This is an in-your-face, no-punches-pulled, right-on-target message. Watch it, think about it, and share your thoughts in the comment below…
Living Nativity
December 5, 2011 — Craig T. Owens
I am so proud of our team that portrayed the birth of Christ at our second annual Living Nativity! And I’m grateful that we were asked to be a part of the annual Mingle With Kris Kringle event in downtown Cedar Springs.
Pictures don’t really do it full justice, but it’s a start, so click here to see the pictures and a couple of videos too.
My Newest Assignment
December 5, 2011 — Craig T. Owens
I truly believe that God directs our steps. I like Jeremiah’s prayer:
I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. (Jeremiah 10:23)
I also believe that God gives us talents and strengths, and then puts us in settings where we can use those strengths to glorify Him. Moving to Cedar Springs was truly a God-directed step for my family, and doing so has put us in so many settings where we can all use our talents.
My latest opportunity to use my God-given strengths is as the interim director of the En Gedi Youth Center. This is an outstanding program that provides a safe and constructive environment for students after school. In just a couple of weeks in this new assignment, I’ve already met so many new people and I’ve seen so much more potential. I cannot wait to see what will happen next!
The Cedar Springs Post has an article in this week’s edition about my new temporary assignment (read the full article here). I love this forward-looking quote from the En Gedi Board chair Sue Wolfe:
“Craig is a wonderful gift to En Gedi, our students, and community. He is already involved with many local organizations. The transition from Tom [the first director and current Board member] to Craig has gone well and the board is enthusiastically moving forward in securing a permanent Executive Director,” said Wolfe. “En Gedi is ready to take a leap of faith into the next phase of organization’s goal to open a youth center room in the high school and middle school. We see the need and believe we should now move forward in expanding programs, services, and special events to our community’s youth and families.”
I’m thrilled to be a part of this leap of faith that En Gedi is about to take!
UPDATE: My assignment as “interim” director of this ministry turned into a 10-year-long ministry position!
Am I A Doer?
December 1, 2011 — Craig T. Owens
This quote from J.C. Ryle has really been working on me…
“Men and women who hear the Gospel regularly, I often fear much for you. I fear lest you become so familiar with the sounds of its doctrines, that insensibly you become dead to its power. I fear lest your religion should sink down into a little vague talk about your own weakness and corruption, and a few sentimental expressions about Christ, while real practical fighting on Christ’s side is altogether neglected. Oh, beware of this state of mind! Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only.”
Holy Spirit, bring Your conviction if my amazement at the Gospel ever slackens. May I always hear the Word gladly, and do the Word quickly.
Thursdays With Oswald—Instantly Detecting Compromise
December 1, 2011 — Craig T. OwensThis is a weekly series with things I’m reading and pondering from Oswald Chambers. You can read the original seed thought here, or type “Thursdays With Oswald” in the search box to read more entries.
Instantly Detecting Compromise
We must be continually renewed in the spirit of our mind so that the slightest beginning of compromise with the spirit of the world is detected. “Well, what’s the harm; there’s nothing wrong in it,” when you hear that you know you have the spirit of the world, because the Spirit that comes from Jesus says, “Does this glorify God?”
From Biblical Ethics
There’s a HUGE difference between a Christian being in the world and of the world. A Christian who is compromising, is slowly becoming of the world. They say, “This isn’t wrong.”
A Christian who is uncompromising, is slowly becoming in the world but of Heaven. They judge everything by whether or not it brings glory to God.
Compromise is the slow erosion. Seldom does one go from a passionate follower of God to a worldly person suddenly. It is the small compromises day after day that are the most dangerous.
So one of my frequent prayers must be—
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out ANYTHING in me that offends You. (Psalm 139:23-24, NLT)
God’s Gifts
November 30, 2011 — Craig T. Owens
This is the time of year for gift giving. Everyone is out looking for the perfect gift to give to a loved one, co-worker, or friend.
Can you imagine going through all of the work of finding the right gift, paying your hard-earned money for it, wrapping it up, delivering it to the recipient, and then watching them set it aside unopened?!
Or how about the one who opens the gift, but doesn’t show any gratitude at all?!
Or the one who says a sincere “Thank you!” but then puts the gift on the shelf and never touches it again?!
Christmas is the time we think about the greatest gift of all—God’s gift of His only Son. But this isn’t the only gift God gives. In fact, He is a lavish Gift Giver. So the key questions are:
- Are you opening His gifts to you?
- Are you showing Him how grateful you are for His gifts?
- Are you using His gifts?
I’m starting a brand new series this Sunday, and going all the way until Christmas morning, looking at God’s Gifts. We’ll see what the Bible says about these gifts, including how to show our gratitude, and how to use them in a way that honors the Gift Giver.
I hope you can join us!
Ready? Or Not?
November 30, 2011 — Craig T. Owens
A few weeks ago I shared some thoughts about the donkey Jesus rode into Jerusalem. Or I should say: some thoughts about the donkey’s owners. I was struck by the ease with which those owners gave up their donkey when they heard the simple phrase, “The Lord needs it.”
There’s another small story in the midst of the activity just prior to Christ’s crucifixion, when He shared the Last Supper with His disciples. The disciples ask Jesus where He would like to have this meal, and He gives them unusual instructions: When you go into town, you’ll see a man carrying a jar of water; follow him. Go to the owner of the house this man enters and say, “Where is My guest room?” (Mark 14:14)
Just like the owners of the donkey, this homeowner was waiting for Jesus to call on him. The room was ready and waiting.
So I’m asking myself:
- Is my life reserved for my Master’s use?
- Am I saying “Yes” to other offers that would keep me from saying “Yes” when Jesus calls on me?
- Is my life kept in readiness for my Master?
- Or do I have to ask Him to wait while I prepare myself?
My heart is His. My mind is His. My talent is His.
I must keep all of these available only for His use. So when the call comes, “Where is My guest room” I can quickly answer, “Everything is furnished and ready for Your use.”
Are you ready? Or not?
I Have To Do It Now
November 29, 2011 — Craig T. Owens
As I was wrapping up our Thanksgiving series, I was struck by the verb tense that Paul used in all of the verses I was studying.
When the Apostle Paul writes that we are to be overflowing with thankfulness, and let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, and stay on our guard against slipping away from this, the verb tense is present tense. Simply put, he says, “Do it now.”
Not: Wait for better conditions … get things in order next Sunday at church … schedule a spiritual retreat.
The verbs are also in the active voice, which means I have to do it.
Not: Wait for a friend encourage me … hope my pastor can pump me up spiritually next Sunday … tune in to some sort of motivational speaker.
There is no better time than NOW, and there’s no better person than ME to do it.
“It is by little procrastinations that men ruin their souls. They have no intention to delay for years—a few months will bring the more convenient season—tomorrow if you will, they will attend to serious things; but the present hour is so occupied and altogether so unsuitable, that they beg to be excused. Like sands from an hour-glass, time passes, life is wasted by driblets, and seasons of grace lost by little slumbers.” —Charles Spurgeon
So what are you waiting for?!
The Blessing Of Fullness
November 28, 2011 — Craig T. Owens
Thanksgiving Day 2011 is over, but the days for giving thanks should never be over. Although that sounds humorous, for many of us it is an important reminder. We need to remind ourselves because it is so easy for us to go from overflowing with thankfulness, to feeling depleted and empty.
This is exactly what Paul reminded the Colossians in part 3 of our Overflowing With Thanks series—
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Colossians 4:2)
Here’s how the cycle works:
- When we are thank-full to God for His blessings, we enthrone Christ in our hearts.
- When we are Christ-full, He brings with Him all of the peace we will need.
- When we are peace-full, the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
- When our hearts and minds are clear, we can better see the blessings for which we can thank God.
- And when we are thank-full to God for His blessings, we start the cycle all over again.
We don’t have to run dry, or become depleted, or lose our joy, or be robbed of our peace. If we will remain watch-full to be thank-full, we will remain Christ-full, which will keep us peace-full.
May we never lose the blessing of fullness!
Thanksgiving Leftovers
November 25, 2011 — Craig T. OwensI read a couple of blog posts yesterday, and I wanted to share some great Thanksgiving reminders with you. After all, yesterday wasn’t the only day of the year to give thanks, right?
Dr. Tim Elmore offers a great question for determining what we’re really thankful for: What have I been talking about recently that expresses my gratitude?
“Pause for a moment and think about it. You would likely never talk to a stranger downtown in a big city—unless you lost your child and can’t find them anywhere. Suddenly, you’ll talk to anyone who will listen and help.
“You probably wouldn’t talk to a person who lived in another neighborhood that you’ve never met, unless you saw their house on fire. Suddenly, it changes everything. You would gladly find a way to intrude and warn them.
“The reason you would talk to those people is because you feel strongly about your child and about the safety of people. That is a conviction in your life. Convictions are deeper than ideas or opinions. They are strongly held beliefs that you take action for, and perhaps would even die for.”
Seth Godin suggests that the best way to show how thankful we are is to do good work.
“For every person reading this there are a thousand people (literally a thousand) in underprivileged nations and situations that would love to have your slot. Don’t waste it.”
And Mark Driscoll shares “some verses from the Bible on thankfulness for you to digest on this day of feasting.”
But the most important quote I’m focusing on is this—
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. (Psalm 103:2)
I’m determined to be a man who gives thanks every day!
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