The Wonder of the Cross

The Cross. Can you turn any direction without seeing one? Perched atop a chapel. Carved into a graveyard headstone. Engraved in a ring or suspended on a chain. Tattooed on a person's arm. Printed on a Christian t-shirt. The cross is the universal symbol of Christianity. An odd choice, don't you think?

Strange that a tool of torture would come to embody a movement of hope. The symbols of other faiths are more upbeat; the six-pointed star of David, the crescent moon of Islam, a lotus blossom for Buddhism. Yet a cross for Christianity? An instrument of execution?

Why is the cross the symbol of the Christian faith? To find the answer, look no further than the cross itself. . It's design couldn't be simpler. One beam horizontal, the other vertical. One reaches out, like God's love. The other reaches up, as does God's holiness. One represents the width of His love; the other reflects the height of His holiness. The cross is the intersection. The cross is where God forgave His children without lowering His standards.

How could He do this? In a sentence: God put our sin on His Son and punished it there. This describes the width of Christ' love for you. He stretched one hand to the right and the other to the left and had them nailed in that position so you would know He died loving YOU.

Excerpts taken from the Max Lucado book On Calvary's Hill




 

Corporate Chaplains of America Retreat - Spring 2014

Today through Wednesday all of the CCA chaplains from across America are in Raleigh for our Spring 2014 Retreat. Tonight we were led in worship by Matt and Sherry McPherson, the founder and CEO of Matthews Bows and McPherson Guitars. Through the leading of the Lord, Matt & Sherry wrote The Salvation Poem and put it to song, which has branched out into many facets for ministry. To date, the poem has been translated into 35 languages, sung in 7 languages, and has been published in millions of evangelistic literature. Matt & Sherry were given a tremendous opportunity to produce the first Spanish speaking Christian movie in Latin America titled Poema de Salvacion, based on a true life story and The Salvation Poem. The movie has been seen in 21 Latin American countries and in several US cities. It is soon to be released on DVD with English subtitles. The Poema de Salvacion movie won “movie of the year” award at the ARPA awards of Latin America. Matt & Sherry also won “songwriter of the year” award for The Salvation Poem song in Spanish, also at the ARPA awards.

The Salvation Poem cards and resources can be purchased through thesalvationpoem.com. 100% of the proceeds go back into ministry outreach.

 

Useful in His Hands

For those of us serving in ministry and other professions were there is constant engagement with people, this excerpt by Oswald Chambers provides tremendous insight into the importance of interactions with people and our relationships.

“If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a number of experiences that are not meant for you personally at all. They are designed to make you useful in His hands, and to enable you to understand what takes place in the lives of others. Because of this process, you will never be surprised by what comes your way."


Every conversation, no matter how short, has a purpose for me and for the other person, but only God knows that purpose. Understanding this allows me to have mental and spiritual rest following a hard day of chaplaincy work. I walk knowing that God is making me useful in His hands.

Let 's Vote America

Tell your pastor and church about this organization.

Let’s Vote America is an campaign of United in Purpose.United in Purpose is a 501c4 whose mission is to unite and equip like-minded conservative organizations to increase their reach, impact, and influence through the latest technology, research and marketing strategies for the purpose of bringing about a culture change in America based on Judeo-Christian principles.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO FIND OUT THE PERCENTAGE OF VOTERS AND NON-VOTERS IN YOUR CONGREGATION?

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Let’s Vote America’s technology partner can match your church database with public record databases (with complete confidentiality) and compare it to voter registration records for your state, then send you a report that tells you what percentage of your congregation is registered to vote and what percentage voted in the last election. After each election, we provide a follow-up report that shows the updated percentages.

Check it out here: www.letsvoteamerica.com

Daddy Daughter Dance

On March 14 I had the privilege of taking my daughter Taylor to the Daddy Daughter Dance at Metrolina Christian Academy. This is just one of many things I missed while I was deployed last year. I have promised my family I will never miss important events like this in the future. 

Forgive Me God!

It's been awhile since I have blogged. I've just been extremely busy. But I'm back with a poem written by an employee I serve named Harry Baker and it's with his permission I share this poem. Harry has worked at Bonded Logistics for over 25 years.

Lord for 62 years you've given me a choice
Listen to this old world, or listen to your voice.
I must confess my Father, this old world led me on.
I danced to the music and I knew that it was wrong.
Old Satan had me by the hand you know he's clever that way.
He's tempted so many he's led us all to stray.
Lord you know how he makes sin look like lots of fun.
He'll do anything to lead us from You and Your Son.
Lord I can't take back the evil that I've done.
Knowing that I've failed You and Your precious Son.
And one day I'll have to face You on bended knees.
I hope you show me mercy and listen to my plea.
Lord I followed this old wicked world.
I thought it was best but now I find it won't let me rest.
You know my Father, this pain won't let me be.
So you sent You beloved Son to hang up on a tree.
He said I know you're a sinner, you have been from your birth.
But one day I'll take you home and you won't need this earth.

 

What is Christian Ministry?

What is Christian ministry? I recently returned from the US Army Chaplain school and I couldn't help but cringe every time the word ministry was used in reference to activities that are not ministry. Every time I heard an instructor use the word ministry in reference to responsibilities and duties of an Army chaplain, I became tense. In the Army once a chaplain moves beyond the battalion level (or initial level) then they are essentially separated from real ministry. Let me explain. Ministry is defined as the faithful service of God’s people rendered unto God and others on His behalf to bring Him glory, build up His church, and reach out to His world. This is not what is occurring at Brigade level and beyond. Essentially, the Army and senior chaplains have marginalized chaplains as just other staff officers who can assist soldiers from time to time with generic religious help. But is that what Jesus or the disciples had in mind for members of the church? No. One of the first times we see the word "ministry" used is in Acts 6:4. Luke used this word to describe the preaching ministry of the disciples following the selection of the first seven deacons. The preaching of the word of God was so important that the disciples appointed seven men to handle the matters of food distribution, financial matters, and widow care. However, while all of the deacon's responsibilities were considered ministry, the disciples were to devote themselves to the priorities of the church, prayer and preaching. Another instance of the word "ministry" is found in Ephesians 4:11, 12 as Paul relates to the giftedness of individual Christians. Paul wrote "He (God) personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the training of the saints (believers) in the work of ministry." Paul is actually referring to gifted people rather than spiritual gifts. However, the purpose for individuals with these gifts was to equip and train others to do ministry. So how does this tie into what Army chaplains do at levels above battalion in terms of ministry. Well, ministry is intended to move believers toward accomplishing three objectives. First, to be unified in their faith and knowledge of Christ; second, spiritual maturity, and third, to be on mission for Christ and to express His fullness daily. Ultimately moving people to a closer relationship with Christ. Obviously this is not the mission of the Army or even supported by modern day Army commanders. In summary, what I am trying to say is that if ministry doesn't end for most senior chaplains, then it will eventually as the Great Commission slowly dwindles out of their focus.
We must never forget that Christian ministry is about doing the work of our Lord and building up the kingdom of God. We must strip away the excess and distractions that hinder our Christian ministry and press forward toward the goal of making Christ known. When it comes down to it ministry is about making Christ known to the world.