Chris Maxwell's Newsletter

Another Day Along the Way
Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Another day,
The calendar labeled yesterday May 16. My Palm called it a T, for Tuesday. Me? I decided to title it a Get-Depressed-While-Packing-All-Of-These-Books Day.

It was a day I rarely experience. It was a day which will need to return to me next week for a finished product. It was a day that worked on my emotions.

The books covered 32 rows of six bookshelves. The books became a time machine: each one I grabbed took me into seasons of my life. Books I read, books I studied, books I reviewed, books I investigated, books I loved, books I doubted, books I debated, books I read over and over, books I decided not to keep, books I recommended, books which changed my life, and books I wrote. So many books over so many years. So many books and so little time to prepare for my departure.

Notes I wrote between the lines. Pages I folded to remind me to visit again and again. Marks in pencil, clips in paper; circles for importance, lines for reminders.

The diverse display of books—now in boxes folded or still on floor piles waiting for the next available box—reminded me of what they all have in common. The self-help books, the theology books, the doctrinal books, the prayer books, the church growth books, the fiction books, the poetry books, the how-to books, the how-not-to books, the family books, the commentary books; all the books had something in common. No matter the style or subject or date or author. No matter the cover or color or rhythm or grammar. They all had something in common.

Each book was filled with words.

And that is how life is. Pages of time filled with words.

What can we do about it? Words thought, words felt, words heard, words remembered, and words spoken: What do they do to us?

One of my favorite books is the Bible. One of the most direct usages of words is in a book of the Bible called James. These are the words James wrote about words. Let us learn from these words:

James 3:2-12 (NIV)
We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
[3] When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. [4] Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. [5] Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. [6] The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
[7] All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, [8] but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
[9] With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. [10] Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. [11] Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? [12] My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

James 4:11-12 (NIV)
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. [12] There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you--who are you to judge your neighbor?


Enough words from me for today. Let us all be careful what we say. As I pack and prepare to move to a new world, I pray words of love will be spoken and words of hate will be silenced for us all.

Along the way,
Chris Maxwell

Powerful Statement: Job 29:22-23 (NIV)
After I had spoken, they spoke no more;
my words fell gently on their ears.
They waited for me as for showers
and drank in my words as the spring rain.

Another Day Along the Way
Monday, May 01, 2006

Another day,
I could write about the Azusa Street Centennial and its historical meaning, taking the story down many different streets and turns.

I could write about the songs, the sessions, the services, or the celebrations.

I could write about those who spoke or the many nationalities attending.

I could write about conversations with friends I miss, friends I will soon miss, or leaders I respect.

I could write about my new homeless friend who loves potato chips.

I could write about the passengers I sat beside on the endless flights between Orlando and LA, my speaking sessions, my long walks, my huge prayers, the Laker fans, or the amazing beauty across the country.

But I won't. Those were healthy experiences, yes. But I need to let you know what I learned from my new friend Max.

Max waited on me as I ate breakfast three days. Saturday morning-before I returned home-he did more than serve; he told me his story. As I ate eggs and bacon and fruit, I learned about revival movements and church history and global evangelism. His personal testimony became strategic; I should have labeled Max a missiologist and receive credit for a doctorate degree.

While he poured fresh orange juice for his student, Max told me of the man who explained the gospel to him and invited him to Jesus. Max thanked me because of how America sent missionaries to reach his native tribe. Deep appreciation showed itself through his huge grin. Max was happy. And grateful.

He provided information, explaining how his nation now has a higher percentage of Christ's followers per total population than America does. Max said, "Though I live here in LA, I go home often. Christians are everywhere in my country. And we are excited!" Before leaving me alone with my newspaper and donut, Max paused and said, "Now, we seem more thrilled about Jesus than you white men are."

Max -- the server -- taught me -- the preacher. I tried to read the LA Times sports section, but the NBA scores, MLB stats, and NFL draft picks did not interest me like they usually do. I kept thinking about Max, about his country, about us, about me. I thought about times I've been to his country. I wondered if I would, or should, ever return. I decided that if I go there again I want to take Max with me. Or let Max take me with him.

Soon Max returned again, filling my huge glass with orange juice for the third time. He asked permission to offer a suggestion to an American pastor and author like me. I said yes. Max said, "Mr. Maxwell, it is now our turn. We can go places you people can't go. People who won’t like you or listen to you will listen to us now. The way we look and the way we live fits better in the countries where people have not heard about Jesus."

"Max, what should we do to help make that happen?," I asked.

He said, "Trust us to now do for the world what you did for us."

He patted my back and walked away. I left, leaving a larger tip than normal. But it did not compare to the tip he gave me.

Along the way,
Chris Maxwell

Powerful Statement: Do you really believe in what you're doing? Or better yet, do you really believe that what you’re doing is part of God's doing?
(Leonard Sweet, Aqua Church)