Brian Cook

United States

Freelance Journalist at Freelance

Emmy-nominated international journalist; filmmaker Owner: #GoldenSkyMedia; Pres: @PghBlackMedia; @NFL photog; @WQED @NewPghCourier @905wesa @apa1906NETwork

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Articles

Yes and No - Gadsden Messenger

1 month ago | gadsdenmessenger.com | Kaitlin Fleming Hoskins |Brian Cook

By Brian CookThe small children of a friend of mine were arguing when the younger exclaimed, “she doesn’t love me!” My friend wisely responded, “buddy, she loves you, she just loves herself more right now.” Wow…. sounds like my relationship with Christ for most of my life. I’ve loved Jesus deeply since I was eight years old, but I’ve often loved me more. Very often. What is the process for growing in holiness and devotion to Christ?
The Devotion to Christ - Redemptive suffering leads to grace

Aug 9, 2024 | gadsdenmessenger.com | Brian Cook

By Brian CookThe band Switchfoot has a song about suffering and how we respond to it called “Dare You to Move.” The song begins with a reminder that “everyone’s here,” and the lyrics include the line, “Welcome to the fallout, welcome to resistance, the tension is here – between who you are and who you could be, between how it is and how it should be.”All those reading this column most likely have lived long enough to experience suffering.
The Devotion to Christ - Confession is so hard but so helpful

Aug 2, 2024 | gadsdenmessenger.com | Brian Cook

By Brian CookOne of the tripping hazards of the conversion to Roman Catholicism from Reformed Baptist doctrine was the Doctrine of Purgatory, which was foreign to me. It seemed strange until my first Sacrament of Confession. It finally registered with me that what the Baptists call Judgement Day, or other Christians call the Particular Judgement. The Apostle Paul calls it “The Day, which is the same thing that Catholics refer to as Purgatory.
The Devotion to Christ - In Jesus’ view, we are all brown

Jun 27, 2024 | gadsdenmessenger.com | Brian Cook

By Brian CookIt was always intimidating walking into a new church with my family. Most of the time, we were greeted, asked to tell about ourselves, asked to fill out a card and asked to stick around after the service to meet a few people. Not at this church. We were not the focus, which was refreshing. Even more refreshing was looking around and noticing every shade of brown skin of the attendees, and in a large degree.
The Devotion to Christ - Take up thy Crucifix and wear it

Jun 21, 2024 | gadsdenmessenger.com | Brian Cook

By Brian CookDo you wear a Crucifix? If not, why? Maybe you’d say like I used to say, “I wear a cross and not a crucifix because Jesus is not on there anymore.”I’d like to argue from Scripture for the Crucifix. It is not a Catholic thing; it is an evangelistic thing. In fact, it’s not a “thing” at all. the Crucifix is the most important example we can put forth to the world of the most profound statement ever made. It is the most important symbol of all time – It is the ultimate message.
The Devotion to Christ - Jesus knows exactly how to reach us

Jun 14, 2024 | gadsdenmessenger.com | Brian Cook

By Brian CookWhen we pray “and lead us not into temptation” for The Our Father, our heart’s cry must be “Let me not fail the test!”Our response must be opposite of the rich young ruler’s response in Mark 10:17-31. This is a call for our whole self and for all our life. This plea represents our understanding of our own weaknesses and our propensity to fail. It also demonstrates our faith in the love of Christ to give us the grace to pass the test.
The Devotion to Christ - We must meet Jesus on His terms

Jun 7, 2024 | gadsdenmessenger.com | Brian Cook

By Brian CookIn Mark 10:17-31, we read of The Rich Young Ruler. If we look closely at this story, Jesus is saying to the young man what he said to Peter, James, John, Andrew, Phillip, Paul, Matthias, Stephen, etc. Jesus is offering a discipleship under the very tutelage of Christ!The young ruler is invited to be a part of the 70 disciples of Jesus (Luke 10:1; not to be confused with the Twelve Apostles).
The Devotion to Christ - Nicodemus’ turning point is a powerful moment

May 31, 2024 | gadsdenmessenger.com | Brian Cook

By Brian CookIn John 3:1-21, Nicodemus is called the “Teacher of Israel” by our Lord. He seems to be a true student as well, as Nicodemus could not resist asking questions and seeking answers. In Luke 2:46-47, was he listening to Jesus in the Temple when our Lord was 12 years old? Nicodemus may have been a Pharisee, but he was a learner as well. He saw the signs Jesus per-formed, understood the Scriptures and knew that something very special was happening.
The Devotion to Christ - To get a real God, we must give up our false ones

May 28, 2024 | gadsdenmessenger.com | Brian Cook

By Brian CookThe Canaanite Woman passage found in Matthew 15:21-28 is one of those places in Scripture where we rush to defend Jesus. Who am I to defend God? Jesus uses a cruel racial slur to rescue His disciples from a soul-killing sin. Jesus had just taught what does and does not defile a person. He was revealing the wickedness that can lie within the human heart and was about to go toe-to-toe with one of the foulest evils that has ever plagued the heart of humanity.
The Devotion to Christ - Jesus crosses all barriers that society builds

May 17, 2024 | gadsdenmessenger.com | Brian Cook

By Brian CookJohn 4:4-42 says about the woman at the well that her past and present behavior had led her not just away from God but away from society. The woman comes to the well alone to avoid those who know her reputation. Her only comfort comes from being invisible. She chooses to do her hardest task in the hottest part of the day in hopes to remain unseen. Jesus disturbs her solitude and is a very unwelcome surprise for the woman. But Jesus loves His bride and had come for her.