Empowerment

What does empowerment mean to you? Joseph Stalin had his own meaning of empowerment along with Hitler, Saddam Hussein, and Mussolini all had their own meaning of what empowerment meant to them. Sadly they used their meaning of empowerment only to achieve their own evil desires by crushing their own people. It was a far picture of what Jesus had painted for his disciples as one who thought about empowerment.

Jesus picked out 12 ordinary men that had already had chosen their profession in life. Some were fishermen as we gathered and one of them was a tax collector. People whom not everyone wanted to hang out with on a day to day basis. Especially a tax collector. Jesus took them all and empowered them to live a life bigger than themselves. How did he do it? Jesus spent His time investing in them. He knew when he needed to spend time alone and when they needed to spend time alone. He opened up his life so they could see into his heart. He would set an example everywhere they went. He demonstrated how to love, how to wait, how to engage aggressively and softly. When he had ascended to Heaven the disciples were well equipped to the task that was ahead of them.

Just as Jesus had promised that he would send a comforter for them in his place. So that day came when they were all in that room upstairs when the comforter had shown up. It was then that they would step out into the life of empowerment that Jesus had placed on their lives. Each one would step out into the very area that Jesus had focused on them individually. He found their strengths and of course he probably already knew their strengths, but just for kicks and giggles he probably just looked for them anyways.

Jesus set the example of what a good leader is and how to lead. In John we see him strip down and wrap a towel around himself, pick up a pot of water and a basin and wash the feet of those he was teaching. Why? So that they could see that by doing so they would never become prideful of any position that they would hold in life. This would be a lesson that each one would carry with them the rest of their lives. I had heard one of my former pastors say one time that I have never forgotten, "A good leader will always lead in such a way to make his leaders better then himself." Dave Buehring. That is something that I have never sat aside but have kept it close to my heart. Jesus had taught like that. He told his followers that great work they would do than he had done.

This is true empowerment of someone else. I pray as I step out into this calling that God has laid on my life to empower single mothers, widows, and orphans that I also lead in such a way for them to be better than myself. To me this is the only true leadership that there is. Anything less would be considered a dictatorship. I believe if you are not willing to give your all to those you are leading then why would want to lead then?  "It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership." Nelson Mandela May we all look to those who led in such great ways to be examples for those behind us. Trust me when  I say that there are those who are watching, cause they not only want to be led, but they want to learn how to lead too.

Its not about me, Its not about money, Its about relationships!

I have shared many times about my first trip to Ethiopia that changed my life and my view on life. How I returned to the states only wanting to return and help the single mothers who are struggling to just feed their children on a daily basis. Mission Ethiopia http://missionethiopia.com has partnered with different churches in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia that allows mothers to work making beaded necklaces. This gives them a paycheck to send their children to school, pay for doctor visits when they get sick, and most of all feed them everyday. That helps them with the financial part of life.
This has been the vision of my heart for a long time. When I say long time, I mean about four years long. To reach out and walk with these mothers and widows as they still have to face life on a daily basis. You see money doesn't solve all of their needs. It is easy to say, "I can send them money" and you can, but just we all are broken and need God's reconceliation in all of our lives it makes much easier when you have someone to walk with.
You see its not about me, or the money, but about relationships. Its in relationships that we can discover who we are in Christ as we walk together in our brokenness and humility. Christ came to this broken world and He demonstrated to twelve men what its like to walk in relationship. He humbled Himself and showed them what it looked like to serve even though He was the creators son.
I look at how Christ striped Himself of his linens and got down on His knees and washed the feet of those he was leading, as a metaphor of us stripping ourselves of the luxuries of life and getting on our knees and washing the feet of those we are leading as a way to help them get closer to God by washing away the lies that the enemy has told them, or what society has said about them. Its more than just a paycheck.
As I am writing this I am thinking about how our Father in Heaven sent His son Jesus Christ to this world to bring hope and empowerment to a lost and broken world and how Jesus sent out the deciples to do the same. And that is what Mission Ethiopia is doing for these single mothers and widows. They are spreading hope and empowerment to them. That is why I am excited about this opportunity. For this has been my dream for past four years. I am so looking forward to this opportunity. Romans 10:14 and 15 says, "14 But how can people call for help if they don't know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them?15 And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? That's why Scripture exclaims, 'How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!'"
This has been my goal, dream, and vision for the last four years and I am excited to share it with you. But I cannot do it alone. As so many has signed up to help answer the call of sending me out I am still short financially. I am still asking for 60 more people that would be willing to partner with me for a year at $50.00 for this first month and $20.00 for the next eleven months. $20.00 is four cups of coffee from a coffee shop. I know this can happen. My flight leaves on September the 9th and I hope to be on it.

Thank you very much for your time and your consideration of giving.
God Bless you
Chris

Sports events of April

Two weeks ago I woke up early to go to church where the Music City Marathon would be passing by. Our church every year sets up right outside to sing worship and praise to Christ our Savior as the runners pass by. This time I got there a little before 9 am as the runners were already making their way in droves pass by as the worship music played. As I walked up to the edge of the street I could only bask in the presence of God. Then as I seen the many runners raising their hands in worship and singing as they past by, I could only think of one thing.

Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

As I stood there watching thinking of that very verse, tears of Joy began to stream from my eyes. It made me think of the many times we as Christians have been running a spiritual race at times seem to get bogged down from the world, schedules, fear, time, etc. and how those who are in Heaven are cheering us on. They are clapping, shouting, and dancing as we pass by encouraging us to continue on. For they know the great joy that lies ahead of us.

On the following Monday I went with some friends to the Predators playoff game. the arena was packed and everyone was ready to see the team get out on the ice. The lights went low and the spot lights came on and focused right on the entrance of where the Predators would enter the ice. Then suddenly we hear over the speakers that shouted, "Here is your Nashville Predators!" The arena went wild as they came out on the ice and the lights came up.

I stood there before I could get to my seat, watching, and taking in the surrounding environment. Listing to the crowd just go crazy for their team, and then it happened. I was taken back as I began to think of how will we as the bride of Christ act when He enters the room? I just stood there thinking of every person cheering, going crazy, and waving their hands for Jesus our Savior. It was so loud, and I had an impression that this is what it is like in Heaven. WOW! I wanted to began to jump and shout. Not for the Preds, but for Jesus. If you could have only been there. I can not do it justice by trying to write it in words. Oh how awesome God is!