i received an interesting email yesterday from someone whose email address [which may have been specifically created for this particular email] is gottaletyouknow@gmail.com
and it went something like [well exactly like cos this is a cut and paste after all, no edits] this:
‘So I decided to not use my normal email address, so that I can do some nom du pluming.
But some things need to be said. And said anonymously so that you don’t think “So he is saying it because I said that because he did that when I said this…”
So here goes: Brett-boy, you need to rethink how you spend your energy.
And here I’m speaking in particular about the humor side of your energy. To take an example: Brett, let’s be honest: your youtube videos suck. Big time. And I don’t even see the purpose in it. Will you really stand before the Jesus one day and when He asks you “So how did you spend your valuable time?” answer “Well, there are these youtube videos I made.”
Humor is good. But it must be part of the bigger mission.
You do many good things. Focus on that. You have limited time. You have limited energy. You have a (God-graciously-given) large audience. Use it well.
“I believe the first test of a truly great man is his humility. I do not mean by humility, doubt of his own powers. But really great men have a curious feeling that the greatness is not in them, but through them.” –John Ruskin’
[to read some challenging and hopefully thort-provoking responses to this email, start here]
I feel very pressed to comment on this…and could go on and on… but so not to lose meaning I’ll just say what flashed into mind. “Everything grows” . . . . (PS) i dig your videos….Big time
First thought: saying “your videos suck” is not a mature nor constructive form of criticism. I sense some emotion here.
And I love your videos by the way. Very funny. Maybe South African humor?
Ouch.
I’m not a fan of anonymous rebuke. Truth (if it is) spoken in love can’t be from an unknown source.
Test it Brett, then take the meat and throw away the bone…
I disagree with that all together! I LOVE your YouTube videos and frankly I appreciate that you use your talent ! You reach people with those videos and honestly you show that Christians are people too… We can have fun and joke about things! Not to mention that you are bringing laughter and joy to people around you! Jesus ate with his followers, he had relationships with them (as you well know) isn’t it our freedom a followers of Christ to be able to be ourselves? Humor is part of who you are and it’s a great way to bring people together and build relationships (just like Jesus built relationships) . I hope that you do not let that email change anything about you!
And as for saying you were wasting time… You and Val are some of the most giving, wonderful people I know! I know at the end the day the big man is going to be very pleased with both of you! 🙂 Much love! -Katie
Wow. There’s so much I could say about this… but let’s just keep it simple.
I’d be really interested to hear what Anon is doing with their valuable time, apart from pointing fingers and critisising other people’s passions.
I don’t believe God requires us to spend every ounce of energy on ‘reaching an audience’. God gives us our characters and our talents and I believe he delights in seeing us play. So please, don’t stop playing and having fun!
I have seen so many wonderful reactions to your videos! People love them. This is just one person. And the fact that they don’t want to put their name to the criticism just tells me that there’s more to this story than meets the eye.
Besides, even your fun videos are connecting you with people… who said ministering had to be all about preaching? I think the world really needs to see that Christians can also just have fun. So ja. Keep it up!
Also, have they missed all the other amazing ways you DO dedicate your time and energy to God’s kingdom? I mean really, you guys do so much more than many people I know.
Mmmmm…my comments??? Well first reaction is …is this Mr Universe, Mr Perfect…who the heck is this moron!!! Firstly no gumption evident in being anonymous…phew, now that’s really a Christian value we can all do without!!! My opinion, talk about a waste of energy…get out of cyberspace buck u are darkening its door
WOW!!!! talk about a party pooper… I don’t even know if it’s worth responding too.. seriously?? like seriously.. this is what you were sent? WOW!!!! no words! good luck with that… wahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!
I would be inclined to agree (but that would be the pot calling kettle…)
(ps. it wasn’t me)
Mmm, I am going to share my opinion without sharing my opinion, enter le rhetorical questions:
– Does a Christian painter always have to paint pictures of Jesus on the cross or scenes of Heaven?
– This guy called Paul once said “WHATEVER YOU DO, work at it with ALL YOUR HEART, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”. So isn´t it all about the heart with which we do things? Also, regarding this quote, does it look like there really is a difference between work and play?
– If a person has been making a difference for the Gospel in many spheres over a long period of time and being an influence, is he/she not entitled to any recreation whatsoever?
– If there was a comedienne who was called by God to make people laugh, and that meant making funny youtube videos 24/7 so that people could smile at some good clean fun, is that a sin?
Tip: these are not trick questions!
Thank you 🙂
1. Emotional journey: Haha – it’s a joke. Oh, wait… no it’s not. Rage. Pity. Oooh dear, this person has got themselves into some horribly twisted theological space – a very small space where strait jackets and beatings are the order of the day.
2. Joy anon, joy! There’s a whole lot about that in the holy book. Having fun is okay..
3. Sending stuff like this anonymously…. Ain’t no love in shooting someone down anonymously. Pick up the phone, have a conversation, ask him why he does what he does.
4. Brett, only some of your videos are lame.
5. Known Brett for 14 years – I don’t think I know anyone who I can say is (and has been for all of those 14 years) more hungrily challenging people to live joyfully, intentionally, authentically and selflessly for Christ. Here’s a guy who walks his talk. And when he doesn’t like his walk then he talks about it, which is ridiculously helpful to the rest of us who like to hide our faults. He’s the first to admit he’s far from perfect. [That humility thing at the bottom is just bizarre – go read just a small part of the reams of Brett FISH Anderson content in the public domain OR (better) have a conversation with the guy and nothing could be further from the truth.]
6. @anon – ever think that the reason there’s an audience is because people appreciate the guy for being genuine (including youtube hit and misses)? Who wants to hear another person preach “Jesus has come to give life to the full” and yet display none of this fullness. Not me.
7. Last night I watched Brett do a live long-form improv show in Cape Town (incredibly demanding) with friends who don’t know him [www.improguise.co.za]. One hour of superb laughter which left us discussing whether or not he’s better than Wayne Brady. The man is talented. Pretty sure that God has a sense of humour and had a good chuckle as a small group of humans brought joy to another group of humans. And seeing as even a simple Google of Brett [http://goo.gl/kHo1U] would lead one to discover he’s intent on following Christ and gives glory to God for any talents he has…. then that seems like fairly good stewardship of talents and time to me.
8. The crux of the email seems to be ‘appropriate v inappropriate use of time’ – I am often blown away by just how much need there is for people to present Godly views on internet discussions. Brett manages to get through an inordinate amount of online communication (e-mail, Facebook, blogging, other!) while seemingly living a pretty full schedule. It takes a whole lot of discipline and caring for people to do what he does… I think it should be applauded.
Keep it up Brett.
The other videos are great.
Hey Brett, I read this post this morning and it hurt my heart. When Nate woke up I read it to him too, and we had a long discussion about it. Whilst it’s hard for me not to take offense to this email, even if I’m “taking offense for you”, I know you are smart enough to work out all the things wrong with this email. (And I’m sure many people have been able to tell you too!) I however, wanted to tell you (and I’m sorry it took me this long to say something) how much I appreciate your videos. Nate has loved showing your videos to people coming to visit, his co-workers and others alike. We have appreciated the simple humour in your video’s and the cleanliness of them. I know we won’t always know the reach we have had in people’s lives until we reach heaven one day – so to directly comment on the whole “How would you answer Jesus one day”, I don’t think Jesus will ask this question because Jesus will know the answer to the question in the first place, He knows who you were able to reach 🙂 Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to shed some fun light in our world. We appreciate it!
Hey Brett!
Jesus uses you in ways you cant and wont see all the fruit of in this life. I believe he does this to keep us humble and focussed on him. We should only walk in obedience to what he calls us to do and say. last week the Lord really used your blog about spinning to speak truth to my heart.
As for the email: we should ALWAYS walk in love. The person that offends you is responsible for his sin against you but you are responsible for how you respond to it. Luke6:27-31
much love
Joy
This is lovely.
Brett, clearly from all of the above at least most of your God-given audience agrees, God has gifted you, you and Val are serving him 100%, having fun and having hobbies is good and healthy and you are good at those so keep doing them, and South African humor is not appreciated by all :).
Keep posting dangerous things you can least expect, especially the clitchy ones and maybe a new one on anonyMOUS-ity 😉
Somebody out there feels sufficiently hurt and angry to send a piece of anonymous hate mail. It is personal, but for some reason he doesn’t feel he can approach you directly. I would try to find out who it is and sort it out with them personally and privately rather than responding to the content and defending the accusation.
Brett, i wouldn’t change a thing about you,
A large reason for why your audience is so big is because of the humour in which your stuff is conveyed. Your humour is much a gift from God as your wisdom, your conviction and your strength. I agree with all of the above posters. Keep doing things the way you are. For me, judgement day will be better for a host of people because of your youtube videos and related online material. Even if some of it “sucks”. 😉
well, this might be the best blog share yet. and so many wonderful folks all try’n to share…it’s great.. watch out, this very well could turn into church! I love that some one wrote “it wasn’t me!” .. Who else wanted to say that i wonder?
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