friends | Craig T. Owens

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Puppy Love

March 26, 2009 — Craig T. Owens

Three weeks ago I had come to the end of a particularly rough week, so when I got home I told my family I was declaring the next day to be “National Be Kind To Craig Owens Day.” I figured that was one way to get some love!

That day was so wonderful I decided to extend NBKTCO Day through the weekend, and I talked Betsy into letting us buy a puppy. And so Grace became a part of our family.

Since I didn’t want to leave her home alone, I started bringing Grace with me to my office. While I’ve been trying to potty train her, she has been training me in a few areas too. Here are some of the lessons I’m rediscovering—

Always greet people warmly. Even if they only left the room a couple of minutes ago. It always makes people smile when they are greeted so warmly.
Treat everyone like a friend. It doesn’t matter if they are the one who feeds you or a perfect stranger, everyone deserves to be treated like they are the nicest person alive.
Genuine puppy “kisses” makes anyone’s day!

The Apostle Paul had a friend like Grace—someone always so welcoming and encouraging to others. Paul wrote to Philemon, “Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes me feel, doubly so when I see your hospitality to fellow believers.” (Philemon 1:7, The Message).

Thanks, Grace, for the lessons. I’m learning how to show some puppy love to everyone.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: encouragement, friends, grace, Paul, Philemon, relationships. 1 Comment »

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!”

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: 2 Samuel, David, encouragement, friends, Jesus Christ, relationships. 7 Comments »

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.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: David, encouragement, example, friends, Goliath, inner circle, leadership, relationships. Leave a Comment »

Celebrating Stones Of Remembrance

February 26, 2009 — Craig T. Owens

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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!

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: 1 Samuel, Betsy, encouragement, family, friends, outreach, team, thanksgiving. 4 Comments »

Brothers And Sisters The Same

February 25, 2009 — Craig T. Owens

Listen 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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Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Barney Fritcher, Christlike, church, family, friends, poem, poetry, Psalm, Starbucks, unity. 4 Comments »

Allen Iverson and My Friends

November 3, 2008 — Craig T. Owens

Allen Iverson: Ball-hog or championship-maker?

So the Detroit Pistons traded a couple of fairly decent players for Allen Iverson, a very prolific scorer. As the news broke, friends emailed me and posted comments on Facebook: “Great move!” and “Lousy trade!” It’s nice to be able to banter about something which has no lasting impact on my life. Whether it was a good move for the Pistons or not, it really doesn’t have any bearing on my life. Some people call AI a ball-hog, some say he makes other players elevate their game; some people say “The Answer” only seeks to pad his personal stats, while others are convinced he pushes himself and his team to win championships. Either way, my life is not really that impacted.

But in trading playful barbs with my friends, I was reminded of the value of those friendships. I recently called on some friends at the last minute to give up their Halloween night to help us “Light The Night,” and they answered the call without hesitation. Another friend drove over 90 minutes roundtrip just to look at Betsy’s van to figure out what was wrong… and saved us a lot of money in repair bills in the process. Another friend gave me some really honest (and painful, at the time) feedback, and it helped me grow. I don’t know if AI will help the Pistons, or if he’s only in it for himself. But I do know that I am awfully blessed to have some amazingly faithful and generous friends who truly love me.