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We Found the Holy Grail of Unity Established in Love!

Sunday, April 25th, 2010 By 3 Comments

Happy Sunday!

(The message you’re about to read is in my opinion, one of the greatest messages I’ve ever written! It’s MUCH DEEPER than it will seem at a first glance. So, read it several times until touches your life the way it is touching mine right now!)

I’m writing todays blog from home; decided to ride with the rest of my family to church this morning… for Pastor Appreciation Day! I wrote on my facebook status last night: It feels just like Christmas Eve tonight! I’m out of my mind about church at destiny family center tomorrow!

This morning feels like Christmas morning when I was a kid. I always woke up before everyone else, just like today (except for maybe Dave Harman)… and I’m just waiting for the rest of the world to HURRY UP, because it’s “the most wonderful day… of the year!” (lalala!)

I was trying to figure out why I’m so much more hyper about this years celebration than I’ve been in past years. I think it’s because I’m NOT nervous that there might be a single person in my current circle who’s secretly irritated about people honoring my family.

Rose Schleifer sent me a text this morning, asking me if I knew what today was… and I said: I already feel more appreciated than ever in my life and the day hasn’t even started! She replied to me with the following text: I’m glad that you all feel appreciated, cuz not only do we appreciate you, WE LOVE YOU!

LOVE makes the difference! And my family has never felt more genuinely LOVED by any group of people in all our lives!

I had a phenomenal conversation with Emily, Heaven, Cole Moore, and Aaron & Kelli Huffer last night about unity, and the difference between love and hate… here is the thought!

Love is the strongest unifying agent in the universe… but hate is much easier! Therefore, most groups unify around a common hate theme (usually a common hated person). The bad thing for unified haters is that the only way to stay close in a hater circle, is to keep hating. And if the hate victim end up surviving the hate campaign… and he defies all odds to become a much better person… this is not good for the haters, unless they fabricate more reasons to hate… or they finally decide to unify in love! Unity that’s built in LOVE is a much DEEPER unity! Believe me, I’ve been in both circles… and this CIRCLE OF LOVE I belong to right now, is making this moment, one of the greatest moments of my entire life!

So, today is not just about honoring a Pastor and his family… it’s about a UNITY ESTABLISHED IN LOVE! Wooohoooooooooooo! My God, that will preach all day long! lol

Sure, the gifts and the Pastor Appreciation offering are both super fun components of every great Pastor Appreciation day… but, there is NOTHING to be compared with this LEVEL OF LOVE!

Who could have predicted one year ago today, that things would be this great for us? Who could have predicted one year ago today, that we would have a CHURCH FAMILY LIKE THIS! Who could have predicted one year ago today, that there was a LOVE OUT THERE WAITING TO BE EXPERIENCED… a LOVE SO MUCH DEEPER than any of us had ever FATHOMED, even in our wildest dreams!

Back in the 90′s, preachers were saying that IF a church could ever reenact the unity described in the book of Acts chapter 1 and 2, then that church would become identical in EVERY WAY to the very FIRST church… and that NOTHING would be able to prevent such a church from changing the known world!

After preaching thousands of messages on the topic of unity… and never even coming close to producing it, all the preachers eventually moved on to other trending topics. I feel like Indiana Jones right now… like my team of spiritual archeologists JUST FOUND THE HOLY GRAIL OF UNITY ESTABLISHED IN LOVE!

Psalm 133:1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity!

John 17:22-24 (Jesus talking) “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

Ephesians 4:11-13 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

Is this making sense? It’s almost too wonderful for words! Sela!

Here’s a great video clip from Lion King: We Are One!

I’m gonna stop writing now… and get back to praying HUGE BLESSINGS on all of my family and friends… on all of you guys and gals. I LOVE YOU ALL! See some of you in a few hours! Have a most triumphant Sunday!

Dream Big, Live Bold, and Make the Difference!

Chuck

The Donate Link, Facebook, Twitter, Make me a Legend, Destiny Family Center, You Tube

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Up @ 2:00am, Talking With My Son About Life!

Thursday, April 8th, 2010 By 7 Comments

Happy Thursday!

Stayed up till 2am talking with my son about life! Talks like that can become a little stressful at times, but I still live for each talk! It’s amazing to think about what kind of difference it makes… to grow up in a home where mom and dad love each other, and they care about their kids more than anything else in all the world! Who can really estimate the power and effect of LOVE?

Sometimes, I wonder if I’ve done well enough teaching and modeling everything Coree and Heaven are going to need in order to SHINE for the rest of their lives. I see my bad qualities showing up in each of them. I wish I could go back in time and do a better job. But then I watch a little longer and they flash out their truest beliefs, and they manifest a shocking beauty of character… and then I realize how God takes our best in parenting and he graces our children with everything else they need!

Over the past few years… both of my kids have developed a very large social network. They seem to know as many people as I know. They’re always bringing new friends to the house. And I never want to come off nosey… but I’m always asking questions about their friends. Questions like, “Do they have a mom and dad… do they get along with their parents… do they have a real relationship with Jesus… what kind of dreams do they have about the future… are they happy with their lives?”

I would ask so much more, if it wouldn’t come off as creeperish! This is because I sincerely CARE about the young people of my world. Even though they come off as so overly confident… and some of them are way beyond intimidating… they each have a real HEART… and by they time most of them reach 18, their tender hearts are broken… and hardened by so many things. And this breaks my heart!

Malachi 4:5-6 “Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.”

I want to have the greatest father’s heart! A heart that is fully turned to my children… and to all of the young people in my world… definitely, a heart that is fully turned to all of the kids that matter to my kids! I especially want to love the unloved ones… SO MUCH, that my LOVE really makes the difference for them!

It seems that kids naturally migrate in the direction where they are most loved! Even though relevance is important, nothing merges the generations more than love!

These are my humble thoughts for this beautiful day! As a result of this blog…

  • I hope more people are inspired to more fully love their children and grandchildren generations!
  • I hope more young people will more fully appreciate the loving efforts of their parent and grandparent generations!
  • I pray God will turn the hearts of our parents to their children, and the hearts of our children to their parents!

What a difference this can make in today’s world.

Here’s a song for the moment from Rod Stewart, Father & Son… the video is cheesy, but the message is POWERFUL!

Dream Big, Live Bold, and Make the Difference!

Chuck

The Donate Link, Facebook, Twitter, Make me a Legend, Destiny Family Center, You Tube

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The Gift of Love and Family

Saturday, June 6th, 2009 By 7 Comments

Happy Saturday!

God is so GOOD to us! I thank him so much for everything! He has lavished us with LOVE… love FOR HIM and love FOR EACH OTHER. Last night was Coree’s high school graduation… and it was even more than I ever thought it would be! 

Since Coree and Heaven go to a private school, the graduation ceremony is designed differently than an ordinary High School graduation. All students are honored for their various accomplishments, not only the seniors.

Heaven and Coree were not the cookie cutter kids… as we are not a cookie cutter family. Our kids have caused a LITTLE grief for Principle Spencer and the school administration at times. Nothing anything super bad… they just had a little bit too much SOCIAL FUN at times when they were supposed to be LEARNING. Therefore, until this year, NOBODY would ever imagine Coree or Heaven receiving any kind of academic recognition.

Out of the entire High School, Heaven was recognized for two awards, as being the student with the HIGHEST GPA and for being the student who completed the MOST WORK for the year! If one only knew what Heaven had to overcome to receive such an honor… GOD DOES MIRACLES!

Then Coree shocked us as his Principle got teary eyed, introducing Coree as the MOST IMPROVED STUDENT of the year for the entire High School!

The whole thing was so surreal to me… so many emotions running through my body… my baby boy graduating… where did the last 18 years go? I was so proud to watch him up on that platform in front of all those people smiling so big… he looked so confident and accomplished! I captured a photo at the exact moment one of his FRENZIED FANS blew the fog horn… Coree was LAUGHING PRETTY HARD! Oh… and notice the SHOES!

For me, the highlight happened AFTER the graduation ceremony. When my kids didn’t ask to go out with friends or to some graduation party… but they WANTED to be with US for the rest of the night! Just thinking about this now brings new tears to my eyes.

Coree wanted to eat at Chili’s with Mom and Dad and Heaven, and Nanny and Poppa, and Drew and Liz (they came to the graduation-so nice of them). Then to top it all off… Temple Huffer (graduate of RHS last night) and her boyfriend joined us at the end of the meal… and we laughed together for a long time before heading home.  

In this time of national and global hardship, we should hold on to what is most important in life… the things that money cannot buy! Things like, fulfilling our divine purpose, and the beauty of loving relationships with family and friends… enjoying REAL LIFE as we walk with God and he blesses us with HIS AMAZING LOVE!

I love my family… EVERY SINGLE MOMENT WITH THEM IS THE BLESSING OF THE LORD! Today, I thank God… I HONOR HIM AND PRAISE HIM… in front of you all… for he has been good to us! When life is challenging and cruel… and nothing seems to turn out like I dreamed it would… in times like these, I go home, shut the doors, look around, and realize that I already have the blessing of LOVE and FAMILY… and this is the greatest human blessing besides the great gift of salvation.

This morning, I feel compelled to pray for you guys… that God will BLESS your families even more… that he would BLESS your key relationships… and LAVISH YOU WITH HIS LOVE… so that you too can always say with me that GOD IS GOOD… no matter what the future may bring!

Hug someone close today… let them know you CARE, and APPRECIATE the care they have for you! Don’t forget church at Destiny Family Center tomorrow morning 10am! Then Coree’s graduation party at our house 1pm! Love you all…

John 13:24-35 So now I am giving you a new commandment: LOVE EACH OTHER. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

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Welcome 2 Your Next Great Adventure!

Monday, April 13th, 2009 By 3 Comments

Good Monday Everyone,

I wonder if diversions should be welcomed as great adventures? We work so hard to establish nice little patterns for our lives. We try to make so many perfect moves. We try so hard to automate as much as possible. We flip out when circumstances arise to shock us with unwelcomed CHANGE. 

I wonder if we should count adversity as an act of evil or an act of grace? Has all this pressure and all this agony come into your life to bring you down OR has it come to LIFT YOU UP? Is the universe rallied against you OR is the universe NUDGING you into the NEXT GREAT ADVENTURE?

Instead of weeping in a spirit of hopelessness, should we fall down and worship at the feet of our FATHER with a renewed sense of FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE!

God is BIGGER than people… and God is BIGGER than our imperfections! Therefore, we should never feel like ANYTHING from our past has any real shot at canceling our future in Christ!

Think about this: If reaching your divine destiny depended upon YOUR PERFECTION, it would never happen! If you had to make the correct turn at all ten thousand intersections this decade, you would end up in the wrong place way out in the wastelands!

Is your life really as messed up as it may seem right now? Should you accept your current set of circumstances as a sure sign of defeat… and should you just throw in the towel… stop dreaming… stop aiming for all those beautiful dreams?

Be careful not to assess your progress through human reasonings. For GODS WAYS ARE HIGHER THAN OUR WAYS and GODS THOUGHTS ARE HIGHER THAN OUR THOUGHTS! If he is GOD than he has a trillion ways of getting each of us safely to our destinations! 

So when life seems to throw us a great big curve ball… and life seems to punch us out cold… and life seems to smack us WAY OFF THE BEATEN PATH… we should NOT despair my friends! Instead, we should raise our faces and lift hands to the deep BLUE SKIES and BLESS THIS BRAND NEW GREAT ADVENTURE! 

Proverbs 3:1-6 

 1 ”My son, do not forget my teaching, 
       but keep my commands in your heart,

 2 for they will prolong your life many years 
       and bring you prosperity.

 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; 
       bind them around your neck, 
       write them on the tablet of your heart.

 4 Then you will win favor and a good name 
       in the sight of God and man.

 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart 
       and lean not on your own understanding;

 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, 
       and he will make your paths straight.”

Ok… so there you have it… another paradigm for the same set of circumstances! Selah! Think about this… meditate on all the opportunities this inconvenience could be bringing about. TRUST my friends! TRUST that God is still CRAZY ABOUT YOU… he is STILL WORKING ALL THINGS OUT FOR YOUR GOOD! 

I pray that todays blog adds TREMENDOUS value to your amazing lives! God bless you all… have a most ADVENTUROUS DAY!

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Live and Love Like There Really is No Tomorrow!

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 By 9 Comments

Good Morning Friends, 

Last night, we had family night for my Uncle Tuff from 6-8pm. I’m so grateful for all the people that sacrificed their Monday evening to come give us a hug and a smile. Life is so busy… and when people make time to get dressed up, drive to a funeral home, and stand in lines just to let friends know how much they care… it’s a very big deal! I sincerely pray this morning… for blessings to shower down on every single one of our kind visitors from last night… and all those who will come to the funeral today. The difference is FELT by all of us! 

My message today will be short, since I still need to finish writing the funeral message… and I need to pray for the strength to be able to do this. Today I burry my Uncle, Big Brother, and FRIEND… and tomorrow I observe the 3 year anniversary of my Mom’s passing. In three years… I’ve lost three PILARS: My Mom, my Grandfather, and now my Uncle Tuff. Rest in peace you guys!

Todays inspirational thought: Life is short… so live each day as if there really is NO tomorrow. 

This morning, I woke up thinking about how bad I’ve been eating and all the stress I’ve been under lately. I thought about the changes I need to make if I really want to live a long life. I thought about the things that matter most to me… and the things that really shouldn’t matter at all.

As I was leaving the bedroom, I walked around to Emily’s side of the bed and gave her an extra hug… kissed her forehead and gave her another hug… and then another one, with big tears in my eyes. Should my life end this morning, I wanted her to know how much she was LOVED by the man of her dreams! 

The reality of my Uncles SUDDEN departure is turning my world upside down in so many ways.

I cant help myself from wondering, who in my sphere of influence is heading to heaven next? Is it going to be me? Do my friends and family KNOW how much I care about them? My Uncle Tuff LOVED me so much! That I KNOW beyond all doubt! And even though his life was ended suddenly… he loved like there was no tomorrow. Even though he couldn’t say goodbye to his kids… he left EVERY OUNCE of his heart with them by the way he LOVED them EVERY DAY! 

What if your life ended suddenly, this week? Are you ok with your friends and family having to figure out how you felt just by the way you lived and loved? What kind of changes will you need to make so that you leave this earth with no unfinished business? Life is short, even when we live to 95. We are here today… and TOMORROW, we are gone.

I pray todays blog causes you guys and gals to think and pray for the kind of change that makes YOUR life ALL that it’s supposed to be and so much more! I pray that this blog site keeps on adding tremendous value to your amazing lives! God bless you all…

Ps: So much for a short blog! lol

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