Turning the Tables

As someone who has taught history for over 28 years, I can honestly say without reservation that the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest event that has changed the path of mankind over the past two millennia.  It has been documented by many historians such as Josephus, Tacitus, and Pliney the Younger  that all state that Jesus was a real person and lived and died under Pontius Pilate during the reign of the Roman Emperor Tiberius. 

In spite of several attempts by the early Jewish community to spread falsehoods about his resurrction, the truth that has endured the centuries remains as the  angel tells the women who came to the tomb that early morning: 

"5. But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  6. He is not here; for He is risen as He said.  Come, see the place where the Lord lay." (Matthew 28: 5-6 NKJV)

In I Corinthians 15: 3-8 the Apostle Paul writes that over 500 witnesses have verified that the once crucified Christ now lives: 

3. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4. and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5. and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8. Then He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time." (NKJV)

This coming Sunday will be  Easter Sunday and thousands of people who do not regularly attend a weekly service will come to church.  In spite of what some may say, seven out of ten people still claim to be Christian with 6 out of the ten saying that they are "deeply spiritual".  (www.barna.org) So, where were all these people during the other 50 Sundays?  (Christmas week being the other week most people attend a church service).

If we believe that Jesus lived, died, and rose again from the grave to forgive our sins then should we not want to shout it from the rooftops for all to hear? If there is not a greater event in history that has changed the course of humanity for the better why are we acting like it is the best kept secret of all history? If there is really a heaven to be gained and a hell to shun then why do we hide it under the bushel? 

The church that was founded on this belief was the most active social force that created societies greatest social movement in history as well.  It was a force created out of the love that was gleaned and shared when Jesus sacrificed His life on that old rugged cross. 

Most of the people I talk to want to change their lives but do not know how or even where to start.  If you really want change, the church is a great place to start.  There are many great churches in our community.  Ask a friend, family member or neighbor if they can recommend one.  If they don’t have any suggestions, call me.  I think I know of at least one. 

 If it is time for a change and you are tired of the same old same old, then start with your spiritual life.  The New Testament church is made for you and has the message that can help you become the real you!  7 out of 10 Americans cannot be all wrong.  After all we have the greatest message the world has ever known, even if most of us keep it to ourselves.  

Have a great week!  Invite your family and friends to come to church and worship together on Resurrection Sunday!  Hope to see you there!  Pastor Chuck 

WHEN WILL SPRING BE SPRUNG?

I am sitting here by the fire with the dogs.  Lucy has her head resting on Amos' shoulder and they are cuddled up like two bugs in a rug.  Its freezing cold outside and they are trying to stay warm.  It's a comfortable 68 degrees inside but to look outside you would never know it.  It's a NACITS (not a cloud in the sky) kind of day.  The scenery is beautiful.  The birds are feeding at the bird feeder and every once in a while a squirrel will try and sneak up, climb the pole and snitch a few seeds.  That is until Tamie gets her BB gun and plunks one of the critters sending them scurrying up the hill.

It's a beautiful setting and almost Norman Rockwell-ish but I have a beef with the weather department.  Last week they said it will be 50 on Saturday.  Now they say its going to be like this through the rest of February.  I say "Enough is Enough!"  Last winter endured almost forever.  It was so cold and snowy but yet it did not kill enough of the fleas and ticks and other varmit bugs for my suiting!  This year started off warmer and less snowy than last year but it was just a trick to dull our senses into boredom then "BOOM!" The end of January let us have it good!

I for one have had enough.  I like the winter until about January 1st then its time for spring.  I don't often complain but seriously? When will spring come?  There is a counter that you can download to find out.  Here is the link:   http://days.to/spring/2015  According to the counter there are 28 days until Spring!  One month...sigh...

There are signs though that might hint that spring might show its face a little earlier.  The trees today even though it is cold are showing some signs of life.  There is red in the upper branches...a sign.  Watching the news yesterday about a story in Akron actually showed a robin!  Yes, a robin!  Either it is a demented robin that got stuck here or else...could it be...another sign?  The cardinals are beginning to turn more red.  Vibrant red.  And the little yellow finches are starting to molt as well.

But they are just signs...signs of a better, warmer, sunnier day ahead.  Just like there are signs all around us that point us to Christ.  I am currently reading "Apologetics Beyond Reason: Why Seeing Really is Believing" by James Sire, author of "The Universe Next Door".  Probably not a book many would just pick up and read.  But in his text he makes this statement:  "There is nothing in the universe that does not finally point to the existence of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." (p.24)  He quotes Blaise Pascal on the same page: "What can be seen on earth indicates neither a total absence, nor the manifest presence of divinity, but the presence of a hidden God.  Everything bears this stamp."

He continues the thought, "Everything shows that there is a transcendence that surely exists but is hidden...as Pascal would say, that is often hidden but sometimes blazes like fire".  I like the phrase "...hidden but sometimes blazes like fire."  Winter lays out in the open the dead in nature.  Spring reveals the hidden life under the snows.  Just as there is a death, there will be a resurrection.  Can it not be any more simplistic than that?

Look around you.  While all is white covered with snow, it is not dead, but sleeping.  There are signs all around telling you that life is but a breath away.  Spring is just around the corner...the signs are evidence that life is coming!

Let me ask you a personal question.  Are you living?  Really living?  What signs are there in your life that you are living?  Sounds like a dumb question doesn't it?  But, recently, I did a funeral where although death was all around, there were signs of life.  Death is but for a moment...like winter.  But for those who trust Christ, there will be an eternal Spring ahead for them.  What signs are there in YOUR life that you have an eternal spring ahead?  You can't rely just upon being a good guy or a great lady, or the works you do here.

C.T. Studd wrote: "Only one life t'will soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last".  Look around at your life.  Are you baring the signs of life eternal or the signs of death and destruction? The signs are there.  They are all around.  Soon Spring will be sprung!  28 days!  Spring brings also the celebration of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.  This Spring why not celebrate with a new commitment to the eternal Spring, life everlasting, by trusting in Him?

When will Spring be Sprung in YOUR life?

Pray for each other and stay warm.  Pastor Chuck

Life @ 60!

I was born on January 26, 1955.

To some of our young folks out there, I am a part of ancient American history, maybe even lived with the Neanderthals!  Truth is, I really don't feel a day over ...30... sometimes! Even though I was born soooo long ago, I do not feel like I have been cheated from anything society, culture, or life has thrown my way.  In fact, I feel like I have been blessed beyond measure!

At my age, I can look back on my life and the events that have shaped us in our world today and honestly say that I understand my life on Earth, and have been blessed to witness history and prophecy unfolding before my very eyes!  I have seen the great and powerful events that have shaped us into who we are today.  I remember where I was when Kennedy was assassinated.  I know where I was when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon.  I remember when microwaves first came on store shelves, and cell phones became all the rage, and yes, even the commercialization of the internet.

And we have been blessed by those wonders. Yet, we slide from day to day without taking a moment to thank our Creator for giving us the knowledge and wisdom to be able to have and use each piece of technology that blesses our very lives.  If you don't think that these things are that important to you, let your electricity go out for a day or so.  You will wonder how early man survived!  Right Kate!

I have been blessed to see my children have children.  In fact, if I knew that grandkids were that much fun, I would have had them first!  Joe, Laila, Wyatt, Zander and Lily are the jewels in my crown!  I am concerned what kind of life they will have and how the world will treat them. That's why it is most important, imperative numeral uno, that they get to know the Jesus I know.  MOST important!! And, I don't care if they turn out to be Methodist, Pentecostal, Republican, Democrat, or Baptist, as long as I know they have a relationship with the Christ.

As my life is concerned, I have witnessed just about everything under the sun.  The year I was born found Elvis crooning, Bill Haley "Rock(ing) around the Clock", Disneyland in California opened, Ray Croc started McDonalds, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, "In God We Trust" was first printed on money, and the yearly inflation rate was 1/4th of 1%! (imagine that!)

These things also have influenced me since I was a kid:
*  I had a paper route.  For those of you who do not know what that is...too bad...Google it!
*  I am a lefty!  Breaking your arm 3 times from the first grade through the 3rd grade will  not help you become a righty!  Its all in the mind!  That plus the fact that I failed penmanship until I was in the 4th grade! lol
*  We had the first color TV on the block! We were very popular with kids and adults when Gilligan's Island, I Dream of Jeanie, Batman, and Superman became color TV shows!
*  We moved from Martins Ferry to Massillon.  I became a Massillon Tiger and still bleed Orange and Black.
*  As a teenager, I remember Roe v. Wade, but did not understand then its nature.
*  As a teenager, I remember Viet Nam.  I was drafted but did not have to go since they repealed the
    draft my senior year.
*  Vacations to Virginia Beach were family time.  It included staying at family's homes, Spam,baked beans and cheese sandwiches, and lots of beach time!
*  The first time I put gas into the family car it was 19.9 cents a gallon at SOHIO (now BP)
*  No one really likes Brussel Sprouts...they eat them because they want to torment me!!  Yeck!!!

There is much more to say. You can look up what bread or milk cost, Big Macs (88 cents), and all those insignificant things, but the most important thing I can tell you about being 60 is that it is the best time in my life!  I have a great wife, a great family, a great ministry with great people, and a great place to life.  In fact, the 5 greatest things in my life are:
1.)  Being born on January 26, 1955 and being born into the Kingdom of Heaven on July 17, 1980
2.)  Being married to Tamie on August 8, 1981
3.)  Having 3 wonderful children:  Jeremy, Sara, and Katie with 3 wonderful spouses:  Katie, Tommy, and Jimmy
4.)  Having 5 grandkids and counting on more:  Joe, Laila, Wyatt, Zander, and Lily!
5.)  Having the privilege of ministering the Gospel to the people of Carroll County.

Yes, there are more...but these 5 take precedence over the remaining 10,000 or so things that have happened in my life.

What's it like to be 60?  Is it really the new 40?  Yes, and no...but...Stay tuned...As the old black and white TV shows used to say, "For more exciting adventures, stay tuned to this channel!"

So, you all hang in there.  Pray for each other.  And, by all means, go to church.  I can recommend a great one but don't go alone...take your family with you!

I hope you can come out to the Soup Supper and VBS auction tonight!  Don't forget...bring your checkbook...most important!!!  Hope to see you there!

Pastor Chuck
Joshua 1:9

Another List from the Crow's Nest!

Well, goooood afternoon Church!  I hope it has been a great week for you all!  We had a great study last evening as I finished up Chapter 12 of the book of Hebrews.  Next week we will conclude our study then move on to a couple of "Ask the Pastor" questions.  You got questions...I got answers!  Write them down, send me an e-mail or post it on Facebook.  I will be glad to answer your questions concerning the Scriptures, culture, or the times we live in.

This week's blog is dedicated to a few books that deal with many subjects: Leadership, emotions, how to deal with your life, marriage, etc.  Here then are my Top 10 Books on Anything that you should be reading.  There might just be a surprise or two in here...

1.)  Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud
2.)  A View from the Top by Dr. D. Michael Lindsay
3.)  The 5 Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman
4.)  The Two Sides of Love by Gary Smalley and Dr. John Trent
5.)  Be a People Person by John Maxwell
6.)  Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
7.)  The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
8.)  Who Moved My Cheese by Dr. Spencer Johnson
9.)  Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
10.)  What Good is God by Philip Yancey

All of these books written by different authors each have a role that you will find in your life.  Each author has written a number of books that are also worthy of reading but I chose these to get you going.

Back when I was an undergrad student at Kent State University, I saw a sign in the library that stated: "Those That Read-Succeed!" Success I believe starts with reading the Word of God!   But too many people make New Year's resolutions to read the Bible then put it away...

"It's too boring"..."It's too hard to read"..."I just don't understand all of this stuff" are the types of comments I usually get.  I always ask them..."Well, where did you start reading?"  Most people start reading in Genesis, then go book by book and it's all well and good...until you get to Leviticus...
then people start to complain...If they make it to Deuteronomy they generally never make it out of there...

Too bad.  It's a great read.  But listen...seriously...when you have a baby do you give them milk first then a few days after they are born give them a steak dinner?  Of course not.  It's a silly thought...but, that's exactly what you are trying to accomplish by reading the Bible through one book at a time.

Let me give you a better choice.  Let's start with milk, then go onto a milkshake before we hit the steak dinner buffet.  Start reading in the Gospel of John.  Yea...back there.  Then read the books of 1 John, 2 John, 3 John.  You will start to understand the apostle that Jesus loved...Move on then to Matthew, Mark, and Luke and Acts.  Dr. Luke wrote both Luke and Acts and if you read it like its Luke and Luke Part II it will make a lot more sense to you.

Continue reading the rest of the New Testament.  Now move onto Genesis.  It is possible that we can try to read the Old Testament through now.  Read Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.  Read Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I and II Samuel, I and II Kings, I and II Chronicles...and the rest of the Old Testament.  You get the idea.  

If you are looking for a good chart to help you if you want to read it chronologically, (or you could just get a Chronological Bible) here's a great link to help you start:

 http://www.biblecharts.org/oldtestament.html

It is full of charts and timelines and worthy of bookmarking in your laptop or tablet.

Keep reading.  Remember, those that read do succeed!  I will put these three lists of books in the bulletin next Sunday since there were a number of you that asked for them.

Next week we will take a look at "Another View from the Crow's Nest...Dr. Chuck @ 60!"  Have a great week!  Be safe out there and remember to pray for each other!  If you need a place to worship, come check us out at the Carrollton Bible Chapel, 365 Steubenville Road, S.E., Carrollton, Ohio. Service times are 9:30am Sunday School, 10:15am Coffee Fellowship, and 10:30am Morning Worship!  Hope to see you all there!

Pastor Chuck

Top Ten History Books Every Christian Should Read

Gooood Thursday morning Church!  It's not nearly as cold today as it was last Thursday but its still cold outside!  Somebody said it was going to be like 40 on Saturday!  That would be a heat wave!!  I am really ready for Spring!  If you want to know how many days there are until Spring and want to follow the countdown...here's the link:  http://days.to/spring/2015   According to Countdown to Spring there are 64 days until warm weather!!  I know Spring can have some chilly days but I am ready for things to become green again!

Enough small talk about the weather. Let's get down to business today!  After teaching for over 28 years...mostly social studies classes...(and a B.A. in History too!)  I feel confident that the list today is a good one!  There are some different kinds of history books here.  Not all are boring, in fact, all of them are great reads.  As with the last list, The Top 10 Books Every Christian Should Read, there were two ties.  Here is what I recommend:

1.)  God Less America by Todd Starnes
2.)  Killing Jesus by Bill O'Reilly
3) (tie)  Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly/Killing Kennedy by Bill O'Reilly
4.)  1776 by David McCullough
5.)  1491 by Charles Mann
6.)  Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick
7.) (tie) A Sorrow in Our Heart:  The Life of Tecumseh by Allan Eckert/That Dark and Bloody River by Allan Eckert/and The Frontiersman by Allan Eckert  (all history books of the Ohio area before 1800)
8.)  Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris
9.)  David by Chuck Swindoll
10.)  For the Love of Mike: More of the Best of Mike Royko (Pulitzer Prize award winner for journalism...wrote a daily column for the Chicago Tribune...my dad and I shared a fondness for his stories that all had a point...and its filled with sarcasm...my favorite!)

I also recommend these books:
1984 by George Orwell
Sez Who? Sez Me! by Mike Royko
Sea of Glory by Nathaniel Philbrick

What's YOUR favorite book of history to read?  Why not share it with us so that we can add to our list as well!  What else do YOU read?  What other lists would you like to see?  Hope this is a help to you!

Next week we will do one more list:  The Top 10 Books on Counseling/Relationships/Emotions that Every Christian Should Read....Some real interesting works here!

Have a great day Church!  Keep reading...As I have said before from the pulpit..."Those that Read...Succeed!!"  Wish that was original with me but it is so true!  Stay warm and safe out there!  And, as always, Pray for Each Other!!  See you Sunday!! Pastor Chuck

Top 10 Books Every Christian Should Read

Goooood frigid Thursday morning Church!!! lol  It's freezing cold out there!  I think it was -5 when I woke up.  Too cold for me!  How about you?  Do you like the cold?  What do you think about Winter?  Well, I can tell you that Winter could be officially over today and on with Spring!

But enough of that! Time to get to the point at hand!  Last week I posted a rebuttal of sorts on Kneel Degrassi Tyson's list of books people should be reading. So I challenged you all to send me a list of what you think Christians should be reading and I got a boat load of books that you suggested!  In your posts you mentioned many of the books I have on my list so I will post them at the end of this blog for readers to peruse and perhaps engage.  Let's take a look at the list I believe all Christians should read...or at least have in their library.  Let's assume for #1 that it should be the Bible.  If you are not reading it, all the rest of the books listed below are not going to have the impact on your life that it should.  However, for this list  I tried to limit the list to 8 but could not do it so...here are...

The Top 12 Book Every Christian Should Read (2 ties)

1.)  Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
2.)  The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer
3.)  The Grace Awakening by Chuck Swindoll
4.)  How Should We Then Live? by Francis Schaeffer
5.)  Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton
6.)  Love Your God With All Your Mind by J.P. Moreland
7.)  (Tie)  Jesus Freaks: Martyrs by DC Talk/Foxes Book of Martyrs by John Foxe
8.)  The Gospel According to Jesus by John MacArthur
9.)  (Tie)  The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan/The Shack by William P. Young
10.)  Heaven by Randy Alcorn

Agree or disagree?  What would you add?  What would you take away?  Here is a list of other books that some readers have added and I added a few too:

The Knowledge of the Holy: The Attributes of God by A.W. Tozer
Knowing God by J.I. Packer
My Utmost for His Highest (devotional) by Oswald Chambers
The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (my recommendation)
Pagan Christianity by George Barna and Frank Viola (also my recommendation)
Already Gone by Ken Ham
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Reasonable Faith by William Land Craig

What about this list from readers?  What's in YOUR library?  What are YOU reading...that is beside the Word of God?  Do you read the Bible all the way through or just hit and miss?  Do you have a reading plan or just whatever tickles your fancy?  How do you read God's Word?  Lots of questions I know...

Here's a clue as to what we will be looking at next week.  I will respond to your comments but then I will list the top 10 History Books that you should have read or should be reading.  As a history teacher for 28 years, I think I have a good handle on this.  There are a few surprises on this list too.

Thanks for reading.  Hope you get something from all of this...even if its just a good argument.  lol  Have a great and safe and warm Thursday Church...and as always Pray for Each Other.
Love you guys... Pastor Chuck

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Welcome to 2015! A new day, a new month, and a new year all in one time!  I have decided it's time to get back to posting my blogs.  When I first began I tried to write every day only to discover that there are not near enough hours in the day to do everything I need to do. So, I have decided to delete most of the old blogs and start afresh!  I will be writing only on Thursdays and many times it will be a "Reader's Digest" version of my message for Sunday or perhaps the previous one.  

I am excited to come back to writing.  It is one of my great passions in life.  Anyway, if I am going to do any serious writing down the road, I need to hone my skills once again as a writer.  So, any of you out there that are writers, or critics, let me know how I am doing.  Feel free to comment, correct...nicely now..., and give free advice.  

So...to start this new year off on the right foot, I am going to post just a few thoughts about last year.  I am sure you will hear more about 2014 in the days to come.  First, read Colossians 1: 9-18.

First, 2014 was a year in transition.  Tamie and I are now settled into our new home and Amos and Lucy have adapted to it as well.  I think it was harder on my mother and my kids then it was on us but Tamie and I both feel that it is God's will for us to be here.  

It was also a year where we lost some good people.  When you lose someone that has been ill or cancer ridden, it is a little easier to say goodbye.  But, when you lose someone who has always been full of life, like Tom Shaw or Chad Grimes, it makes it much harder to lose them.  While I didn't know Chad very well, I did know Tom and I miss him standing behind me singing in my ear.  Now I am the worst singer in our congregation but I know Tom is singing now with a voice as clear as it was meant to be.  You men and all those who went on this year will be missed! 

Second, 2014 was a year of mixed feelings.  We lost a few of our people in our congregation.  To that end, I feel a loss like that when someone passes on.  You all will be missed.  I am sorry we were not able to meet your needs or I am sorry that I have said something that might have offended you.  But this I know.  I will never back down from saying what I believe God wants me to say...even if it causes people to be offended and leave.  To some of you I want to say, "Why can't you ever seem to make up your mind?" or "It's time to put your big boy pants on and learn to accept criticism when God is speaking to you!"   I know that seems harsh but the pastor, and/or the church cannot continue to cater to those who want catering all the time.  Grow up.  If you disagree, great.  If you agree, great.  But don't lower yourself to the sin of gossiping just because you do not agree with me or the stance that the church has to take.  

We also lost some to jail or prison.  I am sorry that you are there but neither myself or the church put you there.  You made bad decisions and now you must pay for them.  We pray for you always.  Some send you cards.  I visit you.  But do not blame us for your faults.  It is another one of those "Time to grow up" moments in life.  You can choose your choices but you cannot choose the consequences of those choices.  You know I say that all the time.  I hope the time you spend in there will give you time that you should have taken to listen to God.  Enough said.  

2014 could have been a better year yet in many ways it was a great year also!  My granddaughter Lily was born this year!  How great is that!?!  I am looking forward to a great 2015!  I am sure that there will be many hurdles and challenges ahead but I am ready for them.  I hope you are as well.  Pray for me as I make this commitment.  I am looking forward to it.  Be careful out there and pray for someone today.  Pray for each other.  It is the biblical way you know and it will give you "Another View from the Crow's Nest"!  

Pastor Chuck