Pastor Chris' Blog

Wired for Indonesia

We live out at Siloam Missionary Homes with all the missonaries.  We are surrounded by people who think nothing about going all the way to the other side of the world simply to tell them about the love of Jesus.  Since we have been living there I have realized that I understand very little about what make them tick.  But then, no man can know what is in the heart of another. 

I had this friend once who was a missionary to Indonesia.  Indonesia is a very dangerous place if you are a Christian.  We were talking once and he was telling me about his life in Indonesia.  The more he told me about it, the more dangerous it sounded.  In my opinion, it was an incomprehensible life.  I told him "There is no amount of money you could give me to do what you do."  His response was amusing.  He smiled at me and said "That's ok Chris, I think the same about your job."  It never occurred to me that my job, which I love so much, could be viewed that way.  I realized that day that my friend was wired for Indonesia and I was wired for Saxapahaw.   

We never know what is in the heart of another.  We are all wired differently.  Each of us sees the world through the filter of our gifts, talents, cares, hurts and background.  

It is striking that the Lord would use a people, many of whom would never leave their home to partner in the sending of a people who rather go to the darkest, deepest corners of the world just to tell them God loves them.  We are taking up the Annie Armstrong North American Missions Offering this month.  The money you give by faith will go to support ministries all over the United States and Canada.  It will pay for church and community ministries, resort ministries, and literacy missions,  sports evangelism, Scripture distribution, and evangelism events. 

So many of us will never leave Saxapahaw but Southern Baptist Missionaries will never accomplish their goals without people just like you and me.  Mumbai, Jordan and Somalia cannot know Christ without Saxapahaw.  I encourage you to ask God how you might partner with North American Missionaries through the Annie Armstrong Missions Offering. 

I love being your Pastor

Pastor Chris

The Economy and the Good China

We have a new president now.  And apparently we also have an economy that is spiraling downward.  A few months ago former federal reserve chairman Alan Greenspan described our the current economic situation as a once in a century situation.

I was struck by the sense of impossibility and hopelessness that Greenspan implied in his statement.  And then I got thinking about how the people of Jesus' day and even current theologians interpret the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  It wasn't a once in a decade event.  It wasn't a once in a century event.  It wasn't even a once in alifetime event.  The appearance of Jesus in history is a once in eternity event.  If creation lasts 500 million years there will never be another event like it.  Jesus becoming a man, taking away the sins of humanity, and rising from the dead has no comparison in any other religion or in history.  It is an event with NO parallel.

Now what do we do with the faith in Christ that we have been blessed with.  I am afraid that many of us treat our faith in Jesus the way many of us see the good china.  At our house we have the Pier 1 dishes.  These are the dishes that we regularly use around the house.  We let the children use them, we use them.  We don't worry about tossing them in the microwave or the dishwasher.  If one were to break, we know we can just pop down to the mall and pick up a replacement.

And then there is the good china.  My wife's grandmother gave us their good china as a wedding present.  There is no telling how old it is.  I am not even sure I am allowed to touch it, much less the children.  It is precious and valuable and irreplaceable.

That is how many of us deal with the place Jesus has in our lives.  It is like the good china.  We get it out for special occasions; Thanksgiving, Christmas, and maybe an anniversary.  Some of us do the same with Jesus.  We get Him out on Sunday.  Some of us get Him out on Wednesday and even Sunday night.  Basically, we get Him out on special occasions. 

Knowing Jesus is a daily relationship not an occasional responsibility.  Having a vibrant and powerful faith requires being engaged in the disciplines of the faith every day, not just during convenient times.

Let's not trade the miraculous for the mundane.  What Jesus did for us is not mundane, and our experince with Jesus shouldn't be either  It should be vibrant and exciting.  Jesus work on the cross is a once in eternity event.  Jesus is the Pier 1 plates.  We should have him out all the time.  

I love being your Pastor,

Pastor Chris

Well, another year is gone.  And I was just getting used to putting "2008" on all my checks.  Oh well.  As you know, I am not a fan of making resolutions.  At least,not resolutions that will be forgotten in two months.  I am, however a fan of transformation.  The Bible doesn't really reflect a culture of periodic resolutions or rededications.  It does reflect a culture of surrender. 

As we look forward to the new year, we can look forward with an optimistic sense of expectation. The coming year can be full of opportunities, challenges and victories.  Sometimes, though, it is hard to hear these words, when our ears are so full of words about how bad things are.  

 These are times for us to reassess.  The economy has forced some of us to reassess our financial decisions.  We can also reassess other areas of our lives as well.  We can ask ourselves "Am I happy with condition of my spiritual life?"  "Am I serving other people?" "What Impact Am I having in my family and community?"

The sense of the Bible is we are called to transformation.  Romans 12:2 Says "Be not conformed to the world but be transformed" It also says in II corinthians 5:17 "You are a new creation"  There is a sense that we are called to be made new in the image of Christ.  But this is described as a continual process in Bible, not an occasional one.  The real sense of of the Bible is that we are called to total surrender. 

D.L.  Moody once said "The world has never seen a man that is totally committed to God," and then he said "I will be that Man."  Moody determined that he was going to find out how great an impact he could have by beng totally committed to God. 

How great an impact could we have in our community by adopting a new attitude about our committment to Christ.  We can have an attitude of Total Surrender.

I am excited about the things God is going to do.  It's Going to be a great year for the Moores Chapel Baptist Church.   I love being your Pastor

Love

Pastor Chris

A Christmas to Be Proud of

Christmas is here, apparently.  Although, some must think it has been here for a while.  Christmas is my favorite time of year.  It is a joyous time.  I grew up in a house that radically changed around Christmas time.  We always had a tree, preferably huge, adorned with a myriad of shiny glass balls and homemade Christmas ornaments.  Every year my mother would give all of us as a gift a Christmas ornament for the tree.  We would have several Christmas parties, at least one of which my brother and I were not invited to attend.  But we always made an appearance so all of Mom's friends tell us how smart and tall we were(and to eat some of Mom's top secret Christmas treats). 

When Sara-Anne and I married, I'm not sure I was aware that her Christmas zeal equalled, if not exceeded my mother's.  We have been known to cut our own trees.  We have a long list of special Christmas Treats we make together every year(including my Sausage pinwheels.)   It isn't Christmas without the pinwheels.  But perhaps it is attitudes like that that are the problem.

Christmas is not about presents.  It is not about Santa.  It is not about parties.  It is unfortunatley not about Christmas food.  It is not about good shopping deals. 

Sometimes I wonder if Jesus would be proud of how we celebrate Christmas.  Let's think together about how to make Christmas a holiday Jesus would be proud of.   As we think about that I have three suggestions as you celebrate Christmas.

1.  Christmas is About Family.

No matter what your Christmas traditions, remember that the Birth of Jesus was a family event.  It signaled the birth of the first child into Joseph and Mary's family.  It also signaled the a thirty year countdown to the birth of the Church.  Of course it also signaled to world salvation had come to humanity in the form of baby Jesus.  So celebrate Christmas as a family.

2.  Christmas is About the Story

How can we celebrate Christmas without celebrating the manger, the baby who came to save the world, the Shepherds and Wise men?  Without drawing attention to these facts as a central part of Christmas, it is not so much a religious holiday as it is just a holiday.  So what do we do about it?  I offer two suggestions.  First, get an Advent Calendar.  They are readily available and draw daily attention to then story of Jesus.  Second, whenever you and your family celebrate Christmas together, read the Biblical story of the Birth of Jesus.  The story appears in both the book of Matthew and Luke.  I recommend you use Luke 1:1-39.

3.  Christmas is About Giving.

If there is any central truth about Christmas, it is that we have been the recipients of the Grace of God.  Many of us have been immeasurably blessed.  We can realize, though, that many have not been so blessed.  Many don't have stable families.  Many don't have shelter.  Many don't have jobs.  Many struggle to make ends meet. Many live in places that outlaw being a Christian.  We have the opportunity during this time to give out of our abundance to help those who have needs.  So what do we do.  Find ways to give to those who have not been as blessed like we have. 

So, as you celebrate Christmas, I encourage you to make Christmas centered on the Baby who came to save us.  Make a Christmas worthy of Jesus.  Merry Christmas

Pastor Chris

Would Ray Make a Good Christian?

I love that show “Everybody Loves Raymond.”  Everytime I watch it, I am struck by how much I identify with Ray.  On the show, Ray is emotionally stunted, sportswriter.  He typically struggles with being engaged with his wife and children, is obssessed with his own needs and hobbies and with his job.  Whenever I watch this show, I end thinking “I am a lot like Ray.”  Last week was a difficult week for me.  At the end of the week I ended up resigned to the reality that sometimes I feel a lot like Ray.  It’s true.  I had a experience that made me think I am not that good a parent, another that that led me to conclude I’m not that good a spouse and third shortcoming as a minister.  I am glad that week is over.

As I reflected on the reality that I am a flawed and imperfect human being, I was struck by the incomprehensible strategy of God's to entrust the most precious thing in the universe(the Message of Redemption) to me.  As foolish as that plan is, what makes it even more foolish is that God not only entrusted the message to me, but to you too.  So, you and I, flawed and finite, have been given the keys to the kingdom.

 

It is moments like these that give me a glimse into the meaning of Biblical Phrase "the foolishness of God."  Why did God choose me...and you, for this daunting task? Who knows.  God should have chosen someone else.  Someone good looking and possibly eloquent.  Why me?  Why you?  

 

II Corinthians 12:7 says "For my power is made perfect in weakness."  Weakness.  This is the attribute that God values?  How about strength?  Now that seems like a really good attribute.  For God, someone who is flawed, imperfect and finite represents the raw material God is looking for to mold an effective Christian servant.  Why would God do this?  A 12th century monk name Francis gives us a possible answer.  He was once asked why God accomplished so much through him.  He answered "God looked down from heaven looking for the meanest, most difficult man on earth and blessed him.  Why?  If God would work through a man like that it would reveal his greatness."  In essence, God wants to reveal His greatness, grace, love and mercy through you. 

 

So God chooses to work through men and women who are flawed and imperfect.  Men like Paul, St. Francis of Assisi, and you.  God wants to bless you and reveal his greatness through you.  Ray would make a great addition to the family of God.  Flawed, imperfect, redeemed. 

Pastor Chris

Making the Case for Christ

Well, the election is over.  We have a new President.  It is an exciting time.  No matter whether you like or dislike the choice we have made, it is an exciting new time.  No matter what it will be a time of change.  No matter what it will be a time of adjustment.  No matter what it will shape the landscape of our country and our lives.  And that is exciting. 

As I think about the election campaigns, it is interesting to me the shape they took.  Both the candidates had to make their case to the nation.  They made their case about Health care.  They made their case about taxes.  They made their case about the proper role of wealth.  They made their case about their individual view of the American future.

Recently we talked about our mission as Christians and as a Church.  We talked in great length about the need for Christians to take seriously the Biblical Mandate for telling others about Christ.  I am struck by my perception that Christians don’t think they need to make the case.  Even though the Bible says “Preach the Word in season and out of season” and “Be ready to make a defense of the faith”

The sense of the Bible is that telling is primary vehicle by which the Gospel message is spread.  It is a personal mandate as well as a corporate mandate.  Telling others is about making the case for Jesus as a lifestyle.  The presidential candidates have been making their case for months.  They have been fine tuning their case.  They have changed what areas of their message or marketing they felt to be insufficient. 

As Christians, we should do the same.   We should be constantly learning and revising how we try to tell others about the unending love of Christ.  We should learn from our experiences telling other about Jesus.  Learning to make the cause for Christ as a lifestyle is a lifelong pursuit.

So, matter what you think about the possible moral or future ramifications of the election cycle this year, there is much to be learned about making the case for Christ to those in our lives.

Pastor Chris

Socks and Dishes

    Almost nine years ago, My wife Sara-Anne and i got Married.  We had a beautiful wedding.  We were surrounded by all our friends and family.  But looking back on it we probably had some expectaions that probably were not very realistic.  She might have thought I was Prince Charming.  I definetely thought she was a Princess.  And during that first year of marriage we probably had some funny expecations.  She might have thought that I would always put my socks where they are supposed to go.  I probably thought I wasn't going to have to cook all that much and would never have to wash the dishes.  Well, nine years later we have moved on.  We understand that neither one of us is perfect.  She has largely accepted that I don't always put my socks away and I have accepted that washing dishes IS my job. 

This Sunday will be my Fourth sunday and I have begun to think about expectations.  I want you to have a good idea of what you can expect of me.  And so i have a list.

1. you can expect me to visit

2. You can expect me to go the Nursing Homes and Hospital

3. You expect me to be available to you

4. You can expect me to support and help you become more effective in your areas of service

5. You can expect me to take care of things in a timely manner

6. You can expect me to be an effective Preacher

7. You can expect me to want to know you

So these are my seven things you can expect of me in addition to the socks and the dishes.  Please let me know what I can expect of you as we serve Jesus and Saxapahaw together 

Pastor Chris

Top Ten Top Tens

Ok, I'm Back. I finally have got my Internet sorted out(which took a long time and was a ordeal). As you may have noticed, my wife uploaded some posts while I was unable to including her Mommy list. So I am thinking maybe I will do some lists myself.

So from the home office in Saxapahaw, North Carolina, below is my top ten list of pastor/guy lists.

10. Top ten war movies(John Wayne is in seven) 

9. Top ten Theologians or Philosophers 

8. Top ten amusement park rides

7. Top ten funniest things ever to happen to me at church

6. Top ten strangest excuses not to serve

5. Top ten uses for discarded sermon notes(Paper airplanes and origami are definitely on the list)

4. Top ten ways to communicate "This sermon is way too long" without speaking 

3. Top ten superhero movies

2. Top ten list of most interesting people

1.  Top ten Reasons to Become a Christian(The only top 10 worth reading)

Pastor Chris

From Sara-Anne

Hi Everyone,

I'm posting, since we still do not have internet at our house.  Chris wanted me to let you all know that he's been busy this week settling in, learning the area, preparing sermons and getting to know what a wonderful group of people the Lord has brought us to.

I wanted to share with you some thoughts on what's been going on in my head lately...primarily about being a mom (so dad's excuse me for a min...but I think some of this might apply to you as well)

Being a mom is so much fun! In the midst of the daily grind, it's easy to forget that. Not only is it fun, but an hour spent devoted to enjoying your children is an investment that will impact the future generations. When I take time to play with my kids, I win their hearts and I build memories that they will cherish forever. I made out this top 10 list a year ago. This is just to put things in perspective and to help us moms remember the really fun parts of raising children.

Top 10 most fun parts of being mom

10. You have unlimited access to toys.

9. You have someone whose almost always ready and willing to cuddle.

8. You get to learn the highly sophisticated language of cries. For example there's the typical "I need to drift off to sleep cry" and there's the "I'm outraged and I'm about to clobber this other kid over the head with a fire truck" cry. It's a fascinating field of study!

7.You can stick with the kiddie rides at the amusement park and nobody will think you're a wimp.

6.You can buy a family pass to the amusement park and ride roller coasters all summer long!

5. Your kids won't think you're rude if you stuff your mouth full of gum and blow humongous bubbles. While grown ups would smirk in astonishment, kids will laugh hysterically and beg for more when the bubble pops all over your face.

4.In the event that your kid gets stuck, you get to climb the play equipment at McDonald's to rescue them

3. A little bit of knowledge goes a long way in impressing your kids. For example, if you can make a doll diaper out of a paper towel, you're the smartest mom in the world!

2. If you can make cupcakes in an ice cream cone, you are a culinary genius.

1. You can spend an entire day playing, coloring, reading books or building forts, and it is a wise investment of your time.

See, how lucky we are...let me encourage you to take a few moments out of our crazy days and spend some time enjoying your kids.  You will find that it will energize you and you will not worry about the mountain of clothes on the bed or the caked on food that is stuck to the kitchen table. 

Have a great weekend, Chris will be back on line next week. 

Sorry for being out of touch

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to let you all know that we have moved and are trying to get settled....in that process we are without Internet so updating is much more complicated. 

I did want to let everyone know how much I enjoyed Sunday morning.  Our family is so excited about what the Lord is going to do in us and through us.  It was such a joy to see Ashley married and to see all of our church family working together to make her wedding special. 

I wanted to give you the link to Sara-Anne's blog as well.  It's primarily for her photography, but often she posts morsels of what the Lord is showing her...I especially like it when she tells stories about me and the kids.  So check her out www.sara-annephotography.com/blog 

The kids seem to be adjusting well to their new home and school and we are so thankful for the many ways God has worked everything out. 

Please join us tonight as we begin our study into the book of Corinthians.  As always, I'm always here for you and want you to know how much I appreciate you.

In Him
Pastor Chris