Flying Solo

Life at times can be furiously crazy. Crunched schedules, child's activities, everyday responsibilities can all cause one to stay on the move. All too often I find myself complaining about my chaotic schedule, yet there is one thing that I greatly like about my schedule is it surrounds me with people. Since I was a child I hated being alone, even till this day I would much rather surround myself with family and friends, then find my self entertained by the silence of being solo. In fact, I must confess I have only attended one movie alone in my lifetime, and rarely have ate at a restaurant alone. Sadly enough even though I hate being alone, I have come to conclusion that I need to enter that arena more often. Throughout Jesus' life he was often pulled in so many directions as a result of meeting the needs of humanity. Yet even though his presence was requested continuously, he still made it a point to escape and be solo with His Father. If you search the scriptures you find a ton of people that flew solo. Check this out...

Abraham left Ur, and finally his kindred, and he was alone with God.
Moses was sent to the backside of the desert of Midian, and at the burning bush he was alone with God.
Elijah was disciplined by the Brook Cherith, and God was with him.
Jeremiah walked a lonely path, but God was with him.
John the Baptist was in the desert alone, but God was there.
Paul had two years of solitary confinement on that same desert-that was God's opportunity to train him.
The apostle John was exiled on the lonely isle of Patmos. But God was with him.

Let's be honest, there are so many people that desire to have a great prayer meeting or other great gatherings. But I have to ask myself "Chad, when is the last time you flew solo with God?"

Neglected Commandment

This past week I had the honor to speak to a public school 8th grade boys mentorship program. I was so greatly encouraged by being in their presence. I was  incredibly excited to see men that took time out of their schedule to mentor young teenage boys. I honestly believe if there is one thing that is definitely lacking in the American church, it is discipleship/mentorship. Honestly I have spent way too much time, energy, and resources pouring into things that are incredibly temporal. One of the most familiar passages to followers of Jesus is the Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:18-20 states "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Sadly enough even myself as a church leader, have often found myself neglecting this command. I encourage you to look around your daily spheres of influence, there is someone that crosses your path frequently that needs you to disciple them. Whether it be your child, a friend, a coworker, or even your neighbor, simply look around.

Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ. --Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The Cycle of Life

This weekend I was exposed to a great truth that set my mind to racing. Growing up infants totally depend on their parents to provide for them. In fact, it is not unknown to the common person that a baby requires a care giver to perform numerous tasks on their behalf to maintain their well being. Changing diapers, preparing bottles, and giving baths are just a few of these common tasks. Yet as both the infant and the parent mature in age a natural transition begins to take place. As the adult ages, the once infant son or daughter begins to slide into the caregiver role. Unfortunately age has really caught up to my grandparents and both my grandma's and grandfather's health are declining rapidly, so rapidly that they depend on their sons to take care of them. At one time in life my father depended on my grandparents for his well-being and now they depend on him and his other brothers for their well-being. This weekend I witnessed first hand the cycle of life.

Somebody Else's Shoes

Elvis Presley once said, "“Don't criticize what you don't understand, son. You never walked in that man's shoes.” This quote has stung me for years. The reality is too often I tell people I understand how they feel, or I understand what they are going through...but do I really? When I reach out to people in the name of Christ do I really take the time to see where they are coming from or better yet what adversities they have faced in their lifetime? The first part of Galatians 6:2 states, "Carry each other's burdens," in other words scriptures calls us to walk in other people's shoes. Scriptures asks us to do life with others as they experience the good, the bad, and the ugly...Take a few seconds and pause, ask yourself, "when is the last time you walked in somebody else's shoes?" 

BEAUTY

As my age progresses in years my perspective on true beauty has evolved. As a young teenager I stood firm that beauty was found in having the right designer clothes, the right hairstyle, and the right car. That true beauty meant that you were in great physical shape,had the perfect smile, and were greatly desirable to be around. Sadly enough my shallow mindiness prevented me from the most natural beautiful people. Today beauty in my eyes has greatly changed. Today I find beauty in sacrifice, service, and the greater desire to take care of humanity. Those that work endless hours in a soup kitchen, those that take time out of their chaotic schedule to mow the widow's yard, those single mom's that struggle to maintain for their children, beauty surrounds up minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day. The great tragedy is our perspective of beauty has been greatly tainted by magazines and media and cause us to neglect the presence of true beauty. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said " Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals." 
My question not only to you but also to myself is, are we truly dedicated individuals on search for the greater good for humanity?

Bed Rest

Bed rest, I'm sure at one time or another you have been exposed to those two words. Either a friend of yours, a wife, or maybe yourself while carrying your child was put on bed rest. The reality is nearly one in five women in the United States is put on bedrest at some point during pregnancy. That is, she's told to spend much or all of her time lying in bed. This can last anywhere from a few days to a number of months. The reality is there's no universal definition of bed rest. It can range from complete bed rest which means spending 24 hours a day in bed, or less restrictive forms of bedrest, sometimes known as modified or partial bedrest. You might be told to stay home and rest in bed, but you may be able to get up to make yourself lunch, join your family at the dinner table, and take a shower, for example. The overall intention for bed rest is to alleviate the day to day pressure and strain off a woman expecting. Like I mentioned previously 1 in 5 woman in the U.S. is put on bed rest at some point during pregnancy, but aren't all believers of Christ commissioned to be on partial bed rest occasionally? I know its a thought that might stretch us a bit, but scripture clearly states in Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God." In other words God asks us, his followers to be calm, to be ever so still and be confident in knowing that our Lord is God, He alone. Too often my chaotic schedule keeps me from my bed, needless to say bed rest is not in my vocabulary. Honestly at times I deny my body the opportunity to remove the day to day pressure and strain. The past several months due to an illness I have been forced to rest from many activities that I normally involve myself in such as working out at least four times a week. During this time, I have faced a roller coaster of emotions, even in the midst of boredom, and frustration I have found myself at a greater peace. I have found myself enjoying life more than ever before due to being rested. When is the last time you allowed yourself to be on partial bed rest, when you gave your body the opportunity to rest from life's demands and simply pause and know that God is God?

The Forgotten

I have been so deeply burdened by a recent realization. The reality that some of the least important people in the eyes of American Society play the most important roles for other people's success. Think about the school janitor without him or her, your child would not be able to get the education that they need due to the lack of sanitization as a result of a janitor's absence. Think about the bus boy at a local restaurant in your city. Without the bus boy, customers wouldn't have a place to eat, so they wouldn't frequent that place anymore. As a result of them not eating at the restaurant,waiters wouldn't have anyone to wait on, cooks wouldn't have anybody to cook for, cashiers wouldn't have anyone to ring up, and the owner would lose a great deal of money. But as a result of the bus boy's labor, a waitress is able to serve, a cook is able to cook, a cashier is able to ring up customers, and a business owner is able to succeed. I honestly believe it is each of our responsibilities as believers to encourage those that are often forgotten. I believe Mother Theresa said it best when she said, "Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.  I pray today you inspire one of the forgotten.

Live to Love.

C

Friends,
We are in need of toys for our King's Table Outreach. This year we want to make sure that kids are given new toys for Christmas. If you would like to help with this effort please feel free to call me at the office at 232-8258 or respond back to this email.

Live to Love

-C. Mitchell
www.chadmitchell.org
www.missionabilene.com

“History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling
silence of the good people.” Martin Luther King, Jr

SILENCE THE SILENCE