Friday, July 31, 2009

Portuguese


Yesterday I was greatly humbled and excited as a result of a phone call I received while sitting in my office. Jeff, from my publishing company called me and informed that The Superman Syndrome has climbed to new heights. He went on to tell me that he is in negations with a buyer from Brazil who wants to buy the rights to The Superman Syndrome in Portuguese. I am greatly humbled and excited that my book will be shared with people from all over the world. There are also talks of the possibility of me going to speak and sign at the first of the year to launch the book. To God be the Glory!!!

Live to Love,
-C

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Author of Paradoxes

Driving through the outskirts of my city headed to a youth rally that was a few hours of way I was dumbfounded by a revelation. I remember it so vividly. Brandon’s Heath song, “I’m not who I was,” filled the airwaves in my car. It was a hot day, due to the summer season. Then out of nowhere, something caught my attention that would impact me the rest of my waking years. There it was, a dark green sign with white letters that read, “sanitary landfill.”
As I continued down the highway, I thought to myself about the sanitary landfill sign, “How in the world can a landfill be sanitary?” I wondered to myself, “Did the person that came up with the name sanitary landfill every look in an American dumpster? I mean honestly, I have been involved in quite a few conversations around a trashcan due to working with a homeless ministry for so long. I must confess there is not one trashcan that I have been around that had been washed with instant sanitizer. So how in the world could a place that has the sole job to house trash is sanitary? What a paradox.
Frank was one of the first homeless men that I personally invested in. Like many homeless that became known to me as my friends Frank was a severe alcoholic. He woke up each morning staring his addiction face to face when his body desperately craved a beer. His normal routine each day would be to somehow find a way to pay for his addiction. This was accomplished through him working several odd jobs or collecting aluminum cans. After many months of speaking love to Frank instead of judgment an incredibly meaningful relationship was birthed between us. I remember as if yesterday when my office phone rang, on the other in was Frank in a trembling voice. “Chad, I am ready.” Instantly I knew what Frank was trying to say. I had told him time and time again that when he was ready to get treatment for his deadly addiction all he had to do was call me. The next thing I know Frank and I were in my car headed to a treatment facility in a city about an hour and half away from my residence. As Frank opened the door to my car he was shaking as a result of his body going through withdrawal. His eyes were glazing yellowish color due to harmful consequences that alcohol had caused to his body. He slowly got in my car, filled with anxiety and fear, Frank buckled up and we are on our way to his vindication. Honestly I was scared to death that Frank would die on the way to the treatment facility. This was the first time in my life that I witnessed firsthand how deadly alcohol could be. About thirty minutes in to our trip Frank began to share with me what had happened the night before. He said, “Chad you know how bad it was raining last night.” I said, “yeah bro it was terrible…what did you do to stay out of the weather.” He slightly chucked, and said the funniest thing happened. He went on to say, “I was trying really hard to find a dry spot to lay my head, and I couldn’t.” As the rain increased I was left with only one option, the trash can. A brim smile then began to surface on his face, he said so I jumped in the trashcan. In the midst of a beating down rain, the trashcan was a new found refuge to Frank. He said, “I had a hard time falling a sleep, so I prayed to God to give me peace, rest, and a changed life.” He said the next thing he knows he wakes up, and thinks he is right middle of rapture. He attempts to stand up, and reality hit him in the head as his head struck the top of the dumpster. He laughed with even a greater energy and said “I threw my arms up in the air and pushed the top of the dumpster lid off my head. I began screaming at the top of my lungs for the trash man to stop.” It was apparent that God was not finished with Frank, the keenly aware garbage man saved Franks life that day. I have to be honest this was one of the funniest stories I had ever heard. I took Frank to the treatment day, He completed treatment, developed a deeper relationship with Christ. Sadly enough, I must say Frank’s addiction crept back in and eventually ended his living years.
Paradoxes run rampant throughout humanity. Paradoxes are statements that seem contradictory or absurd but are actually found to be truthful. I mean have you ever wondered why we park on driveways and drive on parkways? Another paradox that I remember growing up that still doesn’t make sense is when I use to get in trouble one of my family members would say, “Good grief Chad!” Think about this statement honestly is there such a thing as grief that is good? As my mind chases down this rabbit trail of thinking about paradoxes, I realized that the greatest author of paradoxes was Jesus Christ himself.

PARADOX OF SUCCESS

The greatest paradox known to humanity is the reality, that the pursuit of the American Dream of becoming successful, having a great family, owning a house with a white picket fence in end is meaningless. All my life it has been ingrained in me to be all that I possibly could be which in the end would allow me to acquire the greater things in life. Growing up I became consumed with the hunger to make money, whether it was working a part-time job, saving money my parents gave me, or earning my money dirty on my community’s streets money became my driving force. Tracing back the root of this problem, my childhood days are where this manipulating force was first birthed. Attempting to fit into the cool crowd at school, I found myself wanting the name brand shoes and clothes that the popular crowd wore. My parents did all they possibly could to provide these things. The sad reality is in the end the material possessions became insignificant. although at one time they were something I thought I couldn't’t live without. One of my greatest mistakes in life is I have spent incredibly too much time, money, energy, and passion on things that in the end have little value.

Even as young chubby, middle school kid I focused intently on working hard developing a dating career. I remember as if it was yesterday, there she was sitting in the foyer of our school. The new girl had long brown hair, dark eyes, and attitude that could scare off anybody. Attitude and all I found my new crush, and I was going to do all I could to gain her attention. During the school day I found myself taking different routes, trying to cross her path. The next thing I know God must have been looking out for me because as I entered my eighth period class there was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. The new girl was sitting in a desk right next to mine. Sweaty palms and all, I eased into my chair praying that I would have the conversational skills to sweep her off her feet. After many notes were exchanged and late night telephone conversations I asked her a dangerous question. She answered with a smile, “of course I will be your girlfriend.” A few short weeks later, my hunger had suppressed and I broke up with her. Looking back on those years, I spent so much time trying to be liked, trying to talk to the popular girl, doing all I possibly could to gain the respect of my peers. Yet I still remained empty, as if I was a car running on fumes. The one person I should neglect the least was none existent to me, the creator of the universe. Yet on any given day I would literally go out of my way to make conversation with a popular kid, which would entail us talking about meaningless things for hours, cross the path of the latest hottie, or try to gain attention through sports. The harsh reality is why didn’t I pursue my relationship with God so intently if I only would have spent my time, energy, and resources on my relationship with the Savior of the world.

My high school years were filled with the same persistent pattern, in fact more intensely than before. One late winter afternoon my cousin that was a cheerleader told me that a cheerleader friend of hers wanted to borrow my letter jacket. “How could this be?” I thought to myself. One of the most popular girls in my school wanted to wear my jacket. I drove home at a fast speed and went into my closet to grab my letter jacket. The next thing I did would definitely make one of the top ten stupidest things I have ever done. I grabbed my jacket and grabbed a bottle of cologne off the top of my dresser. I then proceeded to spray my letter jacket with countless amounts of my cologne. In a few short seconds my doorbell rang. I opened the door with hesitation, there she was one of the most popular and in my eyes the prettiest girl in school. I handed her the jacket, short of words I asked her how her day was. After a short time of conversation she was off to go cheer at one of high school sporting events. Later that night I got word that the strong fragrance of my cologne still reeked in hear car, and she was unable to wear my jacket because the smell made her nauseous.

Looking back, It is downright heartbreaking to see how much time I wasted pursuing the approval of others and failing to pursue my Savior with the same passion.

Constant Theme

One disaster that tends to hit newborn Christians is the reality that the honeymoon experience doesn’t last forever. Sadly enough it is when this reality sets in and their world isn’t turbulence free, new many believers find themselves right back in the middle of their lifestyle that they walked away from days prior. Over the years, my faith has been tested countless times. Loss of friends, relationship struggles, and hard ministry knocks have made me confront my faith face to face. Each time after the storms have cleared there is a consistent theme that somehow always surfaces. There is one truth that remains constant. Regardless if my world falls in, there is one who is there to put the pieces back together.

Master Sculptor

After my life had changed, like most there was a constant tug of war between my past and my newly found present. As a 17 year old I must confessed I was a professional procrastinator. As a result of my procrastinator tendencies my life was usually lived fast pace. One particular Sunday was no different; I was late to church and had to leave my house immediately to make it to church. I backed my truck out of my parent’s garage quickly, without any regard to the reminders my dad routinely gave me. My Dad always expressed to me that I should back out the truck slowly due to the tight fit of the garage, and the divider in the center of the garage that created the two-car garage. With the only thing on my mind was getting to church, I pushed the gas pedal down, and threw the truck in reverse. Needless to say, I quickly was reminded of my Dad’s highly intelligent and helpful insight as I struck the dividing column. I jumped out of the truck and attempted to readjust the bricks back in place. Then I proceeded to go to church. In a matter of minutes my mom, who at the time was not a deeply committed follower shows up at my Sunday school class and ask to speak with me. I quickly become aware that my brick reconstructed structure did not eliminate the evidence of my absent minded collision. On that cloudy Sunday morning I realized that many times throughout life I have tried to be a master sculptor attempting to repair my own mistakes, but there is only one master artist and I wasn’t Him. Time and time again Jesus and Jesus alone rescued me out of my self-constructed agony. Yet He didn’t stop there, he continues to rescue me daily. It is because of this apparent theme, that I continue to survive and live each day. Regardless of the adversity, the pain and sorrow, and sleepless nights my only hope is Jesus alone. It is because of this hope that I don’t pursue fame and fortune, but faith and eternity.

The Chase

All my life I have lived on the edge, not only pushing my body to the limit but also my lifestyle. I must confess I am an adrenaline junky, I guess that is one reason why my wife can’t pry me away from the television when the television show Cops or Dog the bounty hunter are on. I love the chase. The excitement of apprehending the bad guy, which in turn makes the streets a little bit safer, fuels me. Along the same lines this is one of the reasons I love Jesus with my entire being. As I have matured in my faith I am constantly overwhelmed with the reality that God is the ultimate bounty hunter. He pursues all of humanity until the chase ends. The bounty hunt will always end or will end in three ways: the person gives up and confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their life, the person dies and they face eternal judgment, or Jesus returns and divides the crowd into His faithful and His adulterers. Regardless if my life begins to crumble, regardless if family members desert me, or financial struggles began to strangle me, there is one constant that remains, Jesus love overpowers all. My life and lifestyle growing up reflected many similarities as the sinful woman that was spoke about in Luke chapter seven. After wiping Jesus’ feet with her tear and hair, she anoints him with perfume. Jesus quickly recognizes her brokenness and humility, which was just the opposite of the unhospitalable host. Jesus closes out the story by stating in verse 47 “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." I will be the first to admit that I have been the one with many sins that have been forgiven, that is why I love not only Jesus with my entire heart, but his people, all of humanity. In April of 1997 I surrendered my life to Jesus, I intently didn’t say I gave my life to Jesus. I surrendered it. Which means I relinquished control of my life. I must say it wasn’t an easy surrender, Jesus had quite a fight on His hands but in the end he won. Who is Jesus to me, the greatest forgiving bounty hunter ever to exist.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

HANDICAP


As my life progresses, as my age increases in numeric value, the frailty of life becomes more real, more apparent. On a simple journey to the local supermarket, mall, or even convenience store my eyes quickly observe cars that have handicap license plates fastened to their bumpers. My mind begins to drift towards the curiosity of what illness, what infirmity, what disadvantage, has brought the owners of the handicap marked vehicles to this point. Is it old age? Is it an illness since birth? Was it a car wreck or accident? Then the scales instantaneously fall from my eyes, a quick revelation becomes present in my mind. The only difference between the owner of those automobiles and myself is their car quickly reveals that they are handicap; my car conceals my handicap, which causes people to think I’m healthy. Yet, in my innermost being there is no difference between the visible handicap and myself. Yet I am no different than anyone else. Everybody has some type of obstacle, some type of disadvantage, some type of hindrance that stands in our way of truly being whole. It is a fact that God does not always remove the handicap, whether spiritual or physical, but He does however give us the ability to overcome our handicaps, yet so many refuse. But to those that chose to allow Christ to overcome the handicaps in their life, there is an indescribable liberation.

Monday, July 20, 2009

STAND

TOO often in life we choose to fight or run, but have you ever thought about the times when God simply calls us to stand? One summer with about 3 years of street ministry under my belt I decided to be a part of a street invasion with my pastor at the time. Street pastors from all over the nation gathered each year to reach out to the streets of San Francisco. We awoke early the first day of the outreach. After spending some time in prayer, the time had arrived for us to hit the streets. Prior to the outreach I didn’t know that there would be people on our teams that were green in street ministry but I was soon to find out as the day progressed. We soon were off to share the good news with the streets of San Francisco. As the morning passed things were going rather smoothly. Then afternoon arrived with a little more excitement. It was around 2:15 in the afternoon when I heard some commotion behind me. I quickly turned around, not knowing what was the cause of all the noise I was hearing. There he was with a pale look on his face. A high school kid had approached some gang members sitting on park benches. A few gang members began to raise their voices at the terrified high school kid. After asking a bystander to fill me in of what was going on, I found out the high school kid told the gang members that they were going to go to hell if they didn’t change their ways. Although that kid was probably right, he quickly realized that he had approached these guys in the wrong fashion when they began to circle around him. Instantly I glanced around the now crowded street. Everyone was standing around watching, no one was attempting to rescue this poor kid. Adrenaline got the best of me that day as I pushed through the crowd to get where the kid was standing. I walked up next to him and just stood. Instantly I began addressing each one of the gang members in love and in a matter of minutes one by one the members began to step out of the circle that trapped the over zealous youth and I. As we began to walk down the street I said to the high school boy “if you ever approach people on the streets again like that without speaking in love, you wont have to worrying about a gang kicking your butt I will do it for them.” When is the last time you stood?

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Raise YOUR voice


Martin Luther King once said, "The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people. "The sad reality is we hear story after heartbreaking story as the list of violent crimes in our city continues to grow--gang violence and drive-by shootings, domestic violence and abuse, random disputes gone awry, and malevolent intentional harm.  We hear it on the news all the time unaffected as long it doesn’t touch people we know personally.  If a crime doesn’t actually interfere in our own lives, we remain unchanged, unaware that in reality, one single act of violence touches so many more lives than just the one taken.  The traumatized living victims remain nameless and faceless to us and we are ignorant of the long-term consequences they face.  It’s none of our concern.  We shake our heads in pity and compassions but, in all honesty, our lives remain unaffected by the painful suffering of others…until violence touches our own lives and we or someone we love becomes a victim.  Suddenly, the chaos on the news becomes our own personal stories.  What is it going to take to make YOU raise your voice?


Friday, July 17, 2009

Hometown Book Signing

ABILENE CIVIC CENTER  JULY 24TH 2009, 7PM
You are invited to a book signing party to celebrate Chad Mitchell's and Sheri Bennett's recent project, The Superman Syndrome. 
Please join us for a once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase your copy of the book before the general public. Chad will personally share the vision behind the project. The event will also feature the book illustrator, Justin Leifeste as he creates a work of art through his gift of painting. Relax to featured music, enjoy great hors d'oeuvres, and celebrate with us. 

For more information please check out www.chadmitchell.org

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Denver, Colorado

Currently I am in Denver, Colorado at the world's biggest christian book conference. I have been so blessed and humbled by being apart of this convention. Today I got to sign for quite some time, I was overwhelmed as I witnessed people standing in line to get a signed copy of my book. In fact my publisher had to turn people away today as a result of having to save the rest of my inventory for my signing tomorrow. I was also blessed when my publicist informed me that the Word Network wanted to interview me about The Superman Syndrome. The Word Network reaches over 50 million people in the US and reaches out to over 200 countries. I am so humbled and amazed to see this project bless so many. More than anything I am truly inspired and convicted to never quit dreaming, if you work hard enough, prayer consistently, and stay focused your dreams can become reality.
Live to Love.
C

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Church on the Rock Book Signing

Hey guys Sunday July 12th, 2009 at 6:00pm I will be speaking at Church on the Rock in Abilene, Texas. Immediately after the service I will sign any books that are purchased that particular evening. If you are in Abilene, please come out and support this project. Church on the Rock is a great church, their Leader Bishop Rob Nichols is not only one of my closest friends but also a personal mentor of mine.

Live to Love.
C

Wednesday, July 1, 2009


Here is the cover for 
The Superman Syndrome! Check out information on my hometown book signing at www.chadmitchell.org

Live to Love.
C

Capture

CAPTURE- to record in lasting form

This week as I looked at the beauty in the world from a much slower pace, I was intrigued and convicted all at once. In my life, busyness is something that has become a norm. I run to meeting after meeting, answer phone call after phone call, respond to email after email, but rarely do I pause and just take ALL that life has to offer in. Seldom do i PAUSE and take a deep breath and simply enjoy God's work of art throughout the day. Looking out of the window as I traveled home from vacation, I constantly was drawn in by the beauty of a simple rain shower, the peace that the blue skies had to offer. and by the incredible schemes of color displayed by a beautiful rainbow. As I continued to glance out the window, the word capture struck my inner soul. It was as if I felt God speaking to me saying, "Chad, you are spending so much of your time chasing after things that you are missing what life is all about" At that moment I made a commitment to myself that I am going to attempt to pause throughout the craziness of the day, and simply breath, and TAKE ALL THAT LIFE HAS TO OFFER IN. 

Live to Love.
C