Chris Maxwell's Newsletter

Another Day Along the Way
Thursday, September 28, 2006

Another day,
Weddings.

I've officiated many. I've attended many. But none like this one.

I am not only attending to observe as a witness of vows pledged or guiding the event as an ordained minister approving of promises voiced. My eyes view this bride and groom much differently. The groom is our son; the bride is his dream come true.

My wife and I are happy. We are shocked at how quickly time passed. We are nervous, hopeful, joyful, worried, thrilled, and amazed. We are proud of them. We pray for them. We look at each other and glance again at photos from the past; we can hardly believe a few days from today a beautiful young lady will share our name.

If you are married, how is your commitment? What areas need a little improvement? Are you tempted to give up and seek an escape? Or are you willing to let giving love take precedence over receiving love?

If you are single but hope to one day become married, how are you preparing? Do the horror stories pack fear into your mind? Have past hurts flavored your view of people you notice?

For each of us, we can learn so much through vows and commitments. We can review our lives and see how we love our God, ourselves, and our world. For better, for worse, we can live this life of love.

Pray for Taylor and Brittany. Pray for us all. And pray for yourself, asking the Maker of Love to fill you with His care like never before. Pray you receive it and live it every day.

Along the way,
Chris Maxwell

Practical Stuff: Work hard. Stay. Refuse to quit. Face difficulty, learn what God is seeking to teach you, give it your all, stop complaining, and choose to endure.

Another Day Along the Way
Friday, September 22, 2006

Another day,
Counselors ask questions. Not so they can only obtain information. They hope to lure the participant into a time of evaluation which can detect a present situation for the purpose of moving beyond that status and into a much better condition.

What if we let God counsel, ask, listen, and advise? Today, let's try it. Investigate yourself and answer. The confessions can locate problems and motivate us toward solutions. Use portions of Scripture if you want. But take time to think, to pray, to answer with honesty.

Here are the questions:

When you think about God, what image comes to your mind? If you could hear God speaking to you right now, what would He say? Why would He say that to you? What question would He ask? Why would He ask you that question? How would you answer Him?

Are you afraid of God? Why? What would He say to you about that fear? How can fearing God be good, and how can it be bad?

Why do you believe in Him? What has hindered your conversations and experiences with God? How can you keep that from happening?

What does God want to change in your life? How can He help make that change a reality? How can you allow Him?

Along the way,
Chris Maxwell

Powerful Statement: (John 8:47, The Message)
Anyone on God's side listens to God's words. This is why you're not listening--because you're not on God's side.

Life is full of challenging trials. Whether it's disappointment, disease, or disability, there will come a time when we're all required to navigate through stormy seas. On "Words To Live By" the weekend of September 15-17, 2006, hear Chris and Debbie Maxwell's heartrending journey through troubled waters. Though the turbulence rages, God stands faithfully by to calm the sea!



Go to www.words.net to listen to the program online beginning Friday, September 15th, or to find a radio station near you. "Words To Live By" is presented by RBC Ministries, producers of the "Our Daily Bread" devotional.

Another Day Along the Way
Friday, September 8, 2006

Another day,
But not just like any other day. A new one. A fresh one. A day for opportunities. A day for hope. A day for assurance. A day for reflection. A day for healing. A day for forgiveness.

A person emailed me and asked, "Is there much going on at Emmanuel College these days?"

Here is my answer. To shorten word count and save time, I could write the answer in one word: "yes." If that is all you have time to read and all you need to know, then go. The answer is yes. Much is going on at Emmanuel College these days.

If you want more, read on.

Personally, the transition here has been mixed. Worry, concern, missing friends, financial concerns, and an assortment of other issues I've written about before have all merged with excitement, opportunities, friendships, partnerships, potentials, lessons, and hope. Change isn't always easy. But I love it here. Yes, the answer is yes.

Why, though? Why would I argue that much is going on at Emmanuel College these days?

Because in days like these I hear voices. Don't panic. I'm speaking about voices of students telling me of their dreams, goals, hurts, hopes, mistakes, desires, and histories. I'm thinking about voices from faculty and staff, those here now and those who have moved on to new careers or retirement, those who are new and those who have been here for years. I'm mentioning voices from people who have prayed for this college, people who have attended this college, and people who hope to see their children here in the future.

As I hear the voices, I like what I am hearing.

Complaints are not as noisy as compliments. Problems are being viewed as chances to reach new potential. Sins are being confessed and forgiven. Issues are being faced. Lessons are being learned. Life is being lived.

I like what I am seeing.

Singing and listening. Speaking and learning. Experiencing and living. This is now and this is here. Do you hear what I hear, see what I see? Rather than shaking heads to complain of missing ingredients, I see people shaking hands and bowing heads as we are grasping a glance of God, of His Truth, of His Grace, of His Vision for this place.

Yes, there is much going on. Going on, much more shall. As we pray, seek, care, and bow, a Holy Voice will respond to our choice and say, "Yes, there is much about to go on."

Emmanuel: God With Us. Or as I like it better, God Within Us.

Let us not miss Him or His plans. Here, or wherever you are as you read, let us not miss Him or His plans. Within us, may God be the One making so much go on.

Along the way,
Chris Maxwell

Powerful Statement: The Spirit dimension is a product not of engineering but of a hunger and thirst for righteousness that God fills.
(Earl Creps, Off-Road Disciplines)


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