WELCOME!

I am so glad that you dropped by my blog. If you are looking for words of encouragement, you will find them here. Each post will be some thought I have about LIFE and what I am learning along the way. Maybe it will inspire or challenge you too. ~Pastor Chris



Sunday, August 21, 2011

GUARD YOUR MIND & HEART from TOXIC WORDS

   My day started today with a message on FACEBOOK.  The message read: "Please don't contact me again . . ."  It came as a shock.  Those are the most toxic words I can receive from anyone - let alone someone I love and care deeply about.  I had just arrived at church when I saw the message. I began to allow those words to affect me in a way that was harmful to me.  I just couldn't understand where these words were coming from but, all I can do is pray and trust GOD that Romans 8:28 applies here. 
   A few minutes later Pastor Brett preached on: TOXIC WORDS!  Imagine that.  GOD'S timing is so amazing.  HE loves us and HIS plan for us is good.  So I listened carefully to the message.  I realized that the old saying: "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but WORDS . . . "  talk about a lie from the pits of hell.  I believe that saying comes straight from the enemy of our souls.  WORDS can destroy a person.  We must guard our minds and hearts and protect ourselves from TOXIC WORDS.  We must also remember to speak LIFE to people with WORDS that uplift and not tear down.
   LIFE for me today is knowing that GOD gives me the power in CHRIST to choose what to do with "TOXIC WORDS" when I am faced with them. Though I am sad about that message on FACEBOOK this morning, I am choosing to think good thoughts and remembering all the ways that person was and is a blessing to me.  I am asking GOD to bless him and bring him to a place where he writes: "Please contact me again."  I will wait on you LORD.  Have your way.
   What about you today?  Have you received some "TOXIC WORDS" from someone and you are still carrying that burden around.  It's eating you up?  Have you hurled some of those words at someone and hurt them.  Now's a great time to bring those before GOD and ask HIM to help you deal with them.  GOD bless you today.

LIFE is GOOD!  JUST DO IT!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

This is the day the Lord has made

   As I think about all the LORD is doing around the world I can't help but rejoice for . . . "this is the day that the Lord has made!"  Though I am going through a very interesting time in my life I am so encouraged. I am surrounded by so many people who are praying for me.  I am so encouraged.
   For me today LIFE is: knowing that GOD is in control and I can trust HIM with my future. HE is the one who knows me best and loves me most.  No matter what I face I face it knowing that HE is with me even if I "walk through the valley of the shadow of death" - there is no need to "fear evil" for "HIS rod and staff bring comfort"..
     What are you facing today?  Need some encouragement?  Hope?  You can trust JESUS for that and HE will come through for you.  Don't have a relationship with JESUS?  What are you waiting for?  HE loves you.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

When you feel alone

   Sorry I have been missing for a while.  There have been many developments in my life that kept me from getting around to writing but I am back and will post things from time to time.  Right now I have me to work on.  Being diagnosed with diabetes officially after ignoring it for 12 years I am discovering that you can ignore diabetes but, it won't ignore you.  It's a vicious killer that stalks you quietly but, all the while it is killing you slowly.
   On Memorial Day I finally realized that diabetes was an enemy that I couldn't fight alone.  For several years I had been my own doctor thinking that it would just go away if I was "good enough" and didn't eat too many sweets.  I said: "I will not live locked behind the bars of being a diabetic: having to test my blood sugar, inject myself with insulin and be on a diet that doesn't allow me to eat and drink what I want when I want.  After all, I have sacrificed so much to be a servant of GOD, eating is one of the pleasures I have hung on to."  How crazy is that.
   Now not only diagnosed with diabetes (my blood sugar almost 500), I also found out that I had a severe blood infection that would take six weeks of a strong antibiotic through an IV to kill, but they were also going to have to amputate all the toes on my left foot.  The night before the surgery I was awake all night.  I had a long talk with GOD and asked HIM to forgive me for neglecting my "temple" all these years.  I was feeling alone but that's when GOD reminded me of "Footprints in the Sand". I am sure you've read it - if not Google it and read it.  I realized that this is one of the times there is only one set of footprints and HE was going to carry me though this.  HE has.  I am writing this from my second stay in the hospital facing two month of vacuum therapy to heal my found from the surgery.  If this doesn't work - more of my foot will have to go.  Pray with me that this is it.  
   For me today LIFE is knowing that GOD will not leave me or forsake me and HE's only a prayer away.  Whatever you are facing today, it's not to big for GOD.  I pray you will call out to HIM for help. If you don't know JESUS as your LORD and SAVIOR and don't even know what that means, email me and I will be happy to help you with that!  E-mail: ProjectEarth2000@hotmail.com  God bless you!

LIFE is GOOD!  Just DO IT!

Monday, March 21, 2011

SWAZILAND ~ The Final Frontier


  Tonight I am in South Africa preparing to return to Swaziland.  I call it the final frontier because it is the last stop on this long journey in Africa. (Even though I will spend one more night in South Africa before my return to the USA). The beauty of Swaziland is like no other place I've been.  When we get near the border tomorrow the whole view becomes like the photo I took not far from there.
   Have you ever been some place you can't wait to return to?  Do you keep a picture around to remind you of it?  This is that picture for me.   For me today LIFE is: knowing that GOD has called me to the place I am headed.  I have many mixed emotions about going there. But, GOD has given me peace about going there to minister to those who need encouragement.
   It's been a rough day for me.  I preached a sermon yesterday: "It's Your Choice to REJOICE!" I preached that message not long ago in KENYA and soon after ~ it seemed like it set off an explosion of circumstances that made that choice nearly impossible for so many of us.  It brought about the same explosion here in South Africa.  GOOD NEWS! If you choose to REJOICE ~ the JOY of the LORD will be your strength.  So, you know what my CHOICE is! 
   No matter what you face today ~ if you have JESUS, you have the power to make that choice too!  That's my prayer for you today!

LIFE is GOOD!  Just do it!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Thoughts about Noah

I took this picture when we crossed the desert in Kenya
   A few days ago we were crossing the desert on our way to Nairobi and we came upon a group of baboons. I love these creatures even though they can be quite dangerous.  I have had several encounters with them over my years traveling to Africa. Seeing them made me think first  of a movie I saw recently about a "modern day Noah".  But then I thought about the real Noah.
   Imagine being Noah and given the task of building an Ark when he was nowhere near water.  The people laughing and making fun of him. And imagine all those animals? At times - the things GOD is asking me to do seem almost as strange and people even laugh at me when I attempt them, believing I can actually do them.
   For me today LIFE is: Knowing that GOD has a plan to help me do the things HE calls me to do, no matter how impossible or rediculous the task may seem.  Even if HE told me to build an Ark, I would start gathering wood.
   Does the task ahead of you seem impossible?  Do you feel liike a fool for even thinking of doing it?  Well, I encourage you to stay on the path.  Don't move to the right or to the left.  And when you get tired, REST!  GOD will see you through.  If HE called you to do it - it will be done.  Just keep pressing ahead. 
   Today is a GOOD day to be obedient to GOD!

LIFE is GOOD! Just do it!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

"Seek and Ye shall find!"

   When I took this picture I couldn't help but wonder what this child was looking for around the corner. I wondered if it would bring joy or sorrow?
Then I remembered: "Seek and ye shall find."  The Word of GOD encourages us to "Seek, knock & ask!" When we "seek" we will find!  When we "knock" the door is opened.  When we "ask" it will be given to us!
   For me today LIFE is: knowing that GOD loves me and that HE has plans to bless me. There are times when I am lacking something because I did not "seek, knock, or ask."  I decided I will just do it on my own.  Why? Pride!  I don't need the help of someone else - "I can do it myself."
   Have you ever thought like that?  "I don't need mom and dad to help.  I can do it on my own.  While there is nothing wrong with being responsible, and working hard to provide for our wants and needs, GOD wants us to know that HE wants to bless us.  We can come to HIM with our requests for help. 
  I encourage you today to remember to "seek, knock, and ask."  For what?  Wisdom, knowledge, understanding, faith, hope, love, patience, forgiveness!  Oh, you thought I meant "seek" money, material things etc.  Well, GOD may also grant those things.  But, I am also reminded to "Seek first HIS kingdom and HIS righteous" and GOD promises to take care of everything else.  Trust HIM!

LIFE is GOOD!  Just do it!

Friday, March 11, 2011

The Power of Prayer!

   Today has been quite an emotional one for me. It was my last day with the students and faculty of Dow Christian Academy in Kapsiratet, Kenya.  After nearly eight weeks as their chaplain on this journey I have grown to love them so much.
   At the end of our daily worship and prayer time - "mom" had all the kids gather around me, kneel and pray for me.  What a powerful experience that was! There is such power in prayer.
   For me today LIFE is: knowing that there are people all around the world praying for me on this mission that doesn't end when I leave Kenya on Tuesday.  It continues in South Africa, Swaziland, the USA and Nicaragua before I begin a sabbatical the beginning of May.
   Have you experienced the amazing things that happen when people pray for you? Are you in need of prayer?  Don't be afraid to ask someone to pray for you.  Today, I prayed for so many people in so many places.  Why? Because GOD answers those prayers.  Our heavenly Father is honored by our requests.
  Today I pray that GOD will bless you - even as you read this.  Pray for someone today!

LIFE is GOOD!  Just do it!