I forget to laugh

Sometimes I forget to laugh, do you?

The day to day grind, getting the kids homework done, getting supper ready, getting laundry done, and needing to clean the house.  All these things consume the day, and when I lay my head down at night I realize in all of this:  I forgot to laugh today.  How important is that?

"4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance," (Ec 3:4, NIV)

There HAS to be a time to laugh, for my sanity, for your sanity.  So here it is in the "most wonderful time of the year" which also is the most stressful time of the year, and I have to, you have to, make time to "laugh".  Now don't get me wrong we don't need to walk around laughing like blubbering fools, but there has to be a point in every day where we laugh.  It changes the mood, it can turn the day around, it can relieve stress, and I NEED it.

I got the time to weep, time to mourn, time to work part down, how bout you?  The hardest part is getting the time to laugh, time to dance part done.  It's like the weep, mourn, and stress consume us.  So what do we do:  we have to work harder at finding time to laugh, finding time to let go and relax.

I have a group of friends that we have been getting together once a month for the last several months and we eat dinner and we, yep you guessed it, we laugh.  We laugh ALOT, and it's great (thank you Brandy, Jeanne, RAchel, and Brian).  Do you have that?

One of my favorite Christmas movies is "National Lampoons Christmas Vacation", it is the silliest movie ever made, but it makes me laugh.  So enjoy the clip and go ahead and laugh you know you want to:

Have a great day, Love ya, Chris

how to pull of that interview

Isn't having a job interview one of the most nerve racking, gut wrenching, and challenging experiences we go through in life.  I remember in college taking a class that took through the whole process:  Resume and cover letter, dressing for the interview (power suit, power tie, posture, eloquence in speaking, etc.), follow up letter, follow up interview, etc. and on and on.  It's grueling.  Heart pumping as hard as it can go, trying not to fidget around in the chair, clearing your voice so you don't sound like there is a froggie in there, and trying not to sweat (cause you never want to let them see you sweat).  Then you have to try to sell yourself to the company, trying to make them believe that you truly are the best one for the position, and guess what statistics teach that you have to grab there attention within the first one minute, most employers decide within that first 60 seconds whether or not you "make the cut".

I read a survey not too long ago that showed that most people that attend church believe they WILL NOT have to account for their lives, or as my devotion I read today called it "our last great interview".  Scripture does speak to that:

For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat....So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. (Ro 14:10-12, NIV)

Let that resonate for a minute...

One day every single one of us will give an account of himself/herself to God.

Let me make a suggestion, when that time comes and you do have that "last interview", you want to have Jesus Christ as your character witness.  You want Him, You Need Him or trust me:  the interview will not go well.

If you would like to know how to make Jesus your Character witness email me at : revclreese@gmail.com and I will help you.

Have a great day, Chris

Pain Relief

I hate pain.  Sounds redundant doesn't it, because I am sure we all do.  I have broke my wrist, ruptured a disk, ruptured another 7 months after the first one, and passed several kidney stones.  I know pain, and I hate it.  There is a pain that goes beyond physical, there is emotional pain.

Have you ever had a best friend stab you in the back?
Have you ever had a person in a relationship cheat on you?
Have you ever been lied to?
Have you ever been abused?
Have you ever been made fun of?
the list could go on.... and on.

The thing that we need to realize is that Jesus came to set us free, even from emotional pain.  He can identify with all of the above, think about it.

Judas betrayed him (best friend stab in back), we commit spiritual adultery every day (cheat on you), we have lied to him, He was abused by the soldiers and religious leaders, and Jesus was made fun of over and over (and still is by the way).

So what does that mean to us?  the answer is found in scripture:

5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
(2 Co 1:5, NIV)

It means in every aspect of our lives that we have suffered (or are in pain) Jesus understands, He has been there, He can empathize, and He can comfort.  He is there, His waiting, He is wanting to ease your pain and comfort you in your time of need, will you let Him.

have a blessed day, Chris

Calling it Quits

Excerpt from my devotional book:
"Remember that time you quit the sports team?  Bailed out of a relationship?  Walked away from your job?

Sometimes quitting is the most sensible way to minimize your losses, so you may as well at times in your life give up on something or someone" 

31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” (Nu 13:31, NIV)

Haven't we all felt that way?  Haven't we all at some point walked away from something?  We may have said (or thought) it's too hard, too tough, I can't do it, I won't do it.  So we want to (and often do) walk away.

Then the unfortunate thing is:  We never know.....

was that the right relationship, was i meant to be the pro sports player, was that my job i was supposed to have?  and we are left with a feeling of emptiness sometimes because we feel like we have "missed" something.

The national of Israel missed out on what God wanted them to have because they gave up too soon, they got scared, and  they failed to remember the promises of God.  God had already promised them this land all they had to do was enter it, that's it :  enter it.

Don't quit, Don't give up, Don't throw in the towel.  You may feel like it, but don't give up on God because He never gives up on you.

have a blessed day!  chris.

Mistakes

Mistakes, we all make them, and we do it over and over and over....................and over.  Some are recoverable, some make us feel:

and some are historical:

so how do we deal with them?

72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.b Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twicec you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
(Mk 14:72, NIV)

Our recognition of mistakes is key, Peter recognized he messed up.  Then he was overwhelmed by sorrow, and yes he wept (cried).  Crying is an outward expression of an inward movement.  But it shows he was truly sorry.

Most mistakes in life are recoverable, how you deal with it shows where you are at with your faith.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 Jn 1:9, NIV)

God is always willing and able to forgive, He looks past our mistakes.  Our problem is that we don't know how to look past the people around us who make mistakes and our own. 

Forgive mistakes and move on, it's healthy for you spiritually and emotionally.

There is one mistake you and I must not make:  that is ignoring the fact that we will die one day and Jesus is the only way to enter Heaven.  We must absolutely get this one right.

have great day, Chris

Lordy Lordy Chris is...... 40?

What?

Hold on a minute, I don't feel 40 and I sure don't look 40.

But according to the calendar I am.

Wow, where has time gone?

I have had 40 wonderful years, i have no complaints.

Have I had some bad times, yup no doubt.  However, as I look at the last 40, I am no less amazed at where I am and what God has done.

1. I have a God that loves me NO matter what
2. I have a wife that i adore
3. I couldn't ask for 4 better girls that what i have
4. I have parents that are awesome
5. the best in laws in the world
6. a job that i love
7. the best friends anyone could ask for
8. one of the greatest youth groups in the world
9. a church i look forward to worshipping with every week
10. a bright future

So here is to the first 40 and hey who knows maybe 40 more

thank you for all my birthday wishes you all are so kind.

Carowinds NightHawk

Do you recognize this coaster?

It is "Nighthawk" at Carowinds, I was there July 2.  Now rollercoasters rarely bother me, but i have found that as i am getting older there are some now that, well let's just say "get to me".  Ok the truth:  this one really scared me.  There was something about it, something that made me extremely uncomfortable.

Carowinds website describes the ride as follows:

• The Carolina's only flying coaster soars riders through eight inversions, most while flying face down, zooming toward the ground and turning skyward just in time for the next inversion.
• The unique rider position offers breathtaking and virtually unobstructed views of the park.
• Your friends on the ground can walk under the ride and cheer you on through your whirlwind tour.

 If you never rode it before you have a lap bar and a "vest" holding you in, and you are laying "face down" throughout the ride to give you the sensation of "flying".  I remember getting strapped in, then the ride lays you backwards, at this point i thought, "I don't wanna do this, ummmmmm too late", and at this point i have to admit i closed my eyes and simply endured the ride.  Meanwhile beside me was my friend Brian Lee, who has his armed stretched out enjoying the ride (mainly because he wants his superpower to be flying).  Point being I missed the entire ride because of "fear" where as Brian enjoyed the ride because he was not afraid.

So what's the point?  Life can be down right scary sometimes.  Life can make us want to close our eyes, minds, doors, etc. and miss the whole thing.

What is God's response:

Jesus says, " Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matt. 14:27)

The story behind when Jesus says this is when the Disciples where out in the middle of the sea, and Jesus appears to them walking on water.  All of the Disciples where afraid, except Peter, who listened to Jesus and got past his fear and stepped out on the water with Jesus.  Something amazing happened (though short lived) simply because he let go of his fear.

Let go of your fear, take courage, and follow Jesus.

Have a blessed day, Chris.

BTW, unless Jesus tells me to i shall not ever ride Nighthawk, ever.  haha

a perplexing sign

Church signs can be quite humorous sometimes, sometimes they can be thought provoking, and unfortunately sometimes they just make me shake my head.

"We have better Sunday's than DQ"

"The Wage's of Sin are higher than the price of Gas"

"Sure is hot and without Jesus it will get hotter"

"Turn or burn; eternity smoking or non-smoking"

need i go on?

I saw one this morning, "Success is being able to stand before God unashamed";  though i understand the concept and point they where getting at, it made me curious as to what scripture says about it (hence the sign did its job, it got my attention).

So what Does the Bible say about what happens when we stand before God:

"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.  2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.  3 And they were calling to one another:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” (Is 6:1-5)

"17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.  18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. "(Re 1:17-18, NIV)

Just two (though there are more) sections of scripture that describe what it is like when we stand before God.  There very presence of God is so great and overwhelming that we only stand before Him with humility.  When we stand before the Creater of everything any righteous act or deed we have done, fails to comparison to the greatness of His glory.

6 All of us have become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags (Is 64:6, NIV)

So what IS the sign trying to say to us then?  I would translate the sign as this:  "success is standing before God knowing that I followed Him as much as i could, except when i stumbled over myself, got distracted, or was being an idiot.  However by His grace, I asked for forgiveness and He clothed me with His righteousness, and then i was able to stand before Him unashamed".  (but i guess that is too much to put on a sign)

These are the words I want to hear when I kneel before my KING:

21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Mt 25:21, NIV)

Have a blessed day, Chris

Summer 2012

The last month has been crazy, I mean craaaaazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzyyyyyyyyyy.

Had an unbelievable (and remarkably smooth) week with my youth at Fort Caswell.  I love worshipping with students, they amaze me.  I saw many grow in some unbelievable ways.  My hope is always that they will come back and be different, be changed, or then Caswell is just another "week at the beach".  I love it when some come thinking that is what is gonna happen; then bam God does His work and I see their lives transformed in a week.

Then it was off to Student Impact with a group of students, Student Impact is an opportunity for students to make in impact in one of the "poorer" communities in NC, we go do volunteer work in Hayesville/Murphy area.  This week is usually my "core" group that goes.  They go knowing that it is several days of hard work, but yet they still love it.  I usually enjoy this week at Student Impact more than I do Caswell, i know as strange as it sounds your talking a week at the beach worshipping vs. a week of mission work.  However this year was a draw, because both retreats where simply amazing.

what makes these weeks so great is also this fine group that i get to work with:

I cant say enough about Brian, Jeanne, and Rachel.  I love them all dearly and they are such an encouragement to me and my ministry.  I have had the opportunity to be able to share most of this summer with them.  They are three very special people.

Well, i make it sound like the summer is over, but nope not yet.....there is till much to do for the Glory of God.  I LOVE MY JOB!!!

Chris

Caswell 2012

Our retreat week at the NC Baptist Assembly at Ft. Caswell is quickly coming upon us, which means I am stressed to the max.  However, let me state that i LOVE taking youth to Caswell. 

Don't know what Caswell is?  Well glad you asked.  Caswell is a retreat/conference center owned my NC Baptists that during the summer operates week long camps for youth.  It is action packed, worshipful, challenging, and every year i see youth grow spiritually while there.  This will be my fourth year of going.  I seriously thought about "going it alone" and doing my own retreat.  But i don't know that i could do it as well as Caswell.

The worship and skits are done by the Be Do Tell team :  www.bedotell.com

wanna know more check out: www.fortcaswell.com

So the question is why am i so stressed?

Man, trying to make sure everything is together, having enough food, making sure all money is raised and accounted for, making sure i try to make the best trip possible for my youth and my chaperone's.  Making sure all the "i"'s are dotted and "t"'s crossed so to speak. 

All in all, i know it will be a great week, and we leave on Monday (4:30am) so appreciate your prayers for my youth and my adult helpers.

cya after CASWELL !!!!!!!

chris

This is my 100th post

Today's post is a little out of the normal, but hey why not?  Today's post is 10 things that make me smile:

1-Jesus

2- My wife of 12 years

3- My Children (Ginny, Rebekah, Samantha, & Olivia)

4- my mom, dad, and sisters

5- my youth

6- My job



7- My friends!!!!



8- My Church

9 - Working with children

10- jog on the beach

hope you enjoyed my 100th blog, love you all

chris







That was a really, really bad idea

We have all had our moments.  Sometimes we can have really, really good ideas; but on the contrary we can have really, really bad ideas.

Judas made the ultimate bad decision:

^44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” ^45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. ^46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him.  (Mk 14:44-46, NIV)

Bad idea, right?  Of course it was....

the reality is anytime you and i choose to do something wrong / contrary to what God wants us to do, then you and I are no worse than Judas.  Here is the thing:  Judas' really bad Idea was part of God's big plan (think about that for a minute).  Jesus was to go to the cross and die for our sins so that we may have eternal life (that's the big plan); and part of that big plan was that someone (being Judas) had to betray.

Point being:
We all make mistakes
We all make bonehead moves
We all Make bad decisions

especially when we walk away from Jesus, that's what Judas did.  Judas could have sought forgiveness, and yes Jesus could and would have forgiven Him.  instead Judas went and hung himself because of the grief, shame, and humiliation he bore from the guilt of knowing he did wrong.  Don't make the wrong decision, make the right one.  Come back to Jesus.

Chris

chris, where have you been??????

That is a great question, and to my reader's I most humbly apologize for my slackness and laziness.  Although, in my defense things have been crazy for over a month now.  To let you know what is going on in Chris's world here it is:

1. Summer is fastly approaching, and as a Youth/Children's minister means I'm about to get really, really busy.
2. In four weeks I will be not only taking my youth, but some youth from another church to Caswell.  Love Caswell!!  But it takes alot to make it happen. planning, administration, meetings, etc. you get the picture.
3. in six weeks i will be taking my students to "STudent Impact"; which a week of missions, we will be in the hayesville, murphy area doing community service projects.  Cleaning, building, painting, yard work,etc.
4. and then there is july, which is packed full of mountain biking, water parking, VBS, Carowinds, and Children's Camp.
5. Have taken on the responsibility, and privilege, of camp pastor for Kids Connect camp this summer, lot of planning going into that too.

I say all that to say, well blogs may be few and far between for awhile, however, I will try to keep you updated on whats happening and how things are going.  I love what I do, and I wouldn't change anything.

‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

(Mt 25:40, NIV)

 

So here is looking forward to another great summer!!

 

 

Easter 2012



"It's Friday, but Sunday is coming", yes it is (well technically todays Thursday, tomorrow's Friday, but Sunday is still coming).

This is it, this is the pinnacle of our faith, this is why I do what I do, quite frankly this is why we as Christians do what we do.  It's the basis of our faith, everything we believe is what happened on Sunday.  Friday is dark, gloomy, and seemed all was lost.....then Sunday Happened:

I hope you take some time today to watch both these clips, reflect on it, and thank God for what you have in Jesus Christ.  I further hope you take time this Sunday to Worship Him, simply because:

HE'S ALIVE....

Have a Blessed Easter, Chris

some thoughts on Tim Tebow

Some thoughts on Tim Tebow...

I will be the first to tell you that I am a Tebow fan, and long before he was a Jet (or a Bronco) for that matter.

There are those that say that we, as Christians only like him because of His faith, and not because of His playing ability.  There are some great athletes with some great faith (Jared Allen, Kurt Warner, Deon Sanders, Reggie White, Larry Fitzgerald, just to name a few) in the NFL (or retired from NFL).

Yes, i do appreciate Tebows Faith, as well as many others, and how they reflect it on the football field.

More than that, I love to watch Tebow play, He is unpredictable, unprecedented, and some times unbelievable.  Is he one of the best QB's out there, not really.  But alot of the way that He runs, and plays reminds me of my all time fav QB:

Yeah, I know you think I'm grasping at straws here trying to compare Tebow to Favre, but think back to Favre's early days, the way he scrambled and threw the ball and it will remind you alot of Tebow.  Now I don't think Tebow will ever get the chance to be the star Favre was, but imagine this:  If Tebow had been able to stay a bronco and this man helped him fine tune his passing game:

What a QB he could have been.  I would have to say (and this is my opinion, so you can disagree if you want to) that Tim Tebow is better than:

But only time will tell if he gets a chance to prove it.

Have a great weekend! 

Chris

promises, promises

Warning 80's flashback, "promises, promise" by naked eyes



The premise of the song/video was about a relationship in which one party made alot of promises and didn't keep them.....

and if you have been around long enough, it has happened to you:  someone made a promise and didn't keep it, or maybe it was you that made the promise and didn't keep it.

^20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.  (2 Co 1:20, NIV)

God has made a lot of promises:

He will always love you
He will never leave you
He will always listen
He will always care
He will always be there

He will always forgive (if we ask)

He will always guide

and the list could go on and on.......

When it come to you: are you a person of their word, can I (or someone else) rely on simply what you say.  Your answer to that determines what your character is.  think about it.

Have a great day, Chris



Give me a happy ending

There was a movie in the early 1980's called "The Pirate Movie", starred Kristy McNichol and Christopher Atkins, yes it was cheesy but i always liked it and every once in a while you can catch it on.  At the end of the movie pirates are taking over and everything looks as if it is falling apart, aka nothing is ending right.  Kristy McNichol stops everyone and yells, "hey I want a happy ending"; then the movie breaks into this song:

It's what everyone wants right?  A happy ending, we want everything to work out just like, well, in the movies.

The guy gets the girl.
The bad guy is caught.
Good wins over evil.
The star lands the dream job.
The sick get better.
everything turns out...... perfect.

Big problem is, It doesn't always work that way. 

I was thinking about this today, do you remember in the book of Daniel where Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to worship the golden statue, and the punishment was death (thrown into fiery furnace).  Nebuchadnezzar brought them before him and gave them a second chance to worship the golden statue, their response to him was as follows:

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. ^17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. ^18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Da 3:16-18)

Their faith is awesome isn't it, "if He doesn't, we still will not serve or worship your statue".  Now of course the bible records that the king gets so mad he heats that furnace up much much higher and throws them in, and yes you guessed it God saves them, after being in the fire, they are pulled out afterwards with not even smelling like fire.  A happy ending.  It's what we want.

I was wondering today, what if God didn't rescue them, what if they opened the door and the three where reduced to just ashes, what if it wasn't a happy ending?  What if they didn't get what they wanted,  is He still God?  of course He is, but is He now the God of Sad ending instead of Happy ending?  Life doesn't always turn out the way we want it to.  We don't always get what we want.  We don't always get a happy ending.  The guy doesn't always get the girl.  The bad guy doesn't always get caught.  We don't always get the dream job.  We don't always get to retire on a tropical Island (that's my dream btw).  Some how in the midst of all that we have to remember God could do it, He has the power to do it, and He controls everything.  So why doesn't He?  the answer is simple but yet profound:  it's not in His nor my best interest.  God always works things out for His kingdom and our best interest, but for us sometimes that is something totally different than what we expected or wanted.

The happy ending is this:  God loves you, He sent His son to die for you, and His gift to you is eternal life.  That my friend is the real happy ending.

Have a wonderful day,
Chris

You've got the power

For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. ^35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. (Mt 12:34-35, NIV)

Do you believe that YOUR words can make a difference?
Do you believe that YOUR words show who you are?

I hope so; because they do.  Your words have the power to change people's moods, feelings, and even their direction.  You have the power within you to either build someone up and encourage them, or to do the opposite and tear them down and destroy them.  The choice, the power is in you.

I also shows your heart, where you are spiritually and maturity wise.  "love is patient, Love is kind...." ring a bell.  It should.  Are our words patient, are they kind?  How did Jesus speak, what did He say.  It's amazing even when Jesus reprimanded someone, at the same time He would encourage them.

Did you know you could change someone's day by mere words, or you could ruin it.  You have the power.  don't be fooled by the old saying, "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never heart me", because it's not true.  Words to hurt, words do damage, words do destroy.  The power (choice) is within your power, so what will you do.

Food for thought for the day, Have a great day, Chris

Are you smarter than a 5th grader?

^28 And he said to man,

‘The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,

and to shun evil is understanding.’” (Job 28:28, NIV)

 

I never have been a smart person (and never claimed to be).  As far as I can recollect I never made A/B honor roll (though came close a time or two).  I always seemed to be "average". 

 

So does getting good grades in school make you smarter?  does it show you have wisdom?  does it mean you will always know the right thing to do?  does it make you more "ethical"?  Does it mean you understand more than the average person?

 

There are two types of wisdom.  One is wisdom you gain from man (school, college, books, etc.); the other is divine wisdom, that only comes from God.  Truth be known you need both.  However, half of this country only has the first.

The source of wisdom is the Fear of the Lord.  Fear translates to giving honor, reverence, respect to the Lord (God); growing to understand who He is, why He created us, He has a purpose in all He does.  What He tells us is in our best interest, His goal is never to harm or keep anything from us.  It is to Grow us into, yup you got it Wisdom.  The other half to this verse is being able to "shun" evil.  To be able to walk away (or run if you have to) that which is not good.  You and I being able to differentiate between what is "good" and what is "bad". 

Books will teach you one thing, God will teach you the best thing.  If you are willing to listen and learn.

 

have a great weekend, Chris.

 

How did we get to this point?

I was doing a search for the youtube video "cardboard testimonies" you know the really cool video of how God changed lives and they write it on cardboard in a big fancy church, and these people walk out in their nice clothes to a live band playing in a temperature controlled environment, and i found this video:

now some are humorous, but most are heart wrenching.  I watch this and i wonder (in an election year) how did we get to this point.  In a country where we raise trillions of dollars for a candidate to run for an office, how is it that we epically fail to take care of the homeless and hungry.  I recognize that not a single person running for office will see or read this blog, but you should be ashamed, very ashamed.  While your flying from state to state all over this country on hard working peoples $$, Americans (many who served this country faithfully) are hungry, cold, and need clothing.

May God have mercy on us for not taking care of His children.

Chris

You've Got a Friend In Me

"Friendships, along with love, make life worth living" - Mike Krzyzewski

^10 If one falls down,

his friend can help him up.

But pity the man who falls

and has no one to help him up! (Ec 4:10, NIV)

 

Ministry is one of the most rewarding, humbling, and highest callings in life.  It can also be the loneliest place on earth.

 

In evaluating in my last blog with my own life i realized something heart wrenching, I was writing about me, that I don't have time to build lasting friendships.  I realized that all my time is poured into two areas:  my home (wife and kids) and my youth.  Now recognizing that those are not bad, however as I was sitting at home Saturday and realized that we don't have "friends" that we hang out with, we don't go out to eat with couples, our kids don't get together with other kids and play.  So the question is why?

 

Some of it has to do with, well probably most of it has to do with the time crunch thing, it's really hard to find the time to.  I think the other one is simply having being in "ministry".  What has that got to do with it?  one word:  Favoritism.  People's "view".  If we as a couple spend time with another couple, could people view it as "favoritism"?  would that be "favoring" one family over another.  Could it affect my ability to minister effectively?

 

Don't get me wrong, I have friends, I have an "inner circle", I have some wonderful people i can go to.  I think as a couple we are just lacking in building quality friendships with other couples.  I gotta work on that.

 

Because we want to be known as:

 

 

blessings on your day,  love ya Chris

A Hospital full of healthy People?

So I have been talking with a friend of mine on the Internet about a problem that a friend of hers had with their local church.  This problem, however, goes far beyond this one individual body of believers.  The problem is this:  the inability to develop personal intimate friendships within the group of believers.  This conversation has brought me to a place of really thinking about this area, because it is turning from a problem to an epidemic.  It's heartbreaking to think that we have gotten to a place that we feel that we must act like we have it "all together" and have no problems when we come together to worship.  The church is designed and given to us to be a haven of rest, a place for encouragement, and a place to be able to come and become "spiritually healthy"; but instead we come in put on a show and make everyone believe we are "a hospital full of healthy people".

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ^32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Lk 5:31-32, NIV)

Jesus' very own words.

How did we get so far away from this?  It's Irony at it's best.  Could you imagine going to the hospital, and patients are all sitting around denying health care, and saying I'm fine, just here to hang out, I'm not sick, there is nothing wrong with me.  Do you know we do that in churches every week, and let's be honest its called lying. It's one of the reasons why we don't develop these personal relationships in question.  There are several other reasons too, they are as i believe listed below:

1. Time:  For some time is really the reason.  Between career, family, and other lists of responsibilities they feel that it is virtually impossible to develop these new personal relationships due to time constraints.  You will find that most people in this category have more acquaintances than friends, because they can't put forth the effort to develop anything other than "shallow" friendships.
2. Socially Handicap.  Some people have just never really developed the social skills necessary to develop deep intimate personal relationships, they have never really been taught what it takes to build such mentioned relationships.  These individuals usually end up with very few friends and rely on family members as their "sounding boards".
3. Broken Hearts club.  Some folks have gotten used, burned, or run over in the past by being completely honest in the past.  They are the ones that have worked hard at developing those personal relationships, just to have the other party in the relationship break confidence.  These individuals usually recover over time, and are able at some point to begin building those intimate relationships again.
4. Fear.  This is the group to which I am referring to as the most common one.  Fear of what?  Fear of people finding out that we are not perfect, our families are not perfect, and our lives are not perfect.  Their afraid of people finding out that the smile they put on every week is fake, their afraid of the "I'm fine" they respond with every week being found to not be true, and their afraid of people finding out that deep down inside they are hurting and in need.  We are afraid of people finding out the truth. 

This is, in my own opinion, a vicious cycle that must be broken.  We are all in the same boat.  None of us have the "perfect life", and we quite honestly need to quit acting like we do.  We all have struggles in life.  If we could put the "masks" down for a little while we could find encouragement in one another.  It is refreshing when you can relate to someone who is dealing with similar issues in life.  It is also refreshing to be able to just to sit and have a healthy conversation about the good things in life as well.  We need it personally, socially, and spiritually.

The same God that desires for us to have a personal, intimate relationship with Him, wants us to have a personal intimate relationships with others while we are here.  With Jesus as the model, He spent time pouring His life into the twelve;  that is intimate personal relationship at its best.  I challenge you with this:  take the time to develop intimate personal relationships with people.  It does take time, it does take effort.  In the end it is worth every second of it.

Please note, I do recognize that not everyone at all times is doing this.  However, I do know from experience with dealing with people, that the vast majority are not as "ok" as they tell people they are.

Have a blessed day, Chris.

take a few minutes to watch video by the group "Casting Crowns"  it addresses this reality:

Just keep swimming



My favorite scene from "Finding Nemo", Dory singing "Just Keep Swimming".  My youth probably get tired of me telling them the truth out of this song.  There is a core spiritual truth which is found here:

^14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

(Php 3:14, NIV)

Pressing on (or just keep swimming) is not easy.  Sometimes life does get you down sometimes your are Mr. Grumpy Gills.  So the question i pose to you is, what are you going to do about it?

You can give up.

You can complain.

You can get mad.

You can blame God

You can blame circumstances

You Can blame bad luck.

or

You can press on, keep swimming, and get to the other side of whatever is going on.  Life is never easy its full of bad situations, circumstances, and something crazy around ever corner.

but on the other hand.

life is also full of wonderful surprises, great friendships, happy occasions, awesome milestones, and a God that loves you and created you for a purpose.

So we have to press on (just keep swimming) to push through the dark days and look forward to the bright days.

So remember:  Just Keep Swimming.

Love to all, Chris

Time (is not on your side)

"Time" by Hootie and the blowfish

Time is rarely ever my friend, how about you?

It seems like i :
Don't have time to read...
Don't have time to spend with my kids....
Don't have time to spend with my wife....
Don't have time to have any fun....
Don't have time to exercise....
Don't have time to sleep....
Don't have time to eat...
Don't have time to watch a movie...
Don't have time to relax...
Don't have time to ______ (fill in the blank)

Time is like our worst enemy...  I have gotten better at time management, though I have not perfected it.  We really have to sit down and decide what are the most important things that I need to do today.  In the midst of trying to figure out what we have (and don't have time for), God is usually the one who suffers when it comes to us spending time with; and yet when we make a list of stuff we want to do; God misses out on that one too.  Jesus addressed this time issue:

^13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. (Mt 25:13, NIV)

You and I don't have a clue of when our last day or hour and this earth will be.  One minute we can be alive, the next, well, we are faced with eternity.  I want to challenge you today with making a list of all the things you say you "don't have time to do", and then take the time to do them.  You won't regret it.

Unfortunately with the nature of my work, I spend time with people who are facing death, not a one of them over the last 10 years has ever said, "I wished i would have worked more, or spent more time away from home"  Most of them have said: I wished i would have-

spent more time with kids, grandkids
spent more time with spouse
spent more time with family
spent more time reading Bible
spent more time praying
spent more time serving God.

Don't live life with regrets, While you have read this the clocked has ticked more time off your life, so don't let it have been a waste, make a change, manage your time.

Have a great day, Chris

top 10 favorite games of all time

This is my favorite games I have seen of all time and are in no particular order:

1. December 22, 2003: Just one day after the sudden death of his father, Irv, Favre passed for 399 yards and four touchdowns on "Monday Night Football" in a blowout win. final score Packers 41, Raiders 7
2. Jan. 26, 1997: Superbowl XXXI, Favre passed for two touchdowns (54, 81 yards). final score: Packers 35, Patriots 21
3. January 27, 2001, "Miracle Minute", Maryland was up by 10 with 54 seconds to go, Maryland made some costly mistakes, Duke takes advantage scores 10 pts and takes it to overtime. final score: Duke 98 Maryland 96
4. Feb 2, 1995, the 2 OT loss, Duke is suffering it's worst season in a long while, but still manages to take #2 UNC to double overtime, it was a loss for Duke, but a memorable game.  Final Score: UNC 102, Duke 100
5. Sept. 1, 2007, "Miracle in Michigan", I only saw the end of the game, but it was awesome.  Underrated under appreciated App State goes into the Big House and shocks Michigan, called one of the biggest upsets in American sports history, and put Boone, NC on the map.  It was the first win ever by a team in Division I FCS (I-AA) over a "ranked" team in Division I FBS (I-A) since the NCAA split its Division I into two football subdivisions in 1978.final score: App 34 Michigan 32
6. January 8, 2009, BCS National Championship Game, Tim Tebow's two touchdown passes and Percy Harvin's two-yard touchdown run led the Florida Gators to their second BCS National Championship in three seasons. Final Score Florida 24 Oklahoma 14
7. January 3, 2003, BCS Championship game, Don't know why this game always sticks out with me, maybe it was the double overtime in National Championship, and it sticks out in my memory, strange though since I am neither a Miami or Ohio st. fan, but i remember it being a "good game".  Final Score Miami 24 Ohio St. 31
8. September 8, 1998, "the home run battle", Mark McGuire in a game against Sosa's Cubs and with members of the Maris family in attendance, he hit Steve Trachsel's pitch 341 feet - his shortest home run of the season - just over the left field wall, breaking the record for the most home runs ever hit in a single season. Final Score: Cardinals 6  Cubs 3
9. December 18, 1994, "the last game at county stadium".  This was the last time the Packers would play at Milwaukee County Stadium (home of the Brewers at the time).   Great ending to an era with a great ending to a game, with fourteen seconds left, the winning 9-yard touchdown run was scored by Brett Favre.  Final Score:  Falcons 17 Packers 21
10. February 1, 2009, Superbowl XLIII, Love it when the "old Man", AKA Kurt Warner, has another chance at glory, with the underdog Arizona Cardinals (who by the way no one gave a chance); although they lost, it was an extremely close game.  final score:  Arizona 23 Pittsburgh 27
11. Honorable Mentions, all four Duke National Championships, especially April 5, 2010 final Score Duke 61 Butler 59

Well that is my short list, I would have to say my favorite would be a tie between Favre's Monday night madness vs. Oakland, and The Duke miracle minute vs. Maryland.

Have a wonderful day, and what would your fav game of all time be?

Chris

Done any dancing lately?

^14 David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might, ^15 while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets. (2 Sa 6:14-15, NIV)

This is how we know for a fact, scriptural, that King David was NOT Southern Baptist, cause any SB knows that under no circumstances do you EVER dance.  I say that in Jest, sort of, however do you know how many believe that?  I have actually heard some say that it actually wasn't "dance" that he was just walking around "fast or something", seriously?  So check this out, The Hebrew word used here is  כָּרַר [karar /kaw·rar/] which translates "to whirl or to dance", don't know you argue what the Hebrew text translates, there it is in black and white....

But here is what Chris takes out of this, cause quite frankly i have never enjoyed dancing.  David was having fun.  what??????  Fun, in church???  ummm yeah.  He had fun dancing then he shouted.  (it's there go back and look).  I have always felt like there has to be some "fun" element to Church, and i know that to some they would have really shocked looks on their faces when they hear that but really think about it.  David was enjoying the moment:

He danced

He shouted

He had fun.

I believe with all my heart that it is very possible to "have fun, but maintain a heart of worship".

I have been doing it for 10 years.

Loosen up, have fun, worship God.

Chris.

I broke my valentine's tradition

I normally don't participate in the Valentine's hoopla.  I am of the opinion of a few things:

1. I treat my wife and kids all year long that i love them; therefore Feb 14 is just another day i treat them like i love them.
2. I am of the opinion that card and florist companies use this day to jack up prices and make us feel like we "have" to do this (its a marketing thing).
3. If you want to show someone you love them, do something sacrificial (which by the way is not candy and flowers); do their laundry for them, cook them a meal, make them a handwritten note (not a bought card), wash their car.  I'm for being practical about showing love.

However this year, i broke my standing tradition.  I bought my wife something, not a big thing, just something i picked up a month or so back, i should have given it weeks ago, but I waited till today.  Then we are off to The Cove tonight for Dinner and a Bible Study.

So why did i choose to give it to her today and not, tomorrow or yesterday?  keeps her guessing.  She knows how i feel about how blown out of proportion Vday is.  So the surprise was that she wasn't expecting anything out of ordinary today.  haha. 

BTW, found this tidbit about the origin of Valenties Day and there is nothing romantic about it:

Numerous early Christian martyrs were named Valentine.^[5] The Valentines honored on February 14 are Valentine of Rome (Valentinus presb. m. Romae) and Valentine of Terni (Valentinus ep. Interamnensis m. Romae).^[6] Valentine of Rome^[7] was a priest in Rome who was martyred about AD 269 and was buried on the Via Flaminia. (taken from Wikipedia)

have a great day, Chris

a blog about nothing

so why are you reading this?  it's a blog about "nothing", well obviously its about something....

I have been bad this week, aka no blogs, and well today I decided I "have to" I "need to" but about what?  So indecisive today...

My mind is fluttering with so much:

1. I am missing my Grammy really bad, I miss our Sunday lunches, our "daily" phone calls (btw if i didn't call she would call me and I quote, "well i thought i would call because i haven't heard from you today"; I would give anything to hear that today.
2. I am missing my friend Keith Knighten.  It will be a year in march, wow, doesn't seem like it.  I saw so much life in him, so much potential, he never would let his handicap keep him down, and then: he was gone.
3. I am so proud of my friend Brian Lee, who has had his first book published and is available online at barnes and noble and on amazon (although it is cheaper on barnes and noble); "The legend's of beverly's hill" you should check it out.  So people ask me what is it about, my response is "i haven't read it yet" lol
4. I love college bball, am a Duke fan through and through, they beat UNC, which i am usually so pumped about, but not so much this year, wonder why???
5. I am wrapped up busy scheduling this summer for my youth, wow the calendar is so full already and we are still a good 4 months from then.
6. this is item 6
7. Miss my pops, who is in Florida.
8. So much to do on a Friday, and I am writing a blog of random thoughts, this is called "procrastination"
9. trying to think of a couple of more so i can get to 10 points.
10. this officially ends my blog of "nothing"

have a wonderful day, Chris

heigh ho heigh ho it's off to work i go

Most people spend their entire lives in a job they cannot stand, they dread getting up everyday, they call in alot, complain alot, and find no self-fulfillment in that job.  Been there; done that.  I get it, i understand it.  The seven dwarfs worked in a mine day in, and day out, yet they sing about it!!  Granite, i know that it is a cartoon, but still think about it.  No matter what your day job is, God has called you to something

bigger

better

more fulfilling:

^37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ^38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Mt 9:37-38, NIV)

I listen day after day of Christians complaining about the status of our country, the alcohol problem with students, the drug problem in America, kids having sex outside of marriage, un-wed mothers, fathers not active in kids lives, Bibles not being allowed in school, prayer in school, murder, suicide, robberies, at home break ins, kids with lack of respect for parents, no respect for authority, and the list could go on and on and on and on......

God has called us to spread the Gospel, "the good news", and yet we don't.....the harvest is definitely plentiful and the workers are definitely few.  So my question to you is:  are you a worker in the field.  I will be honest with you if you are not, you have no right to complain about the status of the country....

So let's sing a new song: "Heigh Ho Heigh Ho, it's off to spread the Gospel I go"

Will you join me, I'm waiting, and so is Jesus....

Chris