Achuckallen

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A National of Haters

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A Nation of Haters by AChuckALLEN

I read the following statistics in one of my favorite newsletters from Dr. Jim Denison. In the stats, one significant truth leaps off of the page. That stat? That we are nation that is not only radically divided, but we are a country that is rapidly growing in hate.

A recent survey found that 61 percent of Democrats view Republicans as “racist/bigoted/sexist”; 31 percent of Republicans feel the same way about Democrats. Fifty-four percent of Democrats consider Republicans to be “ignorant”; 49 percent of Republicans feel the same way about Democrats. And 44 percent of Democrats consider Republicans to be “spiteful”; 54 percent of Republicans feel this way about Democrats.

“Only 4 percent of each party consider the other party to be “fair.” Three percent of Democrats and 4 percent of Republicans consider the other party to be “thoughtful.” Two percent of Democrats and 3 percent of Republicans consider the other party to be “kind.”

In 1958, 33 percent of Democrats wanted their daughters to marry a Democrat; 25 percent of Republicans wanted their daughters to marry a Republican. In 2016, 60 percent of Democrats and 63 percent of Republicans felt that way.

Why is our political culture so vehemently divided? Is there anything we can do to change the vitriol of our day?“

If you are over 50 years of age, you might be tempted to think that this is generational and it must be those “millinneials.” If you are under 40 years of age, you might think that the problem must be the old guard. If you are under 30 years of age, you might think that it’s our time to fix this mess. And if you are under 20 years of age, you might actually have the guts to change this mess. All of that rant is simply my beliefs, but seriously…We are on the edge of implosion as a nation that is theoretically “Under God.”

Here are four ways that I think each of us can contribute to the solution of this nation of growing haters:

  • Stop taking any source of national news as truth. Please note that I said ANY SOURCE. If you lean right, Fox News is gospel. If you lean left, CNN is gospel. Instead of commentary, find the simple facts and ask the Lord of all Creation for wisdom to know the difference.
  • Engage the people in your spheres of influence and relationships with positive talk about what is good in this world, in your world and in the present moment. My grandmother was on point when she said, “if you don’t have anything good to say, it’s your fault.”
  • Go do good work! Help serve hungry people. Mentor marginalized kids and families. Give your time to worthy and honorable charities. Prop up and join organizations, churches, schools and businesses that are attempting to make the world a better and safer place, without postering for political camera time.
  • Start your day with gratitude. Nothing will change your attitude, conversations and actions more than sincere gratitude. I start every single day by writing down three things that I am grateful for right in that moment. They aren’t often lofty or benevolent, but they are sincere. And by the way, my gratitude is always pointed to the one that provides me life that day.
  • Go change the part of this world that you can influence for good.
  • Don’t grow weary in doing good.
  • Please don’t get sucked into the vortex of negative, hate-filled speech.
  • Determine to make your day awesome, regardless of the rest of the world’s fights.

PEACE, AChuck

FAR MORE / MUCH BETTER

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I’ve been attending church since I was an infant and I love the church. But if I took the risk to truly tell you how disenfranchised I have felt from the local church at seasons in my life, you might call into question my calling to serve the church as a pastor. As a matter of fact, I promised the Lord that I’d never be a pastor back in my 20’s and 30’s. And honestly, I do not deserve the honor to serve the Lord’s church as a pastor.

As I kid I went to everything the church did. Sunday morning, afternoon and night. Wednesday night and then as I served my first church as a Kid’s Pastor we added Tuesday night outreach and Saturday morning outreach.

I hit a wall with the church. I had neglected my family. I had completely melted down emotionally, physically and spiritually. It was at that moment, I promised God that I’d do anything but pastor a local church. Anything!!

Life Lesson: The Divine is specific with His purpose for us and is not fond of His plans and purpose being shuffled to the back burner of our lives.

So, like Jonah, I ran the other way. Not away from God, but away from His very specific plan for my life. I didn’t realize that every fiber of my being was sensing the Divine’s pull, prod and call on my life! Just as I believe He is calling you as well. After promising God that I’d do anything but be a pastor, I now find myself eight years into pastoring a great church, a great people and I’m more contented, fired up and energetic than ever before. You can experience that and far more. Just throw your fears to the feet of Jesus and jump off the cliff into obedience and watch the glory of the Lord do what He promises you. Yes, it’s freakish, abnormal, counter-culture and frightening. How cool is that? Let’s chase something that fits those descriptors every day!

The challenge? And please do not laugh, but the challenge? Is that church for most of my life has been filled with complacency, and the total undervaluing of both myself and the people that gathered all around me. In far too many churches the seats are filled with spectators watching as other people live out their dreams. That should be horrific to you if you are a member of a local church. I’m convinced that God does not want us to be satisfied with the status quo. He has created us for action, for glory, for victory, for power, and all for Himself. When I read the following words, I was utterly broken – “We have become hypnotized by two thousand years of secondhand, regurgitated truth—two thousand years of spoon-feeding and undernourishment.”

I ran across a few folks that didn’t fall into the trap of undernourished church as a status quo effort for an hour a week. I noticed that those few were radically different in their faith life. They had a bounce in their step. They were less distracted and far more contented in a active faith. I learned that they were mostly where I had been, but their discontentment had driven them to action as opposed to apathy. They wanted to be a part of something that was beyond the normal and way beyond the natural. They hungered for the supernatural. And friend, that’s where I am. The normal life has become a shame to me and I have surrendered my entire being to allowing the Divine to know me and I knowing Him so well that the supernatural becomes the expected rather than a shock.

I believe, with all my heart, that the Divine created us and wired us for action!

I am confident that He wired us up for victory, daring challenges and power – all for His glory! I’m not spending a single day that doesn’t push me, challenge my faith and focus my energy on the things, words and actions that mimic the red letters of Jesus. I’ve discovered how good it is to walk in His power and away from this world’s status quo – even if the church stands still, I will not! And neither should you! Be the spark in your local church! Dare the assumptions, the rules, the apathy and the way things have always been!

I’ve discovered who I am and by the way, who you are, if you are a Follower of Jesus. You and me? We are not tools! Our functions do not determine our worth or our identity. You are not what you do. You are not your job title. You are not what you are limited by! Do you have a desire to be used by God for His plans and purposes? I think many of you would say, “of course, Chuck.” Well I have some great news for you. God, your Creator doesn’t want to use you, He wants to know you, and even more importantly, He wants you to know Him! God used a fish, but He knew Jonah. God used Ahab, but he knew Ezekiel. God used Saul, but He knew David. God used Judas, but He knew Jesus.

Dead and dying religion screams at us that we are tools and when we are broken, we get throw on the garbage heap of broken tools. It’s like the Home Depot on the Island of Misfit Toys.

Jesus teaches us that WE DO GOOD WORK BECAUSE WE ARE HIS! NOT WE ARE BECAUSE OF WHAT I DO!

I know some of you are reading this post and you are thinking, “Chuck you have no idea how messed up my life is. God could never use me.” The great news for you is that God already KNOWS YOU AND LOVES YOU! He still adores you and He still calls you His Child, His Friend, more than a Conqueror, Chosen and Loved, a Citizen of Heaven, Redeemed, a Saint, A Priest, a Member of a Holy Nation. He even makes all of this personal. He values you, calls you, equips you and goes before you, goes within you and carries you when you need Him.

Come On! That’s good stuff! This life can be far better and so much more!

Choose His way today. When you do, you will recognize, as I have, that this life can and will be MUCH MORE THAN YOU IMAGINED AND MUCH BETTER THAN YOU COULD POSSIBLY DREAM.

Go in Peace, But Go in Action
AChuck

I Drank from the Same “Toilet”, Now What?

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I Drank from the Same Toilet, Now What? by AChuckAllen

It was an encouraging day yesterday. Thousands of folks joined me on this BLOG and I cannot thank you enough for caring about our Border Crisis. Now comes the hard part. What should we do?

I am convinced that we have become a nation obsessed with awareness and convinced that somebody out there should do something about it. That friends, is how you wind up on the border. What in the world could one person do to make any difference in this humanitarian mess? I thought that I could go to the Southern Border, give you a truthful report about what I really saw and be done. But that would be catagorized as awareness. Yesterday, I received an invitation to speak into this crisis in Washington Wednesday and Thursday. Come on, really?

Life Lesson: Awareness is helpful, but action is eternal.

None of those Border Patrol Agents will really care that I wrote about them and I can guarantee you that none of the immigrant families and children will care about another piece of the awareness puzzle. Yes, I drank from AOC’s notorious “toilet”. By the way, she still claims that it’s true! Again, shame on you, Congresswoman Cortez. Folks, I really do not want to be part of the awareness quagmire. I want to help bring solutions to the problem. Here are a few ideas on how WE can make a difference on the Southern Border.

  1. Don’t share or assume truth from any source that you do not fully trust regarding the conditions on the border – GOOD or BAD. On any given day, somebody might see a picture of your house when it’s not ideal, or your bathroom may not be spotless. I’ve had Sundays when we were overwhelmed by large crowds and had to adjust and learn. I’ve run events that ran out of food and we had to scramble and make real time difficult decisions. The men and women serving our country deserve great respect and honor. The hundreds of agents that I saw and talked with were incredibly humble and compassionate. They deserve the truth to be reported about them. Take the most recent death of a father and baby. The father only needed to wait about 24 hours longer before crossing, but instead, tried to cross in a location where agents were limited as a result of their new roles as social workers, janitors, childcare experts, kitchen staff, etc. Every role, but what they were trained to do. So, when dad and baby cross and their lives are at risk, who’s fault is it? When I asked about that incident, I saw the brokeness of the agents and the hurt they all felt. Miles and miles from any care and hours and hours without an agent, because the agent is busy with humanitarian efforts, not patroling the borders. Again, shame on “the squad” and the politically motivated on not telling the entire story!
  2. Support this administration’s Migrant Protection Plan. It’s not anymore perfect than the people in President Trump’s cabinet, but where in place, it’s working.
  3. Join me as we discover solutions for temporary housing and care on the Mexican side of the border. I belive we will see the State Department move on a package of $250 million this month to help bring some relief to this effort. The key? Compassionate care that churches and NGO’s can help support now and into the future. AND, keep the flow of immigrants to a reasonable and managable process. The Border Patrol has and still is making huge adjustments to be ready for the next wave. This effort is a long-view that can better the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, for decades. It includes temporary housing and social services that will better prepare migrants as they start the process.
  4. Pray for our Border Patrol. They are the first line of both defense and compassionate care for immigrants. These folks need our prayers for wisdom, discernment and safety.
  5. Help us retain qualified and trained Border Agents. It takes about $200,000 to train a new Border Patrol Agent, but the turnover rate (wildly increased during the crisis and crush of people desiring a new life in the States) could have a devestation impact on the border. Last Saturday, Operation Border Blessing, which is a part of Paula White Ministries hosted a cookout and festival for several hundred Border Patrol Families. Naturally, they kept it a low-key event. Why, you ask? Because anything that Border Patrol participates in is criticized and picketed. The agents can handle it, I’m sure, but their children should never have to hear that their mom or dad are remotely linked in the cataegory of Nazis and concentration camps. That’s absurd and divisive at best! Let’s celebrate and serve these families. I have days that I’ve counseled one too many people and came home “people exhausted.” I cannot imagine coming home and hearing my work being likened to Nazi Death Camps and that I forced people to drink from toilets. That is so wrong in so many ways. I’d like to have one of these Border Patrol festivals for every regional section of the border and am already starting to engage with plans for an August event in McAllen, TX. I’ll let you know how you can help with this as well.
  6. Let’s help stock the pantries of the Border Centers. They need diapers, toiletries, bottled water, snacks, baby bottles, formula, baby food, and non-perishable snacks for teens and adults. There will be much more to engage with and I will be in discussions with both the Border Patrol and Convoy of Hope seeking better and more inclusive ways to help. As I get specific plans in place, I’ll be sure to update you via this BLOG and social media.
  7. We must provide guidance and assistance with new migrants released onto US soil. The fastest way to do that is to help the present churches and organizations that are doing all that they can do. Along The Southwest Border, Shelters and Churches are Scrambling To Help Migrant Families. I am in the process of discovering where and who these locations are. In El Paso, I witnessed a church that has dedicated huge anounts of resources and volunteer manpower to help migrant familes with their next steps, travel, legalities, communications, clothing, and spiritual care. This is not the time to be spiritual snobs regarding who we partner with. If it’s Catholic Charities or non faith-based NGO’s, we still need to jump in and help. If they aren’t from our denomination, who cares? We are talking about people here! I’ll be providing a list of these churches and organizations in the coming weeks. I’ll also be creating a new Faith-Based, Not-for-Profit, 501c3 organization that you can support and get honest feedback about the border conditions along with where every dime is spent, with total transparency.
  8. We can and we must provide labor skills for the thousands of young adult migrants. I know of a plan, not yet launched, that would allow us to move hundreds of young adult migrants into exhisting housing in Puerto Rico (where language is not a problem). Don’t freak yet. Churches and faith-based organizations, along with compassionate NGO’s can provide food and care, including English as a second language. With governmental assistance, those same groups can help teach the young adults skills that will help them provide for themselves and future familes once permantly placed in the US. All of these efforts can also help Puerto Rico recover from recent hurricanes and financial distress.
  9. Stay informed, but stay focused. Don’t get distracted by any voice that offers problems without potential solutions. Far too often, those are politically motivated.

That’s just a start! I’ve been asked to join a discussion with a few critical thinkers and leaders in Washington tomorrow and Thursday, so I should have more information for you later this week. My plans are to speak with the folks in the Administration and in other faith and geo-political organizations on Wednesday and return to Atlanta on Thursday evening. I was planning on some vacation time in July, but the Lord seems to have a plan, that I am yet to fully understand! So, I once again come to you with a request for your prayers over the next couple of days.

I’ll deliver more insight and opportunities to make a lasting impact following my trip to DC. Thank you for reading and for the many, many words of encouragement. I really am very grateful!

Go in Peace,
AChuck

What I Learned – Firsthand – on Our Southern Border

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I never imagined that I would wind up on the US, Mexican border, but there I was, smack dab in the middle of a humanitarian crisis. I mentioned in an article that I wrote last Monday (you can read that here) that I had no desire for another project to take on. I’m the pastor of a healthy, growing church in Northeast Atlanta. What in the world was the Lord thinking when He told me to go south and then provided the introduction to a few folks that paved the way for me to be on the border last Friday.

Before I get started, please know that I have no bias in leaning left or right. I am not an ambassador for anyone other than my Creator. I care about policy, but I care far more about the people serving faithfully in our Border Patrol and for the people that are stuck in the middle somewhere between leaving their homes and entering the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.

BE SURE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE!

Here is what I saw firsthand:

  1. I drank from the same “toilet” that Democrat Presidential hopeful, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez did. It’s not a toilet. It’s a banos-or restroom in Spanish. There is hot water and there is cold water and in the restroom – separately from the toilet, much like your “banos” is fresh, potable water. I drank the water from the very same banos AOC drank from. Shame on her for having reported that people were drinking from toilets. I spoke with the Border Patrol Chief that accompanied her on her tour. He clarified and showed her the very unit and yet it was much more politically expedient to claim that folks awaiting processing or release were drinking toilet water. Shame on her and the media that went along with that story!
  2. I saw fresh, cold water available everywhere I turned. I drank from at least a dozen coolers without any problems. And before you get fired up, no! No, there was not a cleaned up version for the tour I was on. I waited my turn for water with migrants from Cuba, Venezuela, El Salvador and Guatemala.
  3. The very first thing that I noticed were the restrooms. The majority of the restrooms are porta-potties. I know that sounds gross, but they are all vented well. Most of them are indoors. When I walked into these portable bathrooms they were like brand new. They are serviced everyday and completely disinfected everyday. They truly were spotless.
  4. In the centers that I visited, you could see the aftermath of the massive migration of immigrants. Make no mistake, these centers, the same centers that have been in the news, have indeed been overcrowded and undermanned. The men and women of the US Customs and Border Patrol were hired and trained to secure and protect the borders. They have never been equipped either in their training or in their facilities to care for Unaccompanied Children or thousands of people each day,
  5. The Chief of the Border Patrol at each station I visited have lead their people with compassionate care and rapid flexibility to make the individuals and families as comfortable as possible. I got on the ground, next to families awaiting departure. I used the same memory foam sleeping pad and the same silver blanket that they had. The survival blanket is a luxury. You might have previously asked, why a survival blanket when it’s 110 degrees outside? Well, I asked that as well. The law requires that the Border Patrol maintain a temperature of 68-74 degrees inside the facility. If you had spent weeks in the blazing sun to get to the border, you’d be cold once inside the air conditioning of the massive facility that has been erected for you. You’d want one of those blankets.
  6. There are now three meals catered in for every person, every day, detained and awaiting release. There are three snacks available and small snack items available at every facility.
  7. Every person that comes through the process, regardless of how they crossed the border are given a fresh shower, new clothes that they keep and while they are showering and dressing, their clothes are washed and returned to them. They receive new flip-flops, socks, t-shirts, shorts and sweatpants. They are provided individual toiletries, including soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, brush or comb, deodorant, and feminine hygiene. By the way, the showers have all been upgraded and enlarged. In the centers that I toured on the Texas/Mexico border the facilities were created with four showers, they have all been upgraded to either sixteen or twenty showers, separated by gender. I’ve showered in far worse conditions in hotels and youth camps.
  8. Families are processed much faster than individuals. I was in a center that still had more than 150 people (families) and I witnessed the separation of men on one side and mothers with children on the other side. They are separated to protect the women and children from any harm, but there is no fencing or physical barrier that separated them. Dads are only 50 feet from their wives and kids and yes, there is an armed Border Patrol agent in each room. When I say room, I mean a massive tent that is set up for 125 people. Three weeks ago, there were 400 people in the tent. I guarantee you that it was overcrowded, but is was far better than being outside. They say that it’s hot but it’s dry. I say, so is an oven!
  9. Most folks are processed and released with a date to appear within 24-36 hours. And when I say released, most are released onto US soil. Sometimes at the center and sometimes via bus to somewhere that they have relatives or opportunities. Their date and place to appear is relative to their location.
  10. Since January, 2019 the three centers that I visited have processed more than 144,000 immigrants. They were built to accommodate 4500 in that same time period. There is indeed a humanitarian crisis on our Southern Border and Border Patrol are the first people to assure you of that. Three weeks prior to my visit, these centers were overwhelmed and in the midst of implementing all the changes that I saw. Were the centers over crowded, undermanned, underfunded and at crisis levels? You bet they were, and very well might be again. But I saw first hand how rapidly the Border Patrol has implanted significant changes to make this crisis far less painful.

I’ll write more in tomorrow’s article, but let me make a few observations of my visit last week.

  • The tariffs and the present administration have negotiated 5,000 Mexican troops on their Southern Border. That had lessened the pace of the immigrants from the South American countries which make up about 65% of the present immigrant requests. Nobody believes that is sustainable. As a result, our Border Patrol Centers are still prepping for another massive wave the balance of this year. They have added thousands and thousands of square feet, all air conditioned space. They have created Costco-like space with food and beverage service in mass quantities. They have added 24-7 medical care and in the Unaccompanied Children’s Center, they have added social workers and supervised play-times with qualified people.
  • The Migrant Protection Plan is slowing the flood of people into these centers, but that is not presently sustainable. It most likely will help, but will require millions of dollars to help create sustainable short-term housing on the Mexican side of the border.
  • The overcrowding creates a media circus and granstanding from either side of the aisle doen’t help. It’s creating a hightened sense of fear in the people seeking a new home and it’s hurting the work of the Border Agents. Most of the men and women I personally spoke with were 10-25 year veterans of the Border Patrol. They all were quick to tell me that a month ago things were horrific and that they will most likely be that way again. But this time, they are far better prepared for the onslaught.
  • The Church is the single best way to care for these folks on both sides of the border. I’ll outline more in tomorrow’s article.
  • Children are only separated from adults when, a) they arrive with a bio-metric proven person of criminal history, b) if the child is sick, where they are placed into a medical ward with 24-7 care until well, c) they arrive alone because mother or parents are sold into human or sex trafficking. By the way, did you know that the Cartel’s own most of the Southern Mexico Border and that everyone pays to cross and tens of thousands of folks are paying with their very lives to get their kids away from the likes of South American dictators and oppressive governments? Many of these folks, especially from South America and Cuba are professionals, or with labor skills.

I’ll wrap up for today, but there is so much that I learned. I’ll be returning to the McAllen Border Center (where Vice President Pence was last week) next month. I’ve been invited to participate in a partnership for serving and caring for the immigrant families and the Border Patrol across the entire Southern Border. I’m praying about that and about how the faith based community can serve the immigrants and especially the unaccompanied Children.

This is a long view effort and will require the help of multiple organizations. I’m still not certain what part I am to play, but I am certain that we (the church) must step up to meet this crisis face to face, hand in hand and hearts without political motivation, but rather, salt and light directives.

We all are part of the problem and can be part of the solution. I know you think that was a typo. You’re probably thinking, “Chuck, I don’t have anything to do with those folks on the border.” Well, actually you do. You can vote your convictions, share those convictions boldly with your congressional leader, your local governments, pastors and priests. But please do not hide from this or turn your heart from these folks.

Thanks for your prayers and for your continued prayers for my ongoing conversations and visits. Join me again tomorrow for what I believe are some very tangible ways to help improve the challenges ahead on the Southern Border.

Go in Peace,
AChuck

4forFRIDAY with AChuck

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4forFRIDAY July 12, 2019

I love to share good reads, learnings, listens and reviews with friends and followers. So, thanks for joining me on my 4forFRIDAY BLOG. Each week, the 4forFRIDAY offers recommended Reads, Listens, Learnings and Reviews, simply for your enjoyment. Thanks Again! If you don’t already subscribe to my Weekday Meditation Podcast, I encourage you to check it out HERE.

A Delicious Taco Meal from Costco, Really!

Okay, I know this seems like a lame first suggestion on this week’s 4forFRIDAY, but I love this super simple taco meal that can easily serve 3-4 for about $15. I know, right? Just heat up the already cooked and spiced chicken, wrap the tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave them, use the included sauces and toppings, add sour cream and well, just bless your heart! Just try em and you’ll love em!

A Really Nice Theater Experience: CineBistro Peachtree Corners

We loved this place! Comfortable, reclining seats and the food was better than most upscale restaurants. We will be back – often. And the restaurants in the same shopping area are great, especially Taqueria Tsunami and Marlow’s!

A Reminder of How Good the Old Brick Pit BBQ is.

I love the pork sandwiches, but the Brunswick stew is just so stinking good! From Atlanta Eats – “They’ve been open for 40 years and continue to make delicious, slow cooked meats in their classic Old Brick Pit. Whether it’s the ribs, chicken or pulled pork sandwiches, this is one pit we don’t mind being stuck in.” And, it’s one of Southern Living’s Top 50 BBQ Joints in the South!

The One Man: The Riveting and Intense Bestselling WWII Thriller

I loved this fast paced novel. It’s filled with intrigue, World War spy action and a great, redeeming story. If you’re looking for a good book for the beach or the pool, grab One Man by Andrew Gross. American Intelligence lieutenant Nathan Blum routinely decodes messages from occupied Poland. Having escaped the Krakow ghetto as a teenager, Nathan longs to do more for his new country in the war. But never did he expect the proposal he receives: to sneak into the most guarded place on Earth―the notorious Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz―to find and escape with renowned physicist Alfred Mendl, the one man whom the Allies believe can help them win the war.

A Quote from Governor Zell Miller

“When a child has no hope, a nation has no future.” 

The Weekday Podcast and the Weekday Meditation

The Podcast is a 5 minute/day, 5 day/week Cup of Encouragement, straight from the Scriptures. The Meditation is about 7 minutes/day, 5/day/week and is designed to give you a combined and guided prayer/meditation experience.

Both of these resources are available on the Sugar Hill Church APP or WeekdayPodcast.com & WeekdayMeditation.com

Go in Peace,

AChuck

These are Superpowers

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These Are Superpowers by ACHUCKAllen

I grabbed a Delta jet to my hometown, Daytona Beach, Florida Sunday afternoon to officiate a friend’s son’s wedding. It was a rainy afternoon with thunderstorms strong enough to sweep the beach of every vacationing family. I thought that we would definitely be having an indoor wedding. This is a young couple that needed a wedding to happen on the beach, just outside the condominium that the groom has been vacationing at for 20 plus years. It wasn’t looking good as the skies grew darker.

But at 7:00pm, just thirty-minutes before the wedding, the clouds blew out and the sun started peeking around the now white and fluffy clouds. By 7:30, there was a nice breeze and it was a beautiful evening for a wedding on the beach.

What was the superpower that moved that storm away? A daddy that loves his boy and a couple that has chosen the path of grace and kindness over judgement and legalism. The answer the groom’s daddy gave every person regarding the weather was simple. To every person, whether they were Followers of Jesus or not, his answer was, “well, the Lord is good and He heard our prayers.” Was the prayer the superpower or the kindness? And the answer is YES!

Here is what I know with great certainty: When you openly speak about the things of God, good things happen.

On Monday, I was on my way from my room to the hotel elevator when I met Kadian . Kadian is a young mom from Jamaica. I said the usual “good morning and how are you today” remarks and she seemed timid and a bit distracted. I was hungry and hopped on the elevator and hit the button for the lobby. It was at that moment the Lord spoke as clearly to me as I was hoping a server would when I ordered my breakfast. The Lord was clear. “Chuck, stop the elevator, go back and give that girl some money.” He was specific about the amount and the action. I responded like I often do, “Lord, I’ll find her after breakfast.”

Here’s a life lesson. The Lord doesn’t desire His kids to delay in acting on His directions.

So, I got off the elevator at the Lobby, smelling the sausage, bacon, French toast and biscuits (sorry). And I got back on the elevator and road back to the tenth floor. I found Kadian and told her that the Lord told me to bring her this money. She teared up and asked me to stop in the middle of the hallway and pray for her. I did and decided to pray big. When I said amen and finished, two separate couples had joined in the serendipitous prayer meeting and we were all crying. Kadian looked me in the eyes and said that she told her son, as she left their apartment early Monday morning that “God would provide today.” Well, how bout that?

Was it the money or the act of Kindness the Lord directed me with. The answer is YES!

Again, When you openly speak about the things of God, good things happen.

You have superpowers at your disposal every single day. Prayer, Kindness, Graciousness and Obedience. I wonder what our world might look like if we were to lay down our egos, logos and personal preferences and replaced them with Prayer, Graciousness and Obedience? Imagine a day that you choose the superpower of openly speaking about the things of God…and good things happen? Would we really make a dent in this planet for the betterment of mankind? The Answer, YES!

Go in Peace,
AChuck

Why We Should Care…About the Border

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Why We Should Care by ACHUCKAllen

I’ve been stirred deep in my soul that whatever the truth is regarding our immigration crisis on our southern border, that the faith based community must become part of the solution, not just another mouthpiece of strife.

I’ve read through so many statistics and so many differing opinions on this topic and I’ve discovered one commonality among every party, person and platform. That one commonality? It’s a mess no matter what your thoughts are or party lines that you prefer. Honestly, you can do a simple Google search and discover every possible position that you can imagine.

There are folks firm in their belief that we should build a wall…a massive wall…a wall worth billions or dollars. There are folks that think we should open our doors and become a sanctuary nation. There are folks that want us is to bus, fly or pixie-dust the folks awaiting entry or asylum back to wherever they came from. There are folks that want a new bill that will ease entry and folks that want a new bill that will stop all entry.

I know we should care about our borders and our national security, but the one thing that seems to be lost in this political hot potato are the people in the MIDDLE. The folks that have left their countries to seek a new life in this great land that I was blessed to be born in. PLEASE HEAR ME! I am not suggesting that the US Customs and Border Control are or have been the problem. These hard working folks are undermanned, underfunded and under extraordinary scrutiny. I’m not even sure about whether the laws and legalities of acquiring US citizenship should be changed. BUT! But I do know that while folks that must be smarter and better equipped than me determine how to settle the political battles, people in THE MIDDLE appear to be in a mess. A big mess!

I started praying about this situation and honestly want to run from it. I told Jenny, “I have no way of making a difference in this issue, what could I possibly do. I’m praying that the Divine would raise up a leader that could stir a movement in the modern, evangelical community. Someone that could do something significant for the folks that seem to be trapped in the middle.” Her answer? “Maybe you are who the Lord might want to use you to make a big difference.” YIKES!

“I’m just Chuck. I pastor a great church, but honestly, really? Lord, I do not have time for this. I’m almost sixty-years old and my calendar is already out of control. Lord, I’m over committed and often stressed about how to get everything done already. How about you ask somebody else to make this their fight?” And then I started poking around the issue some more and discovered that discovering the truth about what is going on isn’t as simple as it might seem.

In my writing, research, phone calls and prayers I was completely out of the blue invited to join a couple of other folks on a tour of a few detention centers right on the border with the Deputy Director of Homeland Security. I know, right? Mind blown and stomach queasy. The trick, I had to find a way to get to El Paso by July 11, meet up with this small group and make a day of seeing the real deal most of the day July 12. Now remember, my plan was for the Lord to open this kind of door for someone else. Someone with a voice that carried great weight and urgency. And then the Lord said, “Chuck, GO!”

And so, I trust that you’ll be kind enough to pray for my trip and for eyes and heart to be opened to the truth about the folks in THE MIDDLE.

Why should we care about the individuals and families in the middle of this mess? Because they were created in the image of God and He loves them and has called us – the Body of Christ – to care about them and for them. If I were from Venezuela, or any of the other countries the folks are fleeing from and I were stuck in the middle, I’d be praying that God’s People would show up in force to love me, help me and serve me in the name of Jesus the Lord.

I promise you that this isn’t a political trip with some right or left wing agenda. I am biased. I am biased with a heart to serve and love people with a gracious heart and helpful hands.

I’ve heard so many stories that are on the ridiculous edges of reason, from both sides that I have now trained my brain to ask this question about every picture and every opinionated article: “But is it a true representation?” And each picture that I see, I question it’s authenticity. We should care about this because the only way that we can care for and love these folks caught in THE MIDDLE is to see firsthand the needs and issues that truly exist.

Will you care along with me and start praying about how to serve the folks serving in our Customs and Border Patrol and the folks that seem to be stuck in THE MIDDLE? One thing has become radically apparent to me in this quest. God cares for everybody in this crisis and He has a plan for how He will fix it. We should care because He cares and His plan to fix it is us…me and you!

Thanks for your prayers and thanks for caring.

Peace, AChuck

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