The Planet of Cham

At times I find it humorous when Christians get afraid to deal with others who have problems, issues, disfigurements, etc. Sometimes its comical because I watch them clam up and then sometimes it turns out sad because they miss an opportunity to share the Love of Christ to somebody. The crazy thing is that I understand both sides. I was once "that guy" who could talk the talk all day about reaching the least of these, the forgotten, and the shunned, but never do anything about it. I was the one who would keep my distances, make the hidden jokes, and slither away from the uncomfortable situation. On the other hand, I am now that person who is on the receiving in due to some crazy events in my life. Sometimes people don't know how to respond. They get all quite and fade out of the conversation. Its humor and tragedy in a slow waltz. The tragedy is that people miss out on opportunities to support, to learn, and to agape others. They miss out on the 2 Corinthians 1 where we can take our life lessons, hurts, and healing and reach out to those who could use the help, the hand, and the love. I understand why people get confused sometimes about Christianity, because some of us are spiritually schizophrenic. Ponder this.

Some days, we just need to be child-like in our faith. It moves us beyond the fear of taking a risk with what God is calling us to do. We then learn that there is no risk, but just a grand PURPOSE. That is when we see the big picture. That is when we experience God stories. That is when we meet a GREAT BIG GOD.

A year ago, The Commons ran about 30+ people this time last year including leadership. Today we hit 128 and that is with a few families out. God is up to something in this unchurched area.

-- Cham

I have started some serious salmon fishing here lately. It has become my down time. With in 10 minutes of my apartment, I can be out on the river. It's my time to not think or think or talk with God or enjoy who He is. It's my fishing hole. It's my place to get away from stress and the hustle//bustle of life. I think we all need a fishing hole, but you don't need a river. It's whatever extracts you from the craziness of life for just a little while.

I will take the front lines of what I do over a comfy chair any day. I have done both, & have earned the right to express my choice.

..."Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly,

love extravagantly.

And the best of the three is love." -1 Cor. 13 :13 (msg)

My books are ready to go...
-- Cham

An college professor of mine use to say, "Leaders are readers". I use to think it was corny (sorry Brad), but it makes total sense to me now. When you read through the Book of Proverbs, you can see a major theme of the importance and benefits of obtaining wisdom. This was confirmed when I was listening to a pastor say that his church offers a $500 dollar bonus to each of their pastors that reads 35 books in a year. You may think that is insane for a church, but its not. $500 dollars is nothing in light of a pastor who is knowledgeable (which makes them priceless). This has lit up a goal in my life. I am trying to push myself to read 2 books a week (given there thickness both in pages and depth). I want to be growing, so I can help others grow. I want to feed me, so I can feed others. There is no financial bonus for me doing this, but the end result will be worth far more. This should be interesting.

I don't journal, but I am going to start. I heard a pastor the other day saying that he doesn't journal well, but the times he did God used it. So.., I am beginning to journal. Wish me luck. I will state the obvious, it will be tough for my ADD. I know though that great things will be revealed through it. I journaled last year in the form of a picture book (pieced stories and pictures to for a book that Apple, inc can print) and I go back to it often to see how God is faithful. I am interested to see how God uses it.

Straight out of 1 Cor. 12 (msg)

taken from "Jesus Loves You This I Know",

I have been listening to The Nines (http://thenines.leadnet.org/) in and out most of the morning. It consist of a ton of pastors who are spending 9 minutes on video sharing a small chunk of wisdom on leadership, life, and God. It has been really great, especially being 9 minutes per pastor (for those who are ADD that helps). So far, the thing that jumped out at me the most is when a pastor said that, "In pressure, we find out who we really are. It is the progress report for us to see where we lie." It's funny because I just ready Ps. 30 this morning where it said,

Have you ever asked, "why God?" I think it's a legit and ok question to ask Him no matter the context. Questions connect people to conversations, and that simple little question connects us to the One with all answers who loves us. The question connects us to the path of a closer relationship with God, but it is up to us to really want to go down it. Some don't because they are afraid of what they might find, so they hide under hurt, rebellion, pain, anger, etc. Truly the answer you look for is but a question away, then you sit and wait. Patience. Patience. The answer is coming.

1 Cor. 9:19-23 (msg):

Before any conclusions arise, know my heart. This is not a stab or rant just a thought. My thought, as I am sipping Folgers coffee, is what if everybody who buys starbucks or your preferred chain on a weekly basis decided not to buy any special orders ( traps, caps, lattes) for a solid month. Then take that money from that and invest it into a humanitarian nonprofit organization, a mission, a missionary, the homeless, or whatever God places on your heart. Just for a month. Not a long time, not a big sacrifice. Imagine though the impact. Imagine the blessing. This is said out of encouragment because I have seen God bless those who bless others. Just a thought. No bux October anybody? Change the world!


-- Cham

I have read the chapter in 1 Cor. a million times, but never in The Message. It puts the last part of 1 Cor 6 in a new way. I will let it speak for itself, and see if you catch all that I see.

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

I think to many times we pass by those who are "forgotten". I am definitely guilty of this act. It is so easy to be consumed with life, decisions, success, and ___________(fill in the blank) that we overlook the opportunity to be Christ to those who are forgotten by us and society. Jesus loves the forgotten, its all in the Gospels. The ones that are in the shadows and those that fade into the backgrounds of society. He cares about them as much as He cares about me. He loves them as much as He loves me. If you take a minute and stop in your world (me included), the forgotten will appear. Will you reach out and love them the same as Christ would? This is a challenge to myself first.

"Jesus' example was clear. Meet people where they are. Look for an opportunity to love someone by meeting a practical need. Then wait for the spiritual doors to open." ~ Jason Harper (Jesus Loves you this I know.)