When God is Silent, Part 2

  

  

Note: This post is two years in the making.  Some of the thoughts are since out-dated, but still relevant.  I will leave the first part I started two years ago, but add to it.  I got away from my blog for many reasons, but feeling God calling me back to post my thoughts once again.

I think I am like most people, I like to listen to music when I shower.  It also is a time to contemplate the day and think about life.  This particular morning I had two friends heavy on my heart.  One is struggling with an addiction, the other struggling with life in general.  Both Christians, both at their wits end and God is the farthest thing from their minds.  It was the lyrics of two particular songs that encourage me not only to reach out to both, but to also post here as the conclusion to my "When God is Silent".

   I know how easy one can turn from God when you feel He is not answering your prayers, requests or your cries.  It's not that you have given up on God, although some do, it's the idea that God is either not available or not listening.  He is basically  indifferent to what you are going through.  There are lots of Scripture that tells you God is never away from you or not listening; Joshua 1:9, Matthew 28:20, Psalm 23:4, Zephaniah 3:17 are just a few.

  Let me get back to the point of where I was going, the songs.  The first song is from Blanca and is called Greater is He.

I face a giant
In over my head
Help me to look up
I take a deep breath
And take the next step
Though I may be weak
I know who is with me

CHORUS
And greater is He living in me
Than he who is in the world
Whatever may come, His strength is enough
My heart is at peace, for greater is He

Before I continue, isn't it amazing how you can listen to a song over and over, but one day something about the song speaks volumes to you?  Well I believe that God was giving me a message to pass onto my friends in need and to you.  It doesn't take a lot of thought to see where the lyrics are taking you.  You are facing a giant; addiction, life throwing you a curve, walls crashing in around you.  Yet, with the Spirit within you, you look up, realize where your strength will come from and take that next step forward!  Sounds simple, but for a lot of people who are far from God, that next step is a major one.  The step may be major, but with the strength of the Spirit within you, it is achievable.  I have witnessed many who have come from the valleys, in complete darkness to the mountain top, refreshed and renewed.

  The next song is from Josh Wilson - Before the Morning.

Do you wonder why you have to feel the things that hurt you

If there's a God who loves you, where is He now

Maybe there are things you can't see

And all those things are happening to bring a better ending

Someday somehow you'll see, you'll see

Would you dare, would you dare to believe

That you still have a reason to sing

Cause the pain that you've been feeling

It can't compare to the joy that's coming

So hold on you gotta wait for the light

Press on and just fight the good fight

Cause the pain that you've been feeling

It's just the dark before the morning

I believe there are times in our lives that it seems God is not only silent, but he has abandoned you completely.  A tragedy happens, you find yourself in a pit that you can't climb out of, the enemy coming at you in all directions and you basically raise your arms in surrender.  The biggest question and scream that comes from you is "WHY?".  The lyrics that I posted challenges the believer to dare to believe that whatever is happening, whatever pain and emptiness your feeling, God continues to be beside you.  God is working through the darkness to bring you to the other side in the light.  It may seem that there is no hope, that the darkness will engulf you and drown you.  God would never let that happen.  You may walk through the valley, climb the mountain, but you will reach the top where the light shines the brightest.  During that whole journey, God walks with you.  You just have to remember He's there so talk to him.

I am going to finish up here with a couple of thoughts; and here they are.  
God is never not beside you.  It only seems that way when you ignore Him or stop communicating with Him.  
He's not going anywhere.  God wants nothing but a relationship with you and will continue to pursue you for the rest of your days.  

The final outcome to all of this relies on you.  You have to let God in, even when you are angry or sad.  You have to give whatever you are going through to God.  Finally, God knows you hurt and wants nothing more to comfort you.  Instead of pushing Him aside, let Him come closer.  As Josh Wilson wrote in his song, "Cause the pain that you've been feeling, it's just the dark before the morning".

Chappy

When God is Silent, Part 1

I have heard this statement many times from Christians, "God is silent." When I was a new Christian I didn't quite understand that statement, because I was hearing Him.  Yet as I matured and become complacent in my beliefs, it started to make sense, God is silent, but why?

So what has changed?  Why was it that I use to hear God, but now He seems to be silent.  The clue is hiding behind that word I used; complacent.  It's that point where we turn from focusing on Him to focusing on ourselves.  Let me share a story with you.

It has been about three years when I attended a wedding of a friend of mine.  She is a devoted Christian who finally found the man of her dreams.  Or should I say, God brought her a man, a life partner.  Now I know what some of you are thinking, how do we know this man was brought to her from God?  Let me take you back about a  couple of years before the wedding, to a point where this young lady was struggling with the sudden loss of a finance.  A man who turned his back on her and walked out of her life.  She felt betrayed, alone, bitter, you name it. It was during those struggles that I had to opportunity to come along side her and encourage her.  She had stopped listening to God, so I told her it was time to quiet her soul, calm her emotions and ask God for a soulmate; to listen for God.  Put her trust in God to bring her a partner.  Reluctant at first, she eventually surrendered herself to listening for an answer from God.  It was a year later that a young man entered her church one Sunday and well, the rest is history.

What is unfortunate, I did not take my own advice.  I stopped listening, and it was dark and lonely.  It actually took me going to her wedding and something that happened just before she walked down the isle that awoke me.  It was an outdoor wedding, beautiful surroundings when I took it upon myself to just....quiet my soul and listen.  A few minutes later a rumbling occurred in the mountains just in front of where we were sitting.  It wasn't a frighting rumble, but enough to get your attention.  I listened.  It happened again.  I felt myself smile because I knew; God was talking and I was hearing Him.  He was announcing his presence at an event He foresaw, He ordained. I felt my heart swell with love at the excitement of Hearing Him again.

Before you get all happy, I again fell into that trap of not listening and God became silent again.  Wait... wait God silent?  Something is wrong with that statement. It's not God being silent, it is us not listening. We get so wrapped up in life, or trouble befalls us and we stop listening.  God calls to us and we ignore Him.

So what have I learned?  God wants to have a relationship with us that requires us to sometimes find a quiet spot and just listen.  What will He say?  I can't answer that, because each of us hear God in a different way.  Some of us get feelings of peace, others actually hear a small voice in their head.  We all hear God differently and I believe He does that intentionally.  He wants to communicate with us on our level, at a place where we can truly hear Him.  In Revelations 3:20 God makes it clear that when He knocks and we answer (or listen) He will come and eat (spend time) with us.

My suggestion is start the New Year listening to God and all He has to say and reveal to you.  I believe that if you put aside some time for God, you will be surprised at all the wonders He will reveal to you.

A Smile from A Red Bird

"A smile costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.”

Interesting facts about cardinals (sometimes called "red birds"), they do not migrate, but stay in the same area all year long. The males are very protective of their mate and defend their territory with vigor. They are also considered one of the most attractive song birds by birdwatchers. Biologist have even observed that some cardinal songs are sung with an accent.

Lydia loved red birds, her house was decorated everywhere with ornaments, statuettes and pictures of red birds.  She truly was a fan of this majestic bird.  It is no surprise that the red bird was her favorite, because she was much like the red bird. God was always first with Lydia, but family was next and friends not far behind.  She stayed close to her family, even taking care of her parents. Like the red bird she found comfort being surrounded by her family and friends, defending them at every turn.

Although Lydia did not sing, at least not in front of us, her smile could be considered her song.  It was her smile that attracted people, made them feel at peace and made them feel loved.  Like the red bird's song, Lydia's smile was beautiful and real.  I don't think I have ever heard a bird sing sadness, and I never saw Lydia without a smile.  She could see past a person's defenses and see their heart.  Her smile was contagious.

Lydia cared about people, especially children and adults who struggled.  She wanted to give love to those who felt no love, and she wanted to care for people who felt no one cared for them.  Lydia was definitely a servant of God.

Lydia passed away on October 9th of this year, a sad day for many of us.  A smile that was extinguished for us here on Earth; at least that was what I thought.  It was during her memorial service that the deacon said something that brought a smile to my face.  He said, we must be like Lydia, smile at one another, care for one another and love one another.  He was so right!  We couldn't let Lydia's smile be extinguished, but allow our smiles to be her's. Her smile was a reflection of the Christ-like love she had for people.  We too must have the same smile; a smile that tells people we care, we love them and we are here.

Philippians 2:3-5 says "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but to each of you to the interest of the others.  In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus"

I know that each time I see a red bird, I will think of Lydia and her beautiful smile.  I just hope that my smile can be as radiant as her's.  We love you Lydia and miss you, but look forward to that day when we can see you again, and see that smile.

Chappy

A Letter To My New Daughter-in-Law

"We love because He first loved us"

                                     1 John 4:19

Well you have gone and done it.  You have entered something far different then the Twilight Zone.  You have become a part of the family.  This family is not your typical family; far from it.  We don't allow many people into our circle, we tend to keep to ourselves and we find humor in the dumbest things.  

Getting nervous?

This family did not start on a foundation of God, in fact if you really wanted an idea of what this family started on, you would have to watch the movie Princess Bride, and the travels of Princess Buttercup and Westley through the Fire Swamp.  

Got that image in your head?

You married the eldest of four children, which puts you at the top.  The spotlight is on you, because there are two brothers behind who will monitor your every movement.  Your actions will determine what kind of women they will look for to wed. 

I'm sorry, does that sound like too much pressure?

So, all kidding aside.  Although this family struggled, fought to keep our heads above water, we did find solid ground.  That solidness was a foundation of God.

Whew!  do you feel some relief?

You see, although we may not be your typical family, we do know who is truly in charge.  We may not be the embodiment of angels, but we do understand what it means to love others and put others before ourselves.  We still struggle, we still fall, but now we have someone who has our back.  

We don't take life nonchalantly.  So with that all said, sit firmly in your seat, fasten your seat belt and get ready for the ride of your life.

Welcome to the family, my dearest daughter-in-love.

The Garage Sale

                         "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."  1 Peter 5:7

                    

My wife and I will often take a Saturday morning and look for garage sales.  The fun is finding something you want at a bargain price.  The old saying "One's trash is another's treasure" sometimes holds true, but sometimes "One's trash is just trash".

We all know why we have garage sales, to get rid of stuff we no longer want.  Garage sales are intended to hopefully recoup some cash, and to have someone else haul our "trash" off.  Sounds easy enough, but there is a lot to putting on a garage sale.  Set up tables, price all the stuff you want to sell, put an add in the paper or internet and then running the garage sale.  You have all been there, you say 7am on Saturday and people show up at 5am banging on your door.  Then there is the haggling over prices.  All in all garage sales may get rid of your "trash", but they really are a hassle.  Is there an easier way to get rid of your "trash"?  Sure, pack it away, throw it away, or give it away.

As much as I would like the money, I would choose to give it away.  Giving it to a family in need provides them with stuff they could not afford; clothing, appliances and furniture.  If you take your stuff to a nonprofit, they can sell your stuff to raise money for a need and provide jobs. You relieve yourself of the clutter, but bless others with stuff they will need. Sounds like a win-win to me.

What do you do with your internal "trash" or burdens?  Do you try and deal with it yourself?  Like a garage sale, it takes a lot of work to deal with your own burdens.  A lot of the time you can't solve your problems, and they continue to linger.  You could pack them away.  Which means you will have to eventually deal with it.  They just don't go away on their own.  When you spend more time dealing with your burdens you take time away from things that are important.  You become a slave to your burdens.

How about giving your burdens always?  God wants your burdens, why not give it to Him?  You don't get cash, but you are relieved of your "trash".  What does God get?  He gets a servant who's life is not cluttered.  A servant who can do His will.

1 Peter 5:7 says "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."  Someone who cares enough to take all your "trash" so you can move forward....hmmm......sounds like a win-win to me.

Chappy

Man Up

When I was in my early teens and playing city league baseball, I had a friend who was a pitcher.  During one particular game a struck ball came back towards him, hitting him in the shoulder.  He went down like a sack of potatoes.  The game stopped and he was helped back to the dugout where I was sitting.  My friend was hurting bad and he was crying.  As he was holding an ice bag on his shoulder his dad came into the dugout.  His dad stood over him and told him to stop crying and to Man Up.  His dad never comforted him, nor sat down beside him.  His only words were Man Up.

I tell you this story because of a response I had to my last post.  The person who responded used the words Man Up.  Now I am not sure if the person truly didn't understand my post or his response was like that of my friend's dad.  Anytime you are hurting, you need to Man Up.  Sounds simple enough, but does manning up fit ever type of hurt?

Before I answer that last question, let me first give you my definition of manning up.  A man who takes responsibility for a child he conceived in a one night stand with a woman, is manning up.  A man who works more than two jobs to take care of his family, is manning up.  A father who takes his crying child into his arms and hugs them, is manning up.  You see, what my friend's father did was not being a man.  What he thought he was doing was trying to make his son a man, and not a sissy, by telling him not to cry and to Man Up.

So to answer my question, the answer is no.  You can't tell an alcoholic to Man Up.  You surely can't tell a person trying to beat a drug addiction to Man Up.  Most definitely you wouldn't tell someone who is dealing with depression to Man Up.  What about a person who has lost a loved-one to cancer?  "Hey your loved-one is dead, you can't bring them back. So Man Up!"  Don't get me started about some father telling his thirteen year old son to Man Up.  Can you imagine Jesus telling any of the hurt people He came into contact with to Man Up.  I seriously don't think Jesus would be as popular as He is today if he acted that way.

We come into contact with people everyday with different levels of hurt.  How we approach them, and how we act towards them can make all the difference.  People don't expect answers from you; they want arms to hold them, a shoulder to lean on and an ear that listens.  They surely don't need someone telling them to Man Up.

I have been lucky to have people around me who recognize when I am hurting and give me comfort.  They may do it by providing me a song, giving me a hug or just a few encouraging words.  I know it is God working through them, because it is just what He would do.

"You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. You will increase my greatness and comfort me again." Psalms 71:20-21

Lightning Crashes

Oh now I feel it comin' back again,

Like a rollin' thunder chasing the wind.

Forces pullin' from the center of the earth again.

I can feel it...

Those of you who know me well, know that I have a serious passion for music.  I love listening to the way lyrics are sang; trying to feel and understand what the artist/writer was trying to convey to the listener. The lyrics that I posted above come from a song called Lightning Crashes by the group Live.  These lyrics perfectly describe my life over the past year.  Just when I think things are going good, I can feel it.  I can feel that sense of an impending obstacle, a crossroads, a hindrance to my path.  So today I throw myself a pity party and your invited.

So my pity party has been going on for sometime, but lately I have been bombarded by lyrics that really puts it all in perspective.  Basically the message that has come through is this:

When you were born, no one promised you an easy road in life.

Now I know, many of you are going to say, duh, but hear me out.  When you were born, your parents  told you they would protect you, and probably for the most part many of you had parents who did just that.  Some of you, unfortunately, had parents who made that statement above clear from day one.  Yet there came a time when you were on your own.  That is when it all started to fall apart.  Okay, that is a little dramatic, but things started to happen that you weren't expecting.  that obstacle, that hindrance, that crash of lightning.  Suddenly there are bumps in your road and as life progress they seem to be more often, sometimes bigger than normal.  Wow this sucks!

Yeah, it does suck, and I am not going to sit here and say I have an answer.  Remember?  I am having a pity party.  I struggle every day looking for an answer.  As a Christian I have prayer and God's Word, but let me be honest with you...I am no where near the type of Christian who can blow through an obstacle coming out the other end feeling stronger in their faith.  Right now I have kind of parked myself in from of my obstacles hoping they might just go away.  I have a fear that if I do somehow make it through the obstacle, there will be another, and another and another..........you get my point.  Like the lyrics say above: Oh now I feel it comin' back again.  Crap.

How are you enjoying the party?  I hate it.  I hate feeling this way.  I guess I shouldn't because no one promised me an easy road.  Heck, even the Bible says once you become a Christian it gets worse; before it gets better. WHAT?!  Maybe that is what I am going through right now, the worse.  Wow, that didn't make me feel any better.  So when do I get to feel better?

I have three saving graces that keep me from drowning in my pity party.  The first is always God.  No matter how deep a valley I am in, how dark it is around me, I know He is there.  Second is my family, they are my rocks. Thirdly, strange as it may seem, is a friend of mine who I wrote about in a previous blog, the gas attendant.  These are my life lines.

So what do you get out of my pity party?  Hopefully some clarity.   Your life path is not perfect, and it won't be, so stop trying!  Stuff is going to come at you from every direction, it's going to block you and hinder you.  How you deal with it will determine if you want to have a pity party, or you want to strengthen and grow.  I have my life lines, what are yours?  Are they helping you?  If not, maybe it's time to look for new life lines.

Well, this pity party is about over.  Thanks for coming and being a part of the party.  I hope I didn't bum you out, that wasn't my point.  I have been bummed out for sometime, and it has really taken a toll on me; mentally and physically.  You don't want to be where I have been.  I want all of you to understand that no matter what comes at you, what forces are pullin' at you, there is Hope at the other end.  It takes strength and courage to move through the mess, and you don't have to do it alone.  Surround yourself with life lines and fight the good fight.

The Gas Attendant

Wow, it has be forever since I last posted!  I guess I am not the best blogger in the world.  I have a lot on my mind, just too lazy to put it all down.

So, there is a place in town where I go get gas.  I have been going there for years because it's close to the house and usually the cheapest prices in town.  At that gas station is an attendant who I will call Jerry.  Jerry is small in stature, but has a heart bigger than most.  What is intriguing about him is his love for people.  He talks to everyone, always has a smile and never has a bad thing to say about anything.  Yet there is something about him that makes him stick out above everyone else.  It is ability to boldly ask any customer if he can pray for them.

Customer's reactions are varied to his requests.  I have yet to see anyone get mad but I have heard about people complaining.  Yeah, they even complained to his bosses; who by the way asked him to stop.  He continues to ask.  The funny thing is, mention the place he works and even mention his name and most people know exactly who he is.  He has become sort of a cult celebrity, but he is humble and shrugs off the attention.

I have to stop and confess that I know Jerry very well and consider him a good friend.  I am privy to some of his personal life, so behind that smile and good-natured aura is a soul that is tormented and hurting.  Yet he continues to care about others, wanting to give others a lift.   Why?  Simply put, He knows he is commanded to love his neighbor as himself.

I am sure you have sat around with your friends and talked about what Heaven will be like, who you will see and how we will all live without pain and suffering.  Well here is what I imagine when Jerry arrives in Heaven.  Jerry will come before the Lord kneeling with his head lowered and the Lord will motion to the throngs of others to come forward.  The Lord will ask Jerry to rise and look around Him.  Around Jerry will be people he prayed for; people who drove away from that gas station changed, people who in someway were directly affected by his obeying God.  There won't be just a dozen, but hundreds, maybe even thousands who will be standing there smiling.  Jerry will look once again upon the Lord who will say those simple words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

So what was my point of these thoughts today?  Jerry represents what it means to be a Christian.  Putting God first, people second and himself last; and he does it with a smile!  No complaints, no ugly sighs of distress, putting his own pains aside to obey God's commands.  Obey.....

Oh, I have a confession.... I said that I go to that station because of the convenience of it being close and the cheapest prices; that is only half the truth.  I go because sometimes I need to be lifted.  Thanks Jerry.

Chappy

A Conversation with a Gorilla

It has been awhile since I have last posted any of my thoughts. Basically because I have been lazy and somewhat in a depressed state; but something hit me in a dream last night that I had to share.  

First let me give you some background to this dream.  I had a conversation with my wife, prior to the dream, that I wished God would give me the gift of speaking to animals.  I thought that it would be cool to get an animal's perspective on God and the world.  So last night that gift was granted in my dream.

So here I was in some dense jungle sitting Indian style and across from me was this 800 pound, silver-back gorilla.  He was munching on some fruit and we had the following conversation (Now imagine the voice of the gorilla sounding like Wallace from Wallace and Gromit.):

Gorilla, "First time I have ever talked to a human."

Me, "Does it seem strange to you that I can converse with you and understand you?"

Gorilla, "Well at first.  But I have seen many strange things happen around me why should this surprise me?"

Me, "Well I am not going to waste your time with silly chit chat..."

Gorilla, "Thank you, I do need a nap later."

Me, "So I will come right to the point; What do you think about the world?"

Gorilla, "Hmmmm...well the world I know, and the world you speak of, are two different things.  I know nothing outside this jungle, yet I am sure there is more because you don't live in the jungle yet you are here.  You must have come from somewhere; so that somewhere must be in another part of the world.  My world consists of others of my species, other species, food, rain, places to sleep and occasionally humans who think it some sort of sport to watch me all day long.  Do humans watch you all day long in your part of the world?"

Me, "Some people do, but we consider that creepy."

Gorilla, "Creepy?"

Me, "Mmmmm...odd, out of place, strange."

Gorilla, "Ahhhhh, yes, then it is creepy for humans to watch me here."

Me, "Who do you think provided all that is around you? Food, shelter, female partners."

Gorilla, "Interesting question.  I have thought about that before, while I was sitting and eating.  I am sure it is some being who feels it necessarily to give me these things.  I have never seen this being, but its presence seems to be all around me.  I see trees grow and die, fruits ripen at the same time, just as the rains come, and I see many other animals who are not my kind.  Some that run from me, others that do not.  Every day is an interesting day filled with surprises and excitements.  It is a wonderful place this being has created."

Me,"It is, unfortunately we don't know how to take care of it."

Gorilla, "We?"

Me, "I'm sorry, I meant humans.  Humans don't seem to know how to take care of what we have."

Gorilla, "I can see that.  I sometimes see humans take things from the forest that never come back.  Trees destroyed, and animals killed.  Why do humans do that?"

Me, "Because we want more.  We are never satisfied."

Gorilla, "Strange behavior.  I have everything I want right here.  I never take more than what I need and I try not to destroy that which is not mine."

Me, "You my friend have it right."

Gorilla, "So humans are never satisfied?  The being has not provided enough for you?"

Me, "Oh, He has provided plenty, but humans are greedy and wasteful.  We just can't seem to get enough."

Gorilla, "You call the being "He".  You know this being?"

Me, "I know Him through my heart.  He is the creator of everything; you, me, the trees, fruit...everything.  He is the Father....our Father.  All living things are His creation."

Gorilla, "Interesting.  Why is it that humans don't respect what this being has given to them?"

Me, "Free will."

Gorilla, "Free will?"

Me, "He has given us the ability to make our own decisions, even decisions that go against Him."

Gorilla, "I too must have this thing called free will.  Yet I don't have the desire to want more than what I need.  I have happy with what I have and on occasion thank the being."

Me, "I am fascinated that you sense a presence of someone greater than yourself, and that you are humble to your surrounds.  Many humans just don't get it."

Gorilla, "I find it hard to believe that anyone doesn't get it.  Just look around us!  I seen marvelous, fantastic creations that I can't even begin to fathom how they were created and why they act/grow the way the do.  I am provided food, shelter and comfort.  Seriously...where do humans think this all comes from?"

Me, "Many know, they choose to ignore it.  It's a sad world, full of worthless desires, broken dreams, empty stomachs and most of all....no direction.  We strive for that next step, to satisfy our hearts, but it never happens.  Many don't turn to the being, or who the humans call God, for satisfaction."

Gorilla, "I can imagine this being, God, is very angry"

Me, "He isn't angry, He is heart-broken.  He cries."

Gorilla, "Ahhhhh, understandable because you called Him Father.  A Father cries for His children."

Me, "Right."

Gorilla, "Seems like humans need to wake up."

Me, "Yeah........"

Gorilla, "Why are you sad?"

Me, "I am sad because I act out sometimes too.  I am sad that I can't be a better witness for God.  I am sad just thinking of the time wasted by humans for their constant search for empty promises when a greater promise is available to them.  I am sad they are not more like you, one who sees the glory of what God can do."

As I finished my sentence the Gorilla stands up on all fours, yawns loudly.  As he begins to walk back into the woods he stops and says one last thing:

Gorilla, "It is time for my nap.  Do no be sad my friend and do not sell yourself short.  Have you not just been a witness to me?  Your conversation has enlightened me.  Go and have the same conversation with your kind; enlighten them.  Help clear their eyes as you have cleared mine.  Hopefully then they will see all the glory that this being, God, has provided."

Chappy

Independence

Yesterday at the South Sudan border, I realized something as I was looking at the cool VISA sticker that was put into my passport, July 10th was the one year anniversary of South Sudan's independence from Sudan.  The country, although still struggling, has made it one year.  This was my first time standing inside a newly built country, how exciting!

Many of the people here have been witnesses to the struggles and wars that have been fought to secure this newly gained independence.  It wasn't an easy task, and a price was paid; many died, many suffered (and still suffer) but they feel victorious over the grip that held them by the Muslim government of Sudan.  The people here are free!

Much like South Sudan's struggle for freedom and independence, we too have struggled against a grip; the grip of sin.  Many have died and many have suffered at a grip that could not be shaken.  We are fortunate that we had one who was willing to battle that grip, and that was Christ.  He was willing to die to break the bondage of sins.

"But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.  You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." Romans 6:17-18 (NIV)

South Sudan has a long way to go, many trial and tribulations await them and there is no guarantee that they will stay a country of their own.  We on the other hand have a guarantee that we are free from sin through the blood that was shed by Christ.

So let's raise a toast to South Sudan's 1st Anniversary as a newly, independent country.  Let us also bow our heads in prayer to the One who gave us our Independence.

Chappy

A Follower in East Africa, A Fan in the U.S.

It is about 1:30 in the afternoon here in Adjumani, Uganda.  We are at an Internet cafe charging our equipment and catching up on email and such.  Those of you who don't know, I am here in Uganda to help get a building project off the ground.  Lahash International is helping to build new housing for the children of Amazing Grace Children's Home, and the first phase is starting.  Before I leave we are hoping to have one building 1/2 completed.

During this trip I have been reading a book called Not A Fan by Kyle Idleman.  This book is about defining your relationship with Christ.  Are you a fan, a Christian who sits in the stands and cheers or are you a follower who gets in the "game" and follows Christ?  Many of us might easily say we are a follower; but what does it mean to be a follower?  Kyle Idleman, using Biblical Scriptures, defines what it means to be a true follower of Christ, and I am here to tell you many of us aren't even qualified.

A follower is one who is willing to sacrifice, deny themselves, and move when Christ calls.  A follower doesn't put off doing Christ's will tomorrow, but does it now when called to do so.  Just as Christ called Matthew to "Follow me" we must do the same.  We can't say "Well maybe tomorrow" or "When the kids are through with college"  Christ means NOW...TODAY...THIS MINUTE.

I was sitting one day contemplating my own walk asking myself why I was in Africa.  Was I in Africa because Christ called me here, or because I wanted another notch in my belt of "do-good deeds"?  I started questioning my own sacrifices, my own wants and needs and was I putting myself or Christ first.  I was not surprised in many aspects I was putting myself first.

I do believe that my trip to Africa is a calling from God.  Edwin Angote, my sidekick during this trip, said to me "You are here to show love an caring to those who have none."  Strong words, and words that rang true.  This trip is about sacrificing my wants and needs for the needs and wants of others.  A small group of children who might not have a future if it weren't for those of us who give and work to better their conditions.  We do it because Christ has commanded us to, not because we want a medal or some notoriety.

What has really hit home about the book and me being here is, what will my attitude be when I return home?  Will I return to my life as though this part of the world only exists in emails and pictures or will I continue to pursue my Lord as 12 disciples did?  I seriously cannot say right this minute I know the answer because I have a lot of soul searching and talking to God before I can have an answer.  I am hoping though, that when I step off that plane back home I will be stepping off the plane as one who puts Christ first in everything, willing to sacrifice everything, taking up the cross, denying myself and obeying Christ's command to "Follow me".  I want to walk off that plane a true follower of Christ and not just a fan.

Chappy

Giving Above and Beyond

     In 19 days I leave for East Africa.  It has been almost three years since my last trip and each day I get more and more excited about seeing the children of Amazing Grace in Adjumani, Uganda.  

      The priority of the trip is to survey and prepare a site for the new building that will be built over the next several months.  Our partners at Camp Eagle in Rocksprings, Texas gave Lahash International a generous donation to build one of two new dorm style houses.  We are hoping to have two build by January of 2013 and start moving the children into their permanent new homes on their new land.  You can read more about the project here: Building Hope

       Three summers ago, Grace Community Children's Ministry hosted a summer VBS and during that VBS the children raised over $2000 towards the purchase of the new land for Amazing Grace.  One particular story during that four day event really touched my heart.  A mother pulled me aside one day to tell me about an event that happened at their home the night before.  At the dinner table her ten year old son asked his father if he could have his allowance a day early.  Being curious, the father asked why and the son proceeded to tell him about Amazing Grace, the needing of new land for a permanent home.  He wanted to donate his allowance to ensure that the children were able to get a new home.  It took every ounce of my being not to start balling my eyes out as I listened to this mother, through her tears, share with me the joy she and her husband had about their son's heart in giving.

     I tell you this story because if a small child can get it, why can't we?  He was willing to give up his allowance to children he may never meet, because he wanted them to have a home.  This young man looked beyond his own needs to the needs of others.  In Matthew 18:4 Jesus tells his disciples "So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven." 

     One building has been paid for, but we have more to build.  Are you willing to sacrifice something; a cup of coffee, a soda, a meal to give to others?  Can you give above and beyond what you normally give?

      If you are willing to give to the efforts of Lahash, then go here: Give.  Under Special Projects select Building Hope:Amazing Grace Family Homes.  If you are wanting to give for my trip in July under Lahash Travelers select 'Eric Chapman'.

       Blessings to you all!

       Chappy 

Is God's Plan Really Unavailable?

     So I was listening to a Paul Simon song the other day called "Slip Sliding Away".  This particular day I was listening more intensely to the lyrics and something towards the end of the song caught my attention.  Here are the lyrics towards the end:

Whoah God only knows, God makes his plan
The information's unavailable to the mortal man
We're workin' our jobs, collect our pay
Believe we're gliding down the highway, when in fact we're slip sliding away

Paul expresses the fact that people pretty much glide through life thinking that everything is fine and never really contemplating the end.  Paul says that in fact people are just slipping away.  There is some truth to that; we don't get any younger, our bodies begin to fail, we move a little slower.

     What really stuck out to me was his comment that God's "information" is unavailable to the mortal man.  That is incorrect.  God's plan is very much outlined in the Bible and those Words are available to anyone.

     Many people, even Christians, have this idea that if they just ride the fence, stay in neutral, that they can just glide through life without a worry.  Sad thing is, all they have been doing is wasting their lives.  God's plan is for all of his children, that means EVERYONE, to come get to know Him.  To love on each other, to care for each other, to look out for each other, and to share His Plan with everyone.  That my friend means you have to make a choice; stay in neutral or put your life into drive.  

     So what are you waiting for?  Get up, get moving, get to know God and His plan.  Don't let your life just slip slide away.

Chappy 

Remembering To Be Thankful

     Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la...BLAH!  I am beginning to despise Christmas songs.  Why you ask?  Maybe for the simple reason that I begin to hear them right after Halloween!  Isn't that ridiculous?  What makes it worse, we seem to have forgotten a holiday in there.  Oh yeah..........Thanksgiving!

     First of all, how did we lose Thanksgiving?  Oh we celebrate it, we take the time off, see family, but our focus is on Christmas (Don't even get me started about Christmas.)  How is it that our society has turned it's back on Thanksgiving?  Does anyone remember what Thanksgiving is all about?  Remember the pilgrims?  They didn't come to the New World on vacation, they came to live in freedom;  Freedom from persecution of their faith.  They are the founders of our good ol' USA.  You remember the USA right?  Baseball, mom and apple pie?  It was in all the papers.

    So Thanksgiving is not only a time to remember the freedom we have thanks to those people in the funny outfits, but to remember what they were thankful for.  Thankful for what we take for granted here in America.  Look around you, are you thankful for what you have?  Are you thankful for family, a roof over your head, clothes on your body, food on the table?

   Lets put Thanksgiving back on the calendar (It is really still there, just not so noticeable).  This year when you and your loved ones sit around the Thanksgiving bird, remember what Thanksgiving is all about and give Thanks...............to who?.... well who else.........the same person that those people in the funny outfits gave thanks to so many years ago....God.  Let Him know you are grateful for all He has done in your life.  I know I am.

Chappy

Why Doesn't God Answer Prayers?

     First of all I am not going to sit here and tell you I have the exact, definite answer, because I do not.  It has taken me years to understand and come to my own conclusion.  I've been there, wondering why God doesn't answer prayers, as a matter of fact I walked away from God for a long time because I did not understand how he could let children starve to death.

     Let me say this, what happens on this planet has nothing to do with God, it has everything to do with man.  See, at one time we had the privilege of being spoiled by God.  He gave us all we needed, we needed to do nothing but enjoy his company and obey His rules.  Oh yeah, the rules.  That's where it all fell apart.  Mankind broke the rules.  We decided that we knew more than God, or wanted to know more than God, and disobeyed him.  So because of our disobedience we no longer live in a world of God, but in a world of man.  Don't get me wrong, God is still here, He just has given us the freedom to screw up, and boy do we ever.

     Now, where is all this leading?  Why doesn't God answer prayers?  Well He does, but not in the way we would like Him to.  We would like to win the lottery, be free of disease, stop wars, stop crime, have a big house, but we forget.............this is no longer God's world, it is man's world.  I know, I know God made the world yes, but he made it with the intention of us living in it with no sin, but remember.........we screwed that up.  God doesn't want a world full of sin, and really who would?  God works through man's evil to produce good.

How?  

Romans 8:28 (NIV)
²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

God teaches us patience, love, understanding, commitment and more through His word.  When we turn to Him and His word, we find comfort and understanding.  We might not like the answer to our prayer, but there is more than one can imagine.  We are to become strong through adversity:

 Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
¹⁰ So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

     I wrote this blog because I have a friend who just lost someone dear to him from cancer.  Prayers were said, but to no avail.  Right now my friend struggles with why God did not answer the prayers.  I wish I could tell Him, but I don't have an answer, other than we live in a fallen world; a world of disease, war, starvation.......people are going to die horribly and there is nothing we can do about it, but pray.  So why pray, right?  If God isn't going to intervene, why bother?  We pray for strength, we pray for guidance, we pray because we know God still loves us. link     

     Well what about Matthew 21:22?  Good question, and sometimes He does.  We do see miracles, but what about answering every prayer?  My belief is that if God answered every one of man's prayers, we would no longer want to do His will, we would expect Him to do it all.  I know, sounds like an easy answer, but think about it.  What is the Body?  The Body is everyone using their gifts and talents, to make disciples, to spread God's word and love to all those still in darkness, and we do it because we love our God.  Would we still love our God if He did everything for us or would we be the like the Israelites who whined and turned away from Him?  I am getting off track here.......

     OK, So why doesn't God answer all prayers?  My belief, we live in fallen world, where mankind has created a mess that unfortunately we must live in.  Disease, starvation, war are all the doing of man, not God.  It is our mess, we must live in the mess until the time we are called home.  Is it sad when a Christian man or woman suddenly die of a disease like cancer?  Of course it is.  Should we blame God? No.  It isn't His mess.  We should be thanking God for not just leaving us here.  The fact that He sent His son to die for our sins so we could one day stand next to him with new bodies, free of disease, free of starvation and war is something we should be praying about and thanking God for once again, giving us another chance.  Remember my Christian brothers and sisters, this planet is not our home, we are just visitors.

Chappy

    

    

When God's Presence Is Not Obvious

     It was December 4, 1986 that I was involved in a motorcycle accident which resulted in me losing my lower left leg.  At the time I was not walking with God and I truly believed that God did not interfere with the everyday lives of us humans.  My concern at the time was then my wife who was in her seventh month of pregnancy with our first child.  I did not want her to have to take care of a baby and me, so I made it an effort to get up, get walking again so I could be there for her and the baby.  So I did just that, got up and got walking.

   The story could have ended there, but it didn't.  The story lingered on in silence until a time that I could truly understand what happened that night.  My mother tried to give me insight into how God had performed a miracle that night, that He had other plans for me, but I did not listen.  It took many years and attending a retreat for the whole story to be revealed, so I reveal to you the whole story:

   The first two people that came to my side were an off duty paramedic and an off duty nurse.  The nurse with her comforting voice, leaned down telling me everything was going to be alright.  What stuck out was the cross that dangled from her neck directly above me.  The first sign God sent "I am here".  

     My accident happened an equal distance to two major hospitals, St. Marys and University of Arizona Medical Center.  I lay there listening to two sets of paramedics arguing which hospital I was going to go to.  For some reason I blurted out "UAMC!"  One of the paramedics said "You heard him, it's UAMC".   The second sign God speaking through me.  He knew where I needed to go.

      When I arrived at UAMC, the on-duty trama doctor was not there, but in another part of the building.  While he was being paged another trama doctor, who had just stopped by to pick up some files, was present and took a look at me.  Instead of going home, he prepped for surgery.  I was told that my leg was pretty bad, but he was going to try and save the knee.  You see, my lower left left was gone, torn to shreds; no bone, muscle tissue torn away, it was a mess.  The first trama doctor would have just taken a clean cut above the knee and not messed with the other part of the leg.  The second trama doctor had a plan, to take what was left of my leg and create a stump so I could keep my knee.  What was suppose to take only four hours, turned into seven.  In the end, he had created me a stump and saved my knee.  That is a big thing for an amputee.  The knee is your motion, your flex, your mobility.  I could run, ride a bike, walk with almost no problem.  This was God's third sign, a doctor who should have gone home, but did not.

     The story continues with my rehabilitation, and the relationship I developed with the man who built my prosthetic leg.  God was there..........RIGHT there beside me the whole time.  Why you ask?  Just as my mom knew, God had bigger plans for me.  Plans for me to attend Grace Community Church, to give myself to His son, to learn of a small orphanage in Uganda, to travel to that orphanage, to fall in love with the children, to become part of Lahash International and to attend Rockbridge Seminary.

     Yeah, the accident was tragic, and maybe God could have prevented it, but would I be where I am today?  God worked through the accident, a man made accident, to do good; to bring me where I am today.  Some people say God doesn't work miracles anymore.......................

Chappy

Graduation Day

     Graduation Day,  I can remember it like it was yesterday.  Well actually it was 29 years ago this month.  What a special day, how proud my parent were and how I was excited to finally be done with High School.  The only nightmare was, I got food poisoning that night and puked all the way to ROTC Basic Camp at Ft. Knox, Kentucky the next day.  What fond memories.

     My thoughts for today are directed towards the Roswell High School Seniors, who in 11 hours will be walking across the stage at the Wool Bowl receiving their diplomas.  (note: two of those Seniors are my own children and I am very proud of them!)  They will be going through a range of emotions: excitement, fear, nervousness, and even some will be bored (really?).  It will be a day that they never forget.

     The Seniors during their baccalaureate received some awesome inspiring words from three great speakers.  I was impressed at the fact that all three did it in a short amount of time.  No hour long speeches, short and sweet.  Although the words were encouraging, I felt something was left out, so here are my words of wisdom to the graduating class of 2011:

• The world you will enter into, is in total chaos.

     Wow, talk about words of encouragement!  Your walking out of the safety net of your family into a Mad Max movie (anyone remember those movies??).  Let's be honest here, there is a lot of stuff happening in the world today that doesn't make a lot of sense and effects us all in so many different ways.  Listen, yeah it's chaotic out here, but how you approach it is what matters.  You need to approach it knowing there is someone you can call.  No, no...not Ghostbusters.  In Psalm 86:7 it says "In the day of my trouble I will call on You, for you will answer me  ".  Sounds easy huh?  Well in reality it is.  With God on your side, what can't you face?  You just have to remember to put Him first in all you do.  God is your armor, so don't forget to put it on when facing the giants in the world.

• The mess our generation has made, you will have to fix.

     Unfortunately, my generation has not done a very good job at cleaning up our messes.  In fact, we seem to be making more messes.  So if you want a decent world to live in, it's time to step up.  1 Peter 4:10 it says "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to server others faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms  ".  You all have been given gifts that God wants you to use to better mankind.  Don't waste them frivolously, use them to fix the mess and make the world a better place to live in.

     Bummed out now?  I hope not.  I hope that my words have given you a reality check and given you the ambition to move forward in life with a purpose.  There's that word...Purpose.  Did you listen to your baccalaureate speakers?  Each of them used this word several times.  It means that you need to be focused on what impact you plan on making in the world.  Will you do it God's way, or will you do it your way?  I hope that you do it God's way because man...we need it His way.  When we do it our way, we just mess everything up.

     
     Another chapter written and a new one beginning.  We are proud of you; parents, family, friends, teachers and bosses.  There's a big world out there to conquer, but I know with Coyote blood running through your veins, you will achieve the goals you have set and make a mark in the world.  Congratulations Class of 2011.... you did it.

Chappy