"The Last Lecture"

I just finished reading 'The Last Lecture' by Randy Paush. I'm so thankful to my friend Dave who recommended this reading. It's a fairly quick read - but one that you could spread out over time to let some of Randy's thoughts/teachings marinate a bit.

The last section is what really got to me when Randy described his wife coming on stage at the end of his last lecture and whispering to him 'please don't die.' The thing is we're all going to die - it's what we're going to do with our eternity. Randy had a chance to 'be purposeful' in his last months. He took his cancer diagnosis and made the best of it - saying at least this way he could have some closure and do/say the things he wanted to with his family and loved ones.

He asks; "What wisdom would we impart to the world if we knew it was our last chance?" So, how about it - what would you say?


Here is some of what Randy says 'he knows:'

• Time must be explicitly managed, like money
• You can always change your plan, but only if you have one.
• Ask yourself: 'are you spending your time on the right things?'
• Develop a good filing system
• Rethink the telephone (you'll have to read the book for more on this one!)
• Never make a decision until you have to
• If you have a question - then find the answer
• Just because you're in the drivers seat doesn't man you have to run people over
• Don't complain, just work harder
• Don't obsess over what people think
• Look for the best in everybody (and I would add - everything)
• Tell the truth
• Get in touch with your crayon box
• No job is beneath you
• Never give up
• Make a Decision: Tigger or Eeyore
  

I think this will be a book I'll have to pick up on occasion and re-read. Yes, it's that good!
~C

'The Most Loving Place In Town'

book review...

I've decided one of my goals this year is to read 50 books...about one/week. One of the first I've tackled this month is "The Most Loving Place In Town" by Blanchard & Hodges.

Labeled as a 'modern day parable for the church' I think it's dead on! Generally speaking 'the church' has lost it's first love and that is what this book is about. A quick read, we follow Elder Tim and Pastor Mike on a journey (led by God and the Holy Spirit) to help them reclaim the first love in their lives and in their church.

Several bullet points and Scripture references make this a book that has a take away message for any Christian and hopefully for every church.

A great read I would recommend. Here are a few thoughts/quotes from the book:

• Get out and about. Learn as you listen. Ask the H.S. to help you fall in love with God's people again.
• Living with the unconditional love of God means surrendering your life to Him with the trust and joy of a child.
• It is never too late to turn a wayward heart back to God.
• Forgiven Much, Love More.
• Daily habits of solitude, prayer, and application of Scripture help you stay focused on being a true servant leader.
• Without love, nothing's going to work, no matter how brilliant we think our ideas might be. Love is the common denominator...
• Jesus modeled servant leadership in four dimensions - the heart - the head - the hands - the habits.
• EGO = Edge God Out ~ have you checked your ego today
• All lasting change starts with clear vision and direction

Hope you'll check it out - and let me know your thoughts after you've read!
~C

To Save A Life

To Save A Life opens nationwide January 22nd. I love what a friend said while talking about the movie: "if you're a teen, a young adult, a parent, grandparent or someone who knows or loves a teen you must see this movie!"

Check out the trailer:



Now, get your tickets for opening weekend. TSALincoln@gmail.com

~C

Help for Haiti

Greetings,

I just sent and email to my Student Ministry Leaders and Prayer partners asking them to pray. By now it's likely you've seen and heard the news of the earthquake that hit Haiti late last night. It is times like these, when a natural disaster strikes that some feel helpless and hopeless.

Questions like; 'what can we do?' & 'where was/is God?'

Well, I'd like to quickly take a shot at both of those questions...

First, what can we do - well there are so many wonderful aid organizations that have already sent people, supplies and more to Haiti this morning. We can support their efforts by giving. Two organizations I might suggest would be the International Red Cross and Compassion International. Both are asking for financial gifts as that is the fastest way to get the needed supplies into the affected area(s). If you feel led to give - please give. Believe me, even if you have little, you can give and it will help make a difference.
Beyond and even before giving I would suggest we start with prayer. Pray for all of those impacted by this disaster.

• for those who have lost their life
• for those trapped waiting to be rescued
• for those in Haiti who are in shock and disoriented - having no idea what to do
• for all who have family, friends and loved ones in Haiti
• for hope
  

The second and last question I'll look at 'where was/is God.' It was probably late in the day on Sept 11 2001 when this question really began to surface. I can remember leading a Sr. High Bible study that week and the youth wanted answers...just like many others across the nation. 'If God was such a great God, then where was he then?' I can only guess people impacted by this earthquake may be asking the same questions.
Honestly it brings me comfort to know the answer. God was and is in the same place He was when His Son was crucified. Although it might be hard for us to wrap our minds around God has always been and always will be on His throne. He alone is in charge. I know it's not the simplest of answers to a question asked in a time of pain, suffering and loss, but for us to know that God is The Great I AM yesterday, today and tomorrow; that is all that should matter to us.

So, I ask you to first pray for those impacted and I ask that you would not be shy...shy about your faith. Today will be the last day on earth for some - maybe someone you know. If you have a relationship with Christ please share that hope with those around you so that when it's their last day - they will know they will have hope and be with Him.

Helpful and Hopeful In Him,
~C

from my journal...

today I felt I needed to share something I recently wrote in my journal...

An Invitation ~ Matt. 9:9-13

As Christian's we're supposed to (try to) be like Jesus.

So, why is it we 'circle the wagons' and choose to leave the 'outsider' out?
Out in the cold
Out of our church - which is really not ours to begin with
Out in the cruel world without the relationship we claim to have?

If The One we claim to follow came for outsiders (remember we were those outsiders once - actually in reality we're still outsiders...don't believe me? when was the last time you sinned?) why can't we go after them too?

It's what Jesus wants.

Why don't we talk to our friends (insert any of the following: neighbors, co-workers, stranger at the store, the person in the car behind us at the stop sign...) about Jesus....yes it's called Evangelism...why are we so afraid of it?

Why don't we hear/have the gospel presented in worship on Sunday's? (so when we do have our friends in worship they can hear about the greatest Gift God has ever given?)

Why don't we actually try to be like Jesus?

Dear God Get Me Out of Hell...

Newsflash...Jesus didn't just die to get us out of hell...Jesus died so we could be reconciled to God and live in a relationship with Him. Amen?

So, when was the time? When was the time - when you confessed to God - I was wrong, I'm a sinner, I need your Son? I'm not where I need to be - and I can't get to where I need to be without Jesus...

Confession - We can't get right with God until we're willing to admit we are wrong. It's not about bargaining with God - 'If You do A, then I'll do B.' "If You get me out of this, I'll never do it again." "If You help me pass this test, I'll study next time." "If You give me a date, I'll stop looking at porn." "If You help me get that job, I'll tithe." The lists go on and on.... If You...then I'll... THAT'S NOT TRUE CONFESSION! But too often that's the sound of church people..."I've got problems but it's not my fault." We have to stop and truly confess! Confess that He Is LORD!

When was the time in your life when you did that - because that's when we Come Home!

For me it was ten years ago today - Dec 31 1999-Jan 1 2000. Ten years ago I was standing in a worship service and it was like God turned on the light - flipped the switch inside of Chris Hansen. Sure, there were many things leading up to that day, that moment that helped me to realize it - but it was in that place that I really took hold of my Creator and said I need YOU!

The event I was at was called: "The Dawn...An Epiphany." And it was both a dawn and an epiphany for me...the past ten years have been filled with so many ups, downs and in-betweens...but every single one of them has been with Christ by my side...yes, there were times I turned away, fell down and just plain screwed up - but I would not have made it through without my Savior. I hope and pray that the next ten are a new dawn and a new epiphany for whatever He has in store for me.

So, rather than making some ridiculous New Years resolution this year - why don't you just take action, and get to where you need to be - Home - with your Creator. If you've walked away from God, or never even had a relationship with Him - make today the day you make a decision that will change your life for all of eternity.

As we celebrate another New Years, as I reflect back on the past ten years - and what my moment was like in the worship service - my prayers are for you - that you will find your relationship with your Creator - Jesus Christ! God is watching and waiting just for you to come back to His arms.

...and for those of you who are already right with God, in a relationship with Christ, you know that this is not a spectators sport - you need to pray that God will move in the hearts of those who are yet to come home...so I ask, invite, beg you to pray for those you know and those you don't that need to Come Home to Christ this New Years!

Amen!
Here's to hoping you Come Home,
~C

Come Home

I was watching the Christmas Eve service from NewSpring, Perry Noble's church and saw this video...enjoy:

Christmas Opener: Just Come Home from NewSpring Production on Vimeo.

If you haven't 'come home' to your Savior I hope and pray that you will! Wherever you are, whatever you've done, whoever you've become - He's waiting with open arms - just come home!
~C