back again. the weekend has passed. i've been to bed earlier than usual and i feel somewhat refreshed.
i feel the service on sunday was eye opening to many of us. i know there were eyebrows raised when they seen a card that showed #1 Christian Porn site then the url www.xxxchurch.com. later in the service everything came together. our marriage workshop was outstanding too. we continued our discussion on values as it relates to marriage. values arise when there is no supervision. laws and regulations will be broken. values that are built in us remain forever.
i have to admit something. i have been disappointed in things lately. i take much time and prayer with people. the main reason is because i love them. i love each of my friends, family and especially the new faith church. i take time and effort in each person. i guess what i'm doing is trying to build values in their life as it relates to Jesus. when i think about what people do when no one else is looking is what disappoints me. what is their attitude? what is their language? what are their actions? what example do they set before their children? what do they take part in at work or school? who do they call their friends? does it edify Jesus or anyone?
my heart would tell me their values in Jesus would say they come through the test as gold. my ears tell me that the vlaue doesn't exist. am i wasting my time? there is a funny saying that is circulating in the ministry God has afforded me to be part of. it is "never under estimate the power of chuck." no, it's not egotistical. i hear that i always have this way of knowing or finding things out. maybe it is part of God allowing me to be a pastor with discernment. i tell you something though, it is not fun all the time. to tell you the exact truth it hurts my heart most of the time! can we understand that God reveals everything.
in the ministry i have dedicated my life to helping people live a life that is profitable and good. i would never tell anyone to do something i'm unwilling to do in my life. i would never lead anyone down a road that i've never taken or i'm unwilling to take. i know i have so much further to go and even more to learn. when i speak to a group something inside me asks "chuck, do you think they are getting it?" the scary thing is i answer myself. my answer is "i hope so." then my heart begins to break when i discern things. on the flipside my heart leaps with joy when i see people excel in God. i get excited when people are getting ready to tell people about Jesus. their desire is wanting to be part of God's Kingdom and not just part of a task within a local church. wait, there it is. if our value is to be part of a local church then our value is not being built or instilled correctly. the value should be built in a way that we are part of God's Kingdom. i need to undersatnd that my actions affect God's kingdom. after reading all of this i know that i must break the heart of Chirst. so i guess i know in just a very little way what it means to experience a very small part in some of His suffering. i will say this, taking part of this suffering is not fun at all. especially when you find out you must pray more in times like this.
on another note the Kentucky Wildcats are 2-0. they are still weak in areas. free throws especially. last night against lipscomb they were only winning by 2 with 7 minutes left. eventually they pulled it out to win by only 17 points. GO CATS.
now that i think about this game of basketball. where would i be in the game if i considered ministry as a game of basketball. i'm trying to defend, coach, teach and organize myself and others to participate. not only to participate but to stay ahead. with 7 minutes left would i find myself ahead or behind? either way i can't stop until i've finished. why can't i stop? in basketball every play and move is important. in God's Kingdom every word, action and person is important to God. i guess it's a value. how strong would it be to say that i want God's vlaues to be mine!!! would anyone join me. i think so. but how many?
chuck
4 comments:
Well, Chuck is correct on several areas, as usual. On another one he is wrong. The kentucky Wildcats basketball team will not be a finalist this year, and the year is young, but wins over two junior colleges should not count.
It was a great service on Sunday. I must say that Chuck never fails to deliver, and suprise me in the message, delivery, and filling me with the Holy Spirit. It is a wonderful thing to feel the Spirit.
Values are an important part of my life and my family's life. The message drove home issues I was deliquent on before, I won't go into. But it reminded me of the first time I heard of the first time I heard of values and beliefs. It was actually in high school, in history class of all places. We had several good classes and discussions which has remained with me over the years. I have tried to live by good values and beliefs. My parents instilled, drilled, and taught me some, the Navy did the same, and some I want to say and believe I learned on my own. Only God knows, but instilling and teaching your children values and beliefs is no easy task, but yet it is, if you take the time to care be who you are and love God.
Chuck, I will join you anytime! (only if I don't have to root for Kentucky :))
Gotta love the way you look at things bro. I'm glad to hear you got some rest. Keep it up. If you haven't got your health, you can't do the job. Take your time. I don't think people will mind.
I think you tap some questions we all ask from time to time. It sounds like it's one of those times.
Chuck, you really are a deep thinker. I appreciate your subtle way of really driving a point home. Sounds like an oxymoron, but I think you know what I mean. You especially hit me with the following quote:
"if our value is to be part of a local church then our value is not being built or instilled correctly. the value should be built in a way that we are part of God's Kingdom. i need to undersatnd that my actions affect God's kingdom. after reading all of this i know that i must break the heart of Chirst."
I find that I struggle daily with the desire to share with my students what I know to be true, but I can't for fear of being fired. So, I have chosen to help the children of New Faith, if that is what small influence I can have for right now to use my gifts. I pray for continued strength, courage and guidance to venture out more... -Janice
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