Chris Maxwell's Newsletter

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Another Day Along the Way
Monday, April 19, 2010

Another day,
After 17 years of working at Charisma magazine, and 11 of those years as editor, my friend Lee Grady is now going through a career change. He is also a man seeking to see major changes around the world. Let's read his thoughts.

Chris: Lee, thanks for your willingness to talk on Another Day. And, thanks for your friendship and our many mornings together at Denny's on Lee Road. I miss our breakfasts and prayer walks, but I thank God for our friendship.

Lee: Whenever I see an advertisement for a Grand Slam Breakfast, I think of you, Chris. I treasure those times we had together.

Chris: What is the main message in your latest book, The Holy Spirit Is Not for Sale: Recovering the Genuine Power of the Holy Spirit in an Age of Compromise?

Lee: I am calling for a housecleaning in the Pentecostal/charismatic movement. I am still 100 percent committed to the message of Pentecost-and I believe the American church is overdue for another fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. But I am pleading with people: Let's don't mess it up this time with greed, flashy stage antics, selfish agendas or weird, flaky doctrines. Let's keep it real.

Chris: Are you being attacked or supported as people read your honesty?

Lee: So far the response to the book has been overwhelmingly positive. People are so tired of the fake and the phony. They want a genuine expression of Pentecostal power, not a cheap substitute. One lady stayed up until 5 a.m. reading the book because it was speaking to her so clearly. I hear that kind of reaction a lot.

Chris: Christianity Today's article about you, "A Voice for Sanity," revealed many of those same concerns you include in the book. How can we find the balance of love and acceptance while refusing to remain silent about the idolatry of stardom and the false teachings of so many TV preachers?

Lee: The reason I wrote this book is because I love the church. Specifically, I love charismatics and Pentecostals. So when I speak out strongly about the excesses in our movement, and even when I name names, I am doing it out of love. We need a huge course correction. I don't think New Testament writers soft-pedaled when it came to correcting false doctrines, pride, ego or greed in the pulpit. Neither should we. We should care more about the glory of God and protecting the church than about protecting individuals who are dragging the Holy Spirit through the mud.

Chris: Many of your columns in Charisma were confronting the very issues we observed in ads on the magazine's pages. Was that hard for you?

Lee: Of course it was hard when I was attacked. Google my name and you will read what some people have said about me. Those things hurt, of course. But in the end, I can sleep at night because I feel I said what God put on my heart to say. I don’t see how some of those people can sleep at night.

Chris: Your move from Charisma after 17 years has brought a lot of attention. What is the hardest part of that decision? What all will you be doing now?

Lee: I'm not so sure it has brought that much attention. I'm not famous. But yes, it was hard because I have been in that role for so long and it became part of my identity. So I am having to let the Lord redefine who I am. I have to remember that my identity is not in my work.

Part of my reason for moving on from Charisma is that I have been involved in a traveling ministry since 2000. I have a ministry that has taken me to 24 countries. The owners of Charisma were gracious enough to allow me to do this traveling alongside my magazine work, but it just continued to grow. So I am stepping out to do more of it. I also took a part-time position with my denomination, the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, so that I could have a ministry base and connect more relationally with my church family. My plan is to move to north Georgia and base my ministry there.

Chris: What is the Mordecai Project?

Lee: That is my ministry, which focuses on empowering women leaders and confronting the abuse of women around the world. My goal is to one day establish a network of girls' schools in the developing world so that we can help break the cycle of poverty in those regions. I have four daughters of my own, and they are almost all grown, so I want to give the rest of my life to helping the global church address the plight of women. My web site is www.themordecaiproject.com.

Chris: Tell us more of your concerns about the status of the American church. Include problems in the Pentecostal-charismatic movement and also in those groups that reject all of the Pentecostal-charismatic teaching.

Lee: We can't do the work of the ministry without the power of the Holy Spirit. I will never back down from that. I was baptized in the Holy Spirit at age 18 and my life was forever changed. I still want to see every Christian have that experience. But I don't want the American church to continue to cheapen the Holy Spirit with all of our merchandising, flaky practices, lack of accountability and moral failure. We have to have a clean-up operation. Since the Holy Spirit is the source of sanctification, I expect him to do that in a big way.

Chris: Lee, I see so many people choosing to either leave those issues alone or go to the other extreme and complain all the time. There has to be a better way. What can each of us do to make a positive difference?

Lee: We all need a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In my book I outline several characteristics of the Holy Spirit's genuine fire, and these include things like boldness and supernatural anointing as well as integrity, sexual purity, humility, genuine love and biblical truth. In the past we thought that if people were falling on the floor or shaking under the power of God that this was enough. I don't think so. Spiritual experiences are great, and they can be biblical, but we must build the church on a solid foundation of character as well as biblical integrity.

We need to preach the need for the Word and the Spirit. We have to have both. If you only emphasize the Bible, and not the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, you will dry up. If you only emphasize the work of the Spirit and not the Bible, you will blow up. We need to hold these two in tension and balance.

Chris: What were the messages in your previous books and your upcoming book?

Lee: I have written two books about women, 10 Lies the Church Tells Women and 25 Tough Questions about Women and the Church. I also have a book coming out next year for men called 10 Lies Men Believe. I believe the issue of women's empowerment is a key factor in evangelizing the world. That is why I am so adamant about changing traditional religious attitudes that hinder women. I also am spending more of my time ministering to men, particularly in the area of abuse and how they treat women. It is a huge problem in so many parts of the world.

Chris: Talk about what recently happened in our men's gathering, Bold Venture.

Lee: I believe ministry is about relationships. Although I love to preach, I would rather sit at a table with six guys and disciple and mentor them. I see that as the New Testament model. So I hosted a gathering in March for men who I am related to. Some were guys I have been mentoring. Others were just good friends, and a few are my own mentors. We met for three days of sharing and small-group interaction. I thought we might just have 25 guys involved, but we had 91. And we are planning another gathering for next year to talk further about the need for relational discipleship.

Chris: Thanks, Lee. Give us a few closing words about how we can pray for you and your wife during this transition. And, how can people support your ministry?

Lee: Transitions are never easy. My wife and I need grace to plant new roots where God is taking us. (I am also praying that after I move to Georgia, I will have lots more time for breakfast with my friend Chris Maxwell!) There is some info on my Web site about how to support us in prayer and finances. If anyone would like to get my prayer newsletter, they can email me at grady@strang.com.

Along the way,
Chris Maxwell

Powerful Statement: New Testament Christianity is humble, selfless and authentic. And messengers of gospel truth don't preach for selfish gain or to meet an emotional need for attention. May God help us to root out the false apostles and false teachers who are making the American church sick with man-centered, money-focused heresies.
(Lee Grady, The Holy Spirit Is Not for Sale)

Another Day Along the Way
Friday, April 16, 2010

Another day,
Thanksgiving is scheduled for November. The annual day of eating too much and watching football was designed as a day of gratefulness, of awareness, of thankfulness. By noticing our many blessings, by choosing to appreciate life, and by refusing to forget life's goodness, we pause from our rush and smile. We don't ignore the pain or needs or hurts or wounds. We don't deny the sadness or conflict. But we notice more. We see the good.

No, it's not November. No, the meal might not be ready yet. But yes, we can pause and give thanks.

And yes, maybe yesterday was a bad day. And yes, maybe today didn't start off very well. But remember, noticing the positives helps us move beyond our moods and our hurts. Choosing to rejoice is better than waiting until everything is just right.

Students from my Spiritual Formation class typed their words of thanks to the Giver of Gifts. They gave me permission to include their confessions.

Courtney: Thank you God for opportunities, grace, and purpose!

Brent: I would like to thank God for diversity and being able to see His wonderful creation not in monotony but in many different colors, cultures, and customs.

Matt: Thanks be to God for his many blessings. He is so amazing!

Amber: I am thankful to God for not being critical of me.

Elise: I am thankful to God for Gavin.

Pat: I am thankful for the fact that no matter what kind of day I am having, I can think of God's love and know that I am his.

Christina: I'm thankful to God for my loving family.

Leslie: I am thankful to God for seeing my heart and creating me for a purpose.

Mari: I am thankful to God for being so faithful even when we are not.

I like their reminders. As our class experienced an hour of flowing through various spiritual disciplines, I didn't know that my pocket pc was about to breathe its final breath. I didn't know years of documents would disappear suddenly. I didn't expect my calendar and contact info and articles and talks to depart with no warning.

When that happened, my mind and emotions felt defeated and desperate. Being thankful last night was a choice, not a natural, simple feeling. The reminders of the students, the sympathy and help of a few friends, and the ancient Psalms walked me toward an awareness of bigger things, toward a view of thankfulness.

Let's go there together. Let's give thanks in April. Let's give thanks today.

Along the way,
Chris Maxwell

Powerful Statement: Goodness and mercy keep following me.
(Psalm 23:6)

Another Day Along the Way
Monday, April 05, 2010

Another day,
During the last few weeks, I've thought about the past. Remembering events, faces, names. Remembering people, places, things. And, remembering Christ's death.

Here is a journal I wrote in 1993. Most of my writing begins poetic. I usually transform it into prose, but I'll leave this one alone. Titled, The Drama of the Resurrection, the poem was originally published in The Lamppost.

I invite you to think of the past. Let these thoughts influence your present and your future.

King Jesus.
so many prophecies trumpeting His majestic coming.
anticipated, long awaited.
born in seclusion, in a feeding trough;
no room in the inn.
the prophesies continued:
He will cause rising,
He will cause falling.
pushing, but not too hard;
proving, but not for Himself,
all for the Father.
they loved Him and they hated Him;
they listened and they stopped their ears.
He never stopped loving;
an unusual love filled with Truth
minus trappings and pretense.
He healed, raised, taught, wept.
He raised a whip.

King Jesus.
the coronation was almost embarrassing:
riding a colt in a carpet of cloaks.
they hailed Him:
cheers and branches highlighting a poor-man's parade.
He ate with His closest companions
and showed them again
what it meant to be a King.
His scepter? a towel.
the road to glory? humble service.

King Jesus.
then came the garden;
those He served did not serve Him.
they slept.
He prayed and cried and bled.
judas kissed Him.
soldiers beat Him.
crowds sentenced Him.
friends left Him.
pilate washed hands.
a rooster crowed.

King Jesus
carried a crossbeam through the city.
they lifted Him high
in crucified agony;
He died on the town garbage heap nailed to the tree.

King Jesus.
sunday morning. early morning.
the ladies who loved Him
went to the tomb to anoint His body
wondering all the way:
wow could they roll the stone?
but the stone was moved.
an angel sat nearby and addressed them, questioned them:
"why do you seek the Alive One in a place of death?
He is not here. He is risen,
just as He promised."

King Jesus.
the ladies rejoiced and the disciples doubted,
but peter ran to the tomb.
there was no body there,
only strips of linen undisturbed.
He went away
wondering all the way
what could this mean?

King Jesus.

Along the way,
Chris Maxwell

Possible Satisfaction: You may attempt to anesthetize your deep hunger. It won't leave. Medicating it through people or pleasure won't fill that place of longing. Promises of earthly satisfaction cover our screens but never materialize. Hollowness haunts throughout eternity in the souls of those who pursue Life merely on an earthly plane. A much better alternative waits. A breakfast at the shore, eating beside the Chef.
(Beggars Can Be Chosen, Chris Maxwell, 2003)

- Do you want to help an Epilepsy Group? If you purchase a copy of Chris Maxwell's book, Changing My Mind, a portion of the proceeds will go to the Epilepsy Support Group in North Carolina. Email Chris and let him know. He'll send a donation to his friends in NC. Thanks so much. Too many people ignore the needs of those living with epilepsy.

- This Another Day continues the introduction from Chris Maxwell's book Changing My Mind. Written about his illness in March 1996, the book includes a variety of stories about life's disappointments. To help celebrate the 14th anniversary of Chris surviving that experience, pick up the book from Amazon from a link on his website.

www.chrismaxwellweb.com


Another Day Along the Way
Sunday, March 28, 2010

Another day,
Life, this strange mystery of joy and sorrow, includes disappointments. As my mind changed, as my life changed, as I now adjust and adapt, I'm often wondering what is out there and what is in here. On these pages, I hope we can all gather a better glance toward real life even during our journey in mystery.

My mind forgets names but remembers song lyrics and poetic stories. So each chapter in this book borrows a song's title. All of them remind me of seasons in life and of the scenes I still remember. Bruce Cockburn's tune "Wondering Where the Lions Are" took me on a tour many years ago. I started noticing the ignored, observing the forgotten, dreaming of the large. I also realized came to know that life really is a mystery.

Or so I thought. But now, in my unwanted exploration, I know better about life's mysteries. I know more about surviving each day. My mind helps my spiritual heart. Lyrics I hear can tell me more about lions, dreams, desires, waves, togetherness, eternity, wandering, and wondering. I can mentally digest words and determine what really has a hold on us. So can you.

In his book The Night-Side, Floyd Skloot defines a purpose for his words. Notice Skloot's honesty: "This book is a meditation forwards and backwards over the losses and gains that accompany long-term illness. Some of its pieces follow one another like chapters in a novel, others connect more associatively, like poems in a collection. It is finally an account of change and, I think, growth."[1] These pages flow in a similar current.

Change. Growth. Words we often use but rarely merge. Especially when change equals pain, sadness, grief, hurt and an ongoing adjustment to life. We all relate. We experience changes unique to us - our own, private changes. Changes noticed by others and changes ignored as long as possible by ourselves. Changes that finally, when allowed, bring growth - spiritual and relational growth, growth in thinking of others as we learn from ourselves, growth through the shrinking of ourselves.

In his book, The Thorn in the Flesh, R. T. Kendall writes, "Know that God has allowed this for a purpose. Accept it...as being from a loving God. Then come to terms with it. Don't pretend it's not there. Admit that it probably won't go away - at least, not for a while. God could remove it, yes, just like that! But, apart from divine intervention, come to terms with the likely fact that it is there to stay."[2]

This book collects my confessions about the growth pains and gains resulting from permanent brain damage. As you read it, write your own version. Confess your own changes, your own growth.

Whatever your condition, join the journey. Enter the experience. Be aware of reality. As you critique and confess and compare, here is the dare. Stare at me and my life to see where you are. Think of receiving help from others, of giving more when there is nothing there to give, of living. Really living.

This book is my effort to come to terms with life, with change, with a me I never expected to become. To come to terms with a me who forgets, who struggles, who doubts. I offer my own honest recovery, and I ask, What is this sad season of your life teaching you? How can your weakness make you strong?

I don't know all the answers. But my knowing so much about remembering less might help you know and do and be made new. I pray this account of thinking and changing brings growth.

Even while we're wondering where the lions are.

Along the way,
Chris Maxwell

Powerful Statement: So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18, NIV)

(Chris Maxwell, Changing My Mind: A Journey of Disability and Joy, 2005, LifeSprings Resources)

[1] Floyd Skloot, The Night-Side: The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and the Illness Experience, Story Line Press, 1996, p. xiv33
[2] R. T. Kendall, The Thorn in the Flesh, Charisma House, 2004, p. 87

Introduction to Changing My Mind

Another Day Along the Way
Saturday, March 20, 2010

Another day,
Most people occasionally forget a name. Spell-check and memos come in handy for us all. An appointment missed or a birthday forgotten: stuff happens. Parents stare at one child, calling him or her the name of a sibling. Singers miss words of the national anthem, or ruin Wrigley Field's seventh-inning stretch while trying to lead the fans in "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."

You've done it, haven't you? Ordered the wrong meal, taken the wrong turn, called the wrong number?

We label those errors common mistakes. Those of us who are perfectionistic control freaks condemn ourselves until we silence the self-talk. When such mistakes occur habitually we think we're just getting old. But if blunders suddenly invade us and become the norm; if a husband knows his wife one day and doesn't the next; if a few formerly common words refuse to journey from mind to mouth; if we become a person we never hoped to be, what happens then?

I know a lot about what happens. It is still happening to me.

On these pages, I open my journal to reveal my damaged brain.

As you inspect, as you stare, as you observe, feel free to laugh at me. Cry or critique my method of survival. Think, though. Work your own mind as you glance at mine. Evaluate, calculate, assess, confess.

How do you usually respond when painful changes swirl your way? What if my journey had been yours or your spouse's? Your parent's or your pastor's? Your child's or your hero's? The President's or the homeless man's? When you are challenged by an addiction, an illness, a terrible decision - things change, don't they?

Maybe you've read about miracles but asked why your Goliath didn't go down after your best stone throw. Maybe you've prayed with faith but every day the mirror's glass exposes a face and a life staring back, untouched by high hopes. Maybe the sea didn't separate fully when you ran from your foes.

Now what?

Maybe you're saying, "Chris, I didn't lose my mind. I lost my child." Or, "I lost my spouse," or, "I lost my left leg in the war and no one cares," or, "I've got an appointment with the doctor tomorrow and I'm very afraid," or, "I've made so many stupid decisions, I think I've lost myself."

Now what?

Along the way,
Chris Maxwell

(Chris Maxwell, Changing My Mind: A Journey of Disability and Joy, LifeSprings Resources, 2005)

Powerful Statement: So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18, NIV)


- This Another Day is from Chris Maxwell's book Changing My Mind. Written about his illness in March 1996, the book includes a variety of stories about life's disappointments. To help celebrate the 14th anniversary of Chris surviving that experience, pick up the book from Amazon. You can go to a link on his website.
www.chrismaxwellweb.com

Another Day Along the Way
Sunday, March 14, 2010

Another day,
A few years ago a pastor told me his disappointing story. His congregation had not accepted the new man an illness forced him to become. No caring. No true compassion. His lack of faith had caused it all, they assumed. Maybe, some thought, a hidden sin should be blamed for his illness.

He changed careers and later asked me, "How did your church walk with you through your struggle?"

I'm not sure how I answered because I'm not sure how they did it. But I'm sure of this: Church should be a family affair, not a war zone or a power struggle. A family of unique but related team players who do what is best for one another and for the building of His Kingdom. Isn't that it? Isn't that what Jesus expects of His body?

For better and for worse. When rich or when poor. In sickness and in health. Until death shall part us. Debbie had stated similar vows when we were married. My boys hadn't voiced such phrases, but their commitment was expected. They lived out unspoken vows, even during the worse and poor and sickness seasons.

Some in our congregation couldn't take it. They left when we needed them the most. But I can't be angry. I could hardly take it myself.

How shall God show His love? Would He choose to take sinful, selfish people and buy them for His own? Would He then decide to allow them to display His love by caring for one another?

It doesn't sound like a successful tactic for taking over the world, but it is God's plan. Placing messed-up people all together and telling them to love one another; telling the healthy to love the sick; informing the happy to hold the sad; instructing the wealthy to support the poor-what a strange strategy!

I don't think God would get elected for office.

Along the way,
Chris Maxwell

Powerful Statement: People in need of people. That is how God works. A collection of people. A family at home, a family so large, a spiritual family. (Chris Maxwell, Changing My Mind: A Journey of Disability and Joy, 2005, LifeSprings Resources)

- This Another Day is from Chris Maxwell's book Changing My Mind. Written about the illness he experienced in March 1996, the book includes a variety of stories about life's disappointments. To help celebrate the 14th anniversary of Chris surviving that battle, pick up the book from a link on his website:
www.chrismaxwellweb.com