My Life Before Christ

I don't know who all reads this. It's funny (funny-odd...not funny-funny) that when I write stuff, I'm usually alone, and the words feel...oh, I don't know, isolated maybe? But there is a potential audience for this post and that makes me kind of nervous. Because some of the possible readers knew me in my college years, or even before. Yikes! Those were days filled with ME...days when I didn't walk with Christ...didn't value Him above all else.

I said I knew Christ, but that was where it ended...just...well, isolated words, I guess. And here I am now, blogging about how much I love Jesus and how amazing His Word is to me. Do these people that I love so much think to themselves, "You've got to be kidding, me! This was written by Chris? I remember the time he..." ? (fill in the blank there. I was going to, but it seemed inappropriate and a little celebrative of something that I don't need to be proud of). Recently I tried to contact a few "old" friends on FB to say "Hello" and got no response.

Maybe they don't check their account very much...oh, wait a minute they just posted a status. Ummm...maybe they don't respond to weirdos who they recall doing "that which must not be named". Not that I blame them. They don't know me anymore. Still...it leaves me with an incredible desire to somehow let them know that my life is different...changed...new.

I write this because I was just wondering if anyone else has ever felt this way before. Have you had a past that did not radiate Christ, but now you have a different groove...a changed perspective that has been altered by an encounter with the Almighty?

I'd love to hear...

Right Now!

This was to the leadership of my wonderful church. What a privileged 15 minutes this was:

Picture my office and the green chair that sits in the corner. Picture me kneeling...

I heard earlier today that some of you are having a difficult week. I smiled...not because I think there is any humor in that. On the contrary. This battle is very real and I am in it with you. I smiled because in a moment of stupidity, the enemy overplayed his hand...and now I will do something that he does not want...I will pray for you. I will be alert because I know that he prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. It will NOT be you!

Here is your leadership challenge for today:

Stand firm, leader. There's a reason for the trials we're facing. It will strengthened us as we're prepared by the Holy Spirit for the joy of seeing God's kingdom advanced and His glory revealed.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood... - I Peter 5:8-9

I love you so much right now...and am about to prove it in prayer.

On my knees,
Chris

Prayer Share

More prayers for the people of Clearwater...

Join me in prayer for these precious saints: S and V, J,A and T, and B,L and H

S and V, I pray that your heart is overwhelmingly filled with Christ as He leads you into deeper pursuits of His Character. V, I pray that when you see Him you will ponder His qualities more deeply than most and return to strengthen your sisters in Christ. S, I pray for a "hedge of thorns" to grow around you to protect your fortress of holiness where you commune with the Almighty.

J and A, I pray for your friendships to deepen in these coming days and that each one brings peace to all that overwhelms you. A, I pray that you flourish in motherhood as you raise young warriors for the kingdom and that they "rise up and call you 'Blessed'" because of the precepts you teach them. J, I pray that the unfathomable riches of His Word fill your mind and fall from your lips as you teach this flock. T, we love you! Shout for joy little "honorable one". We are listening to you as you sing the song of the redeemed.

B and L, I pray for you as tomorrow you will bring the Word of God before these people...B in word...L in prayer. L, I pray that as the Light of Christ shines through you, it will light the way for B, H, your girls and those that look to it for guidance along their path. You are a daughter of God and it is so obvious to all who see Him shine in your heart. I pray B, that you will stand firm in the Word before the people tomorrow morning. Lead us to great Truth... and you little H, I pray that as you begin your walk both physically and spiritually that you grow wise and strong like Hudson Taylor.

We love you all,
Chris

A Prayer for the Precious

Well, this is the first day of refueling and already I have been rewarded beyond what I can imagine. I went for a run and listened to I Peter 5 over and over...this is what was poured out before me..."and the God of all grace who called you to His eternal glory in Christ...will...make you strong, firm and steadfast". Isn't that beautiful? More beautiful than the pelicans skimming the bay for sunset fare...more gorgeous that the disappearing radiant beams of light over the horizon...more appealing than the porpoise diving into quiet waters beneath this pristine bridge...Wow!

I am praying for some special people tonight and I thought I would share that: I only included names of my family members but I love them all dearly. Co-laboreres with me in this endeavor to eagerly serve...

Hey Everyone,

I had a great day of prayer, study and worship. I thank God that He allows us this privilege of approaching His throne with petitions and thanksgiving...so much to be thankful for...so many petitions.

Please join me in praying for TaG, TeG and JG, and Kathy, Francie, and Willow Harris.

TaG, I pray that God teaches you about His character today. As you seek Him and He reveals things to you in the secret places, I pray that it will cover your countenance to the point that those around you notice the presence of God and glory upon you. I pray that Isaiah 26:8 becomes a mantra for you as you wait on Him and walk in His ways.

TeG I pray as you begin your weekend that your servant-heart is tested as you are given opportunity to utilize your unique gifts and that those who are touched by your generosity are blessed beyond their comprehension as they glimpse your Savior in the light that shines through you.

JG, I pray that Jesus hones your ability to be an open book to a watching world. That your quiet love for Christ blossoms into a radiant flower that comes to full bloom in its proper season. I pray that a deep-seated desire to be used by Christ begins to grow in your spirit until you can no longer contain it and just then that God gives you an opportunity to overflow.

Kathy, my precious wife, I pray that you are encouraged by those around you to press on as you carry the banner for discipleship to so many women. I pray that God fills your heart with love, your mind with wisdom and your mouth with the sweetness of His Word. As ladies watch your Proverbs 31 life pour forth, my request for you is that Christ's light is all they see reflecting from your time alone with Him in the midst of His grace.

Francie, my gorgeous daughter, I pray that within you grows a love for reading the Word of God. That you become a doer of His Word in ways that you never imagined and that He sets free your wisdom, grace and eloquent beauty to shine like a star in the universe!

Willow, my baby...dance dance dance...sing sing sing and make a joyful noise as Jesus places innocence and righteousness within your tender heart. I pray that you will sleep well tonight with Mankey and Passey and even now begin to contemplate your Savior!

We love you all so much,
Chris

A Son is Given

I feel certain the "cinnamon" scented candle on the end table next to me smells wonderful but I'm fighting a bit of a cold so I can't know for sure. The lit Christmas tree over my shoulder in our den sparkles against the backdrop of a dreary day as the forecast calls for rain. Throw in the gentle fire and the Christmas music playing on the iPod and there's no doubt as to what time of the year it is. This is a nice moment.

But there are some strange ideas out there about why the moment is so nice. On the radio, the advertisement tells me this season is all about "spending time with the family" - and apparently, "family time" will be meaningless if I don't purchase their product. A guy on TV just put a gazillion Christmas lights on his house and told the interviewer "This is what Christmas is all about!". And the kid in the elementary school Christmas program just sang a song that proclaimed to the audience "Santa comes down the chimney to bring joy...and peace on earth"! Everyone clapped, but to be fair, I think it's because that kid is really cute in his santa suit.

I wonder if people actually know what's going on. If they don't, do they at least want to know why we celebrate and Who we're celebrating? Christmas traditions are nice and all with the sparkling trees and chestnuts roasting on an open fire, but "nice" becomes "life-changing" when you really get what's happening. This is my prayer...that "...unto us a Child is born..." becomes the shimmering glitter of the life transformed by pondering just how "on earth, peace goodwill toward men" finally arrived.

Faith in the Face of Fear

Here's a thought I had about faith in the face of fear: Sometimes I know that fear strikes me and I am not even sure where it is coming from. I didn't ask for it...didn't invite it, and here it is like an enemy encamped in my valley of despair. Big, ugly intimidating fear that sometimes paralyzes me without lifting a bony finger. And that is just when "faith" comes to my aid. Now the Bible tells me that even a little bitty faith can move mountains (Matthew 17:20) so it's not the size of my faith that overcomes this crouching enemy but where I have placed it...and I have placed it in a HUGE GOD!

Imagine if someone owns a powerful and beautiful sports car and just suppose they return from a windy ride on a winding road, savoring such raw power, they then get down on their hands and knees to look underneath the vehicle and say, "Wow! Look at that clutch!" No, the clutch simply releases the power of this gorgeous machine. Faith is the clutch that releases the power of God in the midst of the "soon-to-be road-kill" that is my fear. So what does my faith do? It holds me fast to what I really believe when EVERYTHING around me is telling me that what I know to be truth is not real, and gently tells me that God is everything I need in Christ Jesus.

All This and Heaven Too? The Bible Says "No".

There is a great difference between the message of the gospel and the message of the "american dream". Even still, somehow at times these two seem to get entangled and trip up even those who pursue Jesus with a fervor. The message of the "dream" is"make the most of this life you've been given by getting as much wealth as you can". The trap comes when we think that our heavenly Father wants us to have good things and lots of money, as we live out our days upon the earth, and that because they have demonstrated more "faith", rich people are indeed rich because God made them that way. And every can get rich and be healthy if only they too will show that they have the faith that will do it for them too God as well. Gift above Giver..idolatry. These teachers use phrases like "This is your divine destiny" and "You can take dominion over your financial situation". It's a lie.

The message of the gospel found in God's Word is so extremely different from this. It is "find Christ and you will have everything you need and more...because you have HIM!" Then give away everything else so that it does not hinder your ability to see Jesus. So hard to comprehend. "All this and heaven too." is a popular and misleading notion that suggests it is possible to enjoy ease, comfort and convenience as we live out our lives on earth and then after death, we go to heaven and continue that happy process. But "happiness" is not God's ultimate goal for His followers. It is "holiness". Holiness is that eternal radiating joy that comes from within quite regardless of any daily circumstance we face, difficult or otherwise.

Jesus never teaches the idea that if you will show your faith in Him, you will become rich as He "releases your blessing". On the contrary. He kept telling HIs disciples about the trouble they would have in this world (Jn 16:33) ; that if you follow HIm, you would not even be promised a place to live (Lk 9:58) and that before you decided to follow Him, know that you likely would be killed for doing so (Lk 9:23). Paul continued this teaching when he said that you are guaranteed persecution for living a Christ-like life (II Tim. 3:12) and Peter said that you would suffer until the day you see Jesus (I Peter 1:6-7) . James charges us that when we suffer, we should be filled with joy because of it (Jms 1:2).

So where do we get this idea that life should be a combination of the Great American Dream and the Gospel of Jesus Christ? It comes from bad and false (and even vague) teaching that tells people what they want to hear. Teaching that tells them that "faith" means having good health and lots of money. I encourage you not to believe this teaching.

If we walk in faith, we are assured that these things await the believer in eternity. But if we pine after worldy riches now while we live a "mist" of a life here on earth and hoard as much wealth as we can, it will lead to eternal harm (I Tim 6:9) and loss of riches in heaven (Lk. 12:16-21). We make money so that we can have enough to have food and clothing and as families, be content. Then we give the rest away, generously providing for those who do not have these things. That is the gospel.