Happy New Year’s Eve!

I’ve been up since 4:30am, praying for so many people this morning. My sunroom has become a sanctuary, God is here if He has ever been anywhere before! I have been listening to this song “Today” from Christian City Church (San Francisco, CA). Wooooosh.

On the Threshold Between Yesterday and Tomorrow!

Here we stand on the threshold between yesterday and tomorrow: it is New Year’s Eve!

For me, New Year’s EVE is very similar to Christmas EVE. It is ONE night out of each whole year that carries the potential of changing everything!

On the night that Christ was born, change came for the people who put their trust in Him for salvation! Everything changes for people when they believe that Jesus is the savior of the world!

For the people who don’t believe, nothing changes. Everything remains the same, there is no HOPE, no promise of something better to come.

One of the greatest benefits of living for Christ is that we always have HOPE! No matter what we are facing, no matter how far down life has taken us… there is always deep within us, the HOPE of sudden change! Anything is possible, when we love and serve the omnipotent God of this whole universe.

Today is the LAST DAY of this worn out year! Tonight, when the clock strikes midnight… SOMETHING is going to happen-if you believe it will! Once again, your slate will be wiped clean, and made ready for the next 365 days of your great PURPOSE!

Clarify Your Dream

On this Sunday morning, I will be teaching from my 9 equities life management system at Destiny Family Center. Come expecting to CLARIFY your DREAM. Come also, ready to WRITE YOUR VISION, so you can hang it up on a wall for everyone to see. There will be a perfect blend of anointed preaching and practical instruction. Whatever it takes, don’t miss church @ DFC this Sunday morning!

Tonight’s New Year’s Eve Event

Tonight, from 9pm to 7am, we host our annual New Year’s Eve Youth & Young Adults Event! I just got off the phone with Youth Pastor Ryan Huffer, shocked at the very high degree of excellence he and Danae have demonstrated in their planning! Tonight’s event is going to be the very best New Year’s Eve event in the state of Virginia. If you know anyone in this region from 6th grade up to 25 years old, please let them know about it…

Make the time to spiritually prepare yourself for next year. I believe we are stepping into the greatest year of our lives. Next Sunday, I will be preaching my New years Revelation: 2010+1 The Year of ONE More!

So much happening… our entire ministry is dedicated to giving you the perfect start to your greatest year.

I’m excited.

Your thoughts?

I just finished praying for you (with tremendous passion), hoping you really feel the difference. Please leave your comments here on this blog site so that we will always have a record of your beautiful additions. If you LOVE this message, please tweet it and share it with our social networking buttons at the top and bottom of the blog.

Have a beautiful Friday everyone! Do something FUN, it’s still the holiday season, remember?

With much love…

Dream Big, Live Bold, and Make the Difference!

Chuck

Make a Donation-It’s Fun!

Happy Wednesday!

Yesterday was such a necessary change of scenery for me. I worked from Starbucks in the morning, then from Books A Million in the afternoon. My energy was off the charts! I created and created and created… there is just something about being in a public place with a laptop and ear phones. The ambiance of diversity and motion! So, here I am again this morning, working here until noon-unless my productivity drops through some unforeseen distraction.

There was a guy who sat across the room from me @ Starbucks for about two hours yesterday. I felt like he and I were supposed to talk, like I was supposed to initiate a conversation with him… but I didn’t. I just prayed that he would return this morning.

Last night, we had another new Christian prayer meeting at Destiny Family Center. It was possibly my favorite one yet! We didn’t lead anyone to Christ. No, last night was all about raising these new Christians to the next level. Here is what I taught those guys…

Learn as You Teach-It Is Your Time to Shine!

In Matthew 10:27, Jesus said to his young disciples, “What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!”

Jesus didn’t make his disciples wait until they were certified theologians before he sent them into ministry. While the Bible warns about the danger of exalting a novice, it is very clear about commissioning new believers when their new fire is still burning brightly!

We must teach and model the heart and character of Jesus for our emerging generations. We must impart to them, a humble posture and a high respect for their elder generations. We must dedicate our whole lives to the acceleration of their growth… to give them advantages we did not have ourselves. We must show them how to become exceptional students. We must cultivate their teachability and give them the protection of strong accountability.

One thing I have learned (from experience), is that exceptional students have to be empowered and released at just the right time, or their fire will definitely burn out.

Powerful leaders recognize when it is time to raise up their exceptional students. They know when that exact moment matures and when the Lord says, “EMPOWER them and RELEASE them!” Then as the exceptional student gets his first taste of teaching and leading, he will need further assistance through the process of STANDING OUT!

The process of release goes something like this:

1. You watch me do something I am skilled to do.
2. You do it yourself with my close and loving assistance.
3. You step out with new skill and confidence, and you do it without me.

Education comes in various forms:

1. The student is educated in the classroom.
2. The student is educated through exceptional mentorship.
3. The student is educated with experience.
4. The student is educated as he teaches and leads.

During last night’s prayer meeting, it hit me! Something shot through my heart as Zack Hoskinson was reading the Bible and telling me what God was showing him through the verses. Then Joel, Ian, and Brian joined the discussion… then everyone else. The room was energized with a revelation of their PROGRESS. Some of these guys have only been serving God for 90 days… and their picture of God is off the charts!

So I went with my spiritual impulse and asked some of these guys to preach tonight at Destiny Family Center. I gave them so tips on preaching and they all spent the night at Ian’s house, preparing their message! I cannot wait for tonight!!

True, there is a risk in raising up young leaders. But the risk of not raising them up is far greater.

Dear God, please keep your hand on their lives as they step into this next level. Please give me and my fellow leaders the kind of heart and dedication we need to raise up this next generation! Their potential is so unfathomable. Our opportunity of is huge here. Increase your anointing in our lives so that we may carry this sacred trust… and that success far exceeds ours. Amen!

Your thoughts?

I just finished praying for you (with tremendous passion), hoping you really feel the difference. Please leave your comments here on this blog site so that we will always have a record of your beautiful additions. If you LOVE this message, please tweet it and share it with our social networking buttons at the top and bottom of the blog.

Have a beautiful Wednesday everyone! Do something FUN, it’s still the Christmas holiday season, remember?

With much love…

Dream Big, Live Bold, and Make the Difference!

Chuck

Make a Donation-It’s Fun!

Happy Tuesday!

Yesterday, I dropped my wife Emily off at work and then realized I forgot my keys to the office. So I headed for Starbucks to write my blog. Before I made it there, Emily called my cell phone as hyper as she’s been in a very long time… said she had the day off. So I picked her back up and we went to Harrisonburg for a day of absolute randomness!

We ate breakfast at IHOP. We both ordered the banana bread french toast and eggs combo. She ordered bacon, I ordered sausage links… and we split the meats.

From IHOP, we went to a place called Finders-Keepers and walked around with our jaws dropped for about an hour. A friend of ours (Lacey Hewitt) told us about this store. Finders-Keepers was everything she said it was. Hugely discounted (75-90% off) top of the line clothing, electronics, and everything else. We didn’t buy too much… just a few $5 shirts (regularly $50), 6 very nice $1 spoons (regularly $5 each), and a few other fun items.

From Finders-Keepers, we went to Greenberry’s, a really fun Coffee and Tea shop. I ordered an exotic tea and emily went with a simple english black tea. While we were drinking our tea and sitting on two very comfortable chairs, Emily commented about a tea cup they had for sale. Her comment made me think, “He, let’s go make our own tea cups at You Made It!” So we did… and almost FIVE HOURS LATER, we left the store with a whole lot of excitement!

We asked for two pieces of paper and two pencils and we drafted our concepts first. Then, picked out our paints and a work station, and we went to work.

What’s really fun about our tea cups is the way they represent our individual uniqueness. My cup is modern and meticulous… every dot placed in a carefully calculated order. Emily’s cup is random and happy! Where I perfectly steadied my hands for every brush stroke, Emily splashed her brush into the paint and hurled it to her cup with a hyper, happy smile all over her face! She looked like a little kid at arts and crafts. For me, watching Emily smile like that for so many hours was far more fun than actually making the cups. She is the funnest, happiest person in this universe!

Here are a few (pre-firing) photo’s of our amazing tea cups. The colors will significantly brighten in the kiln. They will shine when they are glazed! My phone died before I could take a final photo of Emily cup. I can’t wait to see the finished product. Don’t worry, I’ll post a few updated photo’s after we pick them up next week.

My cup:

Emily’s cup:

After we made our tea cups and sent them to the kiln for firing, we went to Mr. J’s Bagels for a late afternoon snack. I ordered my favorite food, an everything bagel with cream cheese and butter. Emily had a cinnamon and raisin bagel with light cream cheese. We purchased six bagels and a cream cheese container for our kids… and we went home, reminiscing over the perfectness of our day, for the entire 30 mile trip!

Invest in Your Key Relationships

Life is so much fun when we share it with other people. Today’s blog is not about gloating with my “perfect” marriage. It’s about inspiring better marriages, and other key relationships.

Sad to say, yesterday was the first time Emily and I have done anything like that in a way too long. Life has been far too complicated for us lately. We’ve been working, it seems for years, 16 hours a day, 7 days a week. Even though our work is mostly MINISTRY, it is still very important for us to have a romantic Monday every now and then.

Balance Your Work and Play

Some people need to learn how to work. They need to develop a work ethic. They need to get off the couch and do something with their lives. Others, work too much and play too little. They need to be told, “Hey! Take some time to smell the roses! Give yourself a break, before you have a breakdown!”

When we work hard, we can play hard… guilt free! And we should. So far, I have done a fairly good job at balancing my work and play. Sometimes, I fly out of balance… always in the far extreme of workaholism. Then, a moment arises like what happened with Emily’s work yesterday morning… and something hits me like, “Hey Chuck, your work can wait for just one day. The world will survive one day without a blog from you. This moment is a gift from heaven… so take it.”

I believe that God wants us to enjoy the key people in our lives. Our personal effectiveness thrives when we balance our work and play. There is nothing like the synergy created when two people spend the day laughing and loving!!

Break The Tension

So, stop feeling guilty for having fun! And stop using the excuse, “I have no money.” Fun isn’t always expensive. Fun can be had on any budget! Be creative. Be passionate. Be playful. Hurry up-break the tension!

I just finished praying for you (with tremendous passion), hoping you really feel the difference. Please leave your comments here on this blog site so that we will always have a record of your beautiful additions.

Have a beautiful Tuesday everyone! Do something FUN, it’s still the Christmas holiday season, remember?

With much love…

Dream Big, Live Bold, and Make the Difference!

Chuck

Make a Donation-It’s Fun!

Happy Sunday!

Yes, we are still having the 10am service at Destiny Family Center… I hope you can make it. Please walk carefully, drive slowly, and bring your Christmas cheer!

This morning, I watched an amazing (December 20th) Fox News Billy Graham interview. It is Rev. Grahams first interview in 7 years. His words touched my life so much that I wanted to share it with you. Notice especially, Rev. Grahams comments about what he would do differently if he could start over, and his advice to young ministers. Beautiful interview!

I just finished praying for you (with tremendous passion), hoping you really feel the difference. Please leave your comments here on this blog site so that we will always have a record of your beautiful additions.

Have a beautiful Sunday everyone! Do something FUN, it’s the Christmas season, remember?

With much love…

Dream Big, Live Bold, and Make the Difference!

Chuck

Make a Donation-It’s Fun!

Happy Christmas Eve and Merry Christmas!

I spent an hour on YouTube hand selecting these four unbelievable Christmas videos. I hope you enjoy them!

Todays Inspirational Message

Bethlehem: The Symbol of God’s Attraction to Humility

I chose this last video because Bethlehem is the symbol of Christmas that is most alive in my heart today. It blows my mind, that God did not chose the prominent city of Jerusalem for His grand entrance into humanity. He chose the lowly village of Bethlehem.

Matthew 2:1-6

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

King Herod was offended. All of Jerusalem was offended. Because the Son of God was born in the LOWLY village of Bethlehem.

Bethlehem symbolizes God’s attraction to humility. He manifests His glory to the humble people of the world.

I believe that God is searching for a place where His Son may be manifested in the earth today. If cities were HEARTS, would your heart replicate the humble conditions of Bethlehem on that very first Christmas night?

The following two verses are two of my favorite verses in the entire Bible.

Isaiah 57:14-15 And it will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.” For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy:

“I live in a high and holy place,
but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.”

God is eternally attracted to humility. It is the force that drives his love! Through humility, God’s love was manifested to mankind! His glory rises in humble places, to humble people.

On this Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, take some time to meditate on the words of this message. Ask God to give you the heart and spirit of ancient Bethlehem. Break the trance of pride. Stop complaining about financial tightness and other irritating challenges Appreciate the things that money can’t buy! Remember my facebook status from Thursday:

Last min gift idea: the things that $$ cant buy like mercy & forgiveness, appreciation & honor… give LOVE-it’s free!

There is still time left, to make this the greatest Christmas of your life! Let all the rushing halt before the awesome reality of this holy moment.

I just finished praying for you (with tremendous passion), hoping you really feel the difference. Please leave your comments here on this blog site so that we will always have a record of your beautiful additions.

Make this the greatest Christmas Eve and the Merriest Christmas! Do something FUN, it’s the Christmas season, remember?

With much love…

Dream Big, Live Bold, and Make the Difference!

Chuck

Make a Donation-It’s Fun!