Good Morning Friends,
I wanted to sleep in today… but as always – I’m wide awake with a vast array of stampeding thoughts racing through my mind. So I whispered to see if Emily was awake… she was… and I started crying on her shoulder. Her early morning councel was short, sweet, and straight to the point. She said, “Charlie, stop thinking… go into the family room and PRAY… get up real close to God, and tell the devil to get out of your thoughts!”
There can be no sleep where there is no peace. Yeah I know this, but every once in a while I still get overwhelmed with the very real issues of life… and I find myself concerning about things that God has already promised to handle for me. Instead of sleeping while God does his job, I lie awake trying to figure out how I am going to do Gods job for him – just in case for some odd reason God forgets about me.
The Bible tells us over and over, that God will never forget us… that he will never leave us alone… he will never forsake us… that he loves us because we are his very own children… and he is not only our GOD… he is also our FATHER. And as long as this is true, we can face anything life throws our way.
Psalm 23:4
“Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you (God) are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.”
It’s so hard to keep our eyes on Jesus while walking across stormy waters. During these times, we must pray a whole lot more than usual. Instead of contemplating all potential scenarios and projecting certain actions based on each of these scenarios… we should “stop thinking… go into the family room and PRAY… get up real close to God, and tell the devil to get out of our thoughts.”
Life will hand each one of us a perfect storm or two… and maybe one or two more than that. If you haven’t faced one yet, be thankful… and learn from those of us who have lived to tell their perfect storm stories. Please don’t misunderstand me here… I am not yet a perfect storm survivor. I’m only a few weeks into mine… and so far, the only advice I have is this: Whatever it takes… get yourself into a mode of unbroken communion with Father God… and STAY THERE until the waters are calm again.
Yesterday, my Uncle Tuff (Adam Paul Dobzeniecki) died at the age of 41. Now you all know I am POLISH… so be nice! He’s been needing a heart transplant for several years now and hasn’t been able to get onto the eligibility list. My Uncle Tuff was like the best big brother there EVER was! He loved me so much… his encouragement was like spring rains… making me GROW and THRIVE. (He’s the guy in right of this photo with me on my wedding day)
When I was a 12 and he was 17, he always let me tag along… made me feel so cool riding around Belport High School in his sweet new red Camaro. I spent every Friday night at his house, eating a bowl of ice cream, watching the Dukes of Hazard, and doing all kinds of silly things! Throughout the years we disconnected over faith… and it was so painful for us both. And over the past few years, we reconnected in a VERY BIG WAY! My Mom died 3 years ago… then her dad died a year and a half later… and now her baby brother.
I had the honor of leading all three of them to the Lord… and all three of them are in heaven today! That’s good news! Yet, it does not ease all my pain… and the loss comes at a very bad time. So… I’m going to log off now and do what Emily told me to do… “stop thinking, go into the family room (I’m already here) and PRAY… get up REAL CLOSE to God… and tell the devil to get out of my thoughts!”
Thank God for the gift of being able to DRAW NEAR TO GOD IN PRAYER! Thank God for the secret place… that awesome pavilion where God hides us in times of trouble! Thank God that EVERY time we draw near to Him, HE ALWAYS DRAWS NEAR TO US!
Maybe todays blog will help you today or sometime in the future. I pray as always that this message adds tremendous value to your amazing life! Love you guys!
Thanks for sharing your wisdom and pain. It's so very true that we get nervous when we're in unpleasant situations that we try to 'help' God out when we really need to just crawl up in His lap. I pray that in the midst of your grief you'll find the peace, comfort & strength you need to sustain you.
Pastor Chuck, you’ve been that kind of Uncle Tuff to me, with your encouragement and messages like spring rains. That’s beautiful story. Thanks for letting us interact with you even in your rough times. I pray that God puts exactly in your path what you need for the “scenarios” to ultimately bless you and your family, and make each member of Destiny more like Christ.
PASTOR CHUCK, MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. I HAVE BEEN A FAMILY FRIEND THROUGH THE 2 DEATH OF YOUR MOTHER AND GRANDDAD. I KNOW HOW CLOSE THE DOBZENIECKI FAMILY IS AND I FEEL YOUR PAIN. I HADN’T A CLUE WHAT MY PLANS WERE FOR THE DAY BUT NOW I AM HEADED OUT TO AUNT JUDY’S CAUSE THE WEIGHT ON MY HEART IS TREMENDOUS.. GOOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU IN HIS LOVING ARMS IN THE COMING DAYS AND ALWAYS.
Well Pastor, As I now sit here on my couch crying and smiling too (so I guess that’s emotionally healthy). When I first awoke and before even getting out of bed, I was praying for you. God gave me a few others to pray for too but you were first.
For me to be able to lie in bed and be still usually does not happen as I have 2 Chihuahua’s as you know that like to make sure once they know I am awake its time to GET UP!!
I too want to thank you like Dave and Jonathan for allowing us into your close inner-circle of space. I know in my personal life, I have grown spiritually since I have met you and since I have grown to know you in a more personable way I have picked up momentum like its contagious!!!
You do inspire me and encourage me and even though our families may not be able to spend one on one time together like close friends and family members do, I still feel we are connected our family to yours as if we always have and do on a regular basis (if that makes sense).
God is our Father and You lead Destiny Family center is such a way that binds those ties together as they should be. Just like no family is ever perfect and Ward and June Clever do not exist, every family has its ups and downs but ….. its the ties that bind that bring them all back together.
My point is you are REAL and TRUE and you LEAD by EXAMPLE and that is what makes a Godly Leader in my opinion. So is Emily and this blog has been an opportunity for you to let the world know how she plays a part in the everyday role of what we see in you. She is awesome too! Your kids are too!
What I read from your blog today was NOT the devil bugging you as you said but GOD affirming to you that He is with you and that He will never leave you and for you not to be afraid. I felt like God might have been telling you. Charlie, wake up and come sit with me a bit so I can whisper some secrets in your ear, hug you a little and remind you how much I love you because the days ahead will be hard and I need to encourage you and fill you up with more of me so you can pour me out into others. You will be the rock that others in your family stand on and you will be the source they turn to so you need to be encouraged in the Lord.
Anyway, that is my 2 cents worth. I don’t think it was the devil at all. The devil can’t touch you. You have too many armed angels on that property with swords drawn so do you really think the devil wants to mess with all that? NAH, I don’t think so!
Plus, you have Emily watching your back!! Look out Satan !!!
We love you and are praying for you.
Wow you guys… wow. Amazing and heartfelt comments… God bless you all!
Resist the Devil and he will flee from you. When Peter and John were on the boat, in stormy seas, with Jesus, they were afraid. They didnt know where to turn or what to do. They finally gave up and went to find Jesus below. However, Jesus did not gather them to himself and pray to the Father until the storm passed. He came out into the midst of the storm and rebuked it! The storm fled! Many of life’s storms wont go away on their own. We must rebuke them before too much damage is done. Before our ships are torn apart!
As for your loss, however, the best way to overcome your pain is to draw near to God. He knows you will grieve the loss of your Uncle Tuff. But He wants to be the one who strengthens you and the one you turn to. Im praying He restores you quickly. Be blessed.
Thanks for the great comments everyone.
Jamie, I appreciate your bold faith… it’s exciting to see you stand so firm and strong. You’re doing such a great job with the discipleship group, making such a big difference in so many lives.
As you know from walking so many years with me and my family… I’m the very first one to stand in a boat and tell a storm to shut up. What I’m talking about today is that very rare occasion, that God forbid you should ever face… that very rare kind of stormy phenomenon that fights and kicks and rebels… the stronghold that goes away only through much prayer and fasting, and the EFFECTUAL FERVENT prayers of the saints.
Some storms last for a day and do not require an umbrella… others are so severe they require that we stay indoors in a safe and secret place until they blow through. As strong as I feel after 18 years of walking with God… I must admit that every once in a while, a storm will last a whole lot longer than I want.
I suppose what I am saying is this: If after the rebuke, we’re still in stormy waters… we need to learn the art of resting in the secret place until God works it all out. When storms have to do with other free moral agents… they take a little while to work out. Sometimes, it takes God more time than any of us feel like enduring… while he works in my life and your life and the lives of others.
Thanks for the warm comments about losing my uncle… love you man!
What you said about being in communion with God without ceasing is so important. At first you have to work at it and then it becomes natural. I find myself talking to Him throughout the whole day. I used to think I could only go to Him on my knees, but now I know I can talk to Him where ever I am and what ever I am going through. He wants us to talk to Him!!!!!
Randy and I are praying for your family. Loss of a loved one is hard, but rejoice daily that you will see him again!!!!
Have a super day.