By Rev Dr Huntley Brow

Good morning, friends!

We want to share with you some inspirational words from Rev. Dr. Huntley Brown,

For many, the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year, and still for some, it’s the worst time of the year.

How are you doing at the beginning of this new year?
Did you struggle this past season?
Do you despise the holidays?
It’s okay if you’re still dealing with the “holiday blues.”
Today, we want to make two recommendations: one spiritual and one physical.

Spiritual
Follow the example of David.
Psalm 42:5 NIV
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
First, David asked himself: why are you downcast my soul? No one can see another person’s soul. Many times people get depressed and don’t know why they are depressed.
Do you know why you are downcast?
If not, go to prayer.
Second, David made a decision to put his hope in God. Notice, when David made this decision, his circumstances had not yet changed. This was a faith based decision, one that said I am going to praise God in spite of my circumstances. We need to do the same. Praising God in the midst of a challenge will soon change your perspective on the challenge.

Physical:
There are physical things you can do to counter the post holiday blues or any time when you are feeling down. Working to stay positive amidst difficult times can be challenging, even during the best of times!

Here are a few tips to help you boost your mood naturally:

1. Keep moving – especially if you can get outside! Many studies confirm that exercise produces happy hormones called endorphins. Have you ever rolled out of bed, felt kind of down, but once you started exercising felt your mood dramatically improve? People who exercise regularly are far less prone to anxiety, panic, and depression. If you struggle with staying on track, set a reminder on your calendar. Find an accountability workout buddy. Walking, running, biking, swimming, pickleball, tennis, golf, water fitness classes, gym workouts, Pilates, yoga, weight training – the options are endless!
2. Connect with people! Being together creates a sense of purpose, connectedness, and bonding. Most of us long to have great relationships. Video chat with those you cannot connect with in person. Be the initiator and plan something! Join one of the many groups or clubs available.
3. Eat foods that nourish the body! We all know the saying, “junk in, junk out!” Avoid processed poor-quality so-called food and eat a diet high in fresh foods – especially vegetables and healthy fats such as green leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, wild caught fish, avocado, olive oil, nuts and seeds such as flax and chia. Add probiotics to your daily routine, including natural plain yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, and pickled vegetables. Choose whole grains such as quinoa, brown rice, millet, and wild rice. These foods are rich in B vitamins needed to produce neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine which help regulate mood.
4. Work on your spiritual health. Whatever method fills your spirit, add this regularly to your life. Studies show that deep breathing, meditation, faith in God, and prayer, all enhance quality of life, decrease depression, calm, restore, and revive.
5. Read! Studies show that reading, especially fiction, promotes empathy and a better ability to read others’ feelings. Reading fiction puts us into the minds of others. We can learn a different perspective and understand how and why other people feel the way they do, thus taking our minds off ourselves. There are many Christian fiction authors to choose from! Pick up a book and disconnect!

Let us be the light of Christ to others. May our lights shine to the whole world that we are different because we are in Christ and may the Holy Spirit guide our thoughts, words, and deeds. Let us take our needs to Christ. He asked us in Mark 10:46-52 “What do you want Me to do for you?” He loves us and wants the best for us.

HBF Ministry Update as we close the year 2021 and move into 2022:

We know that this year has been a difficult one for many ministries, individuals, and businesses. Thus, we thank God for His faithfulness and are excited to report on the progress made with the foundation. Through our volunteer team, we were able to launch the HBF website, blog, Instagram, and Facebook pages. We established a method for giving and are thankful for those who were able to give to get the ministry started. We have received 6 instrument donations, including guitars and a keyboard. We are hopeful to award upcoming scholarships to needy students in the near future, as well as distribute instruments to those in need. Thank you for partnering with us.

Click here to donate.

Happy New Year! May your 2022 be filled with new opportunities, growth, revival, peace, and love.

Blessings,

Huntley
Huntley Brown Foundation

Dear friends of the Huntley Brown Foundation,

A word from Huntley Brown:
In a season of uncertainty, where there are more questions than answers, where do you look for hope? Where do you turn to navigate the unknown?

Hope is always attached to a challenge. As Romans 8:24 says says, “no one hopes for what they have already.”

Today, if you are feeling hopeless, I have good news: there is hope because God is in control. You may have questions but when you attach your hope to the word of God you will not be shaken. 

Jeremiah 29:11 ( NIV) tell us”
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper
you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
 
God has plans for you and those plans are to give you hope and a future. With that kind of promise we can all press on. 

Hope is strength in the unknown; hope causes one to hold on when others are giving up. 

Today, hold on to the hope found in the lyrics of this hymn. 
 
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

Have a “Mary Christmas!” As we enter the Advent-Christmas season, we want to encourage you not to lose the true meaning of the season. Let’s remember the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10 as we find ourselves busy with holiday preparations, that may truly cause us stress and not allow us to fully experience JESUS.

Jesus tells us that HE is the cure for stress and worry. Make room for what matters by considering doing less. Martha was distracted by all of the dinner preparations. Don’t let our culture dictate what you do. Limit your stresses. Simplify. Slow down. Make room for Jesus. It is, as we know, all about HIM. Mary chose Jesus. Sit at His feet.

We need both Mary and Martha, but make sure you still have a “Mary Christmas” where you take time to reflect on the most amazing gift – Jesus.

Luke 10:38-42
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Giving Tuesday! On November 30, 2021, we’re uniting for a worldwide celebration of generosity. GivingTuesday is an opportunity for people around the world to come together through generosity in all its forms by sharing acts of kindness and giving their voice, time, money, goods, and advocacy to support communities and causes. If you would like to support the Huntley Brown Foundation on GivingTuesday, please click here.

God bless you,

Rev Dr Huntley Brown
Huntley Brown Foundation

Dear friends of the Huntley Brown Foundation,

We are so excited to bring you the inaugural edition of our blog to let you know what we are hoping the Lord will allow us to accomplish through the HBF.
 
The power of music in a person’s life: The Huntley Brown story:
Huntley grew up in a poor family in Jamaica, but learned early on that with God, all things are all possible. Growing up without many opportunities, he held on to hope. Hope when attached to faith in God changed his life forever. Without knowing how to read music, Huntley learned to play the piano by imitating his brothers. His father who played the accordion and a little piano gave Huntley some basic instructions, and he also received instructions from a family friend, and listened to different recordings and played by ear. Huntley eventually rededicated his life to Christ as a teen and started spending time in the Word and in prayer. This led him to the United States where he attended and graduated from Judson University with a bachelor’s degree in piano performance and a master’s degree in piano performance and pedagogy from Northern IL University where he met the love of his life Annette. Huntley’s music ministry has taken him all over the world, on television, radio, and concert appearances. Huntley has been described as inspired, anointed, powerful, and explosive. It is his desire to give the same opportunity to others gifted with musical talent but who are unable to explore and use their God-given talents. For more about Huntley’s story, please see www.HuntleyBrown.org/biography/.

Did you know?

Music is good for the soul?
We have heard it said, “music is good for the soul.” As Christ followers, we know that music provides a way for us to worship our Lord, to connect with the Holy Spirit, and to come together with other believers. Biblically-based lyrics and Holy Spirit-inspired tunes can bring spiritual healing and faith to those who are lost or hurting. Music is a very powerful tool.

Learning to play music is good for your health?
Learning to play music can build new neural pathways that will help strengthen the brain as you age. Professional musicians are known to have more grey matter than non-musicians. This is a great reason to get your kids playing a musical instrument at a young age! It also gets them off their devices and stimulates their brains!

Music also improves immune function by increasing IgA antibodies that fight infections, reducing cortisol levels (stress hormone) leading to lower incidences of headaches, high blood pressure, and overall improved health, as well as reduces incidence of depression and anxiety. Music has an overall calming effect on young and old.

Many people have unused musical instruments in their homes?
Many of us had the opportunity to learn musical instruments from an early age. Now these instruments sit in our basements, garages, or storage rooms cluttering our homes when they could be used to help others, like Huntley Brown, whose life was changed through music. What about you?

The mission of the Huntley Brown Foundation?
The mission of the Huntley Brown Foundation is to replicate Huntley Brown’s story, to raise up young leaders to impact their communities for Christ. Music gives us all the freedom to worship in our own unique and personalized way, and the Huntley Brown Foundation endeavors to equip individuals with the tools they need to worship Him in their daily lives.
 
We want to connect those in need with those who can help.
 
Immediate needs:

• Musical instruments gently used or new.
• Teachers who could donate their time (via Zoom) to those in need.
• Churches/facilities with students who would like to learn music – we want to help! APPLY
• Financial contributions DONATE

We want to encourage you in your faith!
Lastly, we want you to know that we want to utilize this blog to provide you with encouragement on your own personal faith journey. We want to pray for you. Contact us at info@HuntleyBrownFoundation.org.

More to come…we look forward to this journey with you. Amen.

Blessings,

Huntley
Huntley Brown Foundation