://www.thecoblog.com/2007/04/in-courage-bipolar-encouragement.htmlEphesians 4goodexamplebiaspeer pressureunbiasinfluenceevilactionsRomans 1encouragementnoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:41:35 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-5700785490503684670Hopefully by now you see the enormous power encouragement can have if it is actually put into practice. Unfortunately, encouragement is not bias towards being used only for good. When we encourage someone, we have the opportunity to either encourage them to do what is right or to do what is wrong. Encouragement's bipolarity, or its potential to be used by two extremes (good or evil in this 1http://www.thecoblog.com/2007/03/in-courage-heres-your-cue.htmlpoolcueencouragerelationshipsworthProverbs 22:6aColossians 3:21noreply@blogger.com (Collin)Wed, 28 Mar 2007 20:27:25 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-523431894160476601Now that we have a comfortable understanding of encouragement, it's important that we take steps to actually put encouragement into practice. Encouragement can be likened to a cue ball from a pool table. The cue ball itself has a lot of potential (i.e. it is the means by which all the other balls are to make it in the pool table's pockets). But, without the force of the pool stick moving and 0http://www.thecoblog.com/2007/02/because-we-live-in-fallen-world-there.htmlHebrews 101 Thessalonians 5encouragecourageRomans 1Matthew 28noreply@blogger.com (Collin)Fri, 23 Feb 2007 12:38:27 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-3618407346504470689Because we live in a fallen world, there will be times when we will want to quit trying to be the people God has called us to be. We'll go through times of uncertainty about where God wants us to go or what He wants us to do. We'll be faced with trials that cause us to believe God has left us and that we must continue alone. We may even begin to believe that living life for Christ is not worth it3http://www.thecoblog.com/2007/01/imagine-witness-on-witness-stand-in.htmlTheologyWitnessProverbs 27:171 Corinthians 21 Corinthians 3WitnessingGospelApologeticsnoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Wed, 17 Jan 2007 13:34:42 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-4738549528332811071Imagine a witness on a witness' stand in a courtroom. This witness is being asked a series of questions about a certain event because he or she had a first hand account of what occurred. As this witness is being questioned, a jury of people (who were not present at the event the witness was) are listening intently and soaking in all the information they can in order to paint a picture of the 0http://www.thecoblog.com/2007/01/as-humans-we-are-characterized-by.htmlIsaiah 401 Corinthians 11 Corinthians 2CounselorWisdomSeeking counselKnowledgeDecisionsnoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Mon, 01 Jan 2007 14:32:59 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-7291936170182753721As humans, we are characterized by the inability to make a decision that takes every single piece of information into account. Decisions like where to live, what car to buy, who to marry, who to hang out with and how to live our lives are very important decisions that can have major consequences if the right decisions are not made. Because we are finite (or limited) in the amount of knowledge 0http://www.thecoblog.com/2006/12/anyone-who-has-ever-been-to-texas-knows.html1 Peter 1:6sufferingtemporaryJohn 15:18trialstormnoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Sun, 03 Dec 2006 15:47:45 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-3150477330019218340Anyone who has ever been to Texas knows that the weather fluctuates quite a bit. As a native of Texas, I have become accustomed to the drastic changes of temperature that are produced by the weather and I have learned to adjust on the fly. A perfect example of such a radical change of temperature happened this past week when the temperature went from mid 80's to below freezing overnight. I had 2http://www.thecoblog.com/2006/11/not-by-might.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Wed, 29 Aug 2007 23:35:40 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-116397454464206519Throughout my life I have been given certain responsibilities that require a lot of work and determination in order to complete. Many times, before undertaking the work required to finish these responsibilities, I'd think to myself, "This is too hard! How am I going to do this? I'm never going to finish!" Like me, I am sure you have been given certain tasks that require you to do a lot of work as1http://www.thecoblog.com/2006/11/forever-hope.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Sun, 05 Nov 2006 20:53:55 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-116278858724949525Pierce, my eight year old brother, is going through the stage of his life where he becomes anxious during the times when our parents aren't around. This past week my parents went on a vacation and were gone for four days. The day they left, Pierce came to me and asked, "Collin, when you were younger and mom and dad went on vacation. How did you make it through?" After thinking a bit, I looked him0http://www.thecoblog.com/2006/10/you-snooze-you-lose_22.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Sun, 22 Oct 2006 11:54:12 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-116154323202528167Sleeping has to be one of my favorite things. There's just something about cuddling up in a big comforter that makes me feel relaxed and safe. Sadly, because I love sleeping so much, I've found that, as I've gotten older, I have begun to sleep later and later. What used to be a wake-up time of 6:00AM for school has turned into a 10:00AM rush to get ready for the day. This may come as a shock to 0http://www.thecoblog.com/2006/10/get-rooted.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Sat, 14 Oct 2006 12:44:41 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-116085483533623888To me, one of the most beautiful things to see is a mountain side covered with trees. It's as if the mountain comes alive as the squilions of trees sway back and forth synchronized with the movement of the wind. Even more amazing is the way God has designed trees to stand as tall as they do without falling over. A tree's roots attach to the soil beneath and give the tree nutrients and stability. 4http://www.thecoblog.com/2006/09/operation-useful.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Sun, 17 Sep 2006 13:15:59 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-115852415949285510In my opinion, one of the most magnificent tools the U.S. uses is the aircraft carrier. At a length around 1,071 ft and a width of 271 ft, this “boat” is not your dad’s leisure craft. Just as impressive is the crew’s ability to keep this carrier afloat. With upwards of 5,000 people aboard, the crew must stay organized and remain at the top of their game in order to efficiently keep this bad boy 0http://www.thecoblog.com/2006/08/friendly-fire.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Sun, 27 Aug 2006 15:39:07 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-115671834771578722Let’s say you know someone that is constantly engulfed by sin and you make an effort to gently and humbly mention to this person that, if they would just change their ways and turn to God, they would get better. However, no matter how much you try to convince this person that you want what is best for them, they still continue to do what they know is wrong and, after a while, they begin listening0http://www.thecoblog.com/2006/08/loyalty-through-lifestyle.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Sat, 05 Aug 2006 12:29:41 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-115480618108682554It is said that, during the first century, the symbol of the fish was used as a secret code by early Christians who were being persecuted in order to identify fellow believers. These Christians would draw half of a fish on the ground when they encountered a stranger and, if the stranger completed the rest of the fish symbol, then they both knew that they were in the company of a fellow 2http://www.thecoblog.com/2006/07/beyond-basics.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Thu, 14 Sep 2006 21:55:27 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-115369531989476293I realize it has been forever since I have posted. I have had a very busy month and a half but I hope to be posting more regularly now. For those of you who are regular readers, please forgive my absence. Imagine there is a ten year old kid taking a stab at college calculus. Let's say that, for whatever reason, this kid never attempted to expand their basic knowledge of mathematics before making 0http://www.thecoblog.com/2006/06/110-pound-sin.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Thu, 22 Jun 2006 20:43:26 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-115103420686944354My sister’s boyfriend bought her a Weimaraner puppy for Valentines Day this year. This puppy started out weighing around five pounds and was small enough to be held in two hands. No matter how hard he tried, there was no way he could overpower anyone. Now, around two and a half months later, this dog—who is still considered a puppy—is just under fifty pounds and can easily walk my sister instead 1http://www.thecoblog.com/2006/06/satisfied-outside-from-inside.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Thu, 14 Sep 2006 22:02:49 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-114982375352563082When I was in the seventh grade, one of the “cool” things the “popular” kids did when they got a headache was put a bandaid on their head. They would prance around the hallways sporting their skin-toned bandaids thinking that 1) the bandaid would really cure them from their headache or 2) everyone else would catch on with the latest trend and they wouldn’t be the only one that looked silly. Using1http://www.thecoblog.com/2006/05/clear-path.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Thu, 14 Sep 2006 22:05:40 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-114815166270990397The other night I was preparing for my regular ritual of eating multiple bowls of cereal. However, this ritual was interrupted by one of the stools from the bar that just so happened to be right in the middle of the kitchen. Every time I had to move from the refrigerator or cabinets to the bar, I'd have to walk around this chair. Usually, walking around something isn't a problem. However, the 0http://www.thecoblog.com/2006/05/work-berserk-pray-away.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Fri, 12 May 2006 19:03:29 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-114748580933133984It's not unusual, in this day in age, for people to pull numerous all-nighters per week just to make sure they get their work done. In fact, I myself pulled two all-nighters last week to make sure I met a deadline. Although for me this is an unusual occurrence, with the technology we have, we are able to do more in smaller amounts of time than we would have been able to do before. This, however, 2http://www.thecoblog.com/2006/04/remember-to-remember.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Collin)Sun, 30 Apr 2006 21:13:15 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12753667.post-114645679511970640Have you ever been in the middle of a conversation with someone and right when you began to speak you forgot exactly what it was you were going to tell them? Or maybe you were going to use a word that is common among everyday words but for some reason it was stuck on the tip of your tongue? Memory is a funny thing. We know what we want to say, and we’ve been speaking since we were younger, but 0