I don’t usually post on Sundays, but I just wanted to introduce you to the newest member of our family. Grace is a Papa-poo—part Papillon and part Poodle. She’s four months old, and is such a lover!
Mighty People
March 6, 2009 — Craig T. Owens
I was reading King David’s list of Mighty Men. Many theologians believe that the names that appear in 2 Samuel 23 was the list and descriptions that David wrote himself. He was not threatened to have such competent and gifted people around him. Those leaders challenged David to lead at a higher level.
In the spirit of this list, I was thinking about my own list of Mighty Men (and Women). These are some of the incredibly gifted and highly competent people who surround me and help me do more than I could have done on my own. David listed his “Big Three” first, and then the rest of the names in no particular order of importance. I, too, list my Big Three first, and then the rest of my Mighty People in no special order.
Jesus – my Master; as I’ve gotten to know Him better through the years He becomes a closer and closer Friend.
Betsy – my helpmate and very best friend.
Bubba – my covenant brother, like Jonathan was to David.
My parents – incredible counselors, godly examples.
Tom & Pinky – fearsome fellow warriors.
Dick Jr. – sharpening my iron more than anyone else can.
T.J. – armor-bearers don’t come any stronger or any more valiant.
C-Dog – one of the wisest, kindest people I know.
Steve & Keri – faithful, dependable, Spirit-led prayer warriors.
Dave & Jessica – ready for anything at anytime.
Bob & Pat and Stan & Clara – mature Christians who are still young at heart and so forward-looking.
Sister Warnick – always seeing more in me than I can see myself.
Barney – personifies all of the reasons why I do what I do, a trophy of God’s grace.
Jim – a fellow shepherd whose hindsight and insight give me foresight.
Hank – years of wisdom continually poured into my life.
Aaron – growing like Timothy, destined to be a world-changer.
To my Mighty Men & Women I say, “Thanks!”
Grateful For My Powerlessness
March 5, 2009 — Craig T. Owens
This has been a very hard week!
I conducted a funeral service yesterday for a family whose baby died after only 18 days on earth. As a pastor, without a doubt the most physically-, emotionally-, spiritually-, and mentally-draining activity I do is a funeral. The Bible says that we grieve with those who grieve, and yet in the midst of that grieving, the family and loved ones are still turning to me to give them answers. Sometimes it seems there are more questions than answers. Between the grieving and the answer seeking, it’s very draining!
But God was gracious to me. He gave me a comforting word to share at the funeral, and at the conclusion eight people said that after their days on earth were done they wanted to have the assurance that they would be welcomed into God’s presence, just as baby Blake was. I had the privilege of praying with those folks as they invited Christ into their lives!
Probably the second-most draining thing I have to do as a pastor is deal with problems in the church. And, boy, did a big one crop up this week! It was supposed to culminate in a meeting this afternoon. So yesterday I was dealing with my two most draining issues at the same time! Today, this church problem wasn’t resolved, but God gave me such a peace about its outcome. I’m not sure what’s going to happen next, but what a peace flooded my heart to let me know that He is in control.
This morning I read this great quote from Oswald Chambers—
“It is a good thing to feel our own powerlessness in the face of destruction, it makes us know how much we depend upon God. … When a man gets to despair he knows that all his thinking will never get him out, he will only get out by the sheer creative effort of God, consequently he is in the right attitude to receive from God that which he cannot gain for himself.”
I am grateful today for my powerlessness. I am grateful that I feel so dependant on God. I am grateful for the sheer creative effort of God. And I am grateful for His peace.
I’m also grateful for the challenges. Why? Because without the challenges, I would not have felt such gratitude for my powerlessness, God’s provision, and God’s peace.
Mine!
March 3, 2009 — Craig T. Owens
I often joke that the first word infants learn to speak after “mama” and “dada” is “mine!” I usually joke that this is an indication of the sinful, prideful nature that is inherent in all humans.
But what do you think about when God says, “Mine!”?
He does say this, and He says it about you. God says, “You are Mine!” Not only that, but God wants us to say back to Him, “God, You are mine!” David expresses this I-am-God‘s-and-He-is-mine mentality in a great prayer in 2 Samuel 22. Forty-four times in just 51 verses David uses the personal possessive pronoun my.
David is thankful for the reality that God is close to him. He calls God my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer, my God, my Shield, my Salvation, my Stronghold, my Refuge, my Savior, my Support, my Lamp.
David says, “I am aware that God hears my voice and my cry, and He sees my distress. He delivers me from my enemies, my foes, my disaster. He rescued me because He delighted in me! Why? Because of my righteousness and the cleanness of my hands.
“God makes my way perfect, He makes my feet like the feet of a deer so that I will not stumble. God trains my hands and strengthens my arms for battle. You stoop down to make me great. You make my adversaries bow at my feet; You make my enemies turn their backs in flight; I destroy my foes. You delivered me from the attacks of my people. You set me free from my enemies; You exalted me above my foes.
“Therefore I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing praises to Your name. The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!”
Why does God want me to say, “Mine!”? Because it‘s only when I know that I am fully His possession that He is fully exalted. God loves to bless me when I acknowledge that “I am Yours and You are mine!”
Right now God is saying to you, “You are Mine!” Have you said “Mine!” to God today?
Giant Killers
March 2, 2009 — Craig T. Owens
Multiple choice quiz: with which of the following biblical characters are you familiar?
(a) David son of Jesse.
(b) Abishai son of Zeruiah.
(c) Sibecai the Hushathite.
(d) Elhanan son of Jaare-Oregim.
(e) Jonathan son of Shimeah.
Honestly, now, how did you do? I’m guessing you at least got (a) since David is probably the best known king of Israel. But what about the other guys? Have you ever heard of them before?
Do you know what they all have in common? They are all a part of King David’s inner circle, and they are all giant killers.
Isn’t it interesting how like attracts like? David became the original giant killer when he killed Goliath. Abishai, Sibecai, Elhanan, and Jonathan were probably attracted to David because of his bravery, because of the stories they had heard of his victory over Goliath. But then something starts to stir inside of these men—they want to emulate David, they want to be giant killers too.
So here are the questions I’m asking myself today:
(a) Have I won any victories that would attract other “warriors” to me?
(b) Is what I’m doing today something I would want those closest to me to emulate?
(c) Are there some giants still hanging around that I need to defeat?
You can find out a lot about the significance of the victories you have won by who’s attracted to you, and by who’s imitating your lifestyle.
Celebrating Stones Of Remembrance
February 26, 2009 — Craig T. Owens
In 1 Samuel 7, there is a story where God defeated Israel’s enemies. After the victory, Samuel erected a stone of remembrance and said, “Thus far has the Lord helped us.” Year after year when Israelite families would journey past this monument, and children asked, “Dad, what does that big stone mean?” They could be reminded of God’s protection and provision and they could celebrate.
We setup our own stone of remembrance at church last night. We took an evening to gather together and celebrate what God did for us in 2008:
- People became followers of Jesus Christ and began their discipleship journey, others became disciple-makers.
- We offered our first Vacation Bible School, and made great relationships with the families in our neighborhood.
- Our Back 2 School party provided bags and bags of school supplies to area students.
- Light The Night was a great alternative to a dark-and-scary Halloween night.
- The Gift told the true story about the greatest gift.
- We were able to show the true meaning of CHRISTmas to some special families.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! What a joy it is to know that “thus far has the Lord helped us.” And what anticipation energizes me as I’m already looking forward to an even bigger stone of remembrance next time!
There are so many people to thank. I won’t start naming them all here (you know who you are!) so that I don’t accidentally leave some people out. But I do want to single out my wife Betsy. She is my constant companion, my best friend, my favorite playmate, my wisest counselor, my daily encouragement, and a great pastor’s wife. I couldn’t celebrate all of these stones of remembrance without you!
Brothers And Sisters The Same
February 25, 2009 — Craig T. OwensListen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.
I love my Coffee With The Pastor times every Tuesday! Yesterday a relatively new Christian (and a great friend), Barney Fritcher, shared with me his heartache over people who snipe and bicker and complain about their church. In Barney’s short time of being a follower of Jesus Christ, he has attended two churches which have closed their doors as a direct result of infighting. How incredibly sad!
God has given Barney a great gift of poetry. After our conversation yesterday, he penned the following lines that are just too good not to share with you:
Look around at the sign of the times
churches are closing their doors
is it because God has left them
or because of internal wars
There’s people trying to find the Savior
but they don’t know where to go
one says, “This church is a good one“
another says “No, it ain’t so”
What happens when the doors lock
what happens to the lost soul
is this what Jesus was all about
was fancy carpet His real goal
Does anyone know where God truly is
did He tell you while deep in prayer
does He need stained glass windows
for Him to be present there
If Jesus Himself came to your church
do you think that they’d let Him in
or would they say, “That’s outrageous
the people He’s with commit sin”
Do you think that you’ve overcome
that you’re a sinner no more
if that’s what you think, I’m sorry
Jesus has something for you in store
We all are sinners each and everyone
none of us are innocent and pure
if you think that you are different
I don’t think that you are so sure
So before you go pointing your finger
before you go laying the blame
remember what it says in the Bible
we are brothers and sisters the same
How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along! —Psalm 133:1 (The Message)
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Lingo
February 23, 2009 — Craig T. Owens
On Sunday nights I am teaching a series called Huh? It’s a practical set of talks geared to help us all increase our level of effective communication.
One huge hurdle to effective communication is the lingo into which we so easily slide. The dictionary defines lingo: a characteristic language of a particular group that is unfamiliar to those outside that group.
Last night—even as I am teaching on effective communication—I discovered how guilty I am of using Church Lingo. After our service was over, my daughter Samantha handed me an offering envelope on which she had written a Church Lingo lexicon.
Street Word Church Lingo
Yes Amen
Mr. & Mrs. Brother & Sister
Goodbye God bless
Ticked off Grieved
Sing Worship together
Ouch! A good reminder that I can so easily slip into Church Lingo and leave people all around me saying, “Huh?” I’m trying to get better.
What Church Lingo have you heard (or adopted yourself) that needs to be changed?
Hearts Like Prisms
February 20, 2009 — Craig T. Owens
God once said, “Let the light shine out of the darkness!” This is the same God who made His light shine in our hearts by letting us know the glory of God that is in the face of Christ. —2 Corinthians 4:6 (NCV)
Today I was at the Flint Institute of Arts with my kids. There was a really cool exhibit made of hundreds of pieces of glass that cast a rainbow of colors all over the wall. Yet all of these colors sprayed across the wall are generated by just two lights.
This made me think, “How am I reflecting God’s light? Is my life a prism that accurately transmits God’s light and love to others? Or does my lifestyle make it difficult for people to see God?”
Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights. —Philippians 2:15 (NLT)
I want people to see the brilliance of God’s love through me.
A Weird Week
February 19, 2009 — Craig T. Owens
We’re all creatures of habit. Even if you think you’re a spontaneous, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kinda person, you still have routines and habits that make you you. I am no exception: I like my routines: they work for me: they help me keep my life (sorta) organized.
What happens when our routines are interrupted? Usually I go into Sulk Mode—I want things the way they are supposed to be! Or at least, I want things the way I want things!
This week I am being tested in this.
My kids had no school on Monday, no school today, and no school on Friday. Weird week.
The kids have no school, but Betsy, along with the other teachers, have to report to school for in-service training. Weird week.
I began the week rather sulkily. My routines are all messed up. The kids have no school, but I still have all my work to get done: How am I going to get everything accomplished?!
But then I realized that God had given me some “bonus time” to invest in some of the most important relationships I have.
So I broke my routines, came out of my comfort zone, and I am enjoying these weird moments.
- On Monday, the kids and I took a long, leisurely lunch at Taco Bell. Nothing fancy, just a lot of laughs around the table. In those unguarded, spontaneous moments, it’s amazing the insights I caught into my kids’ lives.
- On Tuesday, I took Betsy out to dinner at our favorite restaurant. Quiet dinner, great reconnect time, and the food was pretty good too! During our dinner we moved into an incredible conversation that helped me clarify some stuff for church. I’m going to be able to tweak a couple of ministries that are going to re-energize me and our church.
- Today I’m working from home. Not quite as convenient as the quietness of my office, but the laughter of kids in the background reminds me of why I really do what I do.
- Tomorrow we’re off to the Flint Institute of Arts to see the cool comic collection. Another wonderful opportunity to engage with my kids.
What do you do with the weirdness in your life?
It’s just possible that God might be giving you an opportunity for insight, for re-energizing, for reconnecting, for reengaging with some very special people. Don’t let the weirdness of broken routines set you back, but use them to propel you forward.
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