2010 February 07 | Chuck's Life

Happy Sunday!

Am I really happy? You can tell can’t you? You can feel it in my tone, right? Yeah, I know, I’m not a very good faker. The sadness of canceling church today literally has me in tears. I know right?

Am I starting to go through menopause already? Wait, that’s a female thing, isn’t it? Oh great, I’m a MAN… and we’re not privileged with the biological excuse for a middle age breakdown! Don’t get mad at me ladies, I’m just trying to make a little funny here… thats all. Oh, and I’m not even at the middle of my long life yet!

So what is wrong with me? I mean, teary eyed about not being able to have church? Come on Chuck, get it together… there’s always next week.

Baaaa, go away cheerful inner conscious… I want to be sad for a few more hours, or a few more days, or forever. (pitiful half smile with a puckering lower lip)

Why are we shoveled out?

I guess the hardest thing for me is that I drive in all weather conditions… and, while I was out driving all over this county-all day yesterday… I counted TEN out of TEN driveways shoveled out. Oh yes, I’m sure there were a few that I missed… but even my 90 year old neighbor, he shoveled his own driveway before I even got to him yesterday!

So what are we all shoveled out for? Oh, wait! Tomorrow is MONDAY, and we cannot miss work under ANY circumstances. Oh, and we have to get to the movie store, and the grocery store, and anywhere else we desire to go today… AND HEY, its Super Bowl Sunday, so we must be able to drive to our friends house for the big PAR-TAYE! All of these are meaningful reasons for shoveling out.

I’m not a “life” basher

Don’t worry… I’m not one of those “life” bashing kind of guys. In fact, I love entertainment, and FOOD, and parties, and work… more than most people!

Venture out everyone! No guilt from me here… nuht uhhhh! Have a fun and exciting day… enjoy your families… do a bunch of fun “snow-day” activities! Live it up “Balsamo” style! I’m all about it… wooo. (clapping and cheering)

Where’s the enthusiasm?

But woe to the Pastor that schedules a snow day church service, right?

I mean, everyone says, “Do what you feel is best, Pastor.” But really, where is the ENTHUSIASM? Honestly, I would have WALKED 2 miles in my snow boots, through 3 foot snow drifts to go to church today. Especially, because we were snowed out last week too.

Sometimes, written words fail to properly express a writers tone. So, I’m going to say straight up that I’m not mad at anyone, just sad.

Here’s the common phrase people use to manipulate Pastors on snow days: “You can go ahead with the service IF you really feel like thats the best thing for the congregation, BUT I would hate for someone to have an accident on their way to CHURCH… or I would hate for some old lady to fall down and break a bone.” I’ve used this very same phrase a hundred times or more throughout my years in church leadership!

My message today is NOT to the people who offer me input concerning snow day services. Because, if it was, I would be condemning myself. Please don’t take offense… this message is not directed at ANY person at Destiny Family Center. My message is intended for Christians worldwide.

Why?

Why are we willing to risk our lives… and risk the potential of a broken bone… and weather extreme conditions to shovel our driveways for work and fun… but irritated when a Pastor wants to gather his flock for worship? Why is it that we will NOT miss work under any circumstances, we’ll even go in with a 101 degree flu… and we’re so fast to miss church whenever we’re just too tired from staying up too late the night before? Why is it that we will NEVER miss a doctors appointment, but will very quickly cancel our weekly appointment with the Great Physician?

Is it enough?

I mean, really… the average American Christian gathers for 2 hours on 2 or 3 Sundays out of the month. Is this enough, for us to ENCOURAGE one another and GROW into the EAGLES of God’s next great spiritual awakening?

Hebrews 10:25 “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

Dear God, please bring this 21st Century church to appetite… make this American Christian population hungry for you… so hungry, we will risk our lives to gather for worship. Help us to see how embarrassing this conversation must sound to our fellow believers throughout the world in countries like Mongolia, where many of them REALLY DO risk their lives to gather for worship. Awaken this passion… give us a desire for meeting together just like the Christians in the first century church.

I’m surrounded with some of the most committed Christians on the planet. The sacrifices my friends make for God’s kingdom… I’m INSPIRED everyday by these people! I think I may be considered a highly sacrificial believer myself. At least it seems this way in comparison to many of my mainstream contemporaries. I realize I’m preaching to the choir here.

However… If we are going to change the spiritual climate of our country, then we have to start to asking ourselves: “Am I really a hall of faith kind of Christian, or am I just a big fish in a teeny tiny bowl?”

Don’t shoot the messenger!

Don’t get mad at me dear reader… if I’m going to CHANGE THE WORLD, and not just write another boring blog, then I’m going to have to EXPRESS my heart, even when this means that my thoughts will irritate a reader or two. Trust me, this message brings plenty of conviction to my own heart… and thats why I love it so much!

Just pray about the things I’ve written and work it out in your own heart… then GET UP without an ounce of guilt… and have the GREATEST SNOW DAY OF YOUR LIFE! Enjoy your family, enjoy the super bowl (root for the Indianapolis Colts), pray for me… and I will pray for you! Love you all!

Ps: if you’re looking for something to do… check out a few of my SNOW DAY resources:

Dream Big, Live Bold, and Make the Difference!

Chuck

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